Kobo charges $3.99 a month to sync your personal ebooks
The new Stack service allows users to upload files to the cloud, a feature Amazon offers for free on Kindle devices.
By Sarah Reynolds ·
Kobo is launching a paid service called Stack that allows readers to upload their own digital books to the company's servers. The service costs money, unlike similar free options available from competitors. It will first become available to customers outside the United States.
Stack functions as a cloud storage hub for personal reading files. Users can upload EPUB and PDF files up to 200 megabytes in size. Once uploaded, these files sync across all devices where the user is logged in. This includes the Kobo e-ink readers, the mobile apps for iOS and Android, and the web interface. The sync process also preserves reading progress, highlights, and annotations.
The rollout is part of a major software update, version 6.0, which is currently in beta. The official release will follow. Currently, only newer hardware supports the feature. This includes the Clara BW, Clara Colour, Libra Colour, and Elipsa 2E. Kobo stated on its website that support for devices made between 2018 and 2024 will arrive soon.
The initial release covers Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Spain. Michael Tamblyn, the CEO of Kobo, shared these details on Threads. The United States is not included in this first wave. In Canada, the subscription price is $3.99 per month. In the UK, the cost is £2.99 per month.
Kobo offers a 90-day free trial for new subscribers. If a user cancels, they have a 60-day grace period. During this time, they can download their files and export their notes. After 60 days, the company permanently deletes all uploaded data.
The new firmware update includes several other changes. Users can now add multiple library cards to borrow books from several institutions through Libby. The update also reduces stylus latency on supported devices. Accessibility improvements include larger font options. The system now supports EPUB files protected by LCP DRM.
Amazon offers a similar feature called Send to Kindle. This allows users to upload various file types to their Kindle library at no additional cost. Kobo's Stack service requires a monthly fee to access the same core functionality.
