Kobo makes a splash with the new Aura H20

Text and photos by Sonya Davidson

Kobo is about to make waves with the newest addition to the eReader category. At a splashy pool party last night, the company unveiled KOBO AURA H20 - the world's first waterproof eReader. Available starting October 1, this new E Ink eReader will enable passionate readers to take their devices not only on the bus or in bed, but also to the pool and in the bath. 

Click to read more ...

FireChat introduces fixed usernames for chat app

Clever messaging app FireChat is turning into a legitimate messaging app with the recent update it introduced—users will now get fixed usernames on the service. For those unfamiliar with the app, it lets you talk to other people on your mobile phone without the use of reception. The app makes use of iPhones and Androids as nodes to create a localized mini-internet or mesh networks. It works outside of traditional grids and are seen to be helpful in emergency situations when lines are down, places with no internet or cell infrastructure yet, or even in large festivals when reception is hard to come by. The update means people can’t impersonate another person again and it would be easier to continue communications.

FireChat | Source: GigaOm

Chrome 64-bit support for Windows now out of beta

Google has officially taken its 64-bit support for Microsoft Windows out of beta. This means the browser is now part of the regular stable release of Chrome. What would this mean for you? The browser increases graphics and media performance as well as decodes YouTube clips 15% faster. That’s incentive enough to update, we think. You can find the source link below.

Source: Google | Via: Engadget

Kobo innovates eReader space with waterproof model

The eReader market has been quite tumultous as of late. While devices like Amazon's Kindle and Kobo's readers have remained popular, others like Sony (now absorbed into Kobo) and Barnes and Noble (entrusted Samsung to cobble together their next colour device) have hit tough times. While standalone eInk eReaders have evolved slowly to include backlights and faster processors as well as more readable screens, Kobo has gone the extra mile with its new device which is waterproof. Kobo promises that it'll last under a meter of water for up to half an hour if the port cover is closed.

Possibly borrowing technology from recent partner Sony, whose Xperia line of tablets and smartphones has touted impressive waterproof qualities, the new Kobo H20 is the most amphibian eReader in the market today. At $179, it is submersible and  will also have an HD display of 265 dpi on a 6.8-inch touchscreen with upgraded Carta E Ink technology with a battery life of up to two months. It comes on October 1, But anyone itching for Aquaman's eReader can preorder it as of Aug. 27 at select retailers and at kobo.com.