Rakuten Kobo is switching from using Mozilla Pocket to Instapaper in its reading services.
Kobo, a leading e-reader company, has announced a partnership with Instapaper, a popular "Read It Later" service. This integration is expected to launch by the end of summer 2025, replacing the former Pocket service on Kobo devices.
Rakuten Kobo and Instapaper have joined forces to bring a seamless reading experience to Kobo users. The integration will allow users to enjoy Instapaper's clean interface and robust organizational tools, making it an essential reading companion for many.
For former Pocket users, the transition is made simple. You can import your articles into Instapaper in just two clicks at instapaper.com/pocket. Alternatively, you can download your Pocket export file and import it to Instapaper Settings. As an added incentive, Kobo is offering a 3-month free trial of Instapaper Premium when you import your Pocket articles.
Once the integration is live, Kobo e-readers will implement the Instapaper API, enabling users to read articles in an e-book-friendly format. Users can adjust the size of the font, font type, and most other adjustments just as they would with a typical e-book.
The partnership between Rakuten Kobo and Instapaper does not reveal any information about the ownership of Instapaper. However, Brian Donohue, CEO of Instapaper, has emphasised their priority in helping users transition from Pocket to Instapaper. Michael Tamblyn, CEO of Rakuten Kobo, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating that they are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for their users.
Kobo users will have the option to choose between a free plan and a paid premium plan for Instapaper. The free plan offers basic use of Instapaper’s "Read It Later" service, while the premium plan, priced at $5.99 per month, provides enhanced features such as improved article management, highlighting, notes, text-to-speech, and PDF support (PDF features are exclusive to premium users).
The news was written by Michael Kozlowski, a renowned writer who has been covering audiobooks, e-books, and e-readers for the past eighteen years. Kozlowski resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
In conclusion, the partnership between Kobo and Instapaper offers Kobo users a chance to upgrade their reading experience. Whether you opt for the free plan or the premium features, the integration promises to make Instapaper a valuable addition to your Kobo e-reader.
E-reader users can anticipate a seamless reading experience with the integration of Instapaper onto Kobo devices, as the partnership allows for the use of Instapaper's clean interface and robust organizational tools on these gadgets. Smartphone users planning to switch from Pocket to Instapaper will find the transition facilitated by the option to import their articles quickly.
