Kobo’s new $ 260 Sage e-reader lets you add handwritten notes

Kobo introduced two new e-readers, including the $ 260 Kobo Sage that lets you take electronic notes and the mid-range waterproof Libra 2. The devices now support Bluetooth and both use the E Ink Carta 1200 displays, while continuing to asymmetrically shaped popularized by Amazon’s Kindle Oasis series.

The all-new Sage e-reader features an 8-inch, 1440 x 1920 E Ink screen with the Kobo ComfortLight Pro feature that adjusts screen brightness and color according to the time of day. They also give you the ability to take handwritten electronic notes on eBooks and PDFs with Kobo’s optional $ 40 Kobo Pen, and then convert them to plain text. It looks a lot like Kobo’s larger and more expensive $ 399 Elipsa, although the latter does include a stylus.

With Bluetooth support, the Sage can connect to wireless headphones so you can listen to Kobo audiobooks. It also supports Kobo’s $ 80 PowerCover which can hold the stylus and automatically wake the Sage or put it to sleep when opened or closed. Other features include 32 GB of storage (non-expandable), a 1.8 GHz quad-core processor, and a USB-C port for charging and data transfers.

The Libra 2, on the other hand, is an updated version of the Kobra Libra H20, with a 7-inch 1264 x 1680 E Ink display, ComfortLight Pro and Bluetooth support. Despite removing “H20” from the name, it is still IPX8 waterproof with the ability to survive up to 60 minutes in two meters of water. Kobo promises improved screen performance, and it comes with a 1 GHz processor, 32 GB of storage, and USB-C. It is designed to work with the new $ 40 SleepCover Libra 2 and the $ 30 SleepCover Libra 2 Basic.

The new e-readers seem to be good alternatives to Amazon devices, with the Kobo Libra 2 priced considerably less than the $ 270 Kindle Oasis with the same screen size, while the Sage has additional features and a bigger screen for $ 10 less. You can now pre-order the Sage and Libra 2, with delivery slated for October 19.