Kobo Drops Pocket, Adds Instapaper in Free Update
What Changed on Kobo E-Readers?
Kobo has officially announced a significant change in its e-reader ecosystem: Pocket is out, Instapaper is in. This move comes via a free software update that will roll out globally, giving readers an alternative way to save and read online content directly on their e-readers.
For those unfamiliar, Kobo is one of the largest competitors to Amazon’s Kindle, offering devices that prioritize openness, multiple file formats, and rich integration with third-party apps. For years, Kobo users relied on Pocket, a read-it-later service owned by Mozilla. With this update, Instapaper now becomes Kobo’s new partner.
But why this change? What does it mean for you as a reader in the US, Europe, or India? And how does Instapaper compare to Pocket? Let’s break it down.
Why Did Kobo Replace Pocket with Instapaper?
Kobo hasn’t disclosed a detailed explanation, but there are several possible reasons:
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Licensing & Partnerships: Pocket is owned by Mozilla, and its integration may have involved higher licensing costs. Instapaper, on the other hand, offers a flexible partnership model.
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User Demand: Instapaper has a long history in the e-reader community and is known for its clean reading interface and offline syncing features.
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Competitive Advantage: By switching, Kobo differentiates itself further from Kindle, which has no direct Instapaper integration.
What is Instapaper?
Instapaper is a read-it-later app that lets you save articles, blog posts, and web content to read offline in a clean, clutter-free format.
Kobo’s integration means you can now:
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Save web articles from your phone or browser.
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Sync them automatically to your Kobo device.
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Read distraction-free with formatting optimized for e-ink screens.
How to Use Instapaper on Kobo
Step-by-Step Setup
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Update your Kobo to the latest firmware (the update is free).
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Sign in or create an Instapaper account.
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Connect your Instapaper account in the Kobo settings.
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Save articles from the web, Twitter, or mobile apps.
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Open your Kobo e-reader → articles will appear in your library.
Key Benefits
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Offline Reading – perfect for travel or flights.
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Highlight & Notes – store quotes and annotations.
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Cross-Platform Sync – read on Kobo, mobile, or desktop.
H2: Instapaper vs Pocket on Kobo
| Feature | Pocket (Old) | Instapaper (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Offline Reading | Yes | Yes |
| Highlighting | Limited | Advanced |
| Integration with Kobo | Strong | Native (new) |
| Ownership | Mozilla | Independent |
| Premium Features | Subscription | Free + Premium |
Winner: Instapaper offers more advanced annotation and better syncing with Kobo’s future plans.
Global Impact – US, Europe & India
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United States: Kobo aims to attract Kindle defectors. Instapaper’s popularity in the US makes this transition smoother.
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Europe: Pocket was popular in Europe due to Mozilla’s EU presence. Kobo will need to market Instapaper’s benefits to convert existing users.
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India: Growing middle-class adoption of e-readers means a fresh opportunity. Instapaper’s free tier is particularly attractive in cost-sensitive markets.
How Does This Affect Kobo vs Kindle Competition?
Kindle currently integrates with its own Send-to-Kindle feature, but doesn’t support Instapaper or Pocket directly. Kobo’s move strengthens its position as the “reader’s e-reader” – offering flexibility and independence from Amazon’s ecosystem.
For heavy article readers and knowledge workers, this may tilt the balance in Kobo’s favor.
FAQs
Do I need to pay for Instapaper on Kobo?
No. The integration is free, though Instapaper Premium is optional for advanced features.
Will my old Pocket articles transfer to Instapaper?
No automatic migration. You’ll need to re-save articles to Instapaper manually.
Which Kobo devices support this update?
All modern Kobo devices (Clara, Libra, Sage, Elipsa, etc.) will get the update.
Is Pocket gone forever on Kobo?
Yes. Once you update, Pocket support is removed.
How does this update affect Kindle users?
Kindle users won’t notice changes, but it strengthens Kobo’s position as an alternative.
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