Bookshop.org says support for Kobo e-readers is still expected to arrive later this year, after uncertainty over whether the long-promised integration had been delayed indefinitely. The update matters for Kobo owners who want to buy e-books through independent bookshops rather than directly from Amazon, Rakuten or other large platforms.
Bookshop.org already sells e-books through its iOS and Android apps, but those purchases do not currently work on Kobo e-readers. Its support page says the company is working with Kobo to support Kobo devices in the future.
Founder and chief executive Andy Hunter told TechCrunch that the Kobo integration is something both companies want to make happen. He said the delay has involved both business terms and engineering work needed to meet publisher requirements for digital rights management.
Kobo’s Indie Bookshop Support Has Become Limited
Kobo has long been associated with independent bookshops, but much of that reputation is tied to older purchase flows. Some bookshops previously supported Kobo through account sign-ups and website-based buying, but that option has become much harder to find.
That has frustrated readers who bought Kobo devices partly to support local stores while still using an e-reader. E-readers offer long battery life, low-glare screens and digital ink displays that make them more comfortable for long reading sessions than phones or tablets.
Kobo users still have other options. The devices support DRM-free EPUB and PDF files, and Kobo’s help documentation says its e-readers can also handle Adobe DRM and Social DRM files.
Library borrowing is also available for many Kobo users through OverDrive, though availability depends on region, library systems and publisher rights. Independent e-book stores such as eBooks.com also sell titles in formats that Kobo can support.
Bookshop.org Works on DRM and App Improvements
Hunter said Bookshop.org’s engineering team has recently focused on improving its mobile app, which launched about 15 months ago. The company is now turning more attention back to Kobo support, although it has not promised a specific launch date.
The biggest issue is making e-books purchased through Bookshop.org work on Kobo devices while respecting publisher DRM requirements. Bookshop.org’s current support page says Kindle and Nook are not supported because of proprietary DRM restrictions.
The Kobo integration would give readers a more direct way to support local bookshops while using a dedicated e-reader. That could make Kobo more attractive to readers who want an alternative to Amazon’s Kindle ecosystem.
Bookshop.org has built its brand around directing online book sales toward independent stores. If the Kobo partnership launches as planned, it would close one of the biggest gaps in its e-book strategy and make that mission more practical for e-reader owners.
Featured image credits: Raymond Snijders via Flickr
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