As you already know, the native eBook reader for the BlackBerry PlayBook is eBooks by Kobo.  This morning an update came up to version 1.3.1, but no change log was included in this one.  Some users have been experiencing issues opening and downloading books, so let’s hope this build fixes that.  The update is now available in BlackBerry App World so head over and check it out.

Download eBooks by Kobo >>

Over the weekend we got the word from Kobo that they are dropping support for older BlackBerry OS versions.  You’ll have to have OS 6.0 or higher to keep getting updates and enjoy Kobo eBook reader.  If you already have Kobo on your OS 5.0 device (or older), it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to access all your books.

I don’t see this as such a downside as I hope the majority has OS 6.0 or higher by now.  If not, it’s time to upgrade! Continue reading for the official notice from Kobo.

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This is nothing you haven’t noticed already.  If you’re a PlayBook user, you probably noticed that over the last week, eBooks have been swamping BlackBerry App World.  For those who don’t like it, don’t worry, they aren’t miscategorized.  All eBooks can be found in the Reference & eBooks section of Apps.  For now they’re just launching rapidly so you’ll be seeing them a lot in the “Newest” section for a bit.  Are you getting any of these eBooks or are you keeping it real with Kobo?

So what’s that have to do with BlackBerry users? Well Kobo has been around for years now, formerly known as Short Covers.  It is the native eBook reader application for the BlackBerry PlayBook and has gained its popularity over the years on BlackBerry smartphones as well.  For those who would like to get their Kobo books on an actual eBook reader besides the PlayBook, you can grab the all new eReader Touch Edition by Kobo.  That way you’ll have the same library on any platform you go whether its a PlayBook, BlackBerry smartphone, or eReader.

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Today we got to take a look at the BBM social platform with Foursquare during the live keynote at BlackBerry World.  Kobo just announced new features for their ebook reader application as well since they also will be sporting BBM integration using the BBM Social Platform announced back at DEVCON 2010.  Features include:

• Find out which of their BBM friends have the book(s) they’re considering buying
• Chat with friends in real-time about which books they have in common in their lifetime digital libraries
• Browse friends’ libraries to discover books that may be of interest
• Control privacy and visibility settings to choose who sees their digital library

Continue reading for the full press release.

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Browsing via BlackBerry? Click here to view video

We’ve seen Kobo eBook reader for PlayBook since the very first demo back at DEVCON 2010.  I know this is nothing crazy, but RIM had up a quick 20 second demo on their site you can check out if you want to see up close and personal, if you haven’t already.

RIM has announced on their BlackBerry Twitter account that the BlackBerry PlayBook will come with Kobo preloaded on it.  When we saw Kobo pop up in the BlackBerry PlayBook teaser video from the keynote here at DEVCON, we figured it would be the standard eBook reader and the Kindle app would just be something extra to download as it is on the iPad.  Kobo currently has over 2.2 million eBooks to download at the moment and will continue to grow.

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Kobo is known for bringing books to you mobile device and they have an enhanced plan in the works for a BlackBerry Super App. Dan Leibu (CTO of Kobo) was kind enough to shed some light on it here at DEVCON yesterday.

The hardest thing about reading, other than finding time, is picking the right book. There are millions upon millions of books out there to choose from. Some are excellent works of art that I would never get my hands on, unless someone told me they existed by recommending it. It’s those books that are recommended by a close friend of colleague that I enjoy the most. It’s usually because they know what I’d like and it also leads to excellent conversations about the pertinent subject.

Kobo’s new project for the BlackBerry will integrate a social feel that will take the solitude out of reading and open you up to an array of excellent works. With a seamless integration to BBM, it will become the first e-reader to work with this messaging platform. That means social reading in real time.

Hit the jump for more info, press release, and video demonstration from yesterday’s general session here at DEVCON.

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Something we noticed in the video was that an eBook reader of some sort was displayed for a few seconds.  I wasn’t sure if this was the Kindle, or something else that RIM had developed but we just got the word from Kobo that it was their application feature.  So along with the Kindle application, we’ll be seeing Kobo hitting the streets with the BlackBerry PlayBook as well.  We are very familiar with Kobo, formerly known as Shortcovers since it’s been on the BlackBerry platform for years.

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There’s one too many eBook reader for BlackBerry I must say.  I’m waiting for RIM to take the initiative in releasing an official eBook store as Apple has recently done with the launch of the iPad.  But since that’s a far fetched idea, let’s snap back to reality and see what we have here.  Borders has just launched a free eBook store which allows you to download some freebies when downloading it today.  This one’s based off of Kobo which has been around for sometime now (many of you remember it as Short Covers).  The Borders eBook Store is compatible with the BlackBerry Bold 9000 on OS 4.6, Bold 9700 on OS 5.0, Curve on OS 4.5 and 4.6, 8500 on OS 5.0 and Tour on OS 4.7.

• Download the Borders eBook Store >>

-by Otoniel Bruno

Source: BBCool