Borders has provided a few more details for its move into offering digital content, beginning with plans to take pre-orders for the new Kobo digital reading device. Kobo’s new $149 e-ink reading devices will begin shipping in June to be followed by the launch of, Area-e, special in-store digital content shops, scheduled to open in Borders’ stores beginning in August.
The online Borders e-Book store will offer more a million for-pay and free e-books in addition to selling a variety of reading devices. In addition to the Kobo e-reading device, the Kobo e-reader software is available to run a wide variety of devices including the iPhone, iPod/Touch, Pre, Blackberry and PCs and Macs. Borders is also offering its own branded software for reading e-books on a variety of devices including the Android OS. The new Kobo device will also come stocked with 100 free classic books to get readers started.
The launch of Area-e digital boutiques will give, “us a strong in-store digital presence,” said Borders Group interim president and CEO Mike Edwards. “We’re excited to offer the Kobo eReader to our customers, the first of what will be a wide selection of eReaders we’ll sell,” he said, “along with an online store that supports a variety of devices, giving consumers freedom in the eBook world at the best possible value.”
