Rakuten Kobo has opted to switch from Mozilla Pocket to Instapaper as its primary reading application.
In a significant move to improve the reading experience on Kobo e-readers, Rakuten Kobo has partnered with Instapaper, the popular read-it-later service that has been stripping clutter and ads from web pages since its launch in 2008.
The partnership aims to provide a replacement for Mozilla Pocket on Kobo e-readers. Instapaper's API will be implemented, allowing users to read articles in an e-book-friendly format. This integration is expected via a Kobo software update by the end of summer 2025.
For Kobo users migrating from Pocket, there's good news. They can import their articles into Instapaper, and as a bonus, they'll receive a free 3-month trial of Instapaper Premium during the transition.
Instapaper offers a free service with basic features, but a paid Premium subscription costs $5.99 per month, offering extra features beyond the free tier. This premium plan includes adjustable font size, font type, and most other adjustments while reading on Kobo e-readers.
Brian Donohue, CEO of Instapaper, emphasized the company's priority in helping former Pocket users transition to Instapaper. He stated, "We understand the importance of maintaining a seamless reading experience, and we're committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for our new users."
Michael Tamblyn, CEO of Rakuten Kobo, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, "We're thrilled to partner with Instapaper, a company that shares our commitment to great reading experiences. This partnership will undoubtedly enhance the e-reading experience for our users."
Michael Kozlowski, a writer about audiobooks, e-books, and e-readers, has written about the partnership between Rakuten Kobo and Instapaper. Kozlowski, who hails from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, has been following the developments closely.
Both Rakuten Kobo and Instapaper are leaders in their respective fields. Kobo, with its extensive library of e-books, and Instapaper, with its clean, text-focused format, are set to revolutionize the way readers consume content on e-readers.
[1] Source: Instapaper Blog (https://blog.instapaper.com/2025/05/kobo-and-instapaper-partner-to-enhance-reading-experience-on-kobo-e-readers/) [4] Source: Kobo Press Release (https://www.kobo.com/press/kobo-and-instapaper-partner-to-enhance-reading-experience-on-kobo-e-readers/)
- Kobo users, in preparation for the integration of Instapaper into their e-readers, may also start exploring other smart-home-devices and gadgets that work seamlessly with Instapaper, enhancing their overall technology-driven reading experience.
- As Rakuten Kobo partners with Instapaper to ameliorate the reading experience on Kobo e-readers, it highlights the growing trend of device integration in the technology sphere, where e-readers are not just gaming or entertainment gadgets, but smart tools alongside smart-home-devices for a more streamlined user experience.
