"Books don't have keyboards, so why should an ereader?" Kobo CEO Michael Serbinis says.
This isn't the first touchscreen eink ereader -- Sony has been making touchscreen ereaders for years -- but it is the first one to be backed by a major book seller. Amazon's Kindle has not been released as a touchscreen device, and Barnes & Noble's Nook Color is more like a tablet than an ereader.
By removing the keyboard, Borders-backed Kobo's new reader gains a slight size advantage. It will be a bit smaller and lighter than the standard Kindle and standard Nook (though all three have 6-inch screens). Sticking with eink instead of opting for a tablet-like device keeps it safely within an ereader price range. The device will hit the shelves of Kobo partners like Walmart and Best Buy with a $129 price tag.
Serbinis hopes the touchscreen will also make Kobo readers more accessible to senior citizens and children.