Rakuten Kobo's e-reading software heavily depends on numerous third-party entities for operation.
In the world of e-readers, two major players, Rakuten Kobo and Amazon, have adopted distinct strategies when it comes to third-party partnerships and self-developed solutions.
Rakuten Kobo's Open Approach
Rakuten Kobo, known for its emphasis on openness and third-party partnerships, supports open e-book standards, including EPUB format and direct downloads from public libraries. This approach promotes compatibility with a wide range of sources and services, making Kobo devices accessible to a broad audience.
The company integrates third-party libraries directly into their devices, allowing users to borrow e-books seamlessly from services like Overdrive. Kobo's hardware innovations, such as colour e-ink screens and stylus support, cater to niche segments seeking advanced functionalities. However, accessories like styluses are often sold separately.
Compared to Amazon, Kobo's platform is more open to developers, promoting a more ecosystem-friendly approach.
Amazon's Closed Ecosystem
Amazon Kindle, on the other hand, heavily focuses on self-developed proprietary solutions and ecosystem control. Amazon Kindle uses a proprietary e-book format (AZW) that works exclusively within Amazon’s tightly controlled ecosystem, helping enforce Digital Rights Management (DRM) and maximize revenue capture.
Kindle e-readers are deeply integrated with Amazon’s extensive services, including the Kindle Store, Audible audiobooks, and Amazon Prime Reading. Amazon develops its hardware and software in-house, adding features like the 2025 introduction of their first colour Kindle, with a controlled line of devices focusing on optimized reading experiences.
Their ecosystem approach limits third-party content outside Amazon but offers extensive proprietary content and features optimized for Kindle devices.
The Impact of Closed Partnerships
The recent closure of Mozilla Pocket is posing a significant challenge for Kobo, as they did not have a replacement for this service in their current partnerships. This incident highlights the risks associated with Rakuten Kobo's strategy of relying on third-party partnerships, particularly when those partnerships are closed or discontinued.
Amazon, on the other hand, has developed most of its tools and systems in-house, minimizing reliance on third parties. This strategy allows Amazon to maintain control over its ecosystem and content delivery but may limit innovation and flexibility.
In summary, Rakuten Kobo prioritizes openness and partnerships with third parties for content and feature expansion, supporting formats like EPUB and library borrowing, while Amazon Kindle relies on a self-developed, closed ecosystem to tightly control hardware, software, and content delivery, emphasizing proprietary formats and services. This fundamental strategic divergence reflects Kobo’s more collaborative and flexible approach compared to Amazon’s vertically integrated model.
Digital comics can be read on Kobo devices due to their compatibility with a variety of open e-book standards, making them accessible to a broad audience. For avid readers who prefer the closed ecosystem, Amazon Kindle offers the advantage of exclusive access to their extensive proprietary services like the Kindle Store and Audible audiobooks. Reading apps on smartphones and other gadgets can also provide access to digital comics, but the user experience may vary depending on the device's native technology and compatibility features.
