Borders Cuts Kobo, Aluratek eReaders to $129 and $99

ANN ARBOR, MICH/AUTHORLINK NEWS/August 31, 2010—Borders® today announced that its leading eReader devices, the Kobo™ eReader and Aluratek “Libre” eBook Pro, will be available beginning tomorrow, Sept. 1, at the new low price of $129.99 and $99.99, respectively. The price reduction of Borders’ best-selling eReaders further emphasizes the company’s commitment to delivering even more choice and value to customers.

The Aluratek device is available for purchase on Borders.com and will be available in Borders stores this week; the Kobo eReader is currently available both online and in-store.

“We’re committed to making it as easy as possible for all Borders customers to enjoy eReading,” said Mike Edwards, CEO of Borders. “As the demand for eReaders grows, we believe it is important to provide accessibility to a variety of devices. By reducing the price of our best-selling digital devices, we’re enabling even more Borders customers to purchase eReaders at a great value.”

Borders’ eReader devices represent key components of the company’s overall digital strategy, which includes a device agnostic philosophy and commitment to offer numerous brands of devices by the end of 2010.

“This is a significant inflection point in terms of market penetration of the Kobo and Aluratek eReaders,” Edwards continued. “We envision this price reduction, enabling the purchase of these devices as a second eReader in a household, as a more affordable option — the list goes on. We’re thrilled to bring even more value to Borders customers who are excited about great books — digital or otherwise.”

In addition, Borders announced it will carry Velocity Micro's Android-based Cruz Reader™ R101 and Cruz Tablet™ T103, which are now available for preorder on Borders.com for $199.99 and $299.99, respectively.

With 7” displays, the Cruz touch-screen devices provide an enjoyable and engaging reading experience, play video and music, and browse the Web in full color.

The purchase of the Cruz Reader includes a docking station that turns the eReader into an interactive media hub and picture frame. The docking station is optional for the Tablet. An SD memory slot allows for nearly unlimited storage and hours of entertainment. Both Cruz devices come with the Borders eBookstore reader application powered by Kobo™ and give consumers access to more than 1.5 million titles, including thousands of free titles. The devices come preloaded with 100+ books and access to the Cruz Market with downloadable apps.

This offer follows the successful launch of the Borders branded eBook store, powered by global eReading service Kobo™, as well as the release of Borders’ Blackberry® and Android™ eReading applications. Compatible devices include the iPad and iPhone, the BlackBerry® Curve™, the new BlackBerry® Tour™ 9630 and the Blackberry® Bold™, and all Android devices.

“Powered by Kobo” is an eBook partner program from Kobo, a global eBook service backed by Indigo Books & Music, Borders Group, REDgroup Retail, and Cheung Kong Holdings. The 'Powered by Kobo' program provides a flexible solution for hardware manufacturers and retailers worldwide to launch an eReader or eBook store.

Michigan-based Borders Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items. The company employs approximately 19,500 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders® and Waldenbooks® stores.