Same reason that phones are shaped like that - it fits in your pocket, which is convenient. Kobo used to make a Kobo Mini for the same reason, although it has b

Same reason that phones are shaped like that - it fits in your pocket, which is convenient. Kobo used to make a Kobo Mini for the same reason, although it has been discontinued for a long time. Anyways, it is also not just an e-reader, so books aren't the only content you can use it for. A lot of websites look and work best when used with a phone-sized device. There are also more people who prefer the smartphone size every year, just because it is now the default media consumption device. It's also a great stepping stone if the company wants to enter the mobile phone market.