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Electronic book maker Kobo says it's adding a model with WiFi wireless connectivity - a feature that has been lacking from the Canadian-born competitor in the hotly contested market.

The new platform will allow Kobo and its bookseller partners, including Toronto-based Indigo Books & Music , to close the performance gap with Amazon's Kindle electronic book devices.

Kobo originated as a wholly owned operation of Indigo, but has been spun off as an independent company developing a global electronic reading service with ties to the Borders book chain in the United States and other retailers.

The new Kobo Wireless eReader will be priced at US$139, putting it in line with some Kindle models, which are sold through the Amazon online service.

Kobo says the new wireless model can be bought online through its website and through Indigo, Borders and WalMart Canada, with shipments to customers beginning in October.

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