http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 12:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
I'd rather be in business with Amazon than Kobo as well. ]]>Jul 19th 2010 12:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 1:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
Refurbed Kindle 2s (but of reported excellent refurb quality) were on sale for $110 only several days ago (and brand new Kindle 2s were on sale for a day at Woot for $155).

The Kobo needs a significant drop in price to compete.]]>Jul 19th 2010 2:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 12:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 12:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 12:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
That's what I was thinking.

Oh well. Lovin' my Nook 3G ]]>Jul 19th 2010 12:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
I agree with the other sentiments. I really want a cheap no frills ereader, but if I am getting that then this is still too expensive.

Having said that I don't want the complexity of the iPad or the problems of the Kindle (which isn't available in Singapore anyway) or the Nook.]]>Jul 19th 2010 12:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
Apparently you couldn't use it anyway, but what are these problems with the Kindle of which you speak?]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
I have a Kindle and the software/firmware doesn't really get in the way when it comes to buying or reading books. The web browsing is so-so, but it's not designed to be a selling feature.]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 12:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/It's actually very good. I have a Cybook, which is pretty much the same design.
The button sits at just the right position to allow page turns with a little extra pressure from the hand you are holding it in. And seriously, the page turning is the most crucial control. Get that wrong by making it too awkward or needing a second hand,and you have screwed up the whole thing. ]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 2:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
(Sorry, couldn't resist)]]>Jul 19th 2010 6:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/2. calibre ebook manager (free)
3. "borrowed" books from the internets
4. ???
5. PROFIT]]>Jul 19th 2010 12:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
Although I have the touch version, completely agree. It's nice!]]>Jul 19th 2010 2:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
Dude... Why the Sony? It's the same price as the Nook WiFi, but has fewer features. The Nook can read standard ePub books just fine (which are plentiful if you're the type to "borrow" them, as you say) and also handles PDF like a pro. On top of that you get WiFi and a web browser, and you can *still* buy books from the Sony bookstore and use them on the Nook.

I weighed the two choices, and the Nook won hands down. The only way the Sony reader is better is in terms of compact size. Otherwise, it's beat by the Nook at everything.
]]>Jul 26th 2010 2:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
Removing that from the equation you have usability. All I wanted was a simple ebook reader and the sony does that perfectly.

Lastly, as you said, its more compact and is a much better build quality than the nook. Looks really nice and not like a cheap toy.

So at the end if you need more than just a simple ebook reader, want a larger screen then go for the nook. Otherwise, Sony is the simple choice that should last a long time.]]>Jul 26th 2010 3:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 12:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 12:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 12:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
Why do you have to bring the iPad into this? The iPad isn't an e-reader, it's a tablet computer. You're comparing two different technologies and saying that the technology that isn't relevant in the e-reader space is better.

Let it go Engadget, or you'll lose me (and probably others) as a reader.]]>Jul 19th 2010 12:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 12:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Although I am not one of them, I believe many view the iPad as a device on which they also (plan to) read books. And Apple is pushing that view in their marketing as well.
So although we're dealing with two separate devices in terms of specs, the consumer might very well make the comparison between this and the iPad.]]>Jul 19th 2010 12:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 1:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
Yes, but it still doesn't make sense. We're talking devices dedicated to reading like if it was a book to a computer. They're not the same. Yes, the iPad can be used to read books, but that's like saying I'll use Saran Wrap as a condom.

Saran Wrap can do multiple tasks, very well at that, and you can definitely use it to have sex with it, but there's a reason that anyone who's serious about sex will use condoms. The same logic applies here.]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
Then anything with a screen can be a competitor to an e-reader.

I do most of my reading on my desktop, and the Kobo performs significantly worse than my desktop computer. Even my laptop performs better, plus it has a color screen and is also portable!

/sarcasm

E-Ink devices are a very specific category of devices, and should be judged accordingly. That being said, Pixel Qi devices are comparable because their screens very accurately mimic the E-Ink look, which regular tablets don't even attempt. ]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
The iPad comparison is a fair comparison. Some people are very light readers, and even paying as little as $150 for an e-reader plus $10 per book might be a little expensive to some people. As good as dedicated e-book readers are at their primary function... easy to read text on an e-ink screen... reading books is still a niche. Not everybody reads books.

E-book manufacturers are catering to hardcore readers to buy their products to read books... because that's all those products can do. Apple went a different route and made a device that can read books and do other things.

Of course the cheapest iPad is 3.5 times more expensive than an e-book reader, but if you factor in all of the other things the iPad can do *and* it can read books... it's actually a pretty good option for some people.

I think they will always compare the iPad to a dedicated e-reader since the iPad can read books... plus a whole lot more.]]>Jul 19th 2010 2:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
How delightfully Freudian.]]>Jul 19th 2010 12:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
I liked the reader's weight, size; and the fact that it was not an "all singing, all dancing" gadget and just showed books.

A few negatives:

Software glitches caused it to crash a lot, and it lost books. The BIG-ASS button was klunky. There were not enough words on the page as I could not get the correct combination of text size and line spacing to accommodate my preferred reading comfort.

These annoyances were a pain but each was not enough to reject it. However, the slow page refresh rate was maddening, and that was what caused me to return it.
]]>Jul 19th 2010 12:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
Once you make a reader also function as a MID, PMP or tablet, you are required to make design changes that affect battery life and price.

The only reason I haven't jumped in yet is simply because Id like to use it as a comic reader as well so am waiting for something that can do colour as well as B&W. In about a year we'll have more options on the market for colour as well. Like many, I'm personally interested in how the notion ink goes. ]]>Jul 19th 2010 12:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/That said, I've been waiting for the e-readers to drop to about $99 and I will get one. Since I already own many of the titles I would want to read in physical format, can already read them on an electronic device and don't have need to load a butt-load of books or listen to music, browse web or other functions (I do that on my phone) I think an e-reader would fill a niche but not a big enough one to warrant more than about $100.

Thanks for the review! If they drop the price to $99 I will get one but I would rather pay the $149 and get the wifi Nook right now... I'll hold off to see what the holiday scramble for my $$ does. ]]>Jul 19th 2010 12:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 1:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/However without some 3G connectivity and web browser any reader like this is not going to make it.
Funny story... Was visiting my mom in the city and only took my BB Bold and Kindle with me so I could read on LIRR and Subway.
My mom does not have internet and there is no open Wifi around her.
She wanted me to call her bank cause she had a question about her accounts. Was going to use my BB to call up her accounts but the screen is little too small for her to read on. So I brought up her accounts with the Kindle browser, (a little slow but not awful) and showed her what she wanted in large and paper-like clarity.
Even did a funds transfer for her. She said it was unbelievable that this thin piece of plastic could do that for her without her going to the bank. She even called the bank to make sure it actually happened.

Actually there have been plenty of times when whispernet and the kindle browser came in very handy for me. Now if only they added some features and took it out of experimental.... :)]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
That said, the Kobo's big push is Canada I believe, and unlike you folks in the states, we don't have access to a lot of the ereaders you do. The Kobo and the Kindle are the only modern ereaders accessible easily by the general public. Nerdy online orderings aside.

eBookwise/Fictionwise also carry the REB 1150 a backlit ancient reader of which my mother owns two. (She's been reading eBooks for 6-7 years now).

When we were looking for birthday gifts back in May, including import fees the Kindle 2 is $300ish, whereas the Kobo was $170 with tax.

- D]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
The button being on the right hand side of the device is really annoying if you're holding it in your left hand. Had they put the button in the center, you could easily reach it from either end of the device.

The Adobe Digital Editions software is a pain in the ass to use. It's all flash, no function. Go download Calibre, not a lot of flash, but definitely easier to use.

And when you're used to getting your books from the library, it sucks to have to pay $10 for every book.

Anyone know a good torrent site for epub's?]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 1:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 1:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 1:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/_>]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/can i use it for reading PDFs? and i mean REALLY use it, as in it supports REFLOW?]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/
Also, the slow refresh rate is due to the lower price (which when it came out was remarkably cheaper than the competition... Kindle, Sony and Nook). Nowadays they might really need to adjust the price for surviving. For me... I like my sony prs-505, no bells and whistles and it feels great with it's leather cover... and I got it at the same price some years ago =P

GJMS]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/I've been lusting after one of these at my local Chapters (Who had them here in Canada before anyone else in the US), and at $150 it's a little expensive for an impulse purchase, but a good investment. I think, however, it's going to drop in price some (Hopefully to $99, probably to $125) quite soon, at which point it's firmly in "Impulse purchase" territory, and will be coming home with me. :)]]>Jul 19th 2010 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/I give it a year, maybe two until e-readers are $100 for the lower end models.]]>Jul 19th 2010 2:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 2:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/kobo-e-reader-review/Jul 19th 2010 1:42PM