Found this little article over at Teleread.com and it sounds very promising. Looks like a week of June 28th release for firmware update.

http://www.teleread.com/2010/06/17/kobo-ceo-replies-to-issues-raised-by-telereads-joanna/

Brilliant! Thanks for posting the link.

I think Michael does a good job of answering the most common complaints, and it's a relief to hear that these issues are being addressed.

I think that hiding the 100 pre-loaded books is an adeqate fix - actually it will suit me perfectly. I don't mind them being on my Kobo, I just don't want them cluttering up my library.

That's awesome! So is the TeleRead thingie generally -- I'd not heard of it. But anyway, not a word, sniff, about PDF reflow. I'm very pleased about the battery life news, and the red/blue light will have interesting new behaviours!

Oh, and Joanna at TeleRead said it (http://www.teleread.com/2010/06/13/kobo-growing-pains-user-issues-and-my-prescription/)! The Kobo is "cute and adorable"!

Hmm, this bit sounds slightly dodgy. The bug: in some situations, power consumption wasn’t tapering off as much as it should have when the device went into sleep mode.

I've had power failed when i've charged it up and read 1500 pages in one sitting. I've never turned it off to sleep.

Hope its just bad wording.

Bismar, I think sleep mode is the status the Kobo goes into after nothing is pressed for 10 seconds. So if you take 30 seconds to read the text on the scree 20 seconds of that could be in "sleep mode".

Don't quote me on the time spans, it might be 10 min. I'm just pointing out the difference between sleep and off.

1500 pages in one sitting, must have been a good book, or books.

It sounds like they have some nice plans for the Kobo. And it sounds like they have a fix for the font-sizing. Hopefully it works as well as described.

Ideally, you don't have to do anything to make it 'go into sleep mode' except take your finger off a button. Then it does what you commanded and goes to sleep right away, or after a few seconds, depending on the command. On some devices, a short press on the power button just locks all the other buttons out; ideal on the Kobo, where the big blue button is so easily pressed by a case... I almost never turn off my Hanlin devices, and still get three or more weeks between charges.

pholy, yeah a lock mode would be great.
Currently I turn my Kobo off every time I stop reading since I don't want to find out that buttons got pressed while it was in my bag. But that might actually be using more power then its saving (off vs. sleep, offset by processing on startup)

Hi -- it's Michael Tamblyn from Kobo. To save people the link, here's the full text of my post on TeleRead. Thanks to all of the people on MobileRead who have been so supportive of us and each other through the first 45 days with the eReader. We'll keep pushing to make the eReader better. You keep pushing to make *us* better.

Here's the scoop on the Kobo firmware and Desktop Reader update:

1. Font scaling
Will be dealt with in a firmware upgrade the week of June 28th. Font scaling issues have been tricky -- they are most often caused by hardcoded absolute font sizes in the epub CSS. Doing wholesale overrides of publisher CSS can earn us bad karma with publishers. And while we can easily override some CSS elements (font face, for example, since we have a limited number of fonts on the eReader), the Adobe SDK prohibits override of absolute font sizes. (Grrr...) So we have had to do some crafty things behind the scenes to get around that limitation. We have tested the new release of firmware with every file that users have sent us with font resizing issues and it has worked in all cases we've tested so far.

2. Title Management
The biggest irritant we heard from lots of users was "I don't care about *&@^#$# Huckleberry Finn! Get that stuff out of my Library." Totally understandable: some people feel it clutters up the Library or makes it harder to find purchased books. (Others love having a reader that is full of books as soon as you plug it in. That's the way it goes...) There is a short-term fix in the new release while we work on a longer and more complicated one. In the short term, you'll be able to hide pre-loaded books on the device -- get them out of the way so you can look at the other books you've added. That definitely won't address all issues, but it will address the biggest pain point while we work on a wider range of library management features for a subsequent release.

3. Battery Life
This was a software problem rather than a hardware one. Even when the device is in sleep mode, there is a negligible amount of activity on the device. The bug: in some states, power consumption wasn't tapering off as much as it should have when the device went into sleep mode. We found the bug and fixed it, so people should be able to get the 8,000 page turns they were expecting.

4. Charging Light
Used to: show nothing until it was charged and then turn red when it was done. (Okayyyy.....)
New release: turns red when it's charging, turns blue when it's done. (Makes more sense.)

There are a bunch of other things rolled up in the update (universal mac builds for PPC+Intel, better indications when the device is off, etc.), but I wanted to flag those four since they've been a topic of some discussion here.

Why Has This Taken So Long?
Doing the first firmware upgrade on your first hardware device is not for the faint of heart. We've been trying to balance three things: how many fixes/improvements can we get into the release vs. not wanting people to wait too long vs. testing all of the wild and wonderful use cases that customers have given us via phone, email, this forum and others. This week we decided we were fixing enough issues to justify people spending time upgrading the device, especially since it's a bit of a tricky process, with a few multi-button presses and resets to get the new firmware in there.

Generally, we've learned a lot in the 45 days since the eReader released. We've learned that running an open platform is both great and daunting -- you never know what people are going to try to load onto the device and need to be ready for everything. We have learned that the user community is awesome. People have been great at helping each other overcome issues while this software/firmware update was coming together. Thanks especially to the Calibre folks for doing such a nice job on the Kobo eReader driver!

I'll have more detail on the release as we lock down the final build. In the meantime, thanks so much for your patience, your candor, well-intentioned beatings, and willingness to stick with us as we get through this latest round of growing pains.

Questions, feedback, whattheheckareyoutalkingabout comments? I'll keep an eye on this thread. Thanks!

Hi -- it's Michael Tamblyn from Kobo. To save people the link, here's the full text of my post on TeleRead. Thanks to all of the people on MobileRead who have been so supportive of us and each other through the first 45 days with the eReader. We'll keep pushing to make the eReader better. You keep pushing to make *us* better.

[INDENT]Here's the scoop on the Kobo firmware and Desktop Reader update:

2. Title Management
The biggest irritant we heard from lots of users was "I don't care about *&@^#$# Huckleberry Finn! Get that stuff out of my Library." Totally understandable: some people feel it clutters up the Library or makes it harder to find purchased books. (Others love having a reader that is full of books as soon as you plug it in. That's the way it goes...) There is a short-term fix in the new release while we work on a longer and more complicated one. In the short term, you'll be able to hide pre-loaded books on the device -- get them out of the way so you can look at the other books you've added. That definitely won't address all issues, but it will address the biggest pain point while we work on a wider range of library management features for a subsequent release.



I work on the Calibre driver. Would it be possible for some one to let me know the details of the database changes if any required for this? I would like to ensure that the driver is ready for the updated firmware as soon as possible after the release. I don't mind waiting to release code and I realize things may change...


4. Charging Light
Used to: show nothing until it was charged and then turn red when it was done. (Okayyyy.....)
New release: turns red when it's charging, turns blue when it's done. (Makes more sense.)



Nice. Red always means bad to me so fully charged being blue is better.

Why Has This Taken So Long?
Doing the first firmware upgrade on your first hardware device is not for the faint of heart. We've been trying to balance three things: how many


The device is great. I have been able to live with the few flaws and as my first eReader it has really got me back to reading again. Thank you for that. Those of us in IT fields realize the time it takes to get new releases out. It is not trivial with common programs and firmware updated are especially hairy.



Questions, feedback, whattheheckareyoutalkingabout comments? I'll keep an eye on this thread. Thanks!

The thing I would really like is specification information on the bluetooth syncing. Since the device does not have wifi I would like to be able to setup my PC as a Bluetooth server and sync with it. I have the reader on my iPhone (and soon an IPad) and I would like to be able to stay in sync without plugging it into my computer.

All the best and good luck with the new release.

Tim

Michael, will the U.S. release come with the new firmware update?

Nope. I've got one--I'll try to report soon--and it's the same as you've got.

good letter michael - nice and detailed. you seem pretty chill. like "love u guys" and "we'll always be right here, watching u." makes me feel safe. bet we're gonna see alot of remorse today from the complainers (e.g. "there is a god", "god = tamblyn", etc. kind of posts.) anyways, much obliged.

thekidintheclock, I don't think we will see any remorse, not today at least. The letter does make things sound really good, but I'd hold my breath until we see the firmware and see how it really works.

Van we please have the full link? I do not click on link redirects as they could link to just about anywhere.

Van we please have the full link? I do not click on link redirects as they could link to just about anywhere.

Full link is http://www.teleread.com/2010/06/17/kobo-ceo-replies-to-issues-raised-by-telereads-joanna/

Although, the original letter is posted as comment #9 on this thread.

EDIT: oops, missed RedRoverJ's post

Thanks very much for posting the original link and to Michael for coming here and discussing the issue with us.

I'm really happy with everything I've heard so far!

I don't mind have various ways to add content (whether it be drag and drop or an iTunes type option) just as long as one option works exactly the way it should and is explained in detail for new users inside their Kobo packaging.

Wish list, I'd love the bluetooth sync between my iPod Touch and the device. Sometimes it's just not practical to carry the Kobo so I do use my Touch for reading when I out and about. Michael, if you haven't already, check out our wish list thread. We can keep updating that.

Good news for sure. In the matching blog post on the kobobooks site, it is suggested that people who signed up for the beta program might get to test it out earlier. I signed up for the beta but have not heard anything. Michael, any idea if that is actually going to happen and when? Thanks.

timlegge - shoot me an email at mtamblyn at kobobooks dot com and I'll hook you up with the right people on our dev team. You guys did great work on the Kobo driver, so would love to see how we can help out. PC-as-Bluetooth-Server is definitely in the "hmmm. I have no idea but it would be cool if you could..." category. Let me see what I can dig up.

treetotree - mlstein is correct. The US units left the manufacturer before the upgrade was complete, but we'll be making the update available in all markets.

thekidintheclock - unlikely. Makes sense for people to hold their praise until we walk the talk. It *is* a firmware upgrade - the ultimate high-wire act of dev/hardware/customer support, so there are sure to be some issues. All I can promise is that we'll do everything we can to get it out the door as fast as possible and help people through it.

ava0775 - Love the wishlist thread! We're checking it out all the time.

dantaipan - The beta's going to be tied to when we lock the final build of the release and run it through a pretty rigorous round of user testing, so beta start is still TBD. Registering for the beta is the best way to get early notice.

There's something on their blog as well:

Kobo Summer News (http://blog.kobobooks.com/2010/06/18/kobo-summer-news/)

Thank you very much for the feedback Michael!

I have to admit that I got worried after getting my Kobo... if I had made a good decision... all because of the problems I've had... battery issues and black dots on the screen.

Got myself a new one and I'm quite happy with it, even though the battery doesn't seem to go on as long as expected yet. But after reading your answers, I'm sure Kobo is the right way to go for me....

I'd only like if, in the future, we would be able to keep reading while charging the device....
that would be cool...

thanks!

To those following this thread, here is the link for details about the Kobo eReader firmware upgrade:

http://blog.kobobooks.com/2010/06/30/kobo-ereader-firmware-upgrade/

I've also cross-posted it to a new MR thread - here (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?p=987419). I'll be checking in to answer questions and get your feedback as we roll this out. Thanks again for your patience and suggestions. They are really appreciated.

Cheers,
Michael Tamblyn, EVP Content, Sales & Merchandising - Kobo

I just got my Kobo yesterday, I didn't know there were outstanding issues before I started using it. I was ready to send it back but I really like the look and feel of it and after reading Michael's reponses I feel good about keeping it and waiting for the US update. If all goes well a couple people from my office will be getting them as well.

.....4. Charging Light
Used to: show nothing until it was charged and then turn red when it was done. (Okayyyy.....)
New release: turns red when it's charging, turns blue when it's done. (Makes more sense.).....

So I'm charging my unit for the first time since the upgrade. The light was red when I first plugged it in, about an hour and 45 mins ago. About 20 minutes ago I checked it, and now the red light is on as well as the blue one, right on top of it. Does that mean it's done? I called Kobo (because I'm ridiculously impatient), and the woman I spoke with said the red light will go off completely when the charge cycle is complete. Can anyone else confirm this? Just simply reading the "charging" page would tell me that it should have been either red or violet when I first plugged it in, but it was only red. The two lights on my device are two distinct colours, they don't run together to create a violet light at all.

So I'm charging my unit for the first time since the upgrade. The light was red when I first plugged it in, about an hour and 45 mins ago. About 20 minutes ago I checked it, and now the red light is on as well as the blue one, right on top of it. Does that mean it's done? I called Kobo (because I'm ridiculously impatient), and the woman I spoke with said the red light will go off completely when the charge cycle is complete. Can anyone else confirm this? Just simply reading the "charging" page would tell me that it should have been either red or violet when I first plugged it in, but it was only red. The two lights on my device are two distinct colours, they don't run together to create a violet light at all.

When I charged mine after the update, it was red while charging and then about 2 hours later it was completely blue (I don't know about any violet light) and when I turned it on the battery indicator said it was full.

I've seen a violet coloured light, but not while charging. I think it was while starting up or shutting down...

I've seen the violet light described, when I unplugged it, the meter stated it was full but did drop one "bar" off fairly quickly.

I've seen the violet light described, when I unplugged it, the meter stated it was full but did drop one "bar" off fairly quickly.

What if device is powered on and off few times?
Does it work correctly a reader?

It works fine as a reader, its been powered on and off a lot. It gets a lot of use so I never know how many page turns I have done. I have never run out of battery but I generally dont go that long between charges.

As I've said before I generally dont pay that much attention to the battery meter I just charge it often.

I suspect the "purple" (red and blue on together) is the kobo telling me that its pretty close to being charged but isn't quite there yet. I've seen the red on alone and the blue on alone in the past. I generally have pulled it on when its on "purple" as I want to read at that time.

It works fine as a reader, its been powered on and off a lot. It gets a lot of use so I never know how many page turns I have done. I have never run out of battery but I generally dont go that long between charges.

As I've said before I generally dont pay that much attention to the battery meter I just charge it often.

I suspect the "purple" (red and blue on together) is the kobo telling me that its pretty close to being charged but isn't quite there yet. I've seen the red on alone and the blue on alone in the past. I generally have pulled it on when its on "purple" as I want to read at that time.

Ah, purple comes just when you used the reader some time?
My best guess is that it was not intended. Otherwise would
be in "sticky" or mentioned by kobo people.

I just upgraded and for my first charge I had the red light for a while and then both red and blue lights for a bit and then finally just the blue light. Didn't take very long to charge as it was only charged yesterday anyway.
For what it's worth after playing around a bit hiding the freebies, checking that all my books were there and that the few with font problems were fixed - maybe 30 minutes or so I have already dropped a bar and I haven't even had a chance to read anything yet. :(
This is my second Kobo as my first was exchanged due to the battery problems - I had to recharge 5 times in my first week :eek:
This second one was a bit better - only recharging every second or third day so I have high hopes that after the upgrade I might manage a bit longer. I'm going sailing in a few weeks and I won't have any way to charge it. I really want to get a week out it otherwise it's not going to be worth taking it with me.

I just upgraded and for my first charge I had the red light for a while and then both red and blue lights for a bit and then finally just the blue light. Didn't take very long to charge as it was only charged yesterday anyway.
For what it's worth after playing around a bit hiding the freebies, checking that all my books were there and that the few with font problems were fixed - maybe 30 minutes or so I have already dropped a bar and I haven't even had a chance to read anything yet. :(
This is my second Kobo as my first was exchanged due to the battery problems - I had to recharge 5 times in my first week :eek:
This second one was a bit better - only recharging every second or third day so I have high hopes that after the upgrade I might manage a bit longer. I'm going sailing in a few weeks and I won't have any way to charge it. I really want to get a week out it otherwise it's not going to be worth taking it with me.

Strange. Are all devices with this signs upgraded using the
same method?
I assume battery might show incorrect level. For sure it could
be full and show otherwise. And vice versa. People using SD
card upgrade did not mention something alike.
Once again, big troubles should be in "sticky".

I really want to get a week out it otherwise it's not going to be worth taking it with me.

Harley - have you actually run it out or are you predicting based on the battery gauge? I'm running a test in another thread here where I'm currently at 6000 page turns on a single charge and it's still going strong. Based on my observations so far, the battery indicator is not very linear - it goes down fast at first and then considerably slower later on.

Based on my observations so far, the battery indicator is not very linear - it goes down fast at first and then considerably slower later on.

I'd agree with that, I've had mine sitting on empty once and it kept going for at least another 300 page turns. However when its full it starts dropping to 1/2 way in 300 page turns.

I cannot comment on the charging lights issue as I have not needed to recharge my Kobo since the upgrade. :) :)

I did the upgrade on July 1st. I've read about 3 or 4 books since then and I only just dropped down to 1/4 charge this morning.

With mine, as I said earlier the red light was on, then both red and blue, and then eventually the red light went out and it was just the blue light. Since I had bought a new book, I did the sync, then unplugged it. All 17 books I've bought from Kobo obviously appeared back on my I'm Reading list...I've got them all set that they're on the last page of the book so I can just open it, click the last page and remove the book from the list. While doing that, my battery meter dropped by one bar. Very disappointing to see how much life is drained by having to do that, so I REALLY hope they address the issue in their next upgrade. It's ridiculous that the books can't just stay in our collections without reappearing when we sync a new purchase.

Before the upgrade my battery was running completey out. One minute I would be reading - the next the kobo would be dead. Usually at a really inconvenient time - ie just when I was getting to a good part! So then I would charge the kobo and finish reading from the computer screen - YUCK!
I am a fast reader. No idea how many page turns but I normally read a book from start to finish in a session. With my original Kobo I was unable to read a full book on a single charge which was extremely disappointing as I am not used to stopping until the book is finished. :book2:

That kobo was replaced and the second one (the one I have now) was much better. It still required charging every 2 or 3 days. So with the second kobo I was getting usually 2 books per charge - sometimes 3 books. Really depended on whether I was prepared to risk it running out on me.
I have only read 1 book since I did the upgrade and that didn't cause any further drop in the charge indicator.
I have just purchased another 5 books and so the kobo has had another charge tonight. It will be interesting to see how much I can read now before it needs charging again.