Register Guidelines E-Books Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   MobileRead Forums > E-Book Readers > Kobo Reader

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 07-09-2010, 02:07 AM   #1
marleyfan
Member
marleyfan began at the beginning.
 
Posts: 21
Karma: 22
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Surrey, BC
Device: kobo, htc hero, comfy chair
First Impressions

Ok I got my Kobo today (the black version). It was a birthday present from my daughter ordered from Chapters online on June 30 and arrived today July 8 (my birthday...perfect timing). Packaging was very nice and well presented. I opened it up and charged the battery using my phone's wall wart for about an hour until the blue light glowed. I then plugged it into my computer and loaded the desktop application, although I didn't end up using it. Using Calibre I then converted a few ebooks (to epub)that I had previously downloaded and sent them to my Kobo. The books had been in various formats including .lib, .pdf, and a .rtf file. They all converted and loaded smoothly. Each of the books (I havent tried the converted .rtf book yet) opened with no trouble.

The screen is clear and bright and is amazing outside under natural light, with virtually no reflection. Page turns are quicker than I had expected. Overall the reading experience is very pleasant. My family are all quite impressed with the Kobo. They thought I was nuts wanting an ebook reader, but I think they have changed their minds.

My only complaint so far is the boot up and load times. I know that Kobo has resolved to work on shortening boot up time so I trust it will be addressed fairly quickly.

It's early, but so far it's a keeper. Keep in mind that I have never had another ebook reader and so have no basis for comparison. Still....I like what I see so far.
marleyfan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2010, 02:12 AM   #2
clintbradford
Older ... slower ...
clintbradford once ate a cherry pie in a record 7 seconds.clintbradford once ate a cherry pie in a record 7 seconds.clintbradford once ate a cherry pie in a record 7 seconds.clintbradford once ate a cherry pie in a record 7 seconds.clintbradford once ate a cherry pie in a record 7 seconds.clintbradford once ate a cherry pie in a record 7 seconds.clintbradford once ate a cherry pie in a record 7 seconds.clintbradford once ate a cherry pie in a record 7 seconds.clintbradford once ate a cherry pie in a record 7 seconds.clintbradford once ate a cherry pie in a record 7 seconds.clintbradford once ate a cherry pie in a record 7 seconds.
 
clintbradford's Avatar
 
Posts: 450
Karma: 1924
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Jurupa Valley CA US
Device: Kobo, Kindles 2/3/Keyboard/Fire/Fire HD, HDX.
Congratulations on receiving your new eReader! That's a special daughter ... (grin)

You are going to enjoy your Kobo.

I just played with the Barnes & Noble WiFi and WiFi/3G units. And although the WiFi-capable unit is the same retail price as my Kobo, I am still pleased with my Kobo.

Clint Bradford
Mira Loma CA US
clintbradford is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 07-09-2010, 02:19 AM   #3
marleyfan
Member
marleyfan began at the beginning.
 
Posts: 21
Karma: 22
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Surrey, BC
Device: kobo, htc hero, comfy chair
Quote:
Originally Posted by clintbradford View Post
Congratulations on receiving your new eReader! That's a special daughter ... (grin)

You are going to enjoy your Kobo.

I just played with the Barnes & Noble WiFi and WiFi/3G units. And although the WiFi-capable unit is the same retail price as my Kobo, I am still pleased with my Kobo.

Clint Bradford
Mira Loma CA US
I considered getting the nook but the hassle of crossing the border to get one, and no support for us Canadians made me decide on the Kobo. Wifi would be nice but it's not that big a deal to grab a cable. I still may take a drive down and look at one before my return period expires but I doubt I will change my mind.

PS. Sorry for staring another first impressions thread....I didn't see that one already existed.

Last edited by marleyfan; 07-09-2010 at 02:22 AM.
marleyfan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2010, 02:24 AM   #4
dreams
It's about the umbrella
dreams ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dreams ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dreams ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dreams ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dreams ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dreams ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dreams ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dreams ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dreams ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dreams ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dreams ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
dreams's Avatar
 
Posts: 25,112
Karma: 56250158
Join Date: Jan 2009
Device: Sony 505| K Fire | KK 3G+Wi-Fi | iPhone 3Gs |Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF
Welcome to MR, marleyfan, and congratulations on your great birthday gift! (I agree with Clint, you do have a special daughter )

Have fun with your new Kobo!
dreams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2010, 01:23 PM   #5
SensualPoet
Wizard
SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
SensualPoet's Avatar
 
Posts: 2,302
Karma: 2607151
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto
Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo
Good heavens ... what's a Marley fan doing in Surrey?!?

Since you have an HTC Hero, you might want to try the Kobo Android app ... and experiment with syncing your Kobo with your mobile phone via Bluetooth. The app is free and here: http://www.kobobooks.com/android

Did your version come with the 1.4 software or did you need to do a manual update?

Also, your local public library supports Kobo through Overdrive: http://www.spl.surrey.bc.ca/Informat...io/default.htm
or
http://downloads.bclibrary.ca/118686...en/Default.htm

Cheers, and welcome to Mobileread!
SensualPoet is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 07-09-2010, 01:25 PM   #6
Mickey330
Addict
Mickey330 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Mickey330 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Mickey330 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Mickey330 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Mickey330 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Mickey330 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Mickey330 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Mickey330 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Mickey330 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Mickey330 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Mickey330 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Mickey330's Avatar
 
Posts: 378
Karma: 1107420
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Western New York state (USA)
Device: Kindle Oasis & the Kindle app on iDevices
marleyfan:

Congrats on your new ereader, welcome to MobileRead, and -

Happy Birthday!

Good one this year, I'm betting!

Marilyn
Mickey330 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2010, 03:27 PM   #7
marleyfan
Member
marleyfan began at the beginning.
 
Posts: 21
Karma: 22
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Surrey, BC
Device: kobo, htc hero, comfy chair
Quote:
Originally Posted by SensualPoet View Post
Good heavens ... what's a Marley fan doing in Surrey?!?

Since you have an HTC Hero, you might want to try the Kobo Android app ... and experiment with syncing your Kobo with your mobile phone via Bluetooth. The app is free and here: http://www.kobobooks.com/android

Did your version come with the 1.4 software or did you need to do a manual update?

Also, your local public library supports Kobo through Overdrive: http://www.spl.surrey.bc.ca/Informat...io/default.htm
or
http://downloads.bclibrary.ca/118686...en/Default.htm

Cheers, and welcome to Mobileread!
Thanks for all the info. I actually have the mobile app on my htc but haven't tried the bluetooth yet. I've made use of the library too but wish I could find a way to extend the borrowing period since I usually have several books on the go at once and it often takes me longer than 2 weeks to read a book. I know I can just borrow it again but then I suspect I would lose my bookmarks.

As for being a Marley fan....there's lots of us out here. He's a cute dog.

Just kidding. Strangely enough it was my mom (who is 73 and lives in Ont.) who was a Bob Marley fan before me. My mom's pretty cool.

And thanks Mickey for the birthday wishes.
marleyfan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2010, 06:36 PM   #8
SameerH
Product Manager
SameerH ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SameerH ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SameerH ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SameerH ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SameerH ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SameerH ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SameerH ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SameerH ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SameerH ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SameerH ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SameerH ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
SameerH's Avatar
 
Posts: 487
Karma: 590887
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Toronto
Device: Kobo Aura H2O
Quote:
Originally Posted by marleyfan View Post
Thanks for all the info. I actually have the mobile app on my htc but haven't tried the bluetooth yet. I've made use of the library too but wish I could find a way to extend the borrowing period since I usually have several books on the go at once and it often takes me longer than 2 weeks to read a book. I know I can just borrow it again but then I suspect I would lose my bookmarks.

As for being a Marley fan....there's lots of us out here. He's a cute dog.

Just kidding. Strangely enough it was my mom (who is 73 and lives in Ont.) who was a Bob Marley fan before me. My mom's pretty cool.

And thanks Mickey for the birthday wishes.
Unfortunately you can only sync via BT using a Blackberry right now. Android support for BT hasn't yet been provided.

But if you read on your Android phone, and then Update Library > Sync on the desktop / eReader, you'll get all your bookmarks.
SameerH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 04:36 PM   #9
thekidintheclock
Member
thekidintheclock can illuminate an eclipsethekidintheclock can illuminate an eclipsethekidintheclock can illuminate an eclipsethekidintheclock can illuminate an eclipsethekidintheclock can illuminate an eclipsethekidintheclock can illuminate an eclipsethekidintheclock can illuminate an eclipsethekidintheclock can illuminate an eclipsethekidintheclock can illuminate an eclipsethekidintheclock can illuminate an eclipsethekidintheclock can illuminate an eclipse
 
thekidintheclock's Avatar
 
Posts: 22
Karma: 8040
Join Date: May 2010
Device: Kobo
went in to borders and took a look - wow the kobo is really great. still saving up a bit more. but i can tell this little machine is perfect.

i've used the nook and the kindle and the sony touch reader - all borrowed from friends. the touch reader was the best one - i thought - because it was lighter. all i really care about is the size. i don't read pdfs or anything.

the sony reader i used for a week and read three books on it. my biggest problem was that the next page button was this thin little silver. really love the kobo's big blue button - sorry - i do. love how all the other kobo buttons are out of the way.

the kindle - it kind of repulsed me. i hated the keyboard.
the nook - again. way weird. heavy. didn't like that the whole side was a button.
sony touch - not bad. eh. cool dictionary.
the kobo - in love. feels like a soulmate. can't wait.

don't care if i have to charge it a lot. don't care if i have to stick a nickel in the side of it every half hour and shake it vigorously. it's just too nice to hold. saving huck finn so i can read it the first week. after that - the trial. nice work, kobo guys.
thekidintheclock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2010, 09:32 PM   #10
SensualPoet
Wizard
SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
SensualPoet's Avatar
 
Posts: 2,302
Karma: 2607151
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto
Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo
So, Marleyfan ... the honeymoon is over ... and it's time to stop celebrating that birthday!

How's the Kobo working out for you now? Have you tried grabbing a library book or too? Have you bought any actual books at the Kobo store? What's your most favourite experience using your Kobo?
SensualPoet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2010, 07:18 PM   #11
marleyfan
Member
marleyfan began at the beginning.
 
Posts: 21
Karma: 22
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Surrey, BC
Device: kobo, htc hero, comfy chair
Quote:
Originally Posted by SensualPoet View Post
So, Marleyfan ... the honeymoon is over ... and it's time to stop celebrating that birthday!

How's the Kobo working out for you now? Have you tried grabbing a library book or too? Have you bought any actual books at the Kobo store? What's your most favourite experience using your Kobo?
I'm loving the kobo. I have downloaded one library book but haven't read it yet. I have yet to purchase any books. I have gotten some books from "other sources" so far. I convert to epub with Calibre and have had no problem reading anything yet. One or two of the books are pdf and they load fine too. My usage is the worst for battery life. I read for about an hour and put it down for an hour or two and then read for a while again. So far I am into week two since my last charge and have read 5 books during that time. Average number of pages about 600 per book so however many page turns that works out to. Almost due for a recharge now. I have absolutely no regrets.

I am visiting family in Ontario and my niece found out I have an ereader. She is interested in getting one too and had already narrowed it down to the kobo and the nook. I think she is now sold on the kobo. Do I get a commission??
marleyfan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2010, 07:51 PM   #12
SensualPoet
Wizard
SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
SensualPoet's Avatar
 
Posts: 2,302
Karma: 2607151
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto
Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo
Well, I recommend you try something (commercial) from the Kobo store just to try out how it works. Much of the Agatha Christie novels are available at $4.99 from Harper Collins. If you like police procedurals, Peter Robinson's Aftermath is currently FREE. (He writes the Inspector Banks stories that have also been seen on PBS.)

Glad the battery works. I tried the Blackberry charger recently and that worked fine (rated for the Blackberry Bold 9000, outputs 5V, 0.5A); now I can bring one charger for two devices. I'm in heaven!

Glad to hear, after the dust is settling in this forum, that folks are back to reading and enjoying the Kobo!
SensualPoet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-26-2010, 08:01 PM   #13
sabredog
Geographically Restricted
sabredog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.sabredog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.sabredog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.sabredog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.sabredog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.sabredog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.sabredog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.sabredog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.sabredog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.sabredog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.sabredog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
sabredog's Avatar
 
Posts: 2,629
Karma: 14933353
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Perth, Australia
Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2
I might try my AC USB adapter. It rates around the same as the bold and works well for my PRS-300 and you can plug in almost any USB cable.
sabredog is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
First impressions pricecw enTourage eDGe 8 04-02-2010 01:10 AM
PRS-600 First impressions beppe Sony Reader 6 03-03-2010 09:55 AM
Classic First impressions slothrop Barnes & Noble NOOK 27 12-10-2009 01:45 AM
DX brief first impressions jcgam69 Amazon Kindle 17 06-14-2009 04:15 PM
My First Impressions screenreader Bookeen 5 01-04-2008 05:16 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:35 AM.


MobileRead.com is a privately owned, operated and funded community.