Dissatisfied w/ Kobo and Sony - are Kindle and oddball brands any better?

Hermes_pan · 08-09-2014, 06:38 PM

I am not a voracious reader, when I had my ereaders (2011+) I read about 2 books per month. Mostly I read philosophy and travel (in fact the primary purpose of owning an ereader is just to have digital travel guides plus a couple of travel writing and other non-fiction books).

Every ereader has pluses and minuses. Is there any ereader that fits my goals below? Years ago I bought a SONY pocket ereader as well as a Kobo. Both died prematurely. The obvious answer is a Kindle but I am not big on market leader bullying. I tried Caliber (about three years ago) and found it useful but a bit too nerdy. I would continue to use paper except weight and bulk is important. I have a tablet (Android) but deliberately want to avoid electric light and being online and especially dealing w/ Google (privacy intrusions). I do NOT want to be online or have 3G - for me I want a device that does *one* thing very well (well , maybe two - book audio)

Essential

1. Portability: Ideally fits in pocket

2. Large selection of compatible titles: Practically, this means can read Amazon books

3. International: Buy anything anywhere. Not tied to one nation or one credit/debit card. I am Canadian and there is a hassle factor vis-vis Amazon USA. But I spend mist of my time in 3rd world Asia.

4. Simple to use: Like a Mac in 1985

5. Can highlight and make notes: Ideally *save* them too not tied to a proprietary device/system. In the past Calibre software could not do this.

Very useful

6. Clean design: Not a lot of buttons. I want to read books not type a novel.

7. Text to speech: Can listen to books

8. Durable: Shock, rain, dust

9. No computer needed: Stand alone device

9a. Can 'lend' books

Extra (dreaming)

10. Good value: features vs. price

11. Gift cards available: For anonymity of book purchase history

12. Plays audio books

13. Can read all popular format companies and sources: public library, Amazon, Barnes and Noble

14. Can read/hear foreign language books in English: Not wonky Bing translator, I mean buying a Russian or Chinese book and being able to read/hear it in English.

15. Memory card slot: Not so much for number of books, but I like the James Bond feature of deleting titles when I cross borders into Big Brother lands).

Keeping this post in context - I mistakenly reregistered under a similar name. My previous posts can be found under user name 'Hermes'.

meeera · 08-09-2014, 10:39 PM

I'm a bit confused between your competing priorities: you don't want to be online or have 3G, but you want a standalone device with no computer needed - how do you propose to put books onto it?

If you are solid about avoiding tablets, and taking your audio wishes into account, I'd suggest taking a peek at an older Kindle Keyboard, or if you want new and multi-format support without Calibre conversions, maybe Onyx with Android. If you wanted to go smaller than six inches, I'm not sure that you have any e-ink readers with audio options.

__Claire__ · 08-10-2014, 03:58 AM

You might want to have a look at the new PocketBook Ultra.

DISCLAIMER : I've owned the Ultra for all of 4 days, so I haven't tried many things with it yet. This is my first PocketBook device, I previously had Sonys (PRS-350, T1,T3), a KoboGlo, and PW 1 and 2 (none broke, I'm just an e-reader-buying addict). I am not affiliated in anyway with PocketBook

Spoiler:

Sorry for the long post. I guess it sort of turned into a mini-review

eschwartz · 08-10-2014, 04:08 AM

The latest wave of PW2s have been silently being sent with 4GB storage. Can't help you on the audio/page-turn buttons, though.

danicca · 08-10-2014, 04:28 AM

Kindle saves all notes in specific file which can be copied to pc. I don't believe you can entirely avoid geographic restrictions, not without jumping trough hoops. Amazon and kobo are most prevalent stores. All ereaders needs careful handling, so I'd recomend buying a cover for it.
Most stores do have gift card option, or paypal. But all books will be sitting in your account, so someone will always know what you bought.
Android tablet will fulfill most of requirements. Like Meera said, there is Onyx with eink and android.
Perhaps look into becoming member of us library?

susan_cassidy · 08-11-2014, 03:31 PM

14 is not possible. I used to work for a company that dealt in translation software, and specialized dictionaries were required for each specialized type of document. The translation still was not perfect. The software would also be extremely expensive, if it existed.

Most ereaders can only read one format, either ePub or mobi, not both. Although I heard of one epub reader that could supposedly read mobi, but I heard it did not do it well. A tablet can do it, of course, using different apps for both.

Only a tablet can read both B&N and Amazon books.

It kind of sounds like, otherwise, that you want an old Kindle Touch, which had audio capability, as the new ones do not. Only an Amazon reader is going to be able to read Amazon books (aside from the Amazon apps, of course).

Hermes_pan · 08-20-2014, 07:13 PM

Meera wrote: "I'm a bit confused between your competing priorities: you don't want to be online or have 3G, but you want a standalone device with no computer needed - how do you propose to put books onto it?"

Wifi or download on a public computer to USB flashdrive then move to reader

I wish to reduce my time online and instead read books. SImply not having any internet connection except when going to a cafe to download books could solve that time-waster (excessive internet use that is).

Hermes_pan · 08-20-2014, 07:16 PM

One solution (cheapest) is buying nothing - go to a local retailer in Canada and buying Amazon giftcards and ordering online. Read (and listen?) on my Samsung tablet.

I am curious about the Onyx Newton as well.

shalym · 08-22-2014, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermes_pan

Meera wrote: "I'm a bit confused between your competing priorities: you don't want to be online or have 3G, but you want a standalone device with no computer needed - how do you propose to put books onto it?"

Wifi or download on a public computer to USB flashdrive then move to reader

I wish to reduce my time online and instead read books. SImply not having any internet connection except when going to a cafe to download books could solve that time-waster (excessive internet use that is).

So when you're talking about how you don't want to be online, you're actually saying that you don't want 3G? Well, that's fine, because as far as I know, the only e-ink reader currently for sale that has 3G is the 3G version of the Kindle Paperwhite. Of course, you don't have to buy the 3G version, you could always buy the wifi only version.
However, your other criteria of micro SD slot and audio rule out any current Kindle anyway.

Shari

Shopaholic · 08-23-2014, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermes_pan

Wifi or download on a public computer to USB flashdrive then move to reader

Not possible. No USB connectivity to the readers on the market today.

JSWolf · 08-23-2014, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermes_pan

1. Portability: Ideally fits in pocket

Kobo Mini

Quote:

2. Large selection of compatible titles: Practically, this means can read Amazon books

Kindle, Kobo, Sony, Onyx Boox T68

Quote:

3. International: Buy anything anywhere. Not tied to one nation or one credit/debit card. I am Canadian and there is a hassle factor vis-vis Amazon USA. But I spend mist of my time in 3rd world Asia.

Georestrictions prevent this, but you can do this at the Kobo store by chaning the country you live in in the Kobo store's settings. So in this case, Kobo.

Quote:

4. Simple to use: Like a Mac in 1985

Sony, Kindle, Kobo, T68

Quote:

5. Can highlight and make notes: Ideally *save* them too not tied to a proprietary device/system. In the past Calibre software could not do this.

Sony, Kindle, Kobo, T68

Quote:

6. Clean design: Not a lot of buttons. I want to read books not type a novel.

Sony, Kobo, Kindle, T68

Quote:

7. Text to speech: Can listen to books

T68, Kindle Touch & Keyboard, newer Kindles don't have audio

Quote:

8. Durable: Shock, rain, dust

Kobo Aura H2O

Quote:

9. No computer needed: Stand alone device

Kobo, Sony T series, Kindle

Quote:

9a. Can 'lend' books

Not sure on this one

Quote:

10. Good value: features vs. price

Kobo, Kindle, T68, Sony

Quote:

11. Gift cards available: For anonymity of book purchase history

Kindle, Kobo

Quote:

12. Plays audio books

T68

Quote:

13. Can read all popular format companies and sources: public library, Amazon, Barnes and Noble

T68

Quote:

14. Can read/hear foreign language books in English: Not wonky Bing translator, I mean buying a Russian or Chinese book and being able to read/hear it in English.

NONE!

Quote:

15. Memory card slot: Not so much for number of books, but I like the James Bond feature of deleting titles when I cross borders into Big Brother lands).

Sony, T68, Kobo

Basically, given your list of wants, the Kobo outdoes the Kindle, Sony and the T68 outdoes Kobo, Kindle, & Sony.

susan_cassidy · 08-24-2014, 07:56 PM

Using gift cards at Amazon (and I bet all the other retailers, as well) does not guarantee anonymity of purchases. The purchases all have to be tied to your account for the books to work.

eschwartz · 08-24-2014, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermes_pan

Meera wrote: "I'm a bit confused between your competing priorities: you don't want to be online or have 3G, but you want a standalone device with no computer needed - how do you propose to put books onto it?"

Wifi or download on a public computer to USB flashdrive then move to reader

I wish to reduce my time online and instead read books. SImply not having any internet connection except when going to a cafe to download books could solve that time-waster (excessive internet use that is).

In other words, the computer is needed...

I feel obligated to point out that the 3G on a Kindle (no other device does 3G anyway) will not let you do anything besides browse the Kindle Store and look up terms from within a book using Wikipedia or Bing Translate. But you don't actually have to buy the 3G version anyway.

Using the builtin browser over WiFi -- as several device lines allow -- is its own cure. Spend a little time browsing with it and you will magically no longer want to.

Trust me, WiFi on your e-ink ereader will not be a time waster -- it is far too useless for that.

catlight · 08-25-2014, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Kindle, Kobo, Sony, Onyx Boox T68

Didn't Sony recently announce it was quitting the e-reader market, after transfering their customers to the Kobo 'ecosystem'?

ProfCrash · 08-26-2014, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlight

Didn't Sony recently announce it was quitting the e-reader market, after transfering their customers to the Kobo 'ecosystem'?

There were a few months in between the two events.

That said, Sony's have a history of lasting a good long time. The e-reader would still work and you might even be able to get a discount on it.

08-09-2014, 06:38 PM	#1
Hermes_pan Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: none	Dissatisfied w/ Kobo and Sony - are Kindle and oddball brands any better? I am not a voracious reader, when I had my ereaders (2011+) I read about 2 books per month. Mostly I read philosophy and travel (in fact the primary purpose of owning an ereader is just to have digital travel guides plus a couple of travel writing and other non-fiction books). Every ereader has pluses and minuses. Is there any ereader that fits my goals below? Years ago I bought a SONY pocket ereader as well as a Kobo. Both died prematurely. The obvious answer is a Kindle but I am not big on market leader bullying. I tried Caliber (about three years ago) and found it useful but a bit too nerdy. I would continue to use paper except weight and bulk is important. I have a tablet (Android) but deliberately want to avoid electric light and being online and especially dealing w/ Google (privacy intrusions). I do NOT want to be online or have 3G - for me I want a device that does one thing very well (well , maybe two - book audio) Essential 1. Portability: Ideally fits in pocket 2. Large selection of compatible titles: Practically, this means can read Amazon books 3. International: Buy anything anywhere. Not tied to one nation or one credit/debit card. I am Canadian and there is a hassle factor vis-vis Amazon USA. But I spend mist of my time in 3rd world Asia. 4. Simple to use: Like a Mac in 1985 5. Can highlight and make notes: Ideally save them too not tied to a proprietary device/system. In the past Calibre software could not do this. Very useful 6. Clean design: Not a lot of buttons. I want to read books not type a novel. 7. Text to speech: Can listen to books 8. Durable: Shock, rain, dust 9. No computer needed: Stand alone device 9a. Can 'lend' books Extra (dreaming) 10. Good value: features vs. price 11. Gift cards available: For anonymity of book purchase history 12. Plays audio books 13. Can read all popular format companies and sources: public library, Amazon, Barnes and Noble 14. Can read/hear foreign language books in English: Not wonky Bing translator, I mean buying a Russian or Chinese book and being able to read/hear it in English. 15. Memory card slot: Not so much for number of books, but I like the James Bond feature of deleting titles when I cross borders into Big Brother lands). Keeping this post in context - I mistakenly reregistered under a similar name. My previous posts can be found under user name 'Hermes'. Last edited by Hermes_pan; 08-09-2014 at 06:58 PM.

08-20-2014, 07:13 PM	#7
Hermes_pan Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: none	Meera wrote: "I'm a bit confused between your competing priorities: you don't want to be online or have 3G, but you want a standalone device with no computer needed - how do you propose to put books onto it?" Wifi or download on a public computer to USB flashdrive then move to reader I wish to reduce my time online and instead read books. SImply not having any internet connection except when going to a cafe to download books could solve that time-waster (excessive internet use that is). Last edited by Hermes_pan; 08-20-2014 at 07:17 PM.

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08-09-2014, 10:39 PM	#2
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,659 Karma: 66420972 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	I'm a bit confused between your competing priorities: you don't want to be online or have 3G, but you want a standalone device with no computer needed - how do you propose to put books onto it? If you are solid about avoiding tablets, and taking your audio wishes into account, I'd suggest taking a peek at an older Kindle Keyboard, or if you want new and multi-format support without Calibre conversions, maybe Onyx with Android. If you wanted to go smaller than six inches, I'm not sure that you have any e-ink readers with audio options.

08-10-2014, 04:08 AM	#4
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	The latest wave of PW2s have been silently being sent with 4GB storage. Can't help you on the audio/page-turn buttons, though.

08-10-2014, 04:28 AM	#5
danicca Addict Posts: 268 Karma: 517736 Join Date: Oct 2012 Device: kindle	Kindle saves all notes in specific file which can be copied to pc. I don't believe you can entirely avoid geographic restrictions, not without jumping trough hoops. Amazon and kobo are most prevalent stores. All ereaders needs careful handling, so I'd recomend buying a cover for it. Most stores do have gift card option, or paypal. But all books will be sitting in your account, so someone will always know what you bought. Android tablet will fulfill most of requirements. Like Meera said, there is Onyx with eink and android. Perhaps look into becoming member of us library?

08-11-2014, 03:31 PM	#6
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	14 is not possible. I used to work for a company that dealt in translation software, and specialized dictionaries were required for each specialized type of document. The translation still was not perfect. The software would also be extremely expensive, if it existed. Most ereaders can only read one format, either ePub or mobi, not both. Although I heard of one epub reader that could supposedly read mobi, but I heard it did not do it well. A tablet can do it, of course, using different apps for both. Only a tablet can read both B&N and Amazon books. It kind of sounds like, otherwise, that you want an old Kindle Touch, which had audio capability, as the new ones do not. Only an Amazon reader is going to be able to read Amazon books (aside from the Amazon apps, of course).

08-20-2014, 07:16 PM	#8
Hermes_pan Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: none	One solution (cheapest) is buying nothing - go to a local retailer in Canada and buying Amazon giftcards and ordering online. Read (and listen?) on my Samsung tablet. I am curious about the Onyx Newton as well.

08-24-2014, 07:56 PM	#12
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	Using gift cards at Amazon (and I bet all the other retailers, as well) does not guarantee anonymity of purchases. The purchases all have to be tied to your account for the books to work.