Is it worth the risk purchasing a Kobo?

rainio · 09-17-2012, 01:54 PM

Hello,
I was set for purchasing a kobo glo (especially since the paperwhite won't be released in the uk for... ever?) but a few of the firmware/usability/production/customer support issues that have arisen on this forum are downright scary.

In general, are you happy with your kobo?

Is it worth the "risk" of buying one?

Since after purchasing we have 28 days to return it I'll probably buy it anyway to test it out, but it would be good to know how in the longterm it may pan out (ie. waiting for "improved" firmware/needing to contact support).

Thanks.

RareBird · 09-17-2012, 02:31 PM

I can honestly say that I've been very happy with my Kobo. Yes the last firmware was a bit of a hiccup when it comes to page turn speed for epubs but I'm confident that will be fixed. Despite it's problems I still recommend the Kobo Touch to my friends.

treadlightly · 09-17-2012, 02:41 PM

I am pondering the same questions - I want a reader with the glow feature and would prefer to drive down the street to buy a Kobo vs. driving an hour or so across the border to buy a paperwhite. I'm going to wait for initial reviews from members of this site before making my decision.

Cdesja5 · 09-17-2012, 03:08 PM

I have had no problems with my Kobos (Touch and Vox), not with the 2.0 update for the Touch that some others had issues with or any other... I have several friends with Kobos as well (6 that I know of) that have, as far as I know, never had problems either. As I am the "geekiest" of us, I am usually the one that gets the questions concerning the use of their ereaders. All of them still work fine including the Kobo "original" (non-wifi, non-touch) that I gave a friend over 3 years ago...

soulfuldog · 09-17-2012, 03:14 PM

+1 to waiting for a while to hear what the initial thoughts of people are. The continual firmware updates and new issues cropping up are a major concern with regards to Kobo. It's over a year since the Kobo Touch was released but even the latest firmware update has issues?!

I'd be tempted to wait at least a month or two before spending my cash. A month for any initial issues to be ironed out and then see how it goes from there. You'll be able to check out the feedback from the Kindle Paperwhite then too, and all being well with both, as you'll probably still have a while to wait for the Paperwhite, you can then just go ahead and happily spend your cash on a Kobo Glo.

CatherineStewart · 09-17-2012, 04:14 PM

We have 3 Kobos (wifi and two touches) and no issues. I've never had to deal with customer support. I will be buying a Glo but from staples and will purchase their warranty which covers replacement "just in case".

Sharkey · 09-17-2012, 04:49 PM

Our household has two Touches and an Original. v2.0 was almost unusable, but both of us are really liking KT v2.1.1; the PDF support has problems, but I'm hoping the next firmware fixes the issue. I've contacted Kobo customer support regarding a formatting issue, with no resolution thus far (7 months and counting).

I'd definitely recommend a Kobo Touch, but maybe wait until the v2.0 firmware glitches are resolved.

miquele · 09-17-2012, 04:55 PM

How does bookmarking, highlighting work? Is the text clipped comparable to the Kindle or how can I 'export' the highlights? How is the dictionary support? Is there one pre-installed? Are there any good Spanish dictionaries out there? Ah, I wish I knew if all that works well, otherwise I could you try to find somebody carrying a Paperwight to Europe...

rjcroy · 09-17-2012, 04:57 PM

I love my Kobo Touch. It is an excellent reader. Yes, the recent 2.0.0 firmware update had some annoying problems, but they well be soon resolved I think.

rainio · 09-17-2012, 05:21 PM

Thanks for the replies.

Miquele raises a good point. Is it possible to select then export text from an epub (say email it or somewhere else, for research)?

JD Gumby · 09-17-2012, 08:36 PM

As long as they keep forcing updates (rather than making them optional), I won't be able to recommend Kobo ereaders to anyone.

Shankill · 09-17-2012, 09:23 PM

Overall, I'm pretty happy with Kobo. I've had all three generations, and I'm planning on getting the Glo as soon as it's released. There have been a couple of really bad software updates that affected me. 2.0 was pretty bad, and as a result of that, I put my KT in storage and switched to a Nook STR. A month later, I switched back to my Kobo. Just... couldn't do the Nook. I prefer the way the Kobo works in terms of its library and settings - more customisable without being more fiddly, if that makes any sense.

The hardware of the Kobos is great, the general responsiveness of the devs on places like MobileRead is admirable, the feature set is good, but the software updates often have bugs (more often than not in my experience, they aren't show-stopping bugs).

TongueTied · 09-17-2012, 10:57 PM

I'm happy with my Kobo Touch. I was royally frustrated with the v2.0.0 update and the seriously poor customer support Kobo has. However, some of the Kobo staff posted on this forum and obviously took the issues to Kobo management so partial fixes were released quickly. We are still waiting for full fixes. The thing that I wonder, is Amazon any better? Are they interested in their customers the way Kobo is? Comparing a working Kobo Touch with a working Kindle Touch, I find the Kobo much easier to use; actually quite intuitive. On that basis, the Kobo wins for me. But in terms of support, I don't know. Is it the better the devil you know?

Solicitous · 09-17-2012, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongueTied

The thing that I wonder, is Amazon any better? Are they interested in their customers the way Kobo is?

I actually believe as profit-focused they are, they have realised that making the customer happy is the way to make profits. What I have noticed about Amazon is their firmware is stable when released. No major chages occur to ruin the users experience (think of Kobo with the "Reading Recommendations").

Don't believe me, read the threads on the new firmware. Ok few people might have extreme problems where their situation is unique (think 10,000 ebooks in library kind of extreme). There are far less Kobo users than Kindle users yet number of complaint posts for Kobo users far outweigh Kindle.

That said I am keeping my eye out for the Kobo Glo. Kobo are young to the game but I do believe they are making the correct moves to become a main player. Think back, it was what, 2 years or so ago when they released their first ereader? The Glo is available internationally, the Kindle and Nook only in the US. People have cried out for a 5" ereader since Sony stopped making them, Kobo answered that call.

Hopefully their firmware will be more robust for this line of ereaders.

stewacide · 09-17-2012, 11:52 PM

I'm very satisfied with my Touch on 2.1.1. Hopefully they finally have the firmware nailed down.

09-17-2012, 01:54 PM	#1
rainio Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 38262 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: none	Is it worth the risk purchasing a Kobo? Hello, I was set for purchasing a kobo glo (especially since the paperwhite won't be released in the uk for... ever?) but a few of the firmware/usability/production/customer support issues that have arisen on this forum are downright scary. In general, are you happy with your kobo? Is it worth the "risk" of buying one? Since after purchasing we have 28 days to return it I'll probably buy it anyway to test it out, but it would be good to know how in the longterm it may pan out (ie. waiting for "improved" firmware/needing to contact support). Thanks.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
purchasing kobo books through the reader?	dakini	Kobo Reader	10	10-18-2012 11:16 AM
Free book (Sony/Harlequin/Nook) - Worth the Risk [Biographical Romance Fiction]	ATDrake	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	2	09-14-2011 12:20 PM
Kobo / Apple purchasing changes	PeterT	News	196	08-14-2011 03:22 PM
Free (Kindle/nook/Sony/Kobo/Sourcebooks) Kiss at Your Own Risk by Stephanie Rowe	arcadata	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	2	07-06-2011 08:35 PM
Using Kobo Software/Purchasing books in Aus	bobsi18	Kobo Reader	5	03-26-2011 01:30 AM

09-17-2012, 02:31 PM	#2
RareBird Addict Posts: 377 Karma: 770002 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windsor, Nova Scotia Device: Kobo Aura	I can honestly say that I've been very happy with my Kobo. Yes the last firmware was a bit of a hiccup when it comes to page turn speed for epubs but I'm confident that will be fixed. Despite it's problems I still recommend the Kobo Touch to my friends.

09-17-2012, 02:41 PM	#3
treadlightly Wizard Posts: 1,370 Karma: 6957792 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa, ON Device: Kobo H2O	I am pondering the same questions - I want a reader with the glow feature and would prefer to drive down the street to buy a Kobo vs. driving an hour or so across the border to buy a paperwhite. I'm going to wait for initial reviews from members of this site before making my decision.

09-17-2012, 03:08 PM	#4
Cdesja5 Wizard Posts: 1,117 Karma: 2094306 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Montreal, Canada Device: Lots and lots of electronic gadgets...	I have had no problems with my Kobos (Touch and Vox), not with the 2.0 update for the Touch that some others had issues with or any other... I have several friends with Kobos as well (6 that I know of) that have, as far as I know, never had problems either. As I am the "geekiest" of us, I am usually the one that gets the questions concerning the use of their ereaders. All of them still work fine including the Kobo "original" (non-wifi, non-touch) that I gave a friend over 3 years ago...

09-17-2012, 03:14 PM	#5
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	+1 to waiting for a while to hear what the initial thoughts of people are. The continual firmware updates and new issues cropping up are a major concern with regards to Kobo. It's over a year since the Kobo Touch was released but even the latest firmware update has issues?! I'd be tempted to wait at least a month or two before spending my cash. A month for any initial issues to be ironed out and then see how it goes from there. You'll be able to check out the feedback from the Kindle Paperwhite then too, and all being well with both, as you'll probably still have a while to wait for the Paperwhite, you can then just go ahead and happily spend your cash on a Kobo Glo.

09-17-2012, 04:14 PM	#6
CatherineStewart Mom, Wife, Reader! Posts: 235 Karma: 530706 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Glo, Kobo Aura One	We have 3 Kobos (wifi and two touches) and no issues. I've never had to deal with customer support. I will be buying a Glo but from staples and will purchase their warranty which covers replacement "just in case".

09-17-2012, 04:49 PM	#7
Sharkey Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kobo Touch	Our household has two Touches and an Original. v2.0 was almost unusable, but both of us are really liking KT v2.1.1; the PDF support has problems, but I'm hoping the next firmware fixes the issue. I've contacted Kobo customer support regarding a formatting issue, with no resolution thus far (7 months and counting). I'd definitely recommend a Kobo Touch, but maybe wait until the v2.0 firmware glitches are resolved.

09-17-2012, 04:55 PM	#8
miquele Connoisseur Posts: 75 Karma: 498122 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Europe Device: Bookeen Cybook Gen3, Kindle 3, Kindle PW, Kindle Voyage	How does bookmarking, highlighting work? Is the text clipped comparable to the Kindle or how can I 'export' the highlights? How is the dictionary support? Is there one pre-installed? Are there any good Spanish dictionaries out there? Ah, I wish I knew if all that works well, otherwise I could you try to find somebody carrying a Paperwight to Europe...

09-17-2012, 04:57 PM	#9
rjcroy Bibliophile Posts: 167 Karma: 1147338 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kobo Touch	I love my Kobo Touch. It is an excellent reader. Yes, the recent 2.0.0 firmware update had some annoying problems, but they well be soon resolved I think.

09-17-2012, 05:21 PM	#10
rainio Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 38262 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: none	Thanks for the replies. Miquele raises a good point. Is it possible to select then export text from an epub (say email it or somewhere else, for research)?

09-17-2012, 08:36 PM	#11
JD Gumby Cynical Old Curmudgeon Posts: 1,085 Karma: 8495696 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Halifax, Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Kobo Arc, HTC Desire C	As long as they keep forcing updates (rather than making them optional), I won't be able to recommend Kobo ereaders to anyone.

Advert

Advert

09-17-2012, 09:23 PM	#12
Shankill Nameless Being	Overall, I'm pretty happy with Kobo. I've had all three generations, and I'm planning on getting the Glo as soon as it's released. There have been a couple of really bad software updates that affected me. 2.0 was pretty bad, and as a result of that, I put my KT in storage and switched to a Nook STR. A month later, I switched back to my Kobo. Just... couldn't do the Nook. I prefer the way the Kobo works in terms of its library and settings - more customisable without being more fiddly, if that makes any sense. The hardware of the Kobos is great, the general responsiveness of the devs on places like MobileRead is admirable, the feature set is good, but the software updates often have bugs (more often than not in my experience, they aren't show-stopping bugs).

09-17-2012, 10:57 PM	#13
TongueTied Zealot Posts: 128 Karma: 18512 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Buderim, Australia Device: Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo	I'm happy with my Kobo Touch. I was royally frustrated with the v2.0.0 update and the seriously poor customer support Kobo has. However, some of the Kobo staff posted on this forum and obviously took the issues to Kobo management so partial fixes were released quickly. We are still waiting for full fixes. The thing that I wonder, is Amazon any better? Are they interested in their customers the way Kobo is? Comparing a working Kobo Touch with a working Kindle Touch, I find the Kobo much easier to use; actually quite intuitive. On that basis, the Kobo wins for me. But in terms of support, I don't know. Is it the better the devil you know?

09-17-2012, 11:52 PM	#15
stewacide Groupie Posts: 196 Karma: 1086780 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo H2O Ed. 2, Glo HD, Glo, Touch	I'm very satisfied with my Touch on 2.1.1. Hopefully they finally have the firmware nailed down.