Touch Kobo Touch Review

[Donnageddon]

Originally Posted by mdclements

We will be adding an option to choose how many pages force a full refresh a screen.

Good news! This would be a great improvement.

[Tomac10000]

First post.

The new Kobo Touch is a disappointment. Picked one up on Saturday (Chapters) and returned it the following day. ePub support/E Ink Pearl display/low-price/access to more Canadian content played a part in initial purchase decision making, even though I already own a US purchased Kindle 3G+WiFi.

Why am I disappointed by the Kobo Touch?

- The touch feature does not always activate. Unreliable. It's unfortunate that no hardware page-turn buttons are on the Kobo Touch; every time I "click" to a different page on the Kindle 3, I am 100% confident the device will respond -- it has never failed. The Kobo Touch introduces a will-it-or-won't-it-turn-the-page issue, which interrupts reading flow.

- Grease and grime build-up on the screen. No hardware buttons, aside from a home-screen button and power switch, results in oil/fingerprint build-up on the display. Using a stylus reduces these issues, but for some reason, I found that touch accuracy -- registering -- actually declined.

- Font rendering and choices are nowhere near as legible as text found on the Kindle 3. It doesn't matter that the new Kobo Touch and the Kindle 3 share the same E Ink Pearl tech. Each character does not render completely black, which also interrupts flow. Additionally, some lines of text appear darker compared to others on the same page.

- Ghosting. Newer processor (or other hardware) allows quicker page turns but flashing the entire screen -- complete refresh -- happens every six page-turns or so. Depends. Quicker speed is great for marketing purposes, but remnants of text and pictures from previous pages linger (faintly) until the flash occurs. I have had zero issues with page turn speeds on the Kindle 3.

- Glitches. Sometimes text would be illegible due to fine white lines appearing sporadically. Sometimes a page-turn, or menu option change would be greeted by an unwelcome blank screen with sporadic broken GUI elements. Pressing the home button alleviated the situation, yet interrupted the reading/task.

- Side-loaded ebooks: not searchable; words cannot be highlighted; and the dictionary cannot be utilized. The Kindle 3 does not have these issues.

- Kobo can't. Although it is a feature I rarely utilize, the Kindle 3 can "read" books aloud via text-to-speech and built-in speaker.

- Time. Additionally, although the Kobo has an internal clock, there is no way of accessing the time, except venturing deep into a settings menu; a quick press of the "Menu" button on the Kindle displays the time and useful options.

Hence, perhaps a few software iterations are necessary before the Kobo Touch performs to a satisfactory level. However, the Kindle 3, with superior font rendering -- subjective -- provides a robust, reliable experience, without interruptions from disappointing software/hardware decisions, which hinder real-world usability of the Kobo Touch.

[zoran]

Originally Posted by Tomac10000

- The touch feature does not always activate. Unreliable.

Just as almost every device I know. I plan to use stylus, when I decide
to get touch.

- Grease and grime build-up on the screen.

He-he. Stylus?

- Ghosting.

Yes. This one might be serious. New firmware could let you choose
if you want complete refresh of the screen. I'd vote for.

- Time.

Heh. Cannot comment that. I do not need time on my original version,
but it's me. I guess they will not make it run on the screen all the time.

Hence, perhaps a few software iterations are necessary before the Kobo Touch performs to a satisfactory level.

Shouldn't be a problem, if you take it as a part of the game. To me, the only
thing that matters is if the screen is readable enough. All reviewers say
"yes". Spite I don't need new reader, I strongly want one.
Best regards.

[Dedale]

Originally Posted by Tomac10000

First post.

The new Kobo Touch is a disappointment. Picked one up on Saturday (Chapters) and returned it the following day. ePub support/E Ink Pearl display/low-price/access to more Canadian content played a part in initial purchase decision making, even though I already own a US purchased Kindle 3G+WiFi.

Why am I disappointed by the Kobo Touch?

- The touch feature does not always activate. Unreliable. It's unfortunate that no hardware page-turn buttons are on the Kobo Touch; every time I "click" to a different page on the Kindle 3, I am 100% confident the device will respond -- it has never failed. The Kobo Touch introduces a will-it-or-won't-it-turn-the-page issue, which interrupts reading flow.

- Grease and grime build-up on the screen. No hardware buttons, aside from a home-screen button and power switch, results in oil/fingerprint build-up on the display. Using a stylus reduces these issues, but for some reason, I found that touch accuracy -- registering -- actually declined.

- Font rendering and choices are nowhere near as legible as text found on the Kindle 3. It doesn't matter that the new Kobo Touch and the Kindle 3 share the same E Ink Pearl tech. Each character does not render completely black, which also interrupts flow. Additionally, some lines of text appear darker compared to others on the same page.

- Ghosting. Newer processor (or other hardware) allows quicker page turns but flashing the entire screen -- complete refresh -- happens every six page-turns or so. Depends. Quicker speed is great for marketing purposes, but remnants of text and pictures from previous pages linger (faintly) until the flash occurs. I have had zero issues with page turn speeds on the Kindle 3.

- Glitches. Sometimes text would be illegible due to fine white lines appearing sporadically. Sometimes a page-turn, or menu option change would be greeted by an unwelcome blank screen with sporadic broken GUI elements. Pressing the home button alleviated the situation, yet interrupted the reading/task.

- Side-loaded ebooks: not searchable; words cannot be highlighted; and the dictionary cannot be utilized. The Kindle 3 does not have these issues.

- Kobo can't. Although it is a feature I rarely utilize, the Kindle 3 can "read" books aloud via text-to-speech and built-in speaker.

- Time. Additionally, although the Kobo has an internal clock, there is no way of accessing the time, except venturing deep into a settings menu; a quick press of the "Menu" button on the Kindle displays the time and useful options.

Hence, perhaps a few software iterations are necessary before the Kobo Touch performs to a satisfactory level. However, the Kindle 3, with superior font rendering -- subjective -- provides a robust, reliable experience, without interruptions from disappointing software/hardware decisions, which hinder real-world usability of the Kobo Touch.

Welcome to MR I suppose!

Yes, there's some glitches and problems.
I was myself on the line to buy one but will wait before pulling the trigger.
We can see that for the boko or the nook as well, the system are not yet mature. We know members of Kobo team read these boards. Let's hope they will communicate and help making a better product quickly. If not, yes Amazon will probably increase its market share.

[taming]

Originally Posted by zoran

Just as almost every device I know. I plan to use stylus, when I decide to get touch.

I use a Targus capacitive stylus on Kobo Touch when I am using the keyboard. The screen is not capacitive, of course, but those old Palm styli don't work on the Touch screen. I had the capacitive around because I use it when I type on my super-duper cell phone .

It may be an age thing, z, but I'm betting that a whole lot of people who used things like Palm devices for years and years are defaulting to stylus input on newer devices. I can text with the fastest of the kids using mine.

[taming]

I have a review of the Touch on Tumblr. The post preceding it has my first impressions. See: http://thenoodledbrain.tumblr.com/.

[Solicitous]

Can I confirm what I understand to be true. To initially use the new touch you must install the desktop app and plug in the kobo? My reading suggests you can't use until you have at least done this the first time.

[46jimbo]

You can use the Kobo out of the box. To get your existing books on to the device, use Calibre. However, if you wish to purchase thru the Kobo bookstore, you will need the desktop program.

[taming]

If you use the Kobo out of the box, you will not get the June 9 update--which is important. Subsequent updates will be delivered via WiFi or through the desktop. You may not get the $10 gift card, either, if you fail to setup the 2.0 desktop and do the update part .

[Dedale]

Originally Posted by taming

I have a review of the Touch on Tumblr. The post preceding it has my first impressions. See: http://thenoodledbrain.tumblr.com/.

I've enjoyed it. Thank you

It would be a GREAT thing to have an idea of the roadmap for the KT.
What functions do they plan to integrate, etc.
When you check on kobozen, you see interesting ideas with a "pending status" but a timeline would be great, don't you think?

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Tomac10000

First post.

The new Kobo Touch is a disappointment. Picked one up on Saturday (Chapters) and returned it the following day. ePub support/E Ink Pearl display/low-price/access to more Canadian content played a part in initial purchase decision making, even though I already own a US purchased Kindle 3G+WiFi.

Why am I disappointed by the Kobo Touch?

- The touch feature does not always activate. Unreliable. It's unfortunate that no hardware page-turn buttons are on the Kobo Touch; every time I "click" to a different page on the Kindle 3, I am 100% confident the device will respond -- it has never failed. The Kobo Touch introduces a will-it-or-won't-it-turn-the-page issue, which interrupts reading flow.

- Grease and grime build-up on the screen. No hardware buttons, aside from a home-screen button and power switch, results in oil/fingerprint build-up on the display. Using a stylus reduces these issues, but for some reason, I found that touch accuracy -- registering -- actually declined.

- Font rendering and choices are nowhere near as legible as text found on the Kindle 3. It doesn't matter that the new Kobo Touch and the Kindle 3 share the same E Ink Pearl tech. Each character does not render completely black, which also interrupts flow. Additionally, some lines of text appear darker compared to others on the same page.

- Ghosting. Newer processor (or other hardware) allows quicker page turns but flashing the entire screen -- complete refresh -- happens every six page-turns or so. Depends. Quicker speed is great for marketing purposes, but remnants of text and pictures from previous pages linger (faintly) until the flash occurs. I have had zero issues with page turn speeds on the Kindle 3.

- Glitches. Sometimes text would be illegible due to fine white lines appearing sporadically. Sometimes a page-turn, or menu option change would be greeted by an unwelcome blank screen with sporadic broken GUI elements. Pressing the home button alleviated the situation, yet interrupted the reading/task.

- Side-loaded ebooks: not searchable; words cannot be highlighted; and the dictionary cannot be utilized. The Kindle 3 does not have these issues.

- Kobo can't. Although it is a feature I rarely utilize, the Kindle 3 can "read" books aloud via text-to-speech and built-in speaker.

- Time. Additionally, although the Kobo has an internal clock, there is no way of accessing the time, except venturing deep into a settings menu; a quick press of the "Menu" button on the Kindle displays the time and useful options.

Hence, perhaps a few software iterations are necessary before the Kobo Touch performs to a satisfactory level. However, the Kindle 3, with superior font rendering -- subjective -- provides a robust, reliable experience, without interruptions from disappointing software/hardware decisions, which hinder real-world usability of the Kobo Touch.

this seems like an Astorturf post. I have serious reservations this person actually owned one. As someone who is marketing and advertising for a living Astoturfing has become a very essential and widely used tool in this day and age of the internet and blogs etc. by all companies.

this one seems to fit the bill. The grime and grease build up on the screen gave it away. These types of screens don't build up grim and grease. Plus 1st time poster usually is a dead give away.
And it's way over the top the kobo can't do this but the Kindle is a dream at doing that.

[baronrus]

Is an Astorturf post the same thing as 'trolling' becasue if it is i agree with you definitly a troll like post

[boswd]

Originally Posted by baronrus

Is an Astorturf post the same thing as 'trolling' becasue if it is i agree with you definitly a troll like post

hmm yes and no, it's usually not as aggressive as trolling, trolling can be more fanboyish but they can cross paths and are not mutally exclusive. Some companies do hire "paid trolls" and their job is to simply do nothing more than to cause trouble and just bascially be negative about a device contstantly.


Astroturfing tries to give the poster a more legitmate credibility. Sort of lure you in with trust so you find their opinions more believable.

this post seems like a classic astroturf post. Also look at how much he has responded, that's another sign as well.

[zoran]

Originally Posted by taming

I use a Targus capacitive stylus on Kobo Touch when I am using the keyboard. The screen is not capacitive, of course, but those old Palm styli don't work on the Touch screen.

One way or another, when little beast comes home, it is just a matter
of minutes to find the best handling method. I always wash my hands
prior reading. All my gadgets look just as new. I guess new firmware
version would give more freedom to the end user. No ghosts at least.
I could wait, as I wait on original reader and have no complaints.
To be frank, just one thing bothers me, regarding the reader: contrast.
All the rest it the book content.
Best regards.

[taming]

Originally Posted by Dedale

I've enjoyed it. Thank you

It would be a GREAT thing to have an idea of the roadmap for the KT.
What functions do they plan to integrate, etc.
When you check on kobozen, you see interesting ideas with a "pending status" but a timeline would be great, don't you think?

Well, time lines have a way of biting you in the a$$. Shtuff happens, plans change, things take longer than planned on--all the while the proposed time lines seem like promises to folks. Kobo's delay in delivering newspapers and magazines are an example of that sort of thing. They did deliver, but not within the specified time line. People were pretty upset.