Why I switched back to the Sony Reader

tb74 · 12-07-2010, 10:17 AM

My first foray into the reader market was the Sony PRS-300. I didn't want to spend a whole lot of money on the more expensive Sony Readers and the Kobo wasn't anywhere near market (this was still the Shortcovers days), so I picked up a Sony PRS-300. It was fun while it lasted, but with the 5-inch screen, I found myself salivating at the Kobo reader when it was finally announced. So on May 1st, 2010, I rushed to Chapters/Indigo - on the morning of my wedding no less - to pick up a Kobo reader. (I wanted it for my two-week honeymoon). Upon first inspection, I liked it. It was clean looking, slick and simple. It loaded my Kobo books quite easily and the font sizes and options were a step up from my Sony. It was all good – at first. Then the flaws started to slowly emerge. Side loading books is FAR too difficult. I had a lot of books from the Sony Store and a few from the Toronto Library, so I naturally wanted to port them over to the Kobo. This meant loading some things through the Kobo desktop app and some things through ADE. Not horrible, but more difficult than it should be. Then there is the issue of wanting to get books off my Kobo reader when I was done reading them. Can't do it in the App, so off to the website I go. Delete from there, update my Kobo app, and then sync my reader. FAR too many steps. I considered skipping the Kobo app altogether, and loading everything through ADE, but why should I? The Kobo app should be as robust as the Sony Reader app. It functions more like iTunes. I load the Sony books, the Kobo books and the Library books into the SAME app, isn't that a (excuse the pun) novel idea? Then I have all my books in the program, and can see my entire virtual bookshelf. I don't need to worry about the convoluted process that it takes to manage things the Kobo way. I don’t particularly like having some books on the reader/desktop app and then others on the website that I have to download again should I need them. Call me greedy, but I want all my books in one place. I create a playlist in the Sony Reader app, drop all the new books as I buy them, pull out the old ones from the playlist as I read them, and sync it up. Simple management. Something that Kobo is missing in a big way.

I was poking around the MobileRead forums and read about an eco-credit program at the US Sony Style store and I was very intrigued. They will take any old reader and give you a credit of $75 towards the purchase of a new Sony Reader. With the release of the new Pearl touch-screen Sony-PRS 650 and an already planned trip to New York City for the weekend, I couldn't resist. I gave in my old Sony PRS-300, and got the $75 credit with no hassles (despite being a Canadian resident - they didn't care). The readers were also on sale, so with credit and taxes, I got a new Sony PRS-650 reader for $175. Granted, that is still considerably more expensive than the Kobo reader, and it doesn't have Wi-Fi, but the management of the reader is far better. I would rather spend time reading than managing the collection. Price is, however, a major consideration for most people and I agree wholeheartedly that Sony needs to do better in this department. But with the built-in dictionary, built-in translation software and ability to highlight and take notes, the Sony wins hands down.

I keep hearing promises that the Kobo 1.5 update is "coming very soon", but I am tired of waiting, and who knows what the update will bring? Even if the firmware is improved 300%, the Kobo desktop App will still be less-than-satisfactory so what does it really matter? My Kobo will be relegated to a desk drawer for now, although I will likely update the firmware out of curiosity when it finally comes out. I will continue to buy a large portion, if not most, of my books from Kobo and will consider coming back to Kobo in a few years when colour is standard (e-ink, that is), but for now, I'm quite happy with my Sony.

baronrus · 12-07-2010, 02:31 PM

good for you thanks for telling us!?

BTW sounds like nearly all your software concerns would have been addressed by using calibre to side load your books?

G0AT · 12-07-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baronrus

good for you thanks for telling us!?

BTW sounds like nearly all your software concerns would have been addressed by using calibre to side load your books?

My thinking exactly. I've used Calibre from day 1. I haven't even considered installing the Kobo desktop.

La Coccinelle · 12-07-2010, 03:09 PM

The Kobo desktop app is useless. I've been using ADE for everything (Kobo books, galleys, and library books) and it works just fine.

HarleyB · 12-07-2010, 05:38 PM

It's good that you have found a reader that works for you.
Like the others I don't understand why you just didn't use either ADE or Calibre instead of messing with the Kobo Desktop if you didn't like it.
For any newbies out there if you don't like the Desktop app then just don't use it - you don't have to if you don't want to.

sabredog · 12-07-2010, 06:30 PM

I have never used the Kobo desktop as Calibre works for the three different types of dedicated ereaders we have in our house.

In the end though, you choose the ereader that works for you. Good luck with your PRS-650.

tb74 · 12-08-2010, 11:50 AM

I wanted to make the point that you shouldn't need to use a third party app to manage things. The app that comes with the program should work. I have tried Calibre and I have tried ADE, but I shouldn't have even needed to think about it. I know the Kobo folks regularly troll this site, so I wanted to make my point so they know people are unhappy enough with their software that they are jumping to the competition. Yes, there is a workaround, but if Kobo values their customer base, they need to address the issues their customers are experiencing. If we all just use another program as a workaround, then the Kobo experience will never improve.

baronrus · 12-08-2010, 12:07 PM

each to his/her own enjoy your sony and the sony forum

pholy · 12-08-2010, 12:16 PM

And especially enjoy the Sony desktop software... You'll begin to understand why so many people use ADE to download books from stores, and Calibre to load them onto devices.

unsonia · 12-08-2010, 07:19 PM

Looks like you were used to the way Sony does things. I didn't read about any real flow in your motivation. Of course maybe they were good enough reasons for you. I use Calibre by the way.

digital_steve · 12-08-2010, 07:26 PM

Jesus... don't be critical of Kobo in the Kobo forums apparently (again).
It'd be a pretty boring website if all that was allowed was "I love my <insert device here>!" threads

baronrus · 12-08-2010, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digital_steve

Jesus... don't be critical of Kobo in the Kobo forums apparently (again).
It'd be a pretty boring website if all that was allowed was "I love my <insert device here>!" threads

What are you talking about? nobody said he had to pump sunshine up kobo's a$$. but most of his complaints had to do with the software. If he uses calibre he will have less problems than if he uses either the kobo or sony software.

The forums would be pretty boring if nobody was allowed to give helpful advice.

sabredog · 12-08-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digital_steve

Jesus... don't be critical of Kobo in the Kobo forums apparently (again).
It'd be a pretty boring website if all that was allowed was "I love my <insert device here>!" threads

So the point of your post was to simply stir up the ants nest?

digital_steve · 12-08-2010, 10:27 PM

Nah, just pointing out the constant crap on here... again
The OP's point was that they shouldn't have to hop through several hoops (i.e. software) just to get books onto the device.
The Kobo software is atrocious. Anyone that isn't computer savvy or not into forums wouldn't even know about calibre and their frustrations would grow.
So they posted their frustration and issues with the device and got the usual "it isn't the Kobo, it's you because you should be using calibre and should know better" and "piss off to the sony forum" retorts.

baronrus - you're about as helpful as a kick in the junk

baronrus · 12-08-2010, 11:07 PM

which would be about twice as helpful as you.

The reality is the kobo software is poor no argument. I mentioned that calibre might help him/her. if any one has been on these forums for any amount of time it quickly becomes clear that kobo has some bugs to work thorugh and that calibre helps with that.

your contribution to this discussion was..... the square root of jack Sh*t.

I happen to agree that it would be nice if you didnt have to use 3rd party software but that is the reality of our world. if you have a camera you may use the software that came with it but if you are seriouse you use photoshop. If you have an e-reader you use calibre.

12-07-2010, 10:17 AM	#1
tb74 Member Posts: 12 Karma: 21 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Sony PRS-650	Why I switched back to the Sony Reader My first foray into the reader market was the Sony PRS-300. I didn't want to spend a whole lot of money on the more expensive Sony Readers and the Kobo wasn't anywhere near market (this was still the Shortcovers days), so I picked up a Sony PRS-300. It was fun while it lasted, but with the 5-inch screen, I found myself salivating at the Kobo reader when it was finally announced. So on May 1st, 2010, I rushed to Chapters/Indigo - on the morning of my wedding no less - to pick up a Kobo reader. (I wanted it for my two-week honeymoon). Upon first inspection, I liked it. It was clean looking, slick and simple. It loaded my Kobo books quite easily and the font sizes and options were a step up from my Sony. It was all good – at first. Then the flaws started to slowly emerge. Side loading books is FAR too difficult. I had a lot of books from the Sony Store and a few from the Toronto Library, so I naturally wanted to port them over to the Kobo. This meant loading some things through the Kobo desktop app and some things through ADE. Not horrible, but more difficult than it should be. Then there is the issue of wanting to get books off my Kobo reader when I was done reading them. Can't do it in the App, so off to the website I go. Delete from there, update my Kobo app, and then sync my reader. FAR too many steps. I considered skipping the Kobo app altogether, and loading everything through ADE, but why should I? The Kobo app should be as robust as the Sony Reader app. It functions more like iTunes. I load the Sony books, the Kobo books and the Library books into the SAME app, isn't that a (excuse the pun) novel idea? Then I have all my books in the program, and can see my entire virtual bookshelf. I don't need to worry about the convoluted process that it takes to manage things the Kobo way. I don’t particularly like having some books on the reader/desktop app and then others on the website that I have to download again should I need them. Call me greedy, but I want all my books in one place. I create a playlist in the Sony Reader app, drop all the new books as I buy them, pull out the old ones from the playlist as I read them, and sync it up. Simple management. Something that Kobo is missing in a big way. I was poking around the MobileRead forums and read about an eco-credit program at the US Sony Style store and I was very intrigued. They will take any old reader and give you a credit of $75 towards the purchase of a new Sony Reader. With the release of the new Pearl touch-screen Sony-PRS 650 and an already planned trip to New York City for the weekend, I couldn't resist. I gave in my old Sony PRS-300, and got the $75 credit with no hassles (despite being a Canadian resident - they didn't care). The readers were also on sale, so with credit and taxes, I got a new Sony PRS-650 reader for $175. Granted, that is still considerably more expensive than the Kobo reader, and it doesn't have Wi-Fi, but the management of the reader is far better. I would rather spend time reading than managing the collection. Price is, however, a major consideration for most people and I agree wholeheartedly that Sony needs to do better in this department. But with the built-in dictionary, built-in translation software and ability to highlight and take notes, the Sony wins hands down. I keep hearing promises that the Kobo 1.5 update is "coming very soon", but I am tired of waiting, and who knows what the update will bring? Even if the firmware is improved 300%, the Kobo desktop App will still be less-than-satisfactory so what does it really matter? My Kobo will be relegated to a desk drawer for now, although I will likely update the firmware out of curiosity when it finally comes out. I will continue to buy a large portion, if not most, of my books from Kobo and will consider coming back to Kobo in a few years when colour is standard (e-ink, that is), but for now, I'm quite happy with my Sony.

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12-07-2010, 02:31 PM	#2
baronrus Addict Posts: 217 Karma: 2975 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: KO, KW, and KT	good for you thanks for telling us!? BTW sounds like nearly all your software concerns would have been addressed by using calibre to side load your books?

12-07-2010, 03:09 PM	#4
La Coccinelle Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 432 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kobo (original)	The Kobo desktop app is useless. I've been using ADE for everything (Kobo books, galleys, and library books) and it works just fine.

12-07-2010, 05:38 PM	#5
HarleyB Fanatic Posts: 565 Karma: 1113286 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast Australia Device: Kobo (RIP), iPad, iPhone 4, Kobo Touch x2, Kobo Glo	It's good that you have found a reader that works for you. Like the others I don't understand why you just didn't use either ADE or Calibre instead of messing with the Kobo Desktop if you didn't like it. For any newbies out there if you don't like the Desktop app then just don't use it - you don't have to if you don't want to.

12-07-2010, 06:30 PM	#6
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	I have never used the Kobo desktop as Calibre works for the three different types of dedicated ereaders we have in our house. In the end though, you choose the ereader that works for you. Good luck with your PRS-650.

12-08-2010, 11:50 AM	#7
tb74 Member Posts: 12 Karma: 21 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Sony PRS-650	I wanted to make the point that you shouldn't need to use a third party app to manage things. The app that comes with the program should work. I have tried Calibre and I have tried ADE, but I shouldn't have even needed to think about it. I know the Kobo folks regularly troll this site, so I wanted to make my point so they know people are unhappy enough with their software that they are jumping to the competition. Yes, there is a workaround, but if Kobo values their customer base, they need to address the issues their customers are experiencing. If we all just use another program as a workaround, then the Kobo experience will never improve.

12-08-2010, 12:07 PM	#8
baronrus Addict Posts: 217 Karma: 2975 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: KO, KW, and KT	each to his/her own enjoy your sony and the sony forum

12-08-2010, 12:16 PM	#9
pholy Booklegger Posts: 1,801 Karma: 7999816 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Device: BeBook(1 & 2010), PEZ, PRS-505, Kobo BT, PRS-T1, Playbook, Kobo Touch	And especially enjoy the Sony desktop software... You'll begin to understand why so many people use ADE to download books from stores, and Calibre to load them onto devices.

12-08-2010, 07:19 PM	#10
unsonia Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: kobo	Looks like you were used to the way Sony does things. I didn't read about any real flow in your motivation. Of course maybe they were good enough reasons for you. I use Calibre by the way.

12-08-2010, 07:26 PM	#11
digital_steve Muppet Posts: 240 Karma: 442 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tasmania Device: Kobo Aura HD, Sony PRS-650	Jesus... don't be critical of Kobo in the Kobo forums apparently (again). It'd be a pretty boring website if all that was allowed was "I love my <insert device here>!" threads

12-08-2010, 10:27 PM	#14
digital_steve Muppet Posts: 240 Karma: 442 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tasmania Device: Kobo Aura HD, Sony PRS-650	Nah, just pointing out the constant crap on here... again The OP's point was that they shouldn't have to hop through several hoops (i.e. software) just to get books onto the device. The Kobo software is atrocious. Anyone that isn't computer savvy or not into forums wouldn't even know about calibre and their frustrations would grow. So they posted their frustration and issues with the device and got the usual "it isn't the Kobo, it's you because you should be using calibre and should know better" and "piss off to the sony forum" retorts. baronrus - you're about as helpful as a kick in the junk

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12-08-2010, 11:07 PM	#15
baronrus Addict Posts: 217 Karma: 2975 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: KO, KW, and KT	which would be about twice as helpful as you. The reality is the kobo software is poor no argument. I mentioned that calibre might help him/her. if any one has been on these forums for any amount of time it quickly becomes clear that kobo has some bugs to work thorugh and that calibre helps with that. your contribution to this discussion was..... the square root of jack Sh*t. I happen to agree that it would be nice if you didnt have to use 3rd party software but that is the reality of our world. if you have a camera you may use the software that came with it but if you are seriouse you use photoshop. If you have an e-reader you use calibre.