Woot!: Kobo 4.3" Color Pocket Reader $14.99

[daffy4u]

The Woot! website is selling the Kobo 4.3" Color Pocket Reader for $14.99.

I don't have any personal experience with this reader but some MR members may be interested.

Looking for a portable e-reader with a sharp display? Then check out the 4.3" Kobo PocketReader. The 4.3” color high-resolution multitouch display provides an easy & intuitive way to navigate between programs and menus.

The Kobo PocketReader can play music as well, and stores it all on the 2GB of internal memory, or use the microSD/SDHC card reader for up to 32GB of additional storage. The Lithium-ion rechargeable battery allows you to enjoy your books without having to worry about the battery dying.

4.3" color high-resolution multitouch display
2GB internal memory holds up to 2,000 books (expandable up to 30,000 books)
Micro SD card slot for additional storage (up to 32GB)
Thin, lightweight design
Listen to music while reading
Built-in Speaker
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
USB 2.0 connection
Supports ePub, PDF, & TXT files
Kobo Desktop Application: Shop today's newest releases and bestsellers
Choose from over 1 million engaging FREE titles
Read on your computer or easily sync your library to the e-Reader and read on the go
Includes software for MAC & PC

Edit: The comments on Woot are not very kind, so I'm not sure $15 is worth it or not. :-)

[booklover6]

Save your money. This is not a kobo device. It just has the kobo store.

[meeera]

How do they get away with that? They even claim that it has a one year Kobo warranty. I thought Woot was supposed to be a vaguely reputable website.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by meeera

How do they get away with that? They even claim that it has a one year Kobo warranty. I thought Woot was supposed to be a vaguely reputable website.

They're owned by the evil Amazon. What do you expect?

[booklover6]

The device manufacturer probably had an affiliate relationship with Kobo when it was produced several years ago, hence the onboard Kobo reading app and store access. But it has never been a Kobo product.

[IcecreamLtDan]

That's actually more common than you think. I used to work for Bell & Howell years ago and our tech support used to constantly be bombarded from customers looking for help with disposable cameras and heat lamps. Turns out that when we got bought out, the original owners sold the rights to the name and several products were branded with Bell & Howell, even though we had nothing to do with that equipment.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by IcecreamLtDan

That's actually more common than you think. I used to work for Bell & Howell years ago and our tech support used to constantly be bombarded from customers looking for help with disposable cameras and heat lamps. Turns out that when we got bought out, the original owners sold the rights to the name and several products were branded with Bell & Howell, even though we had nothing to do with that equipment.

[rant]
That's the result of irresponsible management, and a perfect example of how foolish people destroy a valuable brand. The Peter Principle in action, perhaps.

If a company by licensing allows its brand to be used on something, by that action alone, it most certainly "has something to do with it" and the company needs to act like it's aware of that fact, regardless of whether they are involved with the thing in any OTHER way.
[/rant]

[exscentric]

I had one on order before I saw the above. Not a totally bad reader for what it is, little clunky as one should expect for the price, but small, great for a pocket - then sit on it and not worry about having wasted your money :-)

I will use it I am sure.