Touch I viewed the Kobo Touch today, minor negative observations made.

Sunspark · 06-11-2011, 10:24 PM

Hi:

I viewed the Kobo Touch today @ Chapters. They only had the black units on the demo stand. Because I like to look at the problems, here is a list of my criticisms.

Coating- The black units are rubberized on the front (a soft touch coating).. it is not a bad thing, my current e-reader has a rubberized coating as well. I do however prefer the non-rubberized plastic bezel like the old Kobo reader case. Also, after a long time if the same as my current device you will find the rubberized coating will begin to wear and eventually peel. Probably around then you'll slap on a skin to cover it up.

Font rendering- This is something I'm _very_ critical of. I have looked at many e-readers to see how they render fonts, and they're all different. It depends on whether they are using the freetype2 bytecode or autohinter interpreter, and how much hinting.. none, slight, full, etc. Well, the old Kobo reader (also on the display stand) has less pixelated better rendering compared to the Touch that was on the display. (This is a software issue and can be fixed, if it's ever noticed.) Yes Virginia, the older device shaped the letters better.

Text darkness- The old Kobo reader on the stand had darker text than the Touch. This is problematic because in addition to the font rendering, other "Pearl" readers have darker text than the Touchs that were on display. It is noticable enough that I found myself wondering if they had run out of Pearl screens and stuffed in a few older generation Vizplex screens. Compare to the other Pearl screen devices on the market and you'll see what I mean, if all the Touchs are the same as the demo units that were present. Could be manufacturing variation with the waveforms, still..

Page refresh flash- Like the Nook, no proper flash until 6th page turn. This is silly. One gets used to the flash and with the flash your text is darker. My e-reader does allow me to turn off the flash entirely or pick the interval it flashes at. My choice is to have it flash every page turn.. can't change this to date on the Touch.

So, for the price you get what you get. Hopefully work on fixing some of the things, especially the ones that can be worked on in software.

rahulm · 06-11-2011, 10:31 PM

Here are my two main complaints (that are making the Nook Touch more enticing):

1. Font selection and formatting. I didn't much like the two default fonts, and I wish there was an option to reduce line spacing.

2. No dedicated page turn buttons. Most people probably wouldn't care, but I like having some buttons.

J. Strnad · 06-12-2011, 11:48 AM

When the page flashes with each page turn, I get used to it. Having it flash every 6th page turn, thus calling attention to the flash, while the type gets fainter and ghostlier seems like a very poor choice. You ought to be able to shut this "feature" off.

I also prefer physical page turn buttons.

SameerH · 06-12-2011, 01:48 PM

We will be introducing an option which will allow users to control how often the full refresh "flash" happens. Look for this in the next software update coming soon.

robko · 06-12-2011, 01:55 PM

Kudos to Kobo for their responsiveness

. I don't agree with all the choices they have obviously made in response to previous comments (i.e. making sleep and off so obvious on the screen rather than having a full screen cover -- I want my full cover back

) on KW and KO, but I am impressed they are looking at constantly improving.

SameerH · 06-12-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robko

Kudos to Kobo for their responsiveness

. I don't agree with all the choices they have obviously made in response to previous comments (i.e. making sleep and off so obvious on the screen rather than having a full screen cover -- I want my full cover back

) on KW and KO, but I am impressed they are looking at constantly improving.

I personally agree with you... so you have a friend on the inside

Stay tuned.

wes101 · 06-12-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SameerH

We will be introducing an option which will allow users to control how often the full refresh "flash" happens. Look for this in the next software update coming soon.

cool, any word on when that would be?

Also how come when you set the kobo to turn off say in 60 minutes it shuts off even if you are using it? I thought it would be 60 minutes of you not touching anything like a computer screen saver.Not a big deal just wanted to know

One last thing, why does a factory reset, reset it to "zero" instead of what it was at before the reset

SameerH · 06-12-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wes101

cool, any word on when that would be?

Also how come when you set the kobo to turn off say in 60 minutes it shuts off even if you are using it? I thought it would be 60 minutes of you not touching anything like a computer screen saver.Not a big deal just wanted to know

One last thing, why does a factory reset, reset it to "zero" instead of what it was at before the reset

It should only turn off after 60 minutes of inactivity in that case.

JSWolf · 06-12-2011, 03:22 PM

Has the font embedding been fixed from the previous Kobo models? This would be a deal breaker if it's still broken.

Have links been fixed as well so endnotes work? Again if broken, a deal breaker.

Canorka · 06-12-2011, 03:39 PM

No font embeds on side loaded epubs (can't speak for kepubs), end notes work on kepubs.

wes101 · 06-12-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SameerH

It should only turn off after 60 minutes of inactivity in that case.

hmm, i guess i didint notice it

rahulm · 06-12-2011, 07:27 PM

Hello SameerH,

any plans to add more fonts or add the ability for users to add them ourselves?

doodlydood · 06-12-2011, 07:37 PM

Rahulm, I have the Nook Touch, and I found that the embedded buttons were recessed and not really responsive, more like a nub under the coating than a proper clicky button like on the Kindle. Too bad.

Sunspark - dead on with your observations on the font. Real shame. Mine is going back.

Tony1988 · 06-12-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doodlydood

Sunspark - dead on with your observations on the font. Real shame. Mine is going back.

Well did you really need it? You bought a Nook touch at the same time.

m_bisson · 06-12-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rahulm

Here are my two main complaints (that are making the Nook Touch more enticing):

2. No dedicated page turn buttons. Most people probably wouldn't care, but I like having some buttons.

It's a TOUCH SCREEN DEVICE!! If you want buttons you buy the NON-TOUCH SCREEN version.

06-11-2011, 10:24 PM	#1
Sunspark Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 2600 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: EZ Reader Pocket PRO	I viewed the Kobo Touch today, minor negative observations made. Hi: I viewed the Kobo Touch today @ Chapters. They only had the black units on the demo stand. Because I like to look at the problems, here is a list of my criticisms. Coating- The black units are rubberized on the front (a soft touch coating).. it is not a bad thing, my current e-reader has a rubberized coating as well. I do however prefer the non-rubberized plastic bezel like the old Kobo reader case. Also, after a long time if the same as my current device you will find the rubberized coating will begin to wear and eventually peel. Probably around then you'll slap on a skin to cover it up. Font rendering- This is something I'm _very_ critical of. I have looked at many e-readers to see how they render fonts, and they're all different. It depends on whether they are using the freetype2 bytecode or autohinter interpreter, and how much hinting.. none, slight, full, etc. Well, the old Kobo reader (also on the display stand) has less pixelated better rendering compared to the Touch that was on the display. (This is a software issue and can be fixed, if it's ever noticed.) Yes Virginia, the older device shaped the letters better. Text darkness- The old Kobo reader on the stand had darker text than the Touch. This is problematic because in addition to the font rendering, other "Pearl" readers have darker text than the Touchs that were on display. It is noticable enough that I found myself wondering if they had run out of Pearl screens and stuffed in a few older generation Vizplex screens. Compare to the other Pearl screen devices on the market and you'll see what I mean, if all the Touchs are the same as the demo units that were present. Could be manufacturing variation with the waveforms, still.. Page refresh flash- Like the Nook, no proper flash until 6th page turn. This is silly. One gets used to the flash and with the flash your text is darker. My e-reader does allow me to turn off the flash entirely or pick the interval it flashes at. My choice is to have it flash every page turn.. can't change this to date on the Touch. So, for the price you get what you get. Hopefully work on fixing some of the things, especially the ones that can be worked on in software.

06-12-2011, 01:55 PM	#5
robko Wizard Posts: 2,454 Karma: 5469320 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo	Kudos to Kobo for their responsiveness. I don't agree with all the choices they have obviously made in response to previous comments (i.e. making sleep and off so obvious on the screen rather than having a full screen cover -- I want my full cover back ) on KW and KO, but I am impressed they are looking at constantly improving.

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06-11-2011, 10:31 PM	#2
rahulm Zealot Posts: 139 Karma: 22164 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: None	Here are my two main complaints (that are making the Nook Touch more enticing): 1. Font selection and formatting. I didn't much like the two default fonts, and I wish there was an option to reduce line spacing. 2. No dedicated page turn buttons. Most people probably wouldn't care, but I like having some buttons.

06-12-2011, 11:48 AM	#3
J. Strnad Guru Posts: 915 Karma: 3537194 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo, Kindle 3, Paperwhite	When the page flashes with each page turn, I get used to it. Having it flash every 6th page turn, thus calling attention to the flash, while the type gets fainter and ghostlier seems like a very poor choice. You ought to be able to shut this "feature" off. I also prefer physical page turn buttons.

06-12-2011, 01:48 PM	#4
SameerH Product Manager Posts: 487 Karma: 590887 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura H2O	We will be introducing an option which will allow users to control how often the full refresh "flash" happens. Look for this in the next software update coming soon.

06-12-2011, 03:22 PM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,977 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Has the font embedding been fixed from the previous Kobo models? This would be a deal breaker if it's still broken. Have links been fixed as well so endnotes work? Again if broken, a deal breaker.

06-12-2011, 03:39 PM	#10
Canorka Connoisseur Posts: 90 Karma: 4254 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Norway Device: Kobo Touch	No font embeds on side loaded epubs (can't speak for kepubs), end notes work on kepubs.

06-12-2011, 07:27 PM	#12
rahulm Zealot Posts: 139 Karma: 22164 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: None	Hello SameerH, any plans to add more fonts or add the ability for users to add them ourselves?

06-12-2011, 07:37 PM	#13
doodlydood Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 182342 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Device: PRS-505, Kindle 3, iPad, Nook Touch, Kobo Touch	Rahulm, I have the Nook Touch, and I found that the embedded buttons were recessed and not really responsive, more like a nub under the coating than a proper clicky button like on the Kindle. Too bad. Sunspark - dead on with your observations on the font. Real shame. Mine is going back.

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