highlighting/annotating PDF files?

Paul Miller · 03-14-2014, 11:09 PM

I'm researching Kobo ereaders and making some progress. However, I get stuck when I try to find out whether I'll be able to highlight and/or annotate PDF files. Both functions would be better than one or the other.

Does the software that comes with the Kobo, e.g. the Aura HD, allow one to do this? And if not, would a 3rd party program like Calibre be the thing?

Thanks for any help you can provide. I've been searching this site and the web in general and have not been able to find an answer.

Paul

davidfor · 03-15-2014, 12:59 AM

Unfortunately, you can't directly annotate text in PDFs. What you can do is to bookmark a page and then go into the annotations list and add a not to the bookmark.

If reading and annotating PDFs is important to you, then you won't be happy with a Kobo ereader. Or any of the other 6"-7" inch e-ink ereaders. You really need to stick with a proper tablet for this. There is a LOT of discussion on this in the "Which one should I buy?" forum.

Paul Miller · 03-15-2014, 11:25 AM

This is helpful, davidfor. Is this because tablets allow for more/different reading software? I'll check out the other forum as well.

robko · 03-15-2014, 04:38 PM

Primarily because of processor power (tablets typically having much faster and more powerful processors allowing better rendering) and the related problem of slower refresh on e-ink vs. tablets (physical display differences on top of processor rendering). PDF work on e-ink, but due to smaller size screen size you're likely going to scroll around a lot to see the whole page and e-ink readers aren't ideal for that. Really depends on what your use and tolerance levels (for slower refresh) are.

Paul Miller · 03-15-2014, 10:50 PM

Thanks, Robko. this makes it clearer. Since I (unfortunately) don't do a lot of reading, perhaps I should get a tablet despite the other drawbacks. :-)

hoichi · 03-16-2014, 08:24 AM

I'm not sure whether no annotations for PDFs is due to the lack of processing power or simply due to the fact that the PDF viewer is basically a separate app and most of the code is probably licensed from Adobe.
What I do know is it sure would be nice to have highlighting, annotations and dictionary lookup for screenplays and occasional prose in PDF (note to self: check the book format when you buy fiction from Kobo store).

03-14-2014, 11:09 PM	#1
Paul Miller Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 13500 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Kobo	highlighting/annotating PDF files? I'm researching Kobo ereaders and making some progress. However, I get stuck when I try to find out whether I'll be able to highlight and/or annotate PDF files. Both functions would be better than one or the other. Does the software that comes with the Kobo, e.g. the Aura HD, allow one to do this? And if not, would a 3rd party program like Calibre be the thing? Thanks for any help you can provide. I've been searching this site and the web in general and have not been able to find an answer. Paul

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03-15-2014, 12:59 AM	#2
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,907 Karma: 47303748 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	Unfortunately, you can't directly annotate text in PDFs. What you can do is to bookmark a page and then go into the annotations list and add a not to the bookmark. If reading and annotating PDFs is important to you, then you won't be happy with a Kobo ereader. Or any of the other 6"-7" inch e-ink ereaders. You really need to stick with a proper tablet for this. There is a LOT of discussion on this in the "Which one should I buy?" forum.

03-15-2014, 11:25 AM	#3
Paul Miller Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 13500 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Kobo	This is helpful, davidfor. Is this because tablets allow for more/different reading software? I'll check out the other forum as well.

03-15-2014, 04:38 PM	#4
robko Wizard Posts: 2,454 Karma: 5469320 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo	Primarily because of processor power (tablets typically having much faster and more powerful processors allowing better rendering) and the related problem of slower refresh on e-ink vs. tablets (physical display differences on top of processor rendering). PDF work on e-ink, but due to smaller size screen size you're likely going to scroll around a lot to see the whole page and e-ink readers aren't ideal for that. Really depends on what your use and tolerance levels (for slower refresh) are.

03-15-2014, 10:50 PM	#5
Paul Miller Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 13500 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Kobo	Thanks, Robko. this makes it clearer. Since I (unfortunately) don't do a lot of reading, perhaps I should get a tablet despite the other drawbacks. :-)

03-16-2014, 08:24 AM	#6
hoichi male solipsist pig Posts: 102 Karma: 440818 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Moscow Device: Nook Simple Touch→Kobo Aura HD	I'm not sure whether no annotations for PDFs is due to the lack of processing power or simply due to the fact that the PDF viewer is basically a separate app and most of the code is probably licensed from Adobe. What I do know is it sure would be nice to have highlighting, annotations and dictionary lookup for screenplays and occasional prose in PDF (note to self: check the book format when you buy fiction from Kobo store).

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