What would make Kobo surpass Kindle?

Futuregrace · 11-15-2017, 06:23 PM

Basically what features, etc would cause Kobo to cut into the market share of Kindle in your opinion?

As a Kindle convert to Kobo I miss a few things, the biggest thing that temps me to go back is the syncing of side loaded books iPad, iPhone and ereader. Not because of stealing, but since some theological books can’t be bought on Kobo or I already own them.

Other things are
How difficult it is to see highlights later, I like to transfer to good quotes to my Evernote, pain in butt on Kobo.
The way Wikipedia pops up if I hold on unfamiliar phrase.
The new toggle for inverted text color on Kindle (this drives me nuts cause Kobo could fix this issue today with software update, but they haven’t despite people requesting it for at least four years).

I’ve stayed because I like the underdog and the larger screen, but I’d love to see Kobo make improvements so that I could convince my friends to switch from Amazon to Kobo.

issybird · 11-15-2017, 06:36 PM

What I'd most like to see is a "Send to Kobo" function.

Nate the great · 11-15-2017, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Futuregrace

Basically what features, etc would cause Kobo to cut into the market share of Kindle in your opinion?

As a Kindle convert to Kobo I miss a few things, the biggest thing that temps me to go back is the syncing of side loaded books iPad, iPhone and ereader. Not because of stealing, but since some theological books can’t be bought on Kobo or I already own them.

Other things are
How difficult it is to see highlights later, I like to transfer to good quotes to my Evernote, pain in butt on Kobo.
The way Wikipedia pops up if I hold on unfamiliar phrase.
The new toggle for inverted text color on Kindle (this drives me nuts cause Kobo could fix this issue today with software update, but they haven’t despite people requesting it for at least four years).

I’ve stayed because I like the underdog and the larger screen, but I’d love to see Kobo make improvements so that I could convince my friends to switch from Amazon to Kobo.

antitrust action against Amazon

mdclanahan · 11-15-2017, 07:36 PM

Honestly, with a modicum of tech-savvy and some guidance from folks here on the forums here, I'm far happier with my Kobo than I ever was with my Paperwhite. It seems far more customizable than Kindle.

Amazon just has a stranglehold on the market, and I don't see that changing--even though I perceive the Kobo as a superior product.

davidfor · 11-15-2017, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Futuregrace

The way Wikipedia pops up if I hold on unfamiliar phrase.

Sounds horrible. I rarely select something that I want looked up in Wikipedia, and I spend a lot of time reading without a net connection, so it would be even more useless. But, Wikepedia search is already supported after selecting the text.

Quote:

The new toggle for inverted text color on Kindle (this drives me nuts cause Kobo could fix this issue today with software update, but they haven’t despite people requesting it for at least four years).

Kobo have recently added hidden support for this, so hopefully they will enable it properly.

darryl · 11-15-2017, 10:31 PM

Kobo already make great devices capable of competing. But, for the overwhelming majority of readers, it is not Kobo ereaders v. Kindle ereaders, but Kobo's "ecosystem" v. Amazon's "ecosystem". Amazon has Prime, Kindle Unlimited, Audible, Whispersync, far greater variety, much cheaper prices in general and vastly superior support. Hardware wise it offers an option for 3g access on its devices with no network charges. The overall experience of dealing with Amazon is far superior. I can't see Kobo ever competing. Apple or Google potentially could, but do not seem that interested.

bgalbrecht · 11-15-2017, 10:37 PM

Why do people buy Kindles instead of Kobos?

Name recognition, larger selection, Kindle only sale prices, Kindle Unlimited. It not the ereader, it's everything else.

AnemicOak · 11-16-2017, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgalbrecht

Why do people buy Kindles instead of Kobos?

Name recognition, larger selection, Kindle only sale prices, Kindle Unlimited. It not the ereader, it's everything else.

Besides what you mention, in the US market I'd guess that outside of forums like this most people don't even know what Kobo is since they only really sell their hardware to this market through their website. I know there are a few indie bookstores here and there, but...

daldred · 11-16-2017, 07:45 AM

Something that would make me think of upgrading my ereader would be integrated audio - like Amazon's Whispersync. As with Whispersync, it would be optional on any one book, and only for those where a voice track was available.

Why? Because I like reading, but sometimes I just want to close my eyes and go on with the story. I can do that with a tablet running the Kindle software, of course, but the tablet is a less eye-friendly reading experience than e-ink. If I could just plug in the earphones, shut my eyes and carry on being immersed in my current story, that would be great!

patrik · 11-16-2017, 07:54 AM

I believe most buy Kindles because of the amazon eco system and they don't really consider anything else.

What would be interesting is if Kobo added the amazon-store seamlessy... (with full kf7/8/x-support) and did a lot of marketing on amazon.com... Probably a stupid idea...

Stevex · 11-16-2017, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrik

I believe most buy Kindles because of the amazon eco system and they don't really consider anything else.

What would be interesting is if Kobo added the amazon-store seamlessy... (with full kf7/8/x-support) and did a lot of marketing on amazon.com... Probably a stupid idea...

I dont think that's a stupid idea but I don't think Amazon would allow it.

Generically speaking, I think people buy Kindles to be inside the Amazon system and Kobos to be outside of it. I bought the Kobo to have a good device with epub support. The handling of collections is another big, though not decisive, factor for me.

JSWolf · 11-16-2017, 09:59 AM

I bought an H2O for the larger screen and for the better options available when reading ePub.

Cinisajoy · 11-16-2017, 01:20 PM

I own both. I like Amazon's store better.

JSWolf · 11-16-2017, 01:24 PM

The answer to the topic at hand is...

More options to set things the way you want vs the way Amazon wants. Plus, you get "enhanced typesetting" without the need for a special format (KFX). And if you life outside the USA and use Overdrive, then you do want a Reader to handle ePub.

TucknDar · 11-16-2017, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdclanahan

Honestly, with a modicum of tech-savvy and some guidance from folks here on the forums here, I'm far happier with my Kobo than I ever was with my Paperwhite. It seems far more customizable than Kindle.

This! I've owned a Kindle Touch and Paperwhite 1.g, but they're nowhere near as good as my Glo HD. Love the fact that there's it's so customizable.

11-15-2017, 06:23 PM	#1
Futuregrace Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 12646 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Kansas Device: Kindle Oasis 2019, iPad Pro 11, Voyage	What would make Kobo surpass Kindle? Basically what features, etc would cause Kobo to cut into the market share of Kindle in your opinion? As a Kindle convert to Kobo I miss a few things, the biggest thing that temps me to go back is the syncing of side loaded books iPad, iPhone and ereader. Not because of stealing, but since some theological books can’t be bought on Kobo or I already own them. Other things are How difficult it is to see highlights later, I like to transfer to good quotes to my Evernote, pain in butt on Kobo. The way Wikipedia pops up if I hold on unfamiliar phrase. The new toggle for inverted text color on Kindle (this drives me nuts cause Kobo could fix this issue today with software update, but they haven’t despite people requesting it for at least four years). I’ve stayed because I like the underdog and the larger screen, but I’d love to see Kobo make improvements so that I could convince my friends to switch from Amazon to Kobo.

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11-15-2017, 06:36 PM	#2
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,224 Karma: 222235366 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	What I'd most like to see is a "Send to Kobo" function.

11-15-2017, 07:36 PM	#4
mdclanahan Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Missouri, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPad 6th Gen	Honestly, with a modicum of tech-savvy and some guidance from folks here on the forums here, I'm far happier with my Kobo than I ever was with my Paperwhite. It seems far more customizable than Kindle. Amazon just has a stranglehold on the market, and I don't see that changing--even though I perceive the Kobo as a superior product.

11-15-2017, 10:31 PM	#6
darryl Wizard Posts: 3,108 Karma: 60231510 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Oasis, Huwei Ascend Mate 7	Kobo already make great devices capable of competing. But, for the overwhelming majority of readers, it is not Kobo ereaders v. Kindle ereaders, but Kobo's "ecosystem" v. Amazon's "ecosystem". Amazon has Prime, Kindle Unlimited, Audible, Whispersync, far greater variety, much cheaper prices in general and vastly superior support. Hardware wise it offers an option for 3g access on its devices with no network charges. The overall experience of dealing with Amazon is far superior. I can't see Kobo ever competing. Apple or Google potentially could, but do not seem that interested.

11-15-2017, 10:37 PM	#7
bgalbrecht Wizard Posts: 1,806 Karma: 13399999 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US Device: Nook Simple Touch, Kobo Glo HD, Kobo Clara HD, Kindle 4	Why do people buy Kindles instead of Kobos? Name recognition, larger selection, Kindle only sale prices, Kindle Unlimited. It not the ereader, it's everything else.

11-16-2017, 07:45 AM	#9
daldred Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 11514 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Elonex eb511	Something that would make me think of upgrading my ereader would be integrated audio - like Amazon's Whispersync. As with Whispersync, it would be optional on any one book, and only for those where a voice track was available. Why? Because I like reading, but sometimes I just want to close my eyes and go on with the story. I can do that with a tablet running the Kindle software, of course, but the tablet is a less eye-friendly reading experience than e-ink. If I could just plug in the earphones, shut my eyes and carry on being immersed in my current story, that would be great!

11-16-2017, 07:54 AM	#10
patrik Guru Posts: 657 Karma: 4568205 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Forma	I believe most buy Kindles because of the amazon eco system and they don't really consider anything else. What would be interesting is if Kobo added the amazon-store seamlessy... (with full kf7/8/x-support) and did a lot of marketing on amazon.com... Probably a stupid idea...

11-16-2017, 09:59 AM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,957 Karma: 128903250 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I bought an H2O for the larger screen and for the better options available when reading ePub.

11-16-2017, 01:20 PM	#13
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	I own both. I like Amazon's store better.

11-16-2017, 01:24 PM	#14
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,957 Karma: 128903250 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The answer to the topic at hand is... More options to set things the way you want vs the way Amazon wants. Plus, you get "enhanced typesetting" without the need for a special format (KFX). And if you life outside the USA and use Overdrive, then you do want a Reader to handle ePub.

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