[Noah98]

I think the design of the Kobo is really nice, and I can definitely see the appeal of it and its simplicity. If you read the Engadget review of it, they explain why the Kobo is a nice choice for those that want to read without distractions.

I do believe that the price is still too high. Even if people don't want/need extra features, those features cost money to include, so without them the Kobo should be cheaper than the wifi Nook.

However, if you love the design, the money doesn't matter, and you still get a gift card. There is one disadvantage to the Kobo though that firmware can't correct--the screen. According to the CNET video review, the Kobo screen has less contrast and is not as clear as the Nook, Kindle, or non-touchscreen Sony models. This to me is a deal breaker at the current price. When it comes down to it, design variations and bells and whistles don't matter as much as the actual reading experience. The point of eink is to provide a great screen to simulate a book. At it's current price, the Kobo should have the same quality screen as the Kindle, Nook, and Sony.

I agree that the grey levels don't really matter unless you like photos/images. The slower page turns can be fixed by firmware. The extra features might be a distraction to some. But, screen quality is very important to ereading, and while the Kobo experience might still be nice and acceptable, there is no excuse for it being inferior to its competition.