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emilikins · 10-24-2011, 01:25 PM

Someone asked about the Kobo Vox. There are a couple of threads going on about it: here and here.

Screens resolution - I've said this a lot, either in this thread or another, but resolution does matter. I used to own the Coby 7024 and had not qualms about the e-reading on it, though I preferred e-Ink to it. My device suffered brain failure, so now I'm using my work tablet (Samsung Galaxy) which has a glorious screen (similar to the iPad), and now I think I prefer a good LCD to the Kobo WiFi wrapped up for Christmas. BUT, again, this is taste, and I never would have known what I was missing.

Like chessico, I've pre-ordered the 16GB A1, though I have been eyeballing the Kobo Vox, especially because there's a coupon code floating around to get $10 off if you order before Oct. 28: kobovox10. Get it sooner and for cheaper than the A1. I think Lenovo's would be an overall better device, but is it worth the extra $$? They're very similar when it comes down to it, though Vox has the AFFS screen (but you'll have to sideload Market, which in my experience isn't very stable). How much do I value instant Market and Netflix access over fiddling with a workaround? The Bluetooth is nice, but I have nothing of Bluetooth and don't know when I will.

To be A1 looks like I could stretch my legs out a bit more, though the size limitation keeps it from becoming a productivity device, imho. The Vox is cheaper, would basically fulfill all my needs with a few tricks, but Kobo doesn't always have the best support when it comes to malfunctions (so I've read on here). I want Kobo to do very well.

Amazon vs. everyone else
It comes down to if you want Papa Amazon looking over your shoulder or not. Great support service, I agree, and being locked into Amazon won't bother many people at all, and that is totally fine. There will be some casualties, I'm afraid, of those who don't self-educate on open Android vs. Amazon and will be disappointed. I don't think it'll be enough to hurt Amazon's sales or get them to open up. They're doing just fine with the e-readers. If Amazon started requiring high service fees with the tablet (get them in low, then clean them out), that would be out and out wrong. I don't see that happening, unless they have a complete philosophy overhaul. And then they'd just lose customers, because ...

... there are plenty of other tablet choices out there for those who don't want to be in Amazon's garden.

10-24-2011, 01:25 PM	#209
emilikins Short One in the Stacks Posts: 142 Karma: 198348 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Midwest Device: HTC Flyer; Kobo WiFi	Someone asked about the Kobo Vox. There are a couple of threads going on about it: here and here. Screens resolution - I've said this a lot, either in this thread or another, but resolution does matter. I used to own the Coby 7024 and had not qualms about the e-reading on it, though I preferred e-Ink to it. My device suffered brain failure, so now I'm using my work tablet (Samsung Galaxy) which has a glorious screen (similar to the iPad), and now I think I prefer a good LCD to the Kobo WiFi wrapped up for Christmas. BUT, again, this is taste, and I never would have known what I was missing. Like chessico, I've pre-ordered the 16GB A1, though I have been eyeballing the Kobo Vox, especially because there's a coupon code floating around to get $10 off if you order before Oct. 28: kobovox10. Get it sooner and for cheaper than the A1. I think Lenovo's would be an overall better device, but is it worth the extra $$? They're very similar when it comes down to it, though Vox has the AFFS screen (but you'll have to sideload Market, which in my experience isn't very stable). How much do I value instant Market and Netflix access over fiddling with a workaround? The Bluetooth is nice, but I have nothing of Bluetooth and don't know when I will. To be A1 looks like I could stretch my legs out a bit more, though the size limitation keeps it from becoming a productivity device, imho. The Vox is cheaper, would basically fulfill all my needs with a few tricks, but Kobo doesn't always have the best support when it comes to malfunctions (so I've read on here). I want Kobo to do very well. Amazon vs. everyone else It comes down to if you want Papa Amazon looking over your shoulder or not. Great support service, I agree, and being locked into Amazon won't bother many people at all, and that is totally fine. There will be some casualties, I'm afraid, of those who don't self-educate on open Android vs. Amazon and will be disappointed. I don't think it'll be enough to hurt Amazon's sales or get them to open up. They're doing just fine with the e-readers. If Amazon started requiring high service fees with the tablet (get them in low, then clean them out), that would be out and out wrong. I don't see that happening, unless they have a complete philosophy overhaul. And then they'd just lose customers, because ... ... there are plenty of other tablet choices out there for those who don't want to be in Amazon's garden.