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mobileguycanada · 11-18-2011, 11:08 AM

Update to my previous comment:

I went to Best Buy last week and purchased a Kobo Vox. Took it home, followed the instructions on setup, allowed the 2 updates to install (didn't take too long) and then set up a Kobo account. I was able to side-install angry birds, kindle reader, etc. No problems with that stuff at all. No luck getting the Google apps like GMail working directly - have to go through the web browser to access that info.

First problem I noticed was battery drain. I'd charge the Vox up at work each day, take it home, then the next morning (after not using it all night) I went back to work and tried to turn it on. Dead. Took a lot of plugging, unplugging, fiddling with the plug and adapter, down volume button+ on button to get it to light up and start working again. The battery was completely drained each morning. This was not good...

Second problem was that I ordered 2 graphic novels from the Kobo web store. Neither one would install, despite attempts at loading them via 2 different wifi routers. No luck.

Called Kobo customer service in the morning of Day 7 - got someone right away. Very helpful. She checked my account, saw that one of the novels was not even listed as being purchased! The other one she advised to delete on the device and re-synch. As for the battery issue, her answer was quick and concise: take the Vox back to Best Buy and exchange it immediately.

I went home, got the Vox, wiped the drive, packed the entire thing up so it was exactly as when I first opened it, took my emailed ticket info from the Kobo CSR that she emailed it indicating I should return the unit for exchange, drove out to the Best Buy store and they swapped it out within about 10 minutes.

Once I got back to my office I set it up (deja vu...) and everything updated fine. No hiccups with the wifi this time. and my graphic novel downloaded quickly and easily. Side installed Opera, Kindle reader, angry birds, etc. All worked perfectly.

This time when I left work I put the unit into "Airplane Mode" so the wifi wouldn't go nuts in my condo building, looking for a signal. The next morning, came into work, turned it on and voila! all was still working. The unit had an 80% charge and no problems.

So the bottom line is this: If you brand-new Kobo is showing any sort of weird Wifi behavior or battery drain issues, swap it out immediately. Don't fidget or waste time with the one you have - get another one and hopefully the second time will be the charm.

11-18-2011, 11:08 AM	#8
mobileguycanada Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 12084 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kindle 3	Update to my previous comment: I went to Best Buy last week and purchased a Kobo Vox. Took it home, followed the instructions on setup, allowed the 2 updates to install (didn't take too long) and then set up a Kobo account. I was able to side-install angry birds, kindle reader, etc. No problems with that stuff at all. No luck getting the Google apps like GMail working directly - have to go through the web browser to access that info. First problem I noticed was battery drain. I'd charge the Vox up at work each day, take it home, then the next morning (after not using it all night) I went back to work and tried to turn it on. Dead. Took a lot of plugging, unplugging, fiddling with the plug and adapter, down volume button+ on button to get it to light up and start working again. The battery was completely drained each morning. This was not good... Second problem was that I ordered 2 graphic novels from the Kobo web store. Neither one would install, despite attempts at loading them via 2 different wifi routers. No luck. Called Kobo customer service in the morning of Day 7 - got someone right away. Very helpful. She checked my account, saw that one of the novels was not even listed as being purchased! The other one she advised to delete on the device and re-synch. As for the battery issue, her answer was quick and concise: take the Vox back to Best Buy and exchange it immediately. I went home, got the Vox, wiped the drive, packed the entire thing up so it was exactly as when I first opened it, took my emailed ticket info from the Kobo CSR that she emailed it indicating I should return the unit for exchange, drove out to the Best Buy store and they swapped it out within about 10 minutes. Once I got back to my office I set it up (deja vu...) and everything updated fine. No hiccups with the wifi this time. and my graphic novel downloaded quickly and easily. Side installed Opera, Kindle reader, angry birds, etc. All worked perfectly. This time when I left work I put the unit into "Airplane Mode" so the wifi wouldn't go nuts in my condo building, looking for a signal. The next morning, came into work, turned it on and voila! all was still working. The unit had an 80% charge and no problems. So the bottom line is this: If you brand-new Kobo is showing any sort of weird Wifi behavior or battery drain issues, swap it out immediately. Don't fidget or waste time with the one you have - get another one and hopefully the second time will be the charm.