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Originally Posted by rcentros
Well, the second review (the "total flop" one) seems to be mostly contradicted by the same reviewer once he had the device in hand a couple months later.
https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/20...o-walkthrough/
It looks like the main complaints with the Aura was that it was a "step back" from the original Aura. I haven't – personally – held one or used one so I can only go by the specs.
Comparing the Aura 2 specs to the Kindle Basic ... 212 ppi vs 167 ppi, Carta screen vs Pearl screen, front lighting, (now) direct borrowing from Overdrive and smaller (slightly) then the Basic. Advantage for the Kindle Basic, Bluetooth and Audible capabilities.
Comparing the Aura 2 specs to the Paperwhite ... 212 ppi vs 300 ppi, Aura 2 is lighter and smaller, the Aura 2 now has direct borrowing from Overdrive, the Aura 2 does not come with ads.
But beyond this ... other considerations. Amazon enjoys its near monopoly control of the eBook market in the United States. This Walmart move has the potential to threaten that (or least cut into their sales). The Paperwhite is due for a refresh anyhow (I'm guessing Bluetooth and a night light feature, plus a smaller size) and that will leave them with a perfectly serviceable Paperwhite 3 (older technology) – so they could drop it's price to $99 (like they did with the Kindle touch when the original Paperwhite came out).
It's all speculation, but I expect to see $99 Paperwhites (it's still $119 if you want get rid of the ads). |
I don't see Amazon price-matching the Paperwhite to the Aura Ed 2, aside from maybe a sale. If they do, that can only be good for the consumer.
That second review you mentioned, where he steps contradicted his earlier review? We must have read different reviews.
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It’s basically a downgraded version of the Kobo Glo HD, which Kobo is inexplicably discontinuing in favor of it.
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The thing that set the original apart was the fact that it had a premium design and a flush glass screen. The new model has neither of those qualities. In fact it’s a downgrade in more ways than one...
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Now Kobo has two low-end 6-inch models with no mid to higher-end version to compete with the Kindle and all the other 300 ppi 6-inch ereaders, which have become the new norm.
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You can’t help but be disappointed with the Aura Edition 2 when it’s replacing a better model.
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Wow. With that glowing review, I wonder if Kobo paid him
To me, it's obvious that the Aura Ed 2 is a step down from the Paperwhite and has more in common with the basic. If you don't see it that way, that's okay.