MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Did you buy one of the new Kobos (or do you plan to)?

disconnected · 11-07-2021, 09:42 PM

I voted for “There's something I don't like about them, so probably no” but it’s actually closer to a definite no.

As far as I’m concerned the Forma is nearly perfect but instead of building on that Kobo is rushing off in other directions and probably abandoning the Forma line altogether – it doesn’t even show up in the dropdown list of ereaders on the first page of the website. After all the fanfare about the new light weight, less fragile screen, suddenly they don’t seem to think it’s a valuable feature anymore.

Much like Amazon with their vaunted new tiny Oasis with power cover. I hoped the next generation would have a bit more battery power in the Oasis itself, a less slippery surface so I could actually hold onto the thing without dropping it, and a cover that wouldn't keep losing connection to it but instead we got the massive Oasis 2.

I’m feeling old and grumpy about the state of tech right now. Lately it seems to be one step forward and two steps back for me.

My much loved and constantly used 2015 Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0” has developed several problems recently and Samsung (along with every other Android tablet maker) has decided that nobody wants a high-end eight inch tablet now, never mind one with the 4:3 aspect ratio that the S2 has. I decided to break down and order a new Ipad mini, even though I’ve never had an interest in anything Apple. Naturally Apple decided, for the first time, to ditch the 4:3 mini shape. Further research brought the realization that unlike my wifi-only Samsung, which can use Google Maps navigation by tethering to my phone using my T-Mobile ten dollar monthly hot-spot add-on, only the considerably more expensive cellular model of the Ipad mini with its own twenty-five dollar a month plan could do the same. Despite the fact that the physical size is pretty similar to the Samsung, the mini is also about two ounces heavier. I did order one anyway, in desperation, but so far I kind of hate it. I’m sure part of it is just a learning curve, but not all of it. The screen, which at 8.3 inches is slightly bigger than my Samsung’s, seems half the size because it’s narrower. I downloaded the Apple version of an old Scrabble-type game I have on the Samsung and, because the screen is no longer squarish, the tiles are half the size (and apparently can’t be zoomed in on), and I’m a klutz. I don’t think Apple has even optimized the browser for the new proportions; a lot of websites look awful, with tiny text, and wide margins. Possibly there's some sort of reasonable workaround, but I haven't found it yet. I could return it, but then what, nothing out there looks any better.

Excuse the rant, back to the subject of Kobo. I cheered myself up a little bit by ordering a third Forma. At least one of them should last until I’m too senile to read.

11-07-2021, 09:42 PM	#15
disconnected Fanatic Posts: 527 Karma: 4504715 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: US Device: Kobo Forma, Libra, H2O2e2, Clara, Auras, Kindles, Nooks, Sony, iPAQ	I voted for “There's something I don't like about them, so probably no” but it’s actually closer to a definite no. As far as I’m concerned the Forma is nearly perfect but instead of building on that Kobo is rushing off in other directions and probably abandoning the Forma line altogether – it doesn’t even show up in the dropdown list of ereaders on the first page of the website. After all the fanfare about the new light weight, less fragile screen, suddenly they don’t seem to think it’s a valuable feature anymore. Much like Amazon with their vaunted new tiny Oasis with power cover. I hoped the next generation would have a bit more battery power in the Oasis itself, a less slippery surface so I could actually hold onto the thing without dropping it, and a cover that wouldn't keep losing connection to it but instead we got the massive Oasis 2. I’m feeling old and grumpy about the state of tech right now. Lately it seems to be one step forward and two steps back for me. My much loved and constantly used 2015 Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0” has developed several problems recently and Samsung (along with every other Android tablet maker) has decided that nobody wants a high-end eight inch tablet now, never mind one with the 4:3 aspect ratio that the S2 has. I decided to break down and order a new Ipad mini, even though I’ve never had an interest in anything Apple. Naturally Apple decided, for the first time, to ditch the 4:3 mini shape. Further research brought the realization that unlike my wifi-only Samsung, which can use Google Maps navigation by tethering to my phone using my T-Mobile ten dollar monthly hot-spot add-on, only the considerably more expensive cellular model of the Ipad mini with its own twenty-five dollar a month plan could do the same. Despite the fact that the physical size is pretty similar to the Samsung, the mini is also about two ounces heavier. I did order one anyway, in desperation, but so far I kind of hate it. I’m sure part of it is just a learning curve, but not all of it. The screen, which at 8.3 inches is slightly bigger than my Samsung’s, seems half the size because it’s narrower. I downloaded the Apple version of an old Scrabble-type game I have on the Samsung and, because the screen is no longer squarish, the tiles are half the size (and apparently can’t be zoomed in on), and I’m a klutz. I don’t think Apple has even optimized the browser for the new proportions; a lot of websites look awful, with tiny text, and wide margins. Possibly there's some sort of reasonable workaround, but I haven't found it yet. I could return it, but then what, nothing out there looks any better. Excuse the rant, back to the subject of Kobo. I cheered myself up a little bit by ordering a third Forma. At least one of them should last until I’m too senile to read.