Kobo's future of color ereaders

RZetlin · 04-09-2015, 10:32 PM

I was looking for articles on Glo HD when I stumbled on this article:

Quote:

Why Kobo isn't making a colour ereader

Kobo won't release an ereader with a colour screen until authors "start writing novels in colour" according to company president Michael Tamblyn. He said colour screens and interactive features would continue "on the tablet and app side", which now accounts for half of Kobo's business.

....

Tamblyn said the last major innovative barrier for ereaders was waterproofing, which it achieved with the Kobo Aura H2O last year -- though omitted from the new Glo HD -- and that the company's focus was now on "usability and adoption".

"Over the last three to four years ereaders haven't followed the tech adoption cycle," Tamblyn said. "Most of the people making the transition are 50 to 60 years old".

Future innovations such as colour e-ink screens, may never arrive, although Tamblyn refused to rule them out completely. "Until they start writing novels in colour, I think we're alright," he said. Graphic novels, comics and children's books would remain on Kobo's smartphone and tablet apps.

"Apps now account for half of the Kobo business," Tamblyn explained, referencing the company's reading apps for Android and iOS. "Colour screens and interaction will happen on tablet and app side".

Looks like Kobo had thought about a colour e-reader, but decided it was not feasible.

If Kobo did produce a colour e-reader it bring something new the e-reader market and make them stand ahead of Amazon.

JSWolf · 04-09-2015, 10:40 PM

For one thing, color eInk using the Triton color layer is not all that good. WHen you use Triton to get color, you end up with a lower resolution screen because you have to use multiple dots to get one dot of color. The colors are also muted and it's slower because you need to have to figure out how to display the colors.

Overall, there really isn't a workable color screen that isn't LCD or LED.

Ripplinger · 04-10-2015, 12:16 AM

I have to agree with Kobo on this. Books aren't written in color, I don't see why so many are pushing for a color ereader.

I don't read magazines or pdfs that are heavy with color images though. And for the rare times I do, I'll read those on my desktop PC or at least on a tablet. Those types of reading material are something I'd never want to view on an ereader.

DNSB · 04-10-2015, 01:24 AM

The most complaints I've heard about the lack of colour on eInk readers has to do with displaying the cover image. I don't spend much, if any, time admiring the cover of any books so I don't have any desire for a colour eInk reader at this time. I'd rather they spend the time and effort improving the reading experience.

As for competing with Amazon by bringing out a colour eReader? I can see that as realistic.

MGlitch · 04-10-2015, 01:27 AM

I've got to agree with Kobo as well, the only changes I'd make to the H2O would be the following

1) Rounded bezel instead of the right angle corners it has now
2) Higher res screen
3) Smaller bezel
4) Matte finish on the front rather than the slight gloss
5) Software tweaks which I wont go in to, because they aren't device specific.

mikij1 · 04-10-2015, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

I have to agree with Kobo on this. Books aren't written in color, I don't see why so many are pushing for a color ereader.

I don't read magazines or pdfs that are heavy with color images though. And for the rare times I do, I'll read those on my desktop PC or at least on a tablet. Those types of reading material are something I'd never want to view on an ereader.

Novels are black and white... but books like this http://www.amazon.com/Science-Defini...ywords=science is in colour.

I don't understad why manufacturs discleim to sell digital scientifics books, comics, newspaper...

The tecnology is there and is quality http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english...1/312828/1.jpg

My dream... ereader 13'3" and colour screen like Japan Display. The substitute for textbooks and library of my house.
I've already lost hope of seeing.

Pd.: what it'll make Kobo if Amazon shows and liquavista ereader? I know I will not see it but...

Barty · 04-10-2015, 08:19 PM

The truth of the matter is the technology is just not there. Color e-ink sucks. (Heck even gray scale e-ink sucks. 16 levels?) So of course kobo and amazon are spinning it as something not needed. If we had decent, affordable, energy efficient, reflective color display, they'd be competing to be the first to bring it to market and touting what a huge breakthrough it is.

Ripplinger · 04-10-2015, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikij1

Novels are black and white... but books like this http://www.amazon.com/Science-Defini...ywords=science is in colour.

I don't understad why manufacturs discleim to sell digital scientifics books, comics, newspaper...

The tecnology is there and is quality http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english...1/312828/1.jpg

My dream... ereader 13'3" and colour screen like Japan Display. The substitute for textbooks and library of my house.
I've already lost hope of seeing.

Pd.: what it'll make Kobo if Amazon shows and liquavista ereader? I know I will not see it but...

Now that's the type of book I was referring to that I'd never even try to read on an ereader. For me, the ereader is my replacement for my 1000s of paperback books that I'd purchased and end up carrying one with me every day... novels I'd read on buses and subways and trains and at the beach. Any heavier reading than that just isn't suited to an ereader and it's those types of books that I'd only read on my PC or at least on a tablet... or get the printed version and just read it at home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barty

The truth of the matter is the technology is just not there. Color e-ink sucks. (Heck even gray scale e-ink sucks. 16 levels?) So of course kobo and amazon are spinning it as something not needed. If we had decent, affordable, energy efficient, reflective color display, they'd be competing to be the first to bring it to market and touting what a huge breakthrough it is.

And exactly for this reason, I realize the limitations of e-ink. Color e-ink displays are washed out and I don't think will ever be as vibrant as you see on LCD/LED screens even years from now. And trying to read a book filled with beautiful color images and larger pages with text laid out that can't reflow just isn't doing those books justice. I wouldn't want to ruin a book like that by trying to fit it within e-ink confines.

Ruskie_it · 04-11-2015, 05:38 PM

You don't because you don't have an e-ink device that displays it in good quality. This answer does not make much sense to me. It's like you said I would never read a novel on an electronic device, I use paper for that. Right, but when a quality e ink device got out, you did.
There are book I would read on pc out in paper, but if a color e ink with decent quality existed, I don't see why I shouldn't be using it...

MGlitch · 04-12-2015, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruskie_it

You don't because you don't have an e-ink device that displays it in good quality. This answer does not make much sense to me. It's like you said I would never read a novel on an electronic device, I use paper for that. Right, but when a quality e ink device got out, you did.
There are book I would read on pc out in paper, but if a color e ink with decent quality existed, I don't see why I shouldn't be using it...

It's more like saying "I don't like the quality of the eink devices out currently, until / unless they get better I see no reason to change my behavior. And given the current examples of color eink being developed I don't think we will see a quality color eink display at any point in the near or semi-near future.

Why switch to something which will offer inferior overall quality with the only benefit being a poor quality 'feature'?

MacEachaidh · 04-12-2015, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

The most complaints I've heard about the lack of colour on eInk readers has to do with displaying the cover image. I don't spend much, if any, time admiring the cover of any books so I don't have any desire for a colour eInk reader at this time. I'd rather they spend the time and effort improving the reading experience.

I agree about wanting them to spend time on reading-related features and improvements -- which is why I whinge when new F/W versions seem to have focused most effort on what I see as social media frippery -- but I personally also really like covers being involved in the experience of a book (provided they're good ones). A good cover can instantly set the mood for a book -- and in fact, if I had the option, I'd have opening a book from the library to go first to the cover every time, with a link then to the bookmark, where one exists.

Covers don't fare so well with relatively low-contrast greyscale. Colour would definitely help there. But also, in photos or diagrams in a book. Not everything people read is purely text-based. Kobo's point holds up well overall, and I generally agree with it, but it also oversimplifies the situation.

I guess what they're really saying is: "We're focusing on text-based content, and if you want something other than that, look elsewhere."

Ruskie_it · 04-12-2015, 11:04 AM

MrGlitch, totally agree. Today I wouldn't read such books on color e ink too... But that doesn't mean I would if there were quality color ereader

Ruskie_it · 04-12-2015, 11:05 AM

I just think cost-wise it simply not worth the pain currently for Amazon and Kobo to produce such ereader

eschwartz · 04-14-2015, 12:36 AM

Well, that and the fact that the main market for ereaders is the novel, which has very little demand for color. I'm sure if the demand was there, we would see more innovation in this area.

pickyaxe · 04-14-2015, 06:41 AM

Black-and-white eReaders are now mature technology. Which is great. Cut out the gimmicks, give me thin and light and I'll be whipping out my credit card.

E Ink technology still doesn't allow for decently sized bezels and that's a shame. Get me a 6.8" screen in a device the size of a Kindle Voyage.

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04-09-2015, 10:40 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,740 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	For one thing, color eInk using the Triton color layer is not all that good. WHen you use Triton to get color, you end up with a lower resolution screen because you have to use multiple dots to get one dot of color. The colors are also muted and it's slower because you need to have to figure out how to display the colors. Overall, there really isn't a workable color screen that isn't LCD or LED.

04-10-2015, 12:16 AM	#3
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I have to agree with Kobo on this. Books aren't written in color, I don't see why so many are pushing for a color ereader. I don't read magazines or pdfs that are heavy with color images though. And for the rare times I do, I'll read those on my desktop PC or at least on a tablet. Those types of reading material are something I'd never want to view on an ereader.

04-10-2015, 01:24 AM	#4
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 46,141 Karma: 168983734 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	The most complaints I've heard about the lack of colour on eInk readers has to do with displaying the cover image. I don't spend much, if any, time admiring the cover of any books so I don't have any desire for a colour eInk reader at this time. I'd rather they spend the time and effort improving the reading experience. As for competing with Amazon by bringing out a colour eReader? I can see that as realistic.

04-10-2015, 01:27 AM	#5
MGlitch Wizard Posts: 2,855 Karma: 22003124 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kobo Forma, Kobo Sage, Kobo Libra 2	I've got to agree with Kobo as well, the only changes I'd make to the H2O would be the following 1) Rounded bezel instead of the right angle corners it has now 2) Higher res screen 3) Smaller bezel 4) Matte finish on the front rather than the slight gloss 5) Software tweaks which I wont go in to, because they aren't device specific.

04-10-2015, 08:19 PM	#7
Barty doofus Posts: 2,549 Karma: 13089041 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Voyage	The truth of the matter is the technology is just not there. Color e-ink sucks. (Heck even gray scale e-ink sucks. 16 levels?) So of course kobo and amazon are spinning it as something not needed. If we had decent, affordable, energy efficient, reflective color display, they'd be competing to be the first to bring it to market and touting what a huge breakthrough it is.

04-11-2015, 05:38 PM	#9
Ruskie_it Fanatic Posts: 538 Karma: 1000000 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Rome, Italy Device: Kindle PW5, Kindle PW4, Kindle 4 NT	You don't because you don't have an e-ink device that displays it in good quality. This answer does not make much sense to me. It's like you said I would never read a novel on an electronic device, I use paper for that. Right, but when a quality e ink device got out, you did. There are book I would read on pc out in paper, but if a color e ink with decent quality existed, I don't see why I shouldn't be using it...

04-12-2015, 11:04 AM	#12
Ruskie_it Fanatic Posts: 538 Karma: 1000000 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Rome, Italy Device: Kindle PW5, Kindle PW4, Kindle 4 NT	MrGlitch, totally agree. Today I wouldn't read such books on color e ink too... But that doesn't mean I would if there were quality color ereader

04-12-2015, 11:05 AM	#13
Ruskie_it Fanatic Posts: 538 Karma: 1000000 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Rome, Italy Device: Kindle PW5, Kindle PW4, Kindle 4 NT	I just think cost-wise it simply not worth the pain currently for Amazon and Kobo to produce such ereader

04-14-2015, 12:36 AM	#14
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Well, that and the fact that the main market for ereaders is the novel, which has very little demand for color. I'm sure if the demand was there, we would see more innovation in this area.

04-14-2015, 06:41 AM	#15
pickyaxe Addict Posts: 289 Karma: 3762916 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: none	Black-and-white eReaders are now mature technology. Which is great. Cut out the gimmicks, give me thin and light and I'll be whipping out my credit card. E Ink technology still doesn't allow for decently sized bezels and that's a shame. Get me a 6.8" screen in a device the size of a Kindle Voyage.

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