Convince me to go with a Kobo Wireless or Touch

EscapeVelocity · 12-26-2011, 07:29 PM

But I heard that they may be frustrating....with flaky software ruining the user experience.

I am also considering a Sony WiFi, 650, 350.

Convince me to go with Kobo, and if so which one?

The Terminator · 12-26-2011, 08:36 PM

Well depends on what you want to do with it

Kobo Touch

Pros: Highlighting, footnotes, multiple bookmarks, easier to download books with a Touch screen, Note taking, Dictionary, customizable fonts (You can add your own) line spacing, margin size control and you can choose to justify left or keep it regular, and Eink pearl.

Cons: No buttons for page turning, so if you have messy fingers you might not want to touch the screen.

I don't have a WiFi so someone else can review that.

BWinmill · 12-26-2011, 09:38 PM

The best thing to do is to create a list of the defects, then go into a store to play with a display model to see if those defects affect your use of it.

I say that because I think that the Kobo Touch is great and I haven't noticed many of the problems mentioned. The problems that I have noticed were not a big deal, in my opinion. But different people care about different things, so your opinion may differ.

I like the Touch for the reasons The Terminator mentioned, plus it's tiny and very light. The finger print smudging isn't really an issue either since it barely shows up on the screen. (I'm guessing that this is because it is a matte screen instead of a glossy one.)

shaf · 12-26-2011, 09:40 PM

The KOBO Touch Hardware is not reliable, I'm on my Second Kobo Touch and after less than a month it's no longer responsive.

I'll be talking to Chapers/Indigo tomorrow about another replacement. Having only owned the KT since August and already needing a second replacement is not a good sign.

PeterT · 12-26-2011, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWinmill

The best thing to do is to create a list of the defects, then go into a store to play with a display model to see if those defects affect your use of it.

Be careful though; there is NO guarantee at all that store display models have the current firmware on them....

Suzanna · 12-26-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaf

The KOBO Touch Hardware is not reliable, I'm on my Second Kobo Touch and after less than a month it's no longer responsive.

I'll be talking to Chapers/Indigo tomorrow about another replacement. Having only owned the KT since August and already needing a second replacement is not a good sign.

DH, my sister and I all have KTs that we bought right after they first went on sale, and we haven't had any issues with them at all.

EscapeVelocity · 12-26-2011, 11:18 PM

Thanks for all the comments!

Sounds like the Touch is a much better user experience than the Wireless. Too bad it doesnt have backup physical buttons for page turning.

So its between the Kobo Touch and the Sony Wireless, 650, and 350.

The 650 and 350 have no wireless, but I can use the SD card slot effectively. The 650 and 350 have nice tactile feel with the aluminum metal frames. How is that diamond pattern on the back of the Kobo and what is the feel of it? Seems like a winner with gripability.

viviena · 12-26-2011, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity

The 650 and 350 have no wireless, but I can use the SD card slot effectively. The 650 and 350 have nice tactile feel with the aluminum metal frames. How is that diamond pattern on the back of the Kobo and what is the feel of it? Seems like a winner with gripability.

The Kobo Touch feels very pleasant to hold, I have a cover for it but take it off many times when I read on it at home. Holding a 350/650 bare is not nearly as pleasant with the cold metallic feel, though I always use my 350 with a cover anyway.

robko · 12-26-2011, 11:26 PM

I was very reluctant to buy a Touch since I HATE touchscreens. I had a Wifi and upgraded for speed and better screen. The IR touch completely converted me and I love the Touch. For reading newspapers or any sort of interaction with the Kobo the touch is a much better user experience. From what I've read (no hands on experience the Sonys so I can't confirm this) but you would likely need to root one either of those to get a lot of the functionality of the Touch (line spacing/font size/custom fonts etc.). I have had the Touch since the first day they were out and I haven't had any hardware issues.

EscapeVelocity · 12-26-2011, 11:37 PM

Thanks!

I think Im going to nix the 350 from the list. I wish I could hold one. It looks very thin and light. I like the slightly smaller size.

I wonder how many other people are at Sony Wireless vs Kobo Touch.

Anybody know if there is a lower price to be had on the Sony 650 used or refurb compared to these other 2?

EscapeVelocity · 12-27-2011, 02:26 PM

Man the Sony Wireless and 650 and Kobo Touch all seem very nice. Its hard to make a decision. I suppose I will just have to take a plunge on one of these fine devices and see if any of the quirks are very bothersome, if so then I can sell and acquire another of the 3.

Cant go too wrong, I think though.

Nooks and Kindles are off the list.

EscapeVelocity · 12-27-2011, 02:28 PM

I was noticiing that the Kobo is the second most active forum on mobileread....behind the Kindle...but more active than B&N Nook or Sony.

I suppose I cant go too wrong with any of the Kobo Touch or Sony 650 or T1.

Koboyashi · 12-27-2011, 03:33 PM

Besides some firmware kinks described in this forum I wholeheartedly support the Kobo Touch.
It's a fine piece of technology and the ongoing firmware development will further improve the device.

TonyToews · 12-27-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EscapeVelocity

Sounds like the Touch is a much better user experience than the Wireless. Too bad it doesnt have backup physical buttons for page turning.

... snip ...
How is that diamond pattern on the back of the Kobo and what is the feel of it?

The Touch is definitely a better experience than the WiFi as it's considerably faster. The WiFi just plain is sluggish by comparison.

I don't know why you'd want backup physical buttons for turning. The tapping works very nicely.

The diamond pattern is ok but the important thing is the gripping capability. It's slightly soft so it feels quite nice when holding. Not slick.

HubbaDubbaDubba · 12-27-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyToews

The Touch is definitely a better experience than the WiFi as it's considerably faster. The WiFi just plain is sluggish by comparison.

I don't know why you'd want backup physical buttons for turning. The tapping works very nicely.

The diamond pattern is ok but the important thing is the gripping capability. It's slightly soft so it feels quite nice when holding. Not slick.

Not only the tapping works very nicely, but swipes are really handful. I'm a leftie, so to be able to just swipe using my left thumb to move turning back and forward is just amazing. The lack of physical buttons is actually a pro, since you can hold the device anyway you want.

12-26-2011, 07:29 PM	#1
EscapeVelocity Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 1420 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Nook Color - Gingerbread	Convince me to go with a Kobo Wireless or Touch But I heard that they may be frustrating....with flaky software ruining the user experience. I am also considering a Sony WiFi, 650, 350. Convince me to go with Kobo, and if so which one? Last edited by EscapeVelocity; 12-26-2011 at 08:19 PM.

12-26-2011, 11:18 PM	#7
EscapeVelocity Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 1420 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Nook Color - Gingerbread	Thanks for all the comments! Sounds like the Touch is a much better user experience than the Wireless. Too bad it doesnt have backup physical buttons for page turning. So its between the Kobo Touch and the Sony Wireless, 650, and 350. The 650 and 350 have no wireless, but I can use the SD card slot effectively. The 650 and 350 have nice tactile feel with the aluminum metal frames. How is that diamond pattern on the back of the Kobo and what is the feel of it? Seems like a winner with gripability. Last edited by EscapeVelocity; 12-26-2011 at 11:20 PM.

12-27-2011, 02:28 PM	#12
EscapeVelocity Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 1420 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Nook Color - Gingerbread	I was noticiing that the Kobo is the second most active forum on mobileread....behind the Kindle...but more active than B&N Nook or Sony. I suppose I cant go too wrong with any of the Kobo Touch or Sony 650 or T1. Last edited by EscapeVelocity; 12-27-2011 at 02:30 PM.

12-27-2011, 03:33 PM	#13
Koboyashi Zealot Posts: 137 Karma: 207434 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Kobo Glo	Besides some firmware kinks described in this forum I wholeheartedly support the Kobo Touch. It's a fine piece of technology and the ongoing firmware development will further improve the device. Last edited by Koboyashi; 12-27-2011 at 03:37 PM.

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12-26-2011, 08:36 PM	#2
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	Well depends on what you want to do with it Kobo Touch Pros: Highlighting, footnotes, multiple bookmarks, easier to download books with a Touch screen, Note taking, Dictionary, customizable fonts (You can add your own) line spacing, margin size control and you can choose to justify left or keep it regular, and Eink pearl. Cons: No buttons for page turning, so if you have messy fingers you might not want to touch the screen. I don't have a WiFi so someone else can review that.

12-26-2011, 09:38 PM	#3
BWinmill Nameless Being	The best thing to do is to create a list of the defects, then go into a store to play with a display model to see if those defects affect your use of it. I say that because I think that the Kobo Touch is great and I haven't noticed many of the problems mentioned. The problems that I have noticed were not a big deal, in my opinion. But different people care about different things, so your opinion may differ. I like the Touch for the reasons The Terminator mentioned, plus it's tiny and very light. The finger print smudging isn't really an issue either since it barely shows up on the screen. (I'm guessing that this is because it is a matte screen instead of a glossy one.)

12-26-2011, 09:40 PM	#4
shaf Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kobo Touch	The KOBO Touch Hardware is not reliable, I'm on my Second Kobo Touch and after less than a month it's no longer responsive. I'll be talking to Chapers/Indigo tomorrow about another replacement. Having only owned the KT since August and already needing a second replacement is not a good sign.

12-26-2011, 11:26 PM	#9
robko Wizard Posts: 2,454 Karma: 5469320 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kobo	I was very reluctant to buy a Touch since I HATE touchscreens. I had a Wifi and upgraded for speed and better screen. The IR touch completely converted me and I love the Touch. For reading newspapers or any sort of interaction with the Kobo the touch is a much better user experience. From what I've read (no hands on experience the Sonys so I can't confirm this) but you would likely need to root one either of those to get a lot of the functionality of the Touch (line spacing/font size/custom fonts etc.). I have had the Touch since the first day they were out and I haven't had any hardware issues.

12-26-2011, 11:37 PM	#10
EscapeVelocity Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 1420 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Nook Color - Gingerbread	Thanks! I think Im going to nix the 350 from the list. I wish I could hold one. It looks very thin and light. I like the slightly smaller size. I wonder how many other people are at Sony Wireless vs Kobo Touch. Anybody know if there is a lower price to be had on the Sony 650 used or refurb compared to these other 2?

12-27-2011, 02:26 PM	#11
EscapeVelocity Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 1420 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Nook Color - Gingerbread	Man the Sony Wireless and 650 and Kobo Touch all seem very nice. Its hard to make a decision. I suppose I will just have to take a plunge on one of these fine devices and see if any of the quirks are very bothersome, if so then I can sell and acquire another of the 3. Cant go too wrong, I think though. Nooks and Kindles are off the list.

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