Mini The Kobo Mini has been Cancelled

abbibi · 04-30-2014, 05:07 PM

So sad. I love this little reader.

http://goodereader.com/blog/electron...y-discontinued

Hopefully they are planning to replace it with a frontlit model.

Nate the great · 04-30-2014, 06:35 PM

It's hilarious how Michael can call it _officially_ discontinued when there's been no official announcement. Apparently what makes it "official" is that he has assumed it to be true without any confirmation.

Dr. Drib · 04-30-2014, 07:16 PM

This appears very logical and plausible to me.

Not unexpected, by any means.

I just bought one and I love it.

If a new one comes out that is front-lit, I'll buy that one too! I suspect one will come out, and will have a different name, with hopefully the word 'mini' in there somewhere.

Perhaps this: Aura Mini [front lit]. That would be in keeping with their line of Auras.

teija · 04-30-2014, 07:32 PM

I would not be surprised if they "officially" discontinue it. I assumed from the blow-out prices that we saw last spring/summer, it would have been at that point.

But I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a front-lit version of the Mini. I think it would do well, and fill a niche that still remains!

TechniSol · 04-30-2014, 08:34 PM

I'd like to see a front lit mini, but with smaller profit margins, a niche dedicated e-ink reader market, the proliferation of 5.0" and larger cellphones and phablets with ever larger batteries... I have my doubts. I get the whole display quality/lower power issue with e-ink for reading -I can't put up with reading for very long on my tablets, but there is a lot on the other side of the argument from carrying only one device, to already having the device as the larger phones become more common, to being able to do more with it and having a choice of several reading apps designed for several distribution channels and totally independent reading apps and so on.

I mostly have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of them introducing a lower cost improved front lit unit that would compete with their own 6" model... As I recall, and I may be wrong, the minis didn't really take off until after Kobo discounted them...

Ripplinger · 04-30-2014, 09:10 PM

I'd definitely get a 5" front lit reader if they do come out with one, but only if it's the basic Glo design with infrared and not the Aura (capacitive touch and my skin don't get along well).

Anak · 05-01-2014, 10:19 AM

I doubt that a new 5" reader will be released. This reader was dumped on the market last year. That happens. On the other hand, Kobo was very successful with the Aura HD.

To reduce the demensions of an ereader developers should reduce the bezels of the device not (necessarily) the screen size.
I'm sure that the demensions of a 6" model with very small bezels would match or would be very close to the demensions of the discontinued 5" model.

TechniSol · 05-01-2014, 10:56 AM

OTOH, you need enough bezel to hang onto while not actuating the touch input by mistake... I would sort of like to see a device that had finger ridges in the back, or a fold out adjustable finger loop of some sort. Something that folded flat and caused no grief for those who don't want it. Possibly swiveled so you can get just the right angle for any user.

filmo · 05-01-2014, 11:42 AM

Kobo Mini is very rigid reader that helps it survive my abuse of carrying it in front pocket of loose cut jeans. It is 6 3/8 inches diagonal measurement. Case would have to be bigger to accommodate 6" screen. 6" Aura is probably minimum size for 6" reader and not using IR touch probably helped with it's smaller size.

paola · 05-01-2014, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anak

I doubt that a new 5" reader will be released. This reader was dumped on the market last year. That happens. On the other hand, Kobo was very successful with the Aura HD.

To reduce the demensions of an ereader developers should reduce the bezels of the device not (necessarily) the screen size.
I'm sure that the demensions of a 6" model with very small bezels would match or would be very close to the demensions of the discontinued 5" model.

I have to agree: for a long time I thought I would have jumped on a lighted 5" reader, but after getting the Aura, I find it small enough for me, while offering much more screen (well, 1" more!), which is very valuable for non fiction or anything with graphics. And with the elastic band solution,one can hold it comfortably even without a cover.

Terisa de morgan · 05-01-2014, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paola

I have to agree: for a long time I thought I would have jumped on a lighted 5" reader, but after getting the Aura, I find it small enough for me, while offering much more screen (well, 1" more!), which is very valuable for non fiction or anything with graphics. And with the elastic band solution,one can hold it comfortably even without a cover.

I disagree. I have an Aura but, if they made a lighted 5", I would buy it. I miss a smaller device.

speakingtohe · 05-02-2014, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechniSol

OTOH, you need enough bezel to hang onto while not actuating the touch input by mistake... I would sort of like to see a device that had finger ridges in the back, or a fold out adjustable finger loop of some sort. Something that folded flat and caused no grief for those who don't want it. Possibly swiveled so you can get just the right angle for any user.

I find current bezels too large even on the mini. I'd like to see a very small bezel. Would be easy for manufacturer to make/sell a case(s)/cover{s) that seamlessly extended to bezel a comfortable size for an individual.

Pretty sure they make more money on the case so it would be to their advantage.

Helen

Thane1 · 05-02-2014, 02:29 PM

Odd the mini is still listed on their Canadian site, however it is out of stock (list price is 49.99). Retail stores still have many in stock in either colour so if one wanted one, now is the time to get one.

I have been using mine exclusively for books borrowed from the library the only problem I have is the sleep cover has somewhat discoloured the back panel of the reader, and of course ADE (adobe digital editions) is a steaming pile of crap software that crashes regularly. As the back panel is removable I can replace it and the problems with ADE are entirely Adobe's fault.

A light would be nice as would a higher resolution screen and an expansion slot as well, I hope that Kobo makes another one mini sized that offers those features.

robko · 05-02-2014, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

I find current bezels too large even on the mini. I'd like to see a very small bezel. Would be easy for manufacturer to make/sell a case(s)/cover{s) that seamlessly extended to bezel a comfortable size for an individual.

Pretty sure they make more money on the case so it would be to their advantage.

Helen

That assumes that people would actually buy a case FROM Kobo (rather than a third party) and that those who have no interest in having a case and want a bezel wouldn't be a bigger loss than the gain from selling some cases.

speakingtohe · 05-02-2014, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robko

That assumes that people would actually buy a case FROM Kobo (rather than a third party) and that those who have no interest in having a case and want a bezel wouldn't be a bigger loss than the gain from selling some cases.

Of course. I was just saying what I would like to see and a possible way to customize it for those who want a non-standard bezel, even a larger one.

Probably not a market and there is likely a good reason for one of my readers having a larger bottom bezel than my 21 inch monitor.

Helen

04-30-2014, 05:07 PM	#1
abbibi E-Ink Explorer Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: NYC Device: Hisense TOUCH, Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Mini	The Kobo Mini has been Cancelled So sad. I love this little reader. http://goodereader.com/blog/electron...y-discontinued Hopefully they are planning to replace it with a frontlit model.

04-30-2014, 07:16 PM	#3
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,611 Karma: 60184181 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	This appears very logical and plausible to me. Not unexpected, by any means. I just bought one and I love it. If a new one comes out that is front-lit, I'll buy that one too! I suspect one will come out, and will have a different name, with hopefully the word 'mini' in there somewhere. Perhaps this: Aura Mini [front lit]. That would be in keeping with their line of Auras. Last edited by Dr. Drib; 04-30-2014 at 07:28 PM.

05-01-2014, 11:42 AM	#9
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	Kobo Mini is very rigid reader that helps it survive my abuse of carrying it in front pocket of loose cut jeans. It is 6 3/8 inches diagonal measurement. Case would have to be bigger to accommodate 6" screen. 6" Aura is probably minimum size for 6" reader and not using IR touch probably helped with it's smaller size. Last edited by filmo; 05-01-2014 at 04:17 PM.

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04-30-2014, 06:35 PM	#2
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	It's hilarious how Michael can call it _officially_ discontinued when there's been no official announcement. Apparently what makes it "official" is that he has assumed it to be true without any confirmation.

04-30-2014, 07:32 PM	#4
teija Gadget fiend Posts: 354 Karma: 2111100 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Vancouver, Canada Device: Kobo Clara HD, Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite 2021, Sony PRS-350	I would not be surprised if they "officially" discontinue it. I assumed from the blow-out prices that we saw last spring/summer, it would have been at that point. But I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a front-lit version of the Mini. I think it would do well, and fill a niche that still remains!

04-30-2014, 08:34 PM	#5
TechniSol GranPohbah-Fezzes r cool! Posts: 1,056 Karma: 3151024 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Nook STRs, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo	I'd like to see a front lit mini, but with smaller profit margins, a niche dedicated e-ink reader market, the proliferation of 5.0" and larger cellphones and phablets with ever larger batteries... I have my doubts. I get the whole display quality/lower power issue with e-ink for reading -I can't put up with reading for very long on my tablets, but there is a lot on the other side of the argument from carrying only one device, to already having the device as the larger phones become more common, to being able to do more with it and having a choice of several reading apps designed for several distribution channels and totally independent reading apps and so on. I mostly have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of them introducing a lower cost improved front lit unit that would compete with their own 6" model... As I recall, and I may be wrong, the minis didn't really take off until after Kobo discounted them...

04-30-2014, 09:10 PM	#6
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,587 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I'd definitely get a 5" front lit reader if they do come out with one, but only if it's the basic Glo design with infrared and not the Aura (capacitive touch and my skin don't get along well).

05-01-2014, 10:19 AM	#7
Anak Guru Posts: 603 Karma: 641742 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: DE Device: Kobo Glo	I doubt that a new 5" reader will be released. This reader was dumped on the market last year. That happens. On the other hand, Kobo was very successful with the Aura HD. To reduce the demensions of an ereader developers should reduce the bezels of the device not (necessarily) the screen size. I'm sure that the demensions of a 6" model with very small bezels would match or would be very close to the demensions of the discontinued 5" model.

05-01-2014, 10:56 AM	#8
TechniSol GranPohbah-Fezzes r cool! Posts: 1,056 Karma: 3151024 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Nook STRs, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo	OTOH, you need enough bezel to hang onto while not actuating the touch input by mistake... I would sort of like to see a device that had finger ridges in the back, or a fold out adjustable finger loop of some sort. Something that folded flat and caused no grief for those who don't want it. Possibly swiveled so you can get just the right angle for any user.

05-02-2014, 02:29 PM	#13
Thane1 Connoisseur Posts: 73 Karma: 95862 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Kobo Touch, Kobo Mini	Odd the mini is still listed on their Canadian site, however it is out of stock (list price is 49.99). Retail stores still have many in stock in either colour so if one wanted one, now is the time to get one. I have been using mine exclusively for books borrowed from the library the only problem I have is the sleep cover has somewhat discoloured the back panel of the reader, and of course ADE (adobe digital editions) is a steaming pile of crap software that crashes regularly. As the back panel is removable I can replace it and the problems with ADE are entirely Adobe's fault. A light would be nice as would a higher resolution screen and an expansion slot as well, I hope that Kobo makes another one mini sized that offers those features.

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