Why did Kobo abandon the capacative touch flat screen?

ZodWallop · 06-27-2015, 01:06 AM

Hey guys,

I loved the look of the Kobo Aura (if my Nook Simple Touch w/Glowlight were to give up the ghost, it would likely be my next e-reader). One feature that I thought looked slick was the flush capacative touchscreen.

I've noticed their newer models, the Aura H20 and Glo HD have gone back to the IR screen. Why is that? Was the capacitive screen a dud?

Since Borders closed, I'm not sure where to see Kobo readers in the wild, so I haven't had any hands on experience with them.

filmo · 06-27-2015, 07:50 AM

Kobo only sells their products in USA at independent book stores. That's a joke and failed strategy because last one I know maybe still selling them is Politics and Prose in Washington D.C. .
http://www.politics-prose.com/

You can buy them from Kobo web site or from Canadian stores. if you don't like what you bought send it back. Shipping charges you might loose is less than driving to Washington D.C.
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/ereading

ZodWallop · 06-27-2015, 11:27 AM

Thanks for that. But why'd they go back to the IR screen?

dickloraine · 06-27-2015, 11:48 AM

Can't they sell them via amazon in the usa? I know it is a little bit ironic, but I did buy my kobo on amazon germany.

GeoffR · 06-27-2015, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I've noticed their newer models, the Aura H20 and Glo HD have gone back to the IR screen. Why is that? Was the capacitive screen a dud?

My guess: The flat screen was a marketing gimmic, but it resulted in a poorer reading surface in terms of sharpness and reflection. While capacitive touch was a necessary compromise in order to make a flat screen device, once they dropped the flat screen idea it was no longer needed and so they could go back to infra-red.

koboy · 06-27-2015, 03:52 PM

the only way kobo can make an improved ereader in the future is to go back to the flush bezel an 6 inch design of the kobo aura and make it a glorious colour capacitive screen, otherwise if not the kobo aura in my opinion can't be beat.

Desdinova · 06-27-2015, 04:00 PM

Isn't that just a tablet tho? As I don't think there's a colour e-ink screen, and tbh I already have a tablet. e-ink screens are far superior for reading on.

ZodWallop · 06-27-2015, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffR

My guess: The flat screen was a marketing gimmic, but it resulted in a poorer reading surface in terms of sharpness and reflection.

That's what I'm wondering about. My next e-reader will likely be a Kobo, because I don't like the latest Nook.

The Aura looks sweet as hell, partly because it's one of that flush front. But if Kobo didn't stick with it, it's likely due to problems, which makes me think I may as well get the Glo instead. We all know IR screens work.

Ah well, no rush on my part. My Nook still runs well. just trying to plan ahead.

koboy · 06-27-2015, 04:06 PM

that's my whole point until if or when a colour e-ink screen ereader comes out i will stick with my kobo aura, and also i would like to see kobo bring back the mini excellent little device.

koboy · 06-27-2015, 04:15 PM

for me the kobo glo hd is more steps back rather than forward it has no refresh by chapter or micro sd card slot and it is bezeled unlike the aura.

ZodWallop · 06-27-2015, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desdinova

Isn't that just a tablet tho? As I don't think there's a colour e-ink screen, and tbh I already have a tablet. e-ink screens are far superior for reading on.

I agree that e-ink screens outclass tablets for reading books. But there are color e-ink screens. Here's a review of the Pocketbook Color Lux. (Sorry, it's a Goodereader review.)

I don't think they're ready for mass adoption yet. Color isn't needed for books. It isn't something I'm really looking forward to. But I bet it would be great for digital comics.

Desdinova · 06-27-2015, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I agree that e-ink screens outclass tablets for reading books. But there are color e-ink screens. Here's a review of the Pocketbook Color Lux. (Sorry, it's a Goodereader review.)

I don't think they're ready for mass adoption yet. Color isn't needed for books. It isn't something I'm really looking forward to. But I bet it would be great for digital comics.

Thanks for that ;-) Didn't realise they existed - tho, as that review is from 2013 I guess you're right that its not ready yet...

ZodWallop · 06-27-2015, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koboy

for me the kobo glo hd is more steps back rather than forward it has no refresh by chapter or micro sd card slot and it is bezeled unlike the aura.

Hey koboy. First, thanks for the replies.

To clarify, since I'm a cheap-o and I don't need the world's most powerful e-reader (but I do want a micro-SD card slot), if I were to purchase a Kobo today, it would be either the Aura or the older Glo. Not the Glo HD. It looks like a fine device, but I want micro-SD, since I'd want to load my zillions of ePubs.

koboy · 06-27-2015, 04:23 PM

colour is needed for many books RIGHT NOW not just digital comics examples would be the chronicles of narnia and the harry potter books both of which are illustrated and countless other types including reference books etc.

koboy · 06-27-2015, 04:29 PM

buy the aura believe me you will be very happy with it. i also have a kobo mini perfect little device to take out and about.

06-27-2015, 01:06 AM	#1
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,474 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	Why did Kobo abandon the capacative touch flat screen? Hey guys, I loved the look of the Kobo Aura (if my Nook Simple Touch w/Glowlight were to give up the ghost, it would likely be my next e-reader). One feature that I thought looked slick was the flush capacative touchscreen. I've noticed their newer models, the Aura H20 and Glo HD have gone back to the IR screen. Why is that? Was the capacitive screen a dud? Since Borders closed, I'm not sure where to see Kobo readers in the wild, so I haven't had any hands on experience with them.

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06-27-2015, 07:50 AM	#2
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	Kobo only sells their products in USA at independent book stores. That's a joke and failed strategy because last one I know maybe still selling them is Politics and Prose in Washington D.C. . http://www.politics-prose.com/ You can buy them from Kobo web site or from Canadian stores. if you don't like what you bought send it back. Shipping charges you might loose is less than driving to Washington D.C. https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/ereading

06-27-2015, 11:27 AM	#3
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,474 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	Thanks for that. But why'd they go back to the IR screen?

06-27-2015, 11:48 AM	#4
dickloraine Guru Posts: 631 Karma: 7544528 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Berlin Device: PRS 350, Kobo Aura	Can't they sell them via amazon in the usa? I know it is a little bit ironic, but I did buy my kobo on amazon germany.

06-27-2015, 03:52 PM	#6
koboy Wizard Posts: 1,198 Karma: 4027538 Join Date: May 2014 Device: Kobo Aura, Mini, Touch, Amazon Kindle.	the only way kobo can make an improved ereader in the future is to go back to the flush bezel an 6 inch design of the kobo aura and make it a glorious colour capacitive screen, otherwise if not the kobo aura in my opinion can't be beat.

06-27-2015, 04:00 PM	#7
Desdinova Eternal light Posts: 263 Karma: 1088802 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South Wales Device: Kobo Glo, Aura, Touch, H2O - now Aura One and Kindle Oasis 3	Isn't that just a tablet tho? As I don't think there's a colour e-ink screen, and tbh I already have a tablet. e-ink screens are far superior for reading on.

06-27-2015, 04:06 PM	#9
koboy Wizard Posts: 1,198 Karma: 4027538 Join Date: May 2014 Device: Kobo Aura, Mini, Touch, Amazon Kindle.	that's my whole point until if or when a colour e-ink screen ereader comes out i will stick with my kobo aura, and also i would like to see kobo bring back the mini excellent little device.

06-27-2015, 04:15 PM	#10
koboy Wizard Posts: 1,198 Karma: 4027538 Join Date: May 2014 Device: Kobo Aura, Mini, Touch, Amazon Kindle.	for me the kobo glo hd is more steps back rather than forward it has no refresh by chapter or micro sd card slot and it is bezeled unlike the aura.

06-27-2015, 04:23 PM	#14
koboy Wizard Posts: 1,198 Karma: 4027538 Join Date: May 2014 Device: Kobo Aura, Mini, Touch, Amazon Kindle.	colour is needed for many books RIGHT NOW not just digital comics examples would be the chronicles of narnia and the harry potter books both of which are illustrated and countless other types including reference books etc.

06-27-2015, 04:29 PM	#15
koboy Wizard Posts: 1,198 Karma: 4027538 Join Date: May 2014 Device: Kobo Aura, Mini, Touch, Amazon Kindle.	buy the aura believe me you will be very happy with it. i also have a kobo mini perfect little device to take out and about.

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