Do not buy kobo ebook readers - at least as of Q4 2015

macsek · 11-12-2015, 02:27 AM

I have 4 different Kobo eBook readers. Mini, Touch, Aura and H2O. Unfortunately I also have an oyo thalia (nice looking unit utilizing a touch screen and some buttons, but slow, sw is faulty and needs a reset at 80% of the switch on attempts). I also have a kindle paperwhite 2, had a paperwhite 1 and a kindle 4 for some days.

Well, the look and production quality of the kobo units are well made.
Kobo mini is a bit slow but you can live with it, especially having that nice small 5" display. It would definitely help if the software would display in landscape view as well. Unfortunately it does not, and no picture zoom either. It is long time out of production, so probably you won't have an opportunity to buy it. It is a nice toy still.
Touch is almost the same as the mini, except the display being 6". Faults are the same, but touch has newer firmware (the same revision as its bigger brothers).
Aura is the nicest of all kobos I own. It feels definitely faster, but sometimes it just don't turn the page.
H2O was the 1st water resistant eReader. Congratulation!
The software has the same flaws as the others, but as the price tag is higher it hurts more. You can highlight parts of the text. At least in case of epub files. Or cannot. Some texts retain the highlighted status, some others don't. You can try repeating: they won't, unless you change the text to highlight. Or still not. It was working some revisions before.
You search for a text. You get some results. After selecting one of them and quitting search mode the top row of the search dialog remains visible, hiding that line, so you cannot read it. Experiencing it you would want to get the menu then exit the menu, so you regain the top area.
I repeat: this is the flagship of kobo eReaders, after a year of being on sale. This is not the 1st version, pre-production device, it had some firmware updates already. Still not capable of rotating the text or zooming pictures. And I have not even mentioned the comfort extras, like the lack of sending a book just in an email attachment, wireless, or doing the same from a web browser. Well, there is Pocket, at it plays nicely with kobo, but you can select text fractions for dictionary lookup - from epub files. And Pocket is not epub.

The very sad part is that kobo is the 2nd biggest brand, from a big distance following Amazon's Kindle. It has (had?) the biggest market share in Canada. I don't even dare to think about the others.
Kobo uses open formats (epub) and hackable. These are clear advantages. Maybe I should apply as a developer or a tester, I see a big potential there...

Josieb1 · 11-12-2015, 02:33 AM

I have two kobo ereaders and they work perfectly. I'm not sure what your getting at but there's nothing wrong with the kobos.

meeera · 11-12-2015, 02:57 AM

If you want image zoom, simply use kepub. This has been discussed many times here.

You can load books via wifi if that's something you want to do: use Calibre content server, or Dropbox or another cloud server.

macsek · 11-12-2015, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

If you want image zoom, simply use kepub. This has been discussed many times here.

You can load books via wifi if that's something you want to do: use Calibre content server, or Dropbox or another cloud server.

Thanks for your ideas meeera. Kepub for image zoom sounds good. I was using dropbox via the built in web browser, it works, just takes more effort than sending an email. So you are right: this can be done.

@Josieb1:
Thanks for your comment. I wish I would be the only user experiencing faults.
Can you please post the device name and fw version of your kobo reader.
Also can you please run a quick test for me amd post the results: try to select a text fragment and highlight it. Repeat it for texts ending with dot (.), less-than-sign (<) colon (: ) or double quote ("). Can you highlight them?
Thanks in advance.

meeera · 11-12-2015, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macsek

Also can you please run a quick test for me amd post the results: try to select a text fragment and highlight it. Repeat it for texts ending with dot (.), less-than-sign (<) colon (: ) or double quote ("). Can you highlight them?

No colons or mathematical symbols on my current page, but I just did this and had no trouble highlighting segments ending with a full stop or double quote. H2O, 3.18.0, reading an epub.

I really don't understand why you've bought four Kobo ereaders if you feel that their firmware doesn't meet your needs.

Josieb1 · 11-12-2015, 04:13 AM

I have no issues with highlighting. I also wonder what the OP wants.

Desdinova · 11-12-2015, 04:13 AM

Yeah, this is very much a case of 'my opinion'

I have owned a Touch, Glo, Aura and now Aura H2O.

No problems at all.

Desdinova · 11-12-2015, 04:33 AM

Aura H2O - FW 3.18

Tried selecting text with mathematical symbols - no problems ending highlight on, ending or starting with symbols except for my huge sausage fingers

Source (Mathematics, AD Alexsandrov)

davidfor · 11-12-2015, 05:55 AM

macsek: I'm curious, you make complaints about he Aura H2O, but, have you noticed that all the Kobo use the same firmware? OK, the official release for the Mini is behind the others*, but they all use the same basic firmware, with the same features and, unfortunately, the same bugs. Kobo have consistently done this for the last few years as they have added new devices.

Yes, there are bugs. Some minor, some major. Some get fixed with each firmware version, some don't and unfortunately some get added. Overall, I think the firmware is getting better. Features, stability, bugs improve with each version.

And as to the bugs, have you told Kobo about them? I have no idea how Kobo decides which bugs to fix, but the first thing is that they need to know the bug exists. Don't assume that any software development team knows about the bugs, tell them. And tell them in detail. The other reason to tell them about the bugs is it helps them to know which are the important bugs. All development teams will fix officially reported bugs before ones mentioned in some random online forum.

You also list some missing things. Yep, Kobo eredears do not do those things (well, you can zoom images in kepubs, and the browser can download books). But, these are design decisions. Kobo has decided what it wants the devices to do and what it doesn't want to do. Those decisions are probably based on what Kobo thinks its customers want and how much it will cost to do. And what they think will sell books and devices. Luckily, some of those things you want are done by other devices, so you have a choice of what is important to you.

The selection problems you see, I don't. I use them heavily to mark errors in books that I might want to fix. I can select words with or without punctuation in epubs and kepubs. The selection is designed to make it easier to select a full words and will include one punctuation character. This can make it harder to select two characters, but not impossible.

* Kobo have released firmware 3.18.0 for the Mini in Japan. While it isn't officially release for the Mini in the rest of the world, there is no risk to installing it.

HarryT · 11-12-2015, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

The selection problems you see, I don't. I use them heavily to mark errors in books that I might want to fix. I can select words with or without punctuation in epubs and kepubs. The selection is designed to make it easier to select a full words and will include one punctuation character. This can make it harder to select two characters, but not impossible.

I did have problem with selection (and with activating small hyperlinks) on my Kobo H2O; the touchscreen seemed somewhat inaccurate. I am advised, though, that it works a lot more reliably with kepub files than with epub, and I'd certainly never advise anyone not to buy a Kobo on the basis on my personal preferences.

booklover6 · 11-12-2015, 06:33 AM

I prefer the Kobo devices. I have a Mini, an older Touch (son's) a Glo (daughter's), a Glo HD and an Aura HD.

I'm not a highlighter, but I would like to zoom pics. I'll have to try it.

All of mine (except the Touch) run the latest firmware, 3.18.0 and we use kepubs on them all.

JSWolf · 11-12-2015, 06:53 AM

The topic leads one to believe that there are new Kobo Readers due out. But once you read the OP's post, you realize it's all a crock.

Ken Maltby · 11-12-2015, 09:30 AM

Warning people away from devices, based on your own lack of understanding of how to use them, seems thoughtless or unthinking, if not belligerent. If you have issues with the stock software, assuming you have learned how to use it, you could try some of the alternative software, before deciding people won't be able to use the devices.

Luck;
Ken

P.S.; I somehow doubt that someone who posts "Do not buy" a product would be welcome on a development team for that product.

filmo · 11-12-2015, 05:41 PM

If it is really as bad as you say give it to goodwill store.

cocopuff · 11-12-2015, 05:51 PM

I had problems with receiving less than perfect screens for my kobo h2o, but once I got a device with no lighting issues I have not had any of the problems listed by the op. I do not highlight stuff much, but for simply reading and enjoying a book I am very happy with my kobo. I also had a nook simpletouch glowlight that I absolutely loved. The key to me in a good ereader is one you enjoy reading on, and for me the kobo fits this bill.

11-12-2015, 02:27 AM	#1
macsek eReader fan Posts: 58 Karma: 9999 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hungary Device: Currently using Kindle PaperWhite 4 /32. Also have a Kobo Aura One	Do not buy kobo ebook readers - at least as of Q4 2015 I have 4 different Kobo eBook readers. Mini, Touch, Aura and H2O. Unfortunately I also have an oyo thalia (nice looking unit utilizing a touch screen and some buttons, but slow, sw is faulty and needs a reset at 80% of the switch on attempts). I also have a kindle paperwhite 2, had a paperwhite 1 and a kindle 4 for some days. Well, the look and production quality of the kobo units are well made. Kobo mini is a bit slow but you can live with it, especially having that nice small 5" display. It would definitely help if the software would display in landscape view as well. Unfortunately it does not, and no picture zoom either. It is long time out of production, so probably you won't have an opportunity to buy it. It is a nice toy still. Touch is almost the same as the mini, except the display being 6". Faults are the same, but touch has newer firmware (the same revision as its bigger brothers). Aura is the nicest of all kobos I own. It feels definitely faster, but sometimes it just don't turn the page. H2O was the 1st water resistant eReader. Congratulation! The software has the same flaws as the others, but as the price tag is higher it hurts more. You can highlight parts of the text. At least in case of epub files. Or cannot. Some texts retain the highlighted status, some others don't. You can try repeating: they won't, unless you change the text to highlight. Or still not. It was working some revisions before. You search for a text. You get some results. After selecting one of them and quitting search mode the top row of the search dialog remains visible, hiding that line, so you cannot read it. Experiencing it you would want to get the menu then exit the menu, so you regain the top area. I repeat: this is the flagship of kobo eReaders, after a year of being on sale. This is not the 1st version, pre-production device, it had some firmware updates already. Still not capable of rotating the text or zooming pictures. And I have not even mentioned the comfort extras, like the lack of sending a book just in an email attachment, wireless, or doing the same from a web browser. Well, there is Pocket, at it plays nicely with kobo, but you can select text fractions for dictionary lookup - from epub files. And Pocket is not epub. The very sad part is that kobo is the 2nd biggest brand, from a big distance following Amazon's Kindle. It has (had?) the biggest market share in Canada. I don't even dare to think about the others. Kobo uses open formats (epub) and hackable. These are clear advantages. Maybe I should apply as a developer or a tester, I see a big potential there...

11-12-2015, 06:33 AM	#11
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	I prefer the Kobo devices. I have a Mini, an older Touch (son's) a Glo (daughter's), a Glo HD and an Aura HD. I'm not a highlighter, but I would like to zoom pics. I'll have to try it. All of mine (except the Touch) run the latest firmware, 3.18.0 and we use kepubs on them all. Last edited by booklover6; 11-12-2015 at 07:23 AM. Reason: errors

11-12-2015, 09:30 AM	#13
Ken Maltby Wizard Posts: 4,466 Karma: 6900052 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Heart of Texas Device: Boox Note2, AuraHD, PDA,	Warning people away from devices, based on your own lack of understanding of how to use them, seems thoughtless or unthinking, if not belligerent. If you have issues with the stock software, assuming you have learned how to use it, you could try some of the alternative software, before deciding people won't be able to use the devices. Luck; Ken P.S.; I somehow doubt that someone who posts "Do not buy" a product would be welcome on a development team for that product. Last edited by Ken Maltby; 11-12-2015 at 09:39 AM.

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11-12-2015, 02:33 AM	#2
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,084 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra Colour, Libra 2	I have two kobo ereaders and they work perfectly. I'm not sure what your getting at but there's nothing wrong with the kobos.

11-12-2015, 02:57 AM	#3
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,806 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	If you want image zoom, simply use kepub. This has been discussed many times here. You can load books via wifi if that's something you want to do: use Calibre content server, or Dropbox or another cloud server.

11-12-2015, 04:13 AM	#6
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,084 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra Colour, Libra 2	I have no issues with highlighting. I also wonder what the OP wants.

11-12-2015, 04:13 AM	#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	Yeah, this is very much a case of 'my opinion' I have owned a Touch, Glo, Aura and now Aura H2O. No problems at all.

11-12-2015, 04:33 AM	#8
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	Aura H2O - FW 3.18 Tried selecting text with mathematical symbols - no problems ending highlight on, ending or starting with symbols except for my huge sausage fingers Source (Mathematics, AD Alexsandrov)

11-12-2015, 05:55 AM	#9
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	macsek: I'm curious, you make complaints about he Aura H2O, but, have you noticed that all the Kobo use the same firmware? OK, the official release for the Mini is behind the others, but they all use the same basic firmware, with the same features and, unfortunately, the same bugs. Kobo have consistently done this for the last few years as they have added new devices. Yes, there are bugs. Some minor, some major. Some get fixed with each firmware version, some don't and unfortunately some get added. Overall, I think the firmware is getting better. Features, stability, bugs improve with each version. And as to the bugs, have you told Kobo about them? I have no idea how Kobo decides which bugs to fix, but the first thing is that they need to know the bug exists. Don't assume that any software development team knows about the bugs, tell them. And tell them in detail. The other reason to tell them about the bugs is it helps them to know which are the important bugs. All development teams will fix officially reported bugs before ones mentioned in some random online forum. You also list some missing things. Yep, Kobo eredears do not do those things (well, you can zoom images in kepubs, and the browser can download books). But, these are design decisions. Kobo has decided what it wants the devices to do and what it doesn't want to do. Those decisions are probably based on what Kobo thinks its customers want and how much it will cost to do. And what they think will sell books and devices. Luckily, some of those things you want are done by other devices, so you have a choice of what is important to you. The selection problems you see, I don't. I use them heavily to mark errors in books that I might want to fix. I can select words with or without punctuation in epubs and kepubs. The selection is designed to make it easier to select a full words and will include one punctuation character. This can make it harder to select two characters, but not impossible. Kobo have released firmware 3.18.0 for the Mini in Japan. While it isn't officially release for the Mini in the rest of the world, there is no risk to installing it.

11-12-2015, 06:53 AM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,453 Karma: 145491800 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The topic leads one to believe that there are new Kobo Readers due out. But once you read the OP's post, you realize it's all a crock.

11-12-2015, 05:41 PM	#14
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	If it is really as bad as you say give it to goodwill store.

11-12-2015, 05:51 PM	#15
cocopuff Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 366520 Join Date: Aug 2015 Device: Nook Simpletouch Glowlight, Kobo Aura H2O	I had problems with receiving less than perfect screens for my kobo h2o, but once I got a device with no lighting issues I have not had any of the problems listed by the op. I do not highlight stuff much, but for simply reading and enjoying a book I am very happy with my kobo. I also had a nook simpletouch glowlight that I absolutely loved. The key to me in a good ereader is one you enjoy reading on, and for me the kobo fits this bill.

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