New Kobo, am I doomed with the recent news?

FTLOSM · 02-17-2011, 11:36 PM

I was going to buy a kindle but found out from my library the digital ebooks section of their website didn't support the kindle. Saw the kobo was on that supported list and that Borders had it onsale for $99 so I grabbed one and got it all setup, even downloaded a few books from my library with it.

Got word of the Borders Bankruptcy and my heart sunk here, will this kobo be something that will become a paperweight due to non support?

Figures I just bought this thing and now I hear on the news they are closing 200 stores and things look dark for their future.

Hoping even if the whole Borders side of ebook purchases fails or closes, I am hoping I can still use this with library downloads. Also being SO new to all these (just a few days of use so far) what other options if any beyond Borders do I have to buy content (if they did shut down that borders.com kobo buying ability in the future.

Bill

ATDrake · 02-17-2011, 11:55 PM

While hardware support might be harder to get, your e-book buying options are actually pretty wide.

You can buy from any store that offers ADE-DRM ePub or PDF (usually called "Adobe Secure", or there will be something in the store's FAQ about needing Adobe Digital Editions installed), and of course any DRM-free shop.

The majors are the Sony Reader Store, Kobo Books which actually is the backend for Borders (owned by Chapters in Canada, so it's not going down if Borders does; they also have discount coupons which let you save off selected books by non-Agency publishers).

There are also smaller stores like Books on Board and eBookMall and many others which carry compatible formats.

Hope this helps and welcome to MobileRead!

viviena · 02-17-2011, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTLOSM

Got word of the Borders Bankruptcy and my heart sunk here, will this kobo be something that will become a paperweight due to non support?

Quote:

Will I still be able to get technical support for the Kobo eReader or other device I purchased from Borders?
Yes. Borders will continue to offer phone and email customer service for devices purchased at their stores and Borders.com.

http://blog.kobobooks.com/2011/02/16/kobo-update/

Possibly a Borders store might still stay open near you too.

If you're looking to buy ebooks, just buy direct from KoboBooks, or any other place that sells EPUBs. (There's quite a few.) Borders USA is only Kobo's American partner; Kobo itself is fine.

FTLOSM · 02-18-2011, 12:05 AM

Well this at least makes me feel better about the kobo, when I installed their software and such it seemed to be tied to Border.com heavily, so my heart sunk hearing todays news about Borders knowing it may lead to them being gone down the road.

I still feel like it's gonna burn in once turned off how it displays the cover, but keep reading e-ink doesn't/can't burn in permanently so trying not to let that bug me - just seems odd to be off yet have a big black bookcover showing.

Overall tho pretty sweet, grabbed stuff from my library and read a good 60+ pages no eye fatigue, very light in the hand, might have to go find a case for it and maybe even a screen protector just in case (as my 10 yr old avid reader is also interested in using it).

Bill

wallcraft · 02-18-2011, 12:24 AM

Kobo is a separate company, and does not seem in immediate danger of going out of business. However, the history of ebooks indicate that all companies and all ebook formats will end up screwing the buying public if you give them long enough. The safest approach is therefore to strip the DRM (encryption) from all ebooks as soon as you buy them. This is most likely legal in the US (for ebooks you buy, and for your own use only). See Apprentice Alf's Blog for more info on DRM issues.

sabredog · 02-18-2011, 02:12 AM

this might put your mind at ease

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/248551...ankruptcy.aspx

neilmarr · 02-18-2011, 06:03 AM

Your Kobo is as safe and as flexible as ever, Bill. No worries. You can stock your virtual library shelves anywhere you like. In factm, Kobo itself put out a notice this week explaining in detail how Kobo users will not suffer in the slightest from the demise of Borders, etc. Good luck and best wishes. Neil

cutterjohn42 · 02-18-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FTLOSM

I was going to buy a kindle but found out from my library the digital ebooks section of their website didn't support the kindle. Saw the kobo was on that supported list and that Borders had it onsale for $99 so I grabbed one and got it all setup, even downloaded a few books from my library with it.

Got word of the Borders Bankruptcy and my heart sunk here, will this kobo be something that will become a paperweight due to non support?

Figures I just bought this thing and now I hear on the news they are closing 200 stores and things look dark for their future.

Hoping even if the whole Borders side of ebook purchases fails or closes, I am hoping I can still use this with library downloads. Also being SO new to all these (just a few days of use so far) what other options if any beyond Borders do I have to buy content (if they did shut down that borders.com kobo buying ability in the future.

Bill

Nope, Kobo is separate from Borders and I believe that they may even be managing their ebook sales portion anyways. i.e. as long as Kobo's in business you'll get fw updates, and either way should still be able to use library ebooks and ebooks from stores that use Adobe DRM...

BTW: You live in Michigan and didn't hear about Borders planning to file for bankruptcy the other week? I'd've thought that it'd be fairly big news...

Anthem · 02-20-2011, 02:09 PM

Echoing the others, Kobo is doing just fine as a their own entity away from Borders so there is no need to worry.

You could just dump the Borders branded Kobo software and hit up the Kobo software available from Kobo Books.

SensualPoet · 02-20-2011, 04:54 PM

Borders is a minority shareholder in Kobo; Kobo actually runs the Borders e-bookstore (as well as kobobooks.com). In effect, as far as e-book sales go, Borders is acting as an agent for kobobooks; you are still ultimately buying Borders ebooks from Kobo.

I'd take advantage of the $99 Kobo wifi and enjoy the great deals from the Kobo bookstore; the ability to buy from the Sony ereader store; the ability to borrow library books for free.

CazMar · 02-21-2011, 01:43 AM

Kobo users in Australia might not be so lucky - we are not "allowed" to buy books from most overseas suppliers due to our ridiculous trade practices with book publishing (although we can buy paper books by the truck-load from overseas). With Borders and Angus & Robertson going broke there are almost NO other e-book stores in Australia apart from a few niche market or small publishers. I have already lost money from a now worthless Xmas book voucher present (a double disappointment for me and the giver).
The market is now dominated by one supplier who will no doubt charge what they like.
My chances or buying DRM'd books or store gift vouchers again? Probably about 1 in 200 billion. Luckily the Kobo can read any EPUB file and, thanks to Calibre. I can download without the crappy Borders software. As for any Kobo updates, I guess as they were only sold via Borders this won't happen.

sabredog · 02-21-2011, 02:12 AM

Should be able to get updates direct from Kobo if using the Kobo desktop.

I do agree with you about the state of ebooks in Australia. borders had made vast improvements to our ability to buy ebooks with many titles previously restricted made available.

This leaves us having to use workarounds again to purchase ebooks or to turn to other "sources"

omahawildcat · 02-21-2011, 09:48 AM

I only wish Kobo would get more US newspaper and magazine options.

Clap42 · 02-22-2011, 05:10 PM

Hi,
I ordered online at Borders.com a Sony PRS-350 on Feb 11th. I didn't receive it yet (Canada). I have emailed them twice since then, to ask them about my order confirmation (which I never received), but they didn't answer. The credit card payment has been done (confirmed with the bank).
Do you think Borders will honor my order?

CazMar · 02-22-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clap42

Hi,
I ordered online at Borders.com a Sony PRS-350 on Feb 11th. I didn't receive it yet (Canada). I have emailed them twice since then, to ask them about my order confirmation (which I never received), but they didn't answer. The credit card payment has been done (confirmed with the bank).
Do you think Borders will honor my order?

If your company insolvency laws are similar to those in Australia you may be out of luck. Can you try contacting your bank to see if the payment can be cancelled? You could also try a direct contact with the accounting firm who are handling the company's administration - probably a large accounting firm appointed by the bank or large creditor who started the winding up process. There should be some mention of this either on Borders' site or try a Google search for news on which firm is handling this. (One of our MR members may have this information)

02-17-2011, 11:36 PM	#1
FTLOSM New Kobo User Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Michigan Device: Kobo	New Kobo, am I doomed with the recent news? I was going to buy a kindle but found out from my library the digital ebooks section of their website didn't support the kindle. Saw the kobo was on that supported list and that Borders had it onsale for $99 so I grabbed one and got it all setup, even downloaded a few books from my library with it. Got word of the Borders Bankruptcy and my heart sunk here, will this kobo be something that will become a paperweight due to non support? Figures I just bought this thing and now I hear on the news they are closing 200 stores and things look dark for their future. Hoping even if the whole Borders side of ebook purchases fails or closes, I am hoping I can still use this with library downloads. Also being SO new to all these (just a few days of use so far) what other options if any beyond Borders do I have to buy content (if they did shut down that borders.com kobo buying ability in the future. Bill

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02-17-2011, 11:55 PM	#2
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	While hardware support might be harder to get, your e-book buying options are actually pretty wide. You can buy from any store that offers ADE-DRM ePub or PDF (usually called "Adobe Secure", or there will be something in the store's FAQ about needing Adobe Digital Editions installed), and of course any DRM-free shop. The majors are the Sony Reader Store, Kobo Books which actually is the backend for Borders (owned by Chapters in Canada, so it's not going down if Borders does; they also have discount coupons which let you save off selected books by non-Agency publishers). There are also smaller stores like Books on Board and eBookMall and many others which carry compatible formats. Hope this helps and welcome to MobileRead!

02-18-2011, 12:05 AM	#4
FTLOSM New Kobo User Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Michigan Device: Kobo	Well this at least makes me feel better about the kobo, when I installed their software and such it seemed to be tied to Border.com heavily, so my heart sunk hearing todays news about Borders knowing it may lead to them being gone down the road. I still feel like it's gonna burn in once turned off how it displays the cover, but keep reading e-ink doesn't/can't burn in permanently so trying not to let that bug me - just seems odd to be off yet have a big black bookcover showing. Overall tho pretty sweet, grabbed stuff from my library and read a good 60+ pages no eye fatigue, very light in the hand, might have to go find a case for it and maybe even a screen protector just in case (as my 10 yr old avid reader is also interested in using it). Bill

02-18-2011, 12:24 AM	#5
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Kobo is a separate company, and does not seem in immediate danger of going out of business. However, the history of ebooks indicate that all companies and all ebook formats will end up screwing the buying public if you give them long enough. The safest approach is therefore to strip the DRM (encryption) from all ebooks as soon as you buy them. This is most likely legal in the US (for ebooks you buy, and for your own use only). See Apprentice Alf's Blog for more info on DRM issues.

02-18-2011, 02:12 AM	#6
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	this might put your mind at ease http://www.itnews.com.au/News/248551...ankruptcy.aspx

02-18-2011, 06:03 AM	#7
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Your Kobo is as safe and as flexible as ever, Bill. No worries. You can stock your virtual library shelves anywhere you like. In factm, Kobo itself put out a notice this week explaining in detail how Kobo users will not suffer in the slightest from the demise of Borders, etc. Good luck and best wishes. Neil

02-20-2011, 02:09 PM	#9
Anthem Guru Posts: 704 Karma: 1622328 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle Oasis, OnePlus Nord	Echoing the others, Kobo is doing just fine as a their own entity away from Borders so there is no need to worry. You could just dump the Borders branded Kobo software and hit up the Kobo software available from Kobo Books.

02-20-2011, 04:54 PM	#10
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	Borders is a minority shareholder in Kobo; Kobo actually runs the Borders e-bookstore (as well as kobobooks.com). In effect, as far as e-book sales go, Borders is acting as an agent for kobobooks; you are still ultimately buying Borders ebooks from Kobo. I'd take advantage of the $99 Kobo wifi and enjoy the great deals from the Kobo bookstore; the ability to buy from the Sony ereader store; the ability to borrow library books for free.

02-21-2011, 01:43 AM	#11
CazMar Book Geek Posts: 596 Karma: 1499085 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kobo Touch, Asus MemPad 7" tablet, Nexus 5, Asus 10" tablet	Kobo users in Australia might not be so lucky - we are not "allowed" to buy books from most overseas suppliers due to our ridiculous trade practices with book publishing (although we can buy paper books by the truck-load from overseas). With Borders and Angus & Robertson going broke there are almost NO other e-book stores in Australia apart from a few niche market or small publishers. I have already lost money from a now worthless Xmas book voucher present (a double disappointment for me and the giver). The market is now dominated by one supplier who will no doubt charge what they like. My chances or buying DRM'd books or store gift vouchers again? Probably about 1 in 200 billion. Luckily the Kobo can read any EPUB file and, thanks to Calibre. I can download without the crappy Borders software. As for any Kobo updates, I guess as they were only sold via Borders this won't happen.

02-21-2011, 02:12 AM	#12
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	Should be able to get updates direct from Kobo if using the Kobo desktop. I do agree with you about the state of ebooks in Australia. borders had made vast improvements to our ability to buy ebooks with many titles previously restricted made available. This leaves us having to use workarounds again to purchase ebooks or to turn to other "sources"

02-21-2011, 09:48 AM	#13
omahawildcat Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kobo	I only wish Kobo would get more US newspaper and magazine options.

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02-22-2011, 05:10 PM	#14
Clap42 Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Device: Kobo wifi	Hi, I ordered online at Borders.com a Sony PRS-350 on Feb 11th. I didn't receive it yet (Canada). I have emailed them twice since then, to ask them about my order confirmation (which I never received), but they didn't answer. The credit card payment has been done (confirmed with the bank). Do you think Borders will honor my order?