What sold you on the new Kobo Touch?

jbcohen · 07-06-2011, 08:24 AM

Why did you buy it? Many pals of mine ask me, which reader should I buy? My premise has always been there is no one best reader for everyone so what makes this the best reader for you?

shighfield · 07-06-2011, 08:42 AM

Speed of the screen refresh over the Kobo wifi model.

octoberdana · 07-06-2011, 08:45 AM

I chose it fir the comfort factor and form. I wanted a touch screen and something with a better battery life than my nook classic. I also like that it supports many formats and bookstores.

m_bisson · 07-06-2011, 08:56 AM

my parents wanted my wifi, so i got the touch.

Living in Canada, it really is the only option, other than the Sony one.

46jimbo · 07-06-2011, 08:57 AM

I found that pushing that big button on the older models over and over made my poor little thumb tender.

peitsao · 07-06-2011, 09:13 AM

When they improved the fonts and added highlighting, I felt that it was easier to use than the prs 350, which I must futz with to add fonts, and their desktop software sucks. Book prices are being pretty much set by the publishers now, so it seems that the way to go is with the ereader that you like the most. I don't like nookbooks being tied to your credit card numbers, so until they change that format, I won't be buying nookbooks. Kindle has the most efficient system for highlighting and notation and provide excellent customer service, but I dislike the keyboard and mobi/topaz format.

Also, I live near multiple B&N and Borders stores, and must say that I always go to Borders to buy my books and journals (am sad that the nearest Borders closed this year).

petemjones · 07-06-2011, 09:19 AM

availability in Canada, epub files from my local library and smaller size

Psyke · 07-06-2011, 09:35 AM

Not including the features in the recent firmware updates, when the family and I took a look at it when it first came out, we were immediately impressed with the speed and responsiveness, not to mention the smaller size. We had one of our wifi's with us so we could compare things before buying it. I had decided not to buy it for a bit when it was first announced because I really couldn't justify it, but got hooked immediately and ended up getting an early fathers day/very early birthday gift

myet01 · 07-06-2011, 09:51 AM

The way it handled PDFs. The nook touch re-flows PDFs which messes up tables and pictures. The Kobo handles PDFs like a PDF Reader on the computer which I like better.

FJames · 07-06-2011, 10:03 AM

The reduction in size and weight, the quicker performance, and the simplicity of the touch-screen interface, have all helped to make the Kobo Touch more like a paperback book - fewer frills, distractions and annoyances to get in the way of reading. The easy availability in local stores and the ongoing commitment from Kobo and Chapters-Indigo make it a no-brainer compared to competitive models here in Canada. Barnes & Noble isn't interested in the world market, so they aren't even in the running outside the USA (that's an approach that seems doomed to fail!). Amazon's closed proprietary approach is even more of a concern outside the USA where their local support and available e-book selection is much more limited than in the USA. Sony just looks way overpriced.

jbcohen · 07-06-2011, 11:40 AM

How does the interface compare with a kindle or a Nook Simple Touch (NST)? The NST is known for the interface. How about NST's refresh rate as compared to the Kobo touch?

srs_bsns · 07-06-2011, 12:15 PM

Customizable fonts!

This firmware update came out with that feature while I was still on the fence about which ereader to buy.

Beyond that, the fact that I'm Canadian, and would like an ereader that supports ePub for library borrowing (I just can't afford to buy as many books as I'd like to read, and I'd rather not pirate.)

How light it is! Most of the other major ones are light too, but it's a few grams lighter for sure.

The main reason I nearly didn't buy it (after 1.9.5 fixed my other complaints) is the lack of physical page turn buttons; this turned out to be something I thought I would care about, but in practice it doesn't actually bother me at all.

jackastor · 07-06-2011, 12:20 PM

What sold me was well the Touch. It just made better sense.
Who else is touched by the touch?

regards

jack

jswinden · 07-06-2011, 01:36 PM

Two things:

The customization of text including sideloaded fonts, plenty of margin, line spacing, and font size settings, etc. I've made a habit in the past of always deDRMing my books then converting them with added CSS so I can better read them on an eInk eReader. My eyes are not as young or capable as they once were. I really don't have to go to that trouble with the KT.

and

Kobo actually listens to customer requests and tries to implement them. That is rare in the eReader business. The KT needs a lot of polishing, but they seem to be willing to make it better and in a timely fashion.

kikar · 07-06-2011, 01:37 PM

Form Factor and the ability to add fonts.

I was on the fence and bought a Kobo and Nook STR. I had to wait on the Black Kobo I wanted. And that gave ne time to play with the Nook STR. I liked the Nook though I had a few complaints. The squareness of it and the UI with the intrusive storefront really bugged me. I had a nook classic (which I gave to my Dad) and have a NC which I like alot. I have a K3 but hate the keyboard it seems to take away from the illusion of reading a book and I feel like I am reading on a Speak N Spell. so that is reserved for the books that I bought in the past and for kindle freebies.

I Love the B&N ecosystem but despise their CC tied DRM. I was never impressed with the first Kobo but the the touch is sleek and sexy. It is the most book like experience I have had. And the awards kinda add a little fun to the mix.

The Nook and the Kobo match up in speed and refresh but I prefer the Kobo home screen and the desktop software. The only thing it lacks is the cover choices that B&N give you to make it your own. My wife now has the Nook STB and says it is her favorite reader. I would have to say, with the Kobo, I have not been this excited about a reader since my 505.

07-06-2011, 08:24 AM	#1
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	What sold you on the new Kobo Touch? Why did you buy it? Many pals of mine ask me, which reader should I buy? My premise has always been there is no one best reader for everyone so what makes this the best reader for you?

07-06-2011, 10:03 AM	#10
FJames Addict Posts: 320 Karma: 320941 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Touch & Aura	The reduction in size and weight, the quicker performance, and the simplicity of the touch-screen interface, have all helped to make the Kobo Touch more like a paperback book - fewer frills, distractions and annoyances to get in the way of reading. The easy availability in local stores and the ongoing commitment from Kobo and Chapters-Indigo make it a no-brainer compared to competitive models here in Canada. Barnes & Noble isn't interested in the world market, so they aren't even in the running outside the USA (that's an approach that seems doomed to fail!). Amazon's closed proprietary approach is even more of a concern outside the USA where their local support and available e-book selection is much more limited than in the USA. Sony just looks way overpriced. Last edited by FJames; 07-06-2011 at 10:09 AM.

07-06-2011, 12:20 PM	#13
jackastor Wizard Posts: 1,847 Karma: 3212428 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iphone stanza, kobo touch,ASUS TF300,KOBO GLO, Kobo Aura HD, Kobo Mini	Touched by the Touch What sold me was well the Touch. It just made better sense. Who else is touched by the touch? regards jack Last edited by jackastor; 07-06-2011 at 08:51 PM.

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07-06-2011, 08:42 AM	#2
shighfield Groupie!? GROUPIE!?!? Posts: 319 Karma: 649 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: The Dirty Shwa Device: EBW 1150, Libra Color	Speed of the screen refresh over the Kobo wifi model.

07-06-2011, 08:45 AM	#3
octoberdana Enthusiast Posts: 48 Karma: 40000 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Touch, Kindle Touch	I chose it fir the comfort factor and form. I wanted a touch screen and something with a better battery life than my nook classic. I also like that it supports many formats and bookstores.

07-06-2011, 08:56 AM	#4
m_bisson Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 25803 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: kobo touch :)	my parents wanted my wifi, so i got the touch. Living in Canada, it really is the only option, other than the Sony one.

07-06-2011, 08:57 AM	#5
46jimbo Zealot Posts: 130 Karma: 143194 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, CANADA Device: Kobo Touch + Kobo Aura	I found that pushing that big button on the older models over and over made my poor little thumb tender.

07-06-2011, 09:13 AM	#6
peitsao Addict Posts: 211 Karma: 32760 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Allegheny Mountains Device: Kobo mini, PW3,NookST	When they improved the fonts and added highlighting, I felt that it was easier to use than the prs 350, which I must futz with to add fonts, and their desktop software sucks. Book prices are being pretty much set by the publishers now, so it seems that the way to go is with the ereader that you like the most. I don't like nookbooks being tied to your credit card numbers, so until they change that format, I won't be buying nookbooks. Kindle has the most efficient system for highlighting and notation and provide excellent customer service, but I dislike the keyboard and mobi/topaz format. Also, I live near multiple B&N and Borders stores, and must say that I always go to Borders to buy my books and journals (am sad that the nearest Borders closed this year).

07-06-2011, 09:19 AM	#7
petemjones Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ontario Device: Dell Axim X50V, Literati, Kobo Touch	availability in Canada, epub files from my local library and smaller size

07-06-2011, 09:35 AM	#8
Psyke Evangelist Posts: 482 Karma: 534340 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ottawa/Canada Device: Kobo Wi-Fi - Kobo Touch - GNex - N7	Not including the features in the recent firmware updates, when the family and I took a look at it when it first came out, we were immediately impressed with the speed and responsiveness, not to mention the smaller size. We had one of our wifi's with us so we could compare things before buying it. I had decided not to buy it for a bit when it was first announced because I really couldn't justify it, but got hooked immediately and ended up getting an early fathers day/very early birthday gift

07-06-2011, 09:51 AM	#9
myet01 Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch	The way it handled PDFs. The nook touch re-flows PDFs which messes up tables and pictures. The Kobo handles PDFs like a PDF Reader on the computer which I like better.

07-06-2011, 11:40 AM	#11
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	How does the interface compare with a kindle or a Nook Simple Touch (NST)? The NST is known for the interface. How about NST's refresh rate as compared to the Kobo touch?

07-06-2011, 12:15 PM	#12
srs_bsns Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 30 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo Touch	Customizable fonts! This firmware update came out with that feature while I was still on the fence about which ereader to buy. Beyond that, the fact that I'm Canadian, and would like an ereader that supports ePub for library borrowing (I just can't afford to buy as many books as I'd like to read, and I'd rather not pirate.) How light it is! Most of the other major ones are light too, but it's a few grams lighter for sure. The main reason I nearly didn't buy it (after 1.9.5 fixed my other complaints) is the lack of physical page turn buttons; this turned out to be something I thought I would care about, but in practice it doesn't actually bother me at all.

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07-06-2011, 01:36 PM	#14
jswinden Nameless Being	Two things: The customization of text including sideloaded fonts, plenty of margin, line spacing, and font size settings, etc. I've made a habit in the past of always deDRMing my books then converting them with added CSS so I can better read them on an eInk eReader. My eyes are not as young or capable as they once were. I really don't have to go to that trouble with the KT. and Kobo actually listens to customer requests and tries to implement them. That is rare in the eReader business. The KT needs a lot of polishing, but they seem to be willing to make it better and in a timely fashion.

07-06-2011, 01:37 PM	#15
kikar Zealot Posts: 138 Karma: 258574 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN Device: Too many eReaders, One annoyed wife.	Form Factor and the ability to add fonts. I was on the fence and bought a Kobo and Nook STR. I had to wait on the Black Kobo I wanted. And that gave ne time to play with the Nook STR. I liked the Nook though I had a few complaints. The squareness of it and the UI with the intrusive storefront really bugged me. I had a nook classic (which I gave to my Dad) and have a NC which I like alot. I have a K3 but hate the keyboard it seems to take away from the illusion of reading a book and I feel like I am reading on a Speak N Spell. so that is reserved for the books that I bought in the past and for kindle freebies. I Love the B&N ecosystem but despise their CC tied DRM. I was never impressed with the first Kobo but the the touch is sleek and sexy. It is the most book like experience I have had. And the awards kinda add a little fun to the mix. The Nook and the Kobo match up in speed and refresh but I prefer the Kobo home screen and the desktop software. The only thing it lacks is the cover choices that B&N give you to make it your own. My wife now has the Nook STB and says it is her favorite reader. I would have to say, with the Kobo, I have not been this excited about a reader since my 505.