How quickly do new releases show up at kobobooks.com / chapters.ca

[srs_bsns]

Hello!

Sorry if this information is located elsewhere and I missed it! And that I tend to ramble!

How quickly does do new releases show up for the Kobo readers? Sadly, I was not blessed with the virtue of patience so when new releases come out, such as A Dance with Dragons next month, if there is much of a delay between its printed release date and when I can purchase the ebook, I'd likely end up just impulse buying the book on the way home from work.

I'm looking to get my first ebook reader, and seriously considering a Kobo Touch. Having had to move a collection hundreds of books in the past, and having recently lost my entire collection in an apartment fire, I see the value in became able to collect them on a single device instead of shelves of heavy (and not-so-fire-resistant) books.

I was originally planning to purchase a Kindle (as it's the name I just naturally associate with ebook readers for whatever reason) I'm leaning more towards the Kobo after being told (...correctly?) that is is Canadian (which I'd like to support) and that it can be used to borrow ebooks from the Vancouver Public Library (unlike a Kindle.)

One last question!

Currently the Kobo Touch is $139, but I could purchase a (refurbished) Kobo Wifi (non-touch) for $69 at Futureshop. Is the newer model worth *twice* the price to a long-time reader to newb ebook reader?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[AnemicOak]

Welcome

Originally Posted by srs_bsns

How quickly does do new releases show up for the Kobo readers? Sadly, I was not blessed with the virtue of patience so when new releases come out, such as A Dance with Dragons next month, if there is much of a delay between its printed release date and when I can purchase the ebook, I'd likely end up just impulse buying the book on the way home from work.

Other than a couple of times when Kobo got a book a day late they've always had books on release day when I've gone looking. "Dance" is set to release as an ebook the same day as the Hardcover comes out in the US and UK (and I'm guessing Canada as well). In general terms publishers tried windowing the ebook release (putting it out 4-8 weeks after the HC released) and it was a dismal failure. I can't think of any publishers that do that anymore.

One last question!

Currently the Kobo Touch is $139, but I could purchase a (refurbished) Kobo Wifi (non-touch) for $69 at Futureshop. Is the newer model worth *twice* the price to a long-time reader to newb ebook reader?

Do they have demo models of both for you to try? That's probably the best way to make up your mind. The Touch has a faster processor so will probably have faster page turns, but only you can tell if that'll make a difference to you or not. Lots of folks have been very happy with their Kobo WiFi's and $69 sounds like a great deal.

[Mostly Math]

I can't wait for a Dance with Dragons myself

Some books are available right away (Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings for example), others are not available for months (the latest Robert Jordan for example).

S

[jackastor]

Originally Posted by Mostly Math

I can't wait for a Dance with Dragons myself

Some books are available right away (Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings for example), others are not available for months (the latest Robert Jordan for example).

S

I think alot of the wait is due to the publisher wanting to maximize sales. I dont know how much input an author has but I am sure it caries weight.


regards

jack

[taming]

If the rights are available (country by country ) Kobo and Chapters generally are about the same as any place else. Some authors have special arrangements to be Amazon only for a period of time.

[remcdonald]

What taming says is true however not as true as it used to be. Most authors or their publishers are getting smart enough now to know that being amazon exclusive will seriously hamper their e book sales and so they don't do it.

That being said some small publishing houses are on amazon alone because amazon will convert their books to ebooks for them (things you find out when you email publishers to ask questions). Kobo has already said they are working on self publishing and so with that I think we will see many smaller publishing houses get on board with epubs.

That being said something with as large an expected sales bases as Dances with Dragons (I think every fantasy fan over the age of 12 has been waiting for this books for years now and the HBO special is getting new people on board as well). I'm sure it will be released on time with Kobo and everywhere else. I actually like ebooks for day of releases. I don't have to worry that my local bookstore will run out and I will have to wait for restock (which has happened before).

[srs_bsns]

Thanks for your help everyone!

I was able to see them both in person, and I've decided on the Kobo Touch. Customizable fonts in the new firmware is something I would regret missing out on -- I might as well spend more now so I'm less inclined to replace it in a year.

Now to agonize over the decision to buy a black or white one.

[Charbucks]

Originally Posted by srs_bsns

Thanks for your help everyone!

I was able to see them both in person, and I've decided on the Kobo Touch. Customizable fonts in the new firmware is something I would regret missing out on -- I might as well spend more now so I'm less inclined to replace it in a year.

Now to agonize over the decision to buy a black or white one.

Good choice

My Wifi conveniently went crazy on me last week, and Chapters replaced it with a Touch. The speed difference is immense - with the Wifi, I wouldn't usually bother going back a couple pages if I missed a detail, but with the Touch it's easily as fast as flipping paper pages.

I find that the black fools your eyes into thinking the page is whiter, giving the impression of higher contrast. YMMV.

[srs_bsns]

Originally Posted by Charbucks

Good choice
I find that the black fools your eyes into thinking the page is whiter, giving the impression of higher contrast. YMMV.

That echo's what I've read on here so far. I've also seen people comment about fingerprints on the black though.

I think fingerprints irritate most people, but they drive me *completely* crazy. Far too many hours of my life have been spent obsessively wiping down my iPhone and the piano black laptop I was given for work (who makes the inside of laptop piano black!?)

I do really prefer the look of the black one mind you....

Maybe I can just read with gloves...

[robko]

Originally Posted by srs_bsns

I think fingerprints irritate most people, but they drive me *completely* crazy.

The black is not for you in this case. Not sure if getting a skin for it would help make it easier to remove them. Love my black, but fingerprints don't really bother me.

[m_bisson]

Originally Posted by robko

The black is not for you in this case. Not sure if getting a skin for it would help make it easier to remove them. Love my black, but fingerprints don't really bother me.

I keep reading this and I don't understand it... I had a black WiFi and now have a black Touch, and there are no fingerprint issues on either. Maybe you guys need to wash your hands occasionally?