Kobo - Beyond the Book event, August 27 in NYC

[5thWiggle]

Originally Posted by Suzanna

We're discussing the same thing. Our twins are 11 and for the first time I'm thinking the 10 inch would make a great family tablet. (The Apple tablet just seemed *so* expensive.)

I haven't found any limitations with my current Kobo Arc, so I don't feel the need to upgrade to the new HD model. I'm really hoping they upgrade our firmware to match what's on the newer models, though.

The one disappointment I have is that there is no lighted Mini. The girls have Minis and I would have bought them a lighted model. (I don't think I could ever go back to a non-lighted ereader. The entire reading experience is just so much better.)

Our twins are 9, and we got them each a 10" Acer tablet in preparation for our school board's "Bring Your Own Device" policy. Since cheap netbooks seem to be in short supply these days - and chromebooks seem to require a constant connection (or did when we bought the tablets) - this seemes like a pretty good solution. We paired up a bluetooth keyboard and mouse for them (Android supports Bluetooth and usb mice) and they are good to go.

If your school is implimenting the BYOD policy, this may be a good tablet for that.

[selina4books]

Originally Posted by DStyle

So, did anyone pre-order a new KOBO device? If yes, what did you buy?

I've tried since last night to preorder the Aura. I love my Glo but I like the flatter screen better and if the screen is anything like my Aura HD it will blow the Glo out of the water. However...I can't get itto load past the checkout page. It loads...loads...loads..stalls. I had the same trouble before when trying to order devices. I wish they'd fix their blasted website! As if the new site design overall isn't bad enough you practically have to BEG to give them money!

When I feel like booting up a computer (using my iPad, which I use 99% of the time) I'll try on there. It's really frustrating to have to jump through hoops to order.

Edited to add: Firefox on my laptop let me order one. The plus side is my credit card shows only one charge pending...when I ordered my Aura HD I had three pending charges.

[soulfuldog]

No one interested in what the "beyond the book" bit was relating to?

Not something that has ever interested me, but Kobo's answer to the x-ray feature on the Kindle?

"Connect with the story like never before. Simply tap highlighted words within a body of text and get web articles, related books, and authors that are thematically linked to the subject of the highlighted word."

[buffaloseven]

Originally Posted by DStyle

So, did anyone pre-order a new KOBO device? If yes, what did you buy?

Hoping it will show up in the Chapters by my house that I can get a hands-on sometime soon. While the individual hardware specs don't make it seem that much better than the Glo, I have a feeling that it may be more than the sum of it's parts.

[buffaloseven]

Originally Posted by l_macd

No one interested in what the "beyond the book" bit was relating to?

Not something that has ever interested me, but Kobo's answer to the x-ray feature on the Kindle?

"Connect with the story like never before. Simply tap highlighted words within a body of text and get web articles, related books, and authors that are thematically linked to the subject of the highlighted word."

I'm actually quite interested in all the software side of things; perhaps even moreso than the hardware. For the most part, a eInk reader is an eInk reader. Things like built in dictionaries and the ability to cross-reference selections to large databases are things that can really add to the value of eReaders over their paper brethern.

[Nightyume]

Originally Posted by l_macd

No one interested in what the "beyond the book" bit was relating to?

Not something that has ever interested me, but Kobo's answer to the x-ray feature on the Kindle?

"Connect with the story like never before. Simply tap highlighted words within a body of text and get web articles, related books, and authors that are thematically linked to the subject of the highlighted word."

I find this potentially interesting and useful but it all depends on what ends up being underlined and the quality of added information. But this reminds me of one reason why I prefer kobo ereaders to the kobo apps. The dictionary functionality of the ereaders is MUCH better since it automatically detects the language of the book abd has words not found on Wikipedia.

@5thWiggle I've done the same with my tablet at home. Bought a stand, bluetooth keyboard and mouse. I almost never use the computer and now I have even less reason to do so.

[Anak]

The back side of Aura looks better than the Aura HD.

So after all, the Aura HD seems not to be a limited edition… and permanently added to Kobos line of e-ink readers.

Unfortunate, to my opinion. Kobo should phase out the Aura HD, as Kobo said it was a "limited editon" reader and only available for a limited time.

And introduce new a "non limited edition" the Aura HD2. Combining advantages of the new Aura and old Aura HD model. With a capatative touch screen, ClarityScreen HD+ (1440×1080) screen with low-flash waveform and improved (more stylish) product design.

[mr_nihilism]

If Kobo does keep the Aura HD in the lineup, I would like to think that at some point they would improve upon the lousy case design and at the very least add more grip to the back, like the new Aura has. IMO, it is it's only true flaw.

[samhy]

Originally Posted by Anak

And introduce new a "non limited edition" the Aura HD2. Combining advantages of the new Aura and old Aura HD model. With a capatative touch screen, ClarityScreen HD+ (1440×1080) screen with low-flash waveform and improved (more stylish) product design.

But in that case, we would lose the choice between an infrared screen and a capacitive one in the same series, wouldn't we?

[mr_nihilism]

Originally Posted by samhy

But in that case, we would lose the choice between an infrared screen and a capacitive one in the same series, wouldn't we?

Is there a significant demand for infrared tech?

[Suzanna]

Originally Posted by 5thWiggle

Our twins are 9, and we got them each a 10" Acer tablet in preparation for our school board's "Bring Your Own Device" policy. Since cheap netbooks seem to be in short supply these days - and chromebooks seem to require a constant connection (or did when we bought the tablets) - this seemes like a pretty good solution. We paired up a bluetooth keyboard and mouse for them (Android supports Bluetooth and usb mice) and they are good to go.

If your school is implimenting the BYOD policy, this may be a good tablet for that.

Up until now they haven't had to bring devices to school. I know that last year their class worked on netbooks sometimes, but the school provided those. We got the girls new iTouches earlier this summer so I don't think they need tablets as well and they do have a desktop computer they share. I was happy to see that the 10" had bluetooth, though, so pairing it with a keyboard is possible.

So many decisions!

[donnieparker]

Yes, the new Aura. I am a PRS-T1 user who was hoping Sony would release a front-light reader with the PRS-T3. Since Sony doesn't feel like adding such a cool and useful feature, I had to (reluctantly) move on.

Originally Posted by DStyle

So, did anyone pre-order a new KOBO device? If yes, what did you buy?

[robko]

Originally Posted by mr_nihilism

Is there a significant demand for infrared tech?

There are lots of us for whom capacitive touch doesn't work well who really like IR thank you very much.*


* - definitive proof of numbers currently pending

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by robko

There are lots of us for whom capacitive touch doesn't work well who really like IR thank you very much.*


* - definitive proof of numbers currently pending

Understand completely. I would almost consider buying another Kobo device though if the capacitive touch was implemented in such a way as to make touch input work as good as it seems to do on most tablets. Fat chance of that with Kobo I am afraid, but one can dream.

Helen

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Looks like the new eReader has model # NOIKBN514; try a search at https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repor...ericSearch.cfm with Grantee code NOI and Product Code KBN514.

Quite a few documents though are not available until after August 30th, and is normal, some will never be available.

Well I finally went and looked at the user manual that was part of the FCC filing; very little of interest; nothing on the new S/W functions.