Aura NEW Kobo Aura Impressions Thread!

[slantybard]

Update to my previous impressions:

Originally Posted by slantybard

I picked up an Aura today and have some preliminary thoughts. The device is much lighter and smaller compared to my KPW1. I could not find a sleep cover to try with the Aura, however, the covers I saw for the HD and Glo looked extremely poor compared to the sleek, tight fitted beauty of the KPW1 cover (it is an amazing cover). I will start researching covers.

I couldn't read the Aura with one hand since it is too small to hold in one hand and turn pages at same time. I picked up the official Kobo Aura Sleepcover. The Aura snaps into it nicely on both sides (not corners). Works well and I can now read with one hand again.

The lighting on the Aura looks very, very good compared to my KPW1.

I still like the lighting way better than my KPW1.

There are about 3 small light spots. They are only noticeable at brightness levels higher than about 75% on my Aura and even then, must be looked at closely to see them. I don't think I will notice them when I read. Overall, the light artifacts on the Aura are way less noticeable compared to the splotchy KPW1 lighted screen (which I have loved to read from this past year).

Again, on my device, the small light spots are not noticeable when I read and the even lighting outshines the KPW1 lighting.

The fonts look slightly darker on my KPW1.

The ability to modify formatting and fonts on the device is wonderful. The font contrast on the KPW is slightly better. I am now convinced that this is because of the lighting and my interpretation of the colour temperature - the KPW light is cooler (more blue) and I think that makes the screen background look "whiter" and thus the KPW fonts look slightly darker. However, the lack of splotchy patterns more than makes up for the less contrast. When viewed with the light off (Aura) and light minimal (KPW1), the screen contrast between the 2 devices look identical to me.

I am disappointed that the margins, even when minimized are still quite big. This too may be related to epub formatting and I will explore calibre formatted kepubs with minimal margins or search the forum for a hack to shrink the margins further.

I am also not a fan of the header/footer. I will need to research how to change/hack this. Kindle handles this much better as the header is not seen while reading (only when the controls are triggered) and the footer is also minimal, showing only location/time left to read/etc. I do like the Kindle footer info better than the Aura.

After experimentation, I have abandoned kepubs for the following reasons:
-I like to see how many pages are left in the book at the bottom (or percentage which is not available to use), not chapter
-I don't like the header and footer info showing the book title or chapter title

I have added a kobo_extra.css file and also removed margins and changed the epub output in calibre to maximize screen real estate comfortably and other than the minimum height of the footer pagination info, everything looks much better now.

I have not explored Calibre integration, but it can't be more complex than the Kindle's lockdown. I will play with this tomorrow after reading the shelves thread.

Calibre integration with the Aura is awesome compared to fiddling with the KPW collections plug-in and Collections Manager on the jailbroken KPW (this is the fault of Amazon, not the amazing developers of both hacks)

So why would I consider switching to the Aura from the KPW1 especially with the upcoming KPW2 Carta device? The biggest reason would be the difficulty in modifying the way books are displayed in Kindles including fonts, margins, justification, line spacing, and collections. The Kindles have required quite a lot of work to develop hacks for and repeatedly break those hacks with each update (java obfuscation anyone?). I expect that the KPW2 will be even harder to jailbreak and customize and may take over a year to develop a significant depth of modifications available for use.

I stand by my earlier thoughts. Out of the box, the Aura is much more user customizable and easier to manage an e-library. While I wish that the Kobo Patcher worked on the new Aura (here's to the future hopefully....), the base product is better than the KPW1. If Amazon was open to user modification (unlikely given their history), I would probably wait for the KPW2, however, the Aura is a wonderful device to use for those of us addicted to reading.

[SWCaffeinated]

Originally Posted by tls

To me, your photo looks like it has some dark patches. Is that just the photo?
One reason I haven't returned mine is that I don't have any dark patches at the bottom of the screen, and one of the models I tried which did have light spots also had some dark patches at the bottom.

It's the photo. My Aura has no dark patches.

[bartveld]

Originally Posted by voracious71

If it's anything like the Paperwhite Blotch Debacle of 2012, you'll soon have people telling you it's because your eyes are simply incapable of seeing the pattern. It's really there.

Maybe it's time everyone adds his/her age to their personal info.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

Originally Posted by slantybard

Update to my previous impressions:



I couldn't read the Aura with one hand since it is too small to hold in one hand and turn pages at same time. I picked up the official Kobo Aura Sleepcover. The Aura snaps into it nicely on both sides (not corners). Works well and I can now read with one hand again.

I'm not sure I understand this. How can it be too small to hold in one hand and turn the pages? I can understand a reader being too big to use one-handed but too small?

[paola]

Thanks for the update slantybard!

Originally Posted by slantybard

After experimentation, I have abandoned kepubs for the following reasons:
-I like to see how many pages are left in the book at the bottom (or percentage which is not available to use), not chapter
-I don't like the header and footer info showing the book title or chapter title

The first problem is avoided if you add a line to the config file, see herehttps://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...8&postcount=15.
The first problem had a solution in the previous firmware version - as 2.9.1 rolls out to other evices, I am hopeful we will be seeing a workaround here.

[mr_nihilism]

I've been comparing the exact same kepub on both the Glo and Aura and there is a noticeable difference between the margin space when at the lowest setting. There is more margin space on the Aura. Between that and the header/footer wastage, it's enough to want to convert to regular epub. Sigh....

I'm betting with all settings being equal between all six inch Kobo devices, the Aura gives a little less word count per page.

Edit - Didn't read the talk already here about the margins, little late to the party.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

Originally Posted by mr_nihilism

I've been comparing the exact same kepub on both the Glo and Aura and there is a noticeable difference between the margin space when at the lowest setting. There is more margin space on the Aura. Between that and the header/footer wastage, it's enough to want to convert to regular epub. Sigh....

I'm betting with all settings being equal between all six inch Kobo devices, the Aura gives a little less word count per page.

Edit - Didn't read the talk already here about the margins, little late to the party.

That would suit me fine as I am not a fan at all of the kepubs. I'll take an epub anytime, thanks!

[slantybard]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

I'm not sure I understand this. How can it be too small to hold in one hand and turn the pages? I can understand a reader being too big to use one-handed but too small?

I like to hold device with right hand and change pages with thumb. Given the lightness of the unit and small footprint of the edges, the unit is harder to hold in one hand and change pages. With a cover folded back, I can hold the device with my middle finger behind the cover and my index finger between the folded cover pieces.

[slantybard]

Originally Posted by paola

Thanks for the update slantybard!


The first problem is avoided if you add a line to the config file, see herehttps://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...8&postcount=15.
The first problem had a solution in the previous firmware version - as 2.9.1 rolls out to other evices, I am hopeful we will be seeing a workaround here.

Thank you for the info. It's too bad you can't choose to enable percent read instead of pages read. I still don't like the header and footer titles in the kepub so will have to wait and see if the patcher is updated.

[Grady Cole]

I did the online chat thing with the Kobo people and asked about the pinprick light issue:

"The issue with the screen of the Kobo Aura has been on some devices, though we have been informed and have been working on the issue to avoid future cases."

So I asked her if I should buy one now and just exchange them until I get a good one, or wait:

"If you would prefer, you may purchase the device at a store where you would be able to inspect the device. If there would be a factory defect, we will be more than willing to assist you with the device, or you may return or exchange it at the store, according to the store's policy."

So, there we have it. At least Kobo is acknowledging the issue.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Grady Cole

I did the online chat thing with the Kobo people and asked about the pinprick light issue:

"The issue with the screen of the Kobo Aura has been on some devices, though we have been informed and have been working on the issue to avoid future cases."

So I asked her if I should buy one now and just exchange them until I get a good one, or wait:

"If you would prefer, you may purchase the device at a store where you would be able to inspect the device. If there would be a factory defect, we will be more than willing to assist you with the device, or you may return or exchange it at the store, according to the store's policy."

So, there we have it. At least Kobo is acknowledging the issue.

Many times I have taken back defective electronics only to see them restocked a few days later. I usually make a point of saying what is wrong with them, but back they go ,more often than not.

Oh well up to the store I guess.

Helen

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by slantybard

Thank you for the info. It's too bad you can't choose to enable percent read instead of pages read. I still don't like the header and footer titles in the kepub so will have to wait and see if the patcher is updated.

I'm still stuck in the paper book idea of page numbers But, I like to see the percent read as well. You can see it by tapping the screen to display the menu bars. The time will be displayed in the top bar and after a few seconds, it is replaced with the percent read.

[cr3nk]

Just received my Kobo Aura here in Melbourne.

Surprised by the size of this thing!

Noticed that the painting along the side bezels are uneven, kind of like how your tablet or any device will look after many years of use and the paint peels.

My ComfortLight looks yellower on the top of the device than the bottom.

You guys reckon I should get it changed?

Looking at my friend's KPW this unit seems to not prevail.

A shame as I wanted to be the one to be able to voice only positive comments on this thread.


[Image exceeds guidelines for size - MODERATOR]

[aceflor]

[QUOTE=cr3nk;2633134]Just received my Kobo Aura here in Melbourne.

Surprised by the size of this thing!

Noticed that the painting along the side bezels are uneven, kind of like how your tablet or any device will look after many years of use and the paint peels.

My ComfortLight looks yellower on the top of the device than the bottom.

You guys reckon I should get it changed?

Looking at my friend's KPW this unit seems to not prevail.

A shame as I wanted to be the one to be able to voice only positive comments on this thread.


[Image exceeds guidelines for size - MODERATOR]

I can see a bit of uneven blotches on your screen, similar to the ones we saw on some PW, but not more.
I am interested to hear more : why you are surprised at the size of it ..?

I don't see the defaults in the bezel on your picture. Can you make another pic ?

[cr3nk]

Originally Posted by aceflor

I can see a bit of uneven blotches on your screen, similar to the ones we saw on some PW, but not more.
I am interested to hear more : why you are surprised at the size of it ..?

I don't see the defaults in the bezel on your picture. Can you make another pic ?

Hi aceflor,

Its hard to capture the "bezel" effect but I have attached an image to try. Its not something I am too concerned about as I can only see it under close scrutiny with a light shining on the sides.

[Image exceeds guidelines for size - MODERATOR]

it looks like "Scrape" marks of silver-black-silver... Like I said not too peeved by it.

What I am concerned with is the uneven lighting which seems to be yellower on the top as illustrated in the last photo attached.

Also, when I said I was surprised by the size, I meant pleasantly surprised. Knew it'd be smaller than the Kindle but still happy to actually see that it is of that size (am I making sense? )