Why is it so hard to buy a Kobo Touch? - Page 3

MrsJoseph · 08-04-2011, 12:04 PM

My Kobo Touch just arrived! I'm pretty excited even though I can't really play with it until I get home from work.

The first thing I noticed is that they changed the USB cord. !! Why would they do this? Now my old Kobo usb cord is useless and my retractable usb cord that I bought specifically to use to charge my KW is useless as well.

I like to keep a cord at home and one in my purse at all times.

Joe563 · 08-04-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

The first thing I noticed is that they changed the USB cord. !! Why would they do this? Now my old Kobo usb cord is useless and my retractable usb cord that I bought specifically to use to charge my KW is useless as well. I like to keep a cord at home and one in my purse at all times.

Yes, they changed from mini-USB to micro-USB. The good news is that the micro-USB cable used with smartphones will also work with the Touch.

MrsJoseph · 08-04-2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe563

Yes, they changed from mini-USB to micro-USB. The good news is that the micro-USB cable used with smartphones will also work with the Touch.

If I didn't use an iPhone, you mean?

jswinden · 08-04-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

If I didn't use an iPhone, you mean?

Yep. Good ol' "Give me all your money this is a stickup" Steve and his proprietary cables! However, most electronics firms have agreed to use the micro-USB port as a standard. So it is a good thing, despite Apple's greed and insistence and doing their own thing.

However, your iPhone A/C charger should accept the standard USB to micro-USB cable which came with your Kobo Touch. So you should have a ready to use charger for your Kobo Touch.

DigitalFrancis · 08-04-2011, 01:26 PM

Go to Walmart lots of them.... Cheers!

FJames · 08-04-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

The first thing I noticed is that they changed the USB cord. !! Why would they do this? Now my old Kobo usb cord is useless and my retractable usb cord that I bought specifically to use to charge my KW is useless as well.

I like to keep a cord at home and one in my purse at all times.

Check the other thread about USB cables. You can order a tiny micro-mini adapter online for a little over $2 delivered if you want to use an existing mini-USB cable.

jswinden · 08-04-2011, 03:37 PM

Didn't the KT come with a standard USB to micro-USB cable? I'm pretty sure mine did, though I've since returned my KT so I can't verify. If so she has all she needs to charge it via A/C by plugging that cable into the iPhone charger unit as the iPhone charger has a standard USB port.

PeterT · 08-04-2011, 04:27 PM

Yes it came with a standard cable; however, it is a shortish cable (same length as the original Kobo and WiFi had), which means if you like reading in bed with it recharging, you are SOL.

An excellent place to buy these cables is Monoprice. Very good prices, and quick shipping.

Take a look at http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...=10303#1030307 for their Micro USB cables.

ScalyFreak · 08-04-2011, 10:39 PM

I have in the past had a lot of luck with buying cables of all kinds for my gadgets from Amazon. Just make sure you read the feedback on the seller, so you know if they are legit or not.

Wildgift · 08-04-2011, 11:26 PM

For cables, it all begins and ends with www.monoprice.com

Ditchleyportrait · 08-05-2011, 01:36 AM

nice choice on the kobo touch!

FJames · 08-05-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildgift

For cables, it all begins and ends with www.monoprice.com

Monoprice is a good choice for cables if you live in the U.S.. They used to be a good choice in Canada as well, but their shipping rates have been steadily climbing in recent years. There are plenty of Hong Kong suppliers these days who charge $0 for shipping anywhere in the world, and their prices are among the cheapest you can find anywhere (e.g., dealextreme, ledshoppe, focalprice, meritline, etc.). I wouldn't expect the quality or reliability to always be as good as monoprice, but for simple cables, connectors, and adapters it's the cheaper choice.

MrsJoseph · 08-05-2011, 11:19 AM

Ok, I’ve had a chance to take my KT home and play with it. Here is my take on the Kobo Touch as of today:

Like
- I really like Reading Life. It’s cute.
- I like the reading statics
-The sketch is cool.

Love
- I love the size and shape. It’s basicly the same width/height as a MMPB which is great!
- I also love the weight. It’s very light and fits well in my hand.
- The bevel is a good size to rest my thumb on until I need to turn a page.

Hate

It feels like Kobo took two steps forward and one step back.

They got rid of the best parts of the Kobo & Kobo Wi-fi:

-I hate that there is a lack of notations on the KT library. Is the book open, closed, what?? If open what percentage has been read?

- The home screen is pretty close to being useless but it’s a bit better than the Nook STR home screen.

- The “Currently Reading” list has been removed and nothing really put in its place. Booooo! It was very helpful!

- There are NO STATS on the book being read to be found in the library! Why??!!??

- The only place to find reading stats is in the Reading Life section. That’s just nonsensical! I track my reading on GoodReads so when I pause reading I have to close out of the library, go to the home screen, tap Reading Life AND THEN tap on Reading Stats. That’s just too much for basic information that used to be provided at a glance.

-There is no way to go directly from Reading Stats to the book showing as “In Progress.” There is a cover/icon of the book I’m currently reading…why can’t I tap on it and be taken back to my book? Why do I have to go back to the home screen and then tap on the book again. *annoying*

siraks · 08-05-2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

Ok, I’ve had a chance to take my KT home and play with it. Here is my take on the Kobo Touch as of today:..................

seems like only minor things that you don't like. you learn to live without them. i think most people would appreciate having the %'s and open / close or currently reading etc.
i doubt they would be hard to implement. the way the kobo dev team are pumping out updates i'm sure these items will be addressed or hope they will be at least.

still a pretty sweet device regardless. glad you like / love it almost fully.

Bookworm_Girl · 08-05-2011, 04:05 PM

The Kobo Touch is showing as available for pickup at some Best Buy's now. Most still say order in-store. I hope they'll be in more stores soon and have the demo models out on display. I would really like to see one and try it out.

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08-04-2011, 12:04 PM	#31
MrsJoseph Loves Ellipsis... Posts: 1,554 Karma: 7899232 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Washington, DC Device: Kobo Wifi (broken), nook STR (returned), Kobo Touch, Sony T1	My Kobo Touch just arrived! I'm pretty excited even though I can't really play with it until I get home from work. The first thing I noticed is that they changed the USB cord. !! Why would they do this? Now my old Kobo usb cord is useless and my retractable usb cord that I bought specifically to use to charge my KW is useless as well. I like to keep a cord at home and one in my purse at all times.

08-04-2011, 01:26 PM	#35
DigitalFrancis Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: KOBO touch	Go to Walmart lots of them.... Cheers!

08-04-2011, 03:37 PM	#37
jswinden Nameless Being	Didn't the KT come with a standard USB to micro-USB cable? I'm pretty sure mine did, though I've since returned my KT so I can't verify. If so she has all she needs to charge it via A/C by plugging that cable into the iPhone charger unit as the iPhone charger has a standard USB port.

08-04-2011, 04:27 PM	#38
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,515 Karma: 78910202 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Yes it came with a standard cable; however, it is a shortish cable (same length as the original Kobo and WiFi had), which means if you like reading in bed with it recharging, you are SOL. An excellent place to buy these cables is Monoprice. Very good prices, and quick shipping. Take a look at http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...=10303#1030307 for their Micro USB cables.

08-04-2011, 10:39 PM	#39
ScalyFreak Sith Wannabe Posts: 2,034 Karma: 8017430 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: I'm not sure... it's kind of dark. Device: Galaxy Note 4, Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Fire HD, Aluratek Libre	I have in the past had a lot of luck with buying cables of all kinds for my gadgets from Amazon. Just make sure you read the feedback on the seller, so you know if they are legit or not.

08-04-2011, 11:26 PM	#40
Wildgift Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 829414 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Nook	For cables, it all begins and ends with www.monoprice.com

08-05-2011, 01:36 AM	#41
Ditchleyportrait Fanatic Posts: 504 Karma: 780086 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: ny Device: Kindle DX Graphite	nice choice on the kobo touch!

08-05-2011, 11:19 AM	#43
MrsJoseph Loves Ellipsis... Posts: 1,554 Karma: 7899232 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Washington, DC Device: Kobo Wifi (broken), nook STR (returned), Kobo Touch, Sony T1	Ok, I’ve had a chance to take my KT home and play with it. Here is my take on the Kobo Touch as of today: Like - I really like Reading Life. It’s cute. - I like the reading statics -The sketch is cool. Love - I love the size and shape. It’s basicly the same width/height as a MMPB which is great! - I also love the weight. It’s very light and fits well in my hand. - The bevel is a good size to rest my thumb on until I need to turn a page. Hate It feels like Kobo took two steps forward and one step back. They got rid of the best parts of the Kobo & Kobo Wi-fi: -I hate that there is a lack of notations on the KT library. Is the book open, closed, what?? If open what percentage has been read? - The home screen is pretty close to being useless but it’s a bit better than the Nook STR home screen. - The “Currently Reading” list has been removed and nothing really put in its place. Booooo! It was very helpful! - There are NO STATS on the book being read to be found in the library! Why??!!?? - The only place to find reading stats is in the Reading Life section. That’s just nonsensical! I track my reading on GoodReads so when I pause reading I have to close out of the library, go to the home screen, tap Reading Life AND THEN tap on Reading Stats. That’s just too much for basic information that used to be provided at a glance. -There is no way to go directly from Reading Stats to the book showing as “In Progress.” There is a cover/icon of the book I’m currently reading…why can’t I tap on it and be taken back to my book? Why do I have to go back to the home screen and then tap on the book again. annoying

08-05-2011, 04:05 PM	#45
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	The Kobo Touch is showing as available for pickup at some Best Buy's now. Most still say order in-store. I hope they'll be in more stores soon and have the demo models out on display. I would really like to see one and try it out.