Aura NEW Kobo Aura Impressions Thread!

[Lynx-lynx]

Originally Posted by thomasn75

i suspect the diamond pattern is part of the capacitive touch screen sensing. without being an expert on this i had a quick look online and it appears most smaller(especially if use multitouch) screens use the projected type of screen which would appear to have a diamond pattern.

"Projected capacitive touch panels
Projected capacitive touch panels are often used for smaller screen sizes than surface capacitive touch panels. They've attracted significant attention in mobile devices. The iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad use this method to achieve high-precision multi-touch functionality and high response speed.

The internal structure of these touch panels consists of a substrate incorporating an IC chip for processing computations, over which is a layer of numerous transparent electrodes is positioned in specific patterns. The surface is covered with an insulating glass or plastic cover. When a finger approaches the surface, electrostatic capacity among multiple electrodes changes simultaneously, and the position were contact occurs can be identified precisely by measuring the ratios between these electrical currents.

projected capactive

A unique characteristic of a projected capacitive touch panel is the fact that the large number of electrodes enables accurate detection of contact at multiple points (multi-touch). However, the projected capacitive touch panels featuring indium-tin-oxide (ITO) found in smartphones and similar devices are poorly suited for use in large screens, since increased screen size results in increased resistance (i.e., slower transmission of electrical current), increasing the amount of error and noise in detecting the points touched.


Larger touch panels use center-wire projected capacitive touch panels in which very thin electrical wires are laid out in a grid as a transparent electrode layer. While lower resistance makes center-wire projected capacitive touch panels highly sensitive, they are less suited to mass production than ITO etching.

Above, we've summarized the differences between the two types of capacitive touch panels. The overall characteristics of such panels include the fact that unlike resistive film touch panels, they do not respond to touch by clothing or standard styli. They feature strong resistance to dust and water drops and high durability and scratch resistance. In addition, their light transmittance is higher, as compared to resistive film touch panels.

On the other hand, these touch panels require either a finger or a special stylus. They cannot be operated while wearing gloves, and they are susceptible to the effects of nearby metal structures."

there is a picture of this pattern but i cant copy it so here is link instead
http://www.eizo.com/global/library/b...f_touch_panel/

consequently i suspect this is not a manufacturing issue but rather the way it is and some people are more sensitive to this pattern of electrodes that others. i am guessing as i have not had a chance to see a aura in person yet.

I wonder if the kindle uses the same type of touch screen(does the kindle have multitouch?)
i suspect this pattern wont bother me as my heated winscreen in the car has electrodes in it and unless you look really closely you cant see it.

is it more visible because it is raised above the eink screen contrary to the kindle?

any thoughts on this - maybe from someone who knows more about screen tech than i do?

Isn't anyone going to comment on the interesting points made above?

I don't know enough about nuthin' to make an intelligent observation ... but gee this reads like it may be relevant ....

[Canuck_in_Japan]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

... or you could simplify it to 'When I'm not reading these hyper-analytical forums do I enjoy reading on this device enough to justify the money I spent?'

If yes - keep it, it doesn't matter what everyone else thinks.
If no - get rid and wait for something you think you'll like better.

Haha, if there's one thing that's even odder than the masses demanding an absolutely perfect screen (there is no such thing-just look at LCDs and stuck pixels), it's the people who don't know if they are happy or not and need to be told by others whether they should be happy or not.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

Haha, if there's one thing that's even odder than the masses demanding an absolutely perfect screen (there is no such thing-just look at LCDs and stuck pixels), it's the people who don't know if they are happy or not and need to be told by others whether they should be happy or not.

You gotta love it. First its "only people with problems post, they aren't representative ...". Now its, just "ignore all problem posts".

Maybe try waving your hand and say "these are not the droids your looking for".

[neil74]

Well mine has just developed a new problem, all books refuse to load I just get a blank screen with 'loading chapter' at the bottom of the screen.

It started out of the blue, i.e. I have not loaded anything new on there.

Trying a factory reset now...

[Noritje]

Been reading this thread for a while. I lost my kobo Glo few weeks back, left it a hotel and when called they said nothing was found. I am pretty sure it was there but oh well.

So, I've contemplated between Aura and Kindle Paperwhite 2.... but since it is easier to get an Aura at where I live and the experience with Kobo Glo wasn't bad, I thought ok let's get it.

I have mixed feeling about the Aura. One hand I love it. Beautiful device, flush screen, nice size, nice weight and I really like the fact the lowest light is so low compared to Glo. Very comfortable reading in the dark (with my Glo, I had to invert the bg color to read in the dark or else my eyes hurt). Oh the response and page turn are also much better, Aura capacitive touch screen is very responsive, me like.

On the other hand, the screen quality... sigh.

That diamond pattern I don't particularly care because I actually cannot see it. It's so micro that I really need to look for it. So I'm not bothered though perhaps some people might see it more visible than me.

Pinhole, I have 1 tiny tiny one that I'll miss if I didn't particularly look for it. Next to the home icon. So this don't bother me either, I can't see it.

My one and only irritation is the top half of my screen is much brighter. It looked yellow to my eyes and that one bright line at the top that made some sort of optical illusion that there's a dark bar. This bothers me a lot because I see it when I read, it gave me headache. Sigh.

I have to say as much as my old Glo comfort light was much brighter at the lowest settings, the light was very even. So I'm going to return it and get another one and cross my fingers. It's almost perfect (for me!). I'm willing to return it twice if needed... if both times still not good... maybe should just bite the bullet and get Kindle PW2?

[Chocky]

Going for my 4th one tomorrow, hopefully the screen will be acceptable this time.

[mr_nihilism]

I would so love to know how many Aura's are being returned. It must be giving Kobo a headache. Rightfully so I suppose.

Originally Posted by Chocky

Going for my 4th one tomorrow, hopefully the screen will be acceptable this time.

I sincerely wish you luck and look forward to how that turned out. Me, I'm happy to wait it out for a while. I figure the product can only get better a few months from now and not worse.

[neil74]

Took mine back today and they swapped it over.

The new one still has a single pin prick, it was an improvement so whilst still not perfect I figured I'd swap it over. The girl was really helpful and commented that even the display model had a couple showing.

I am wondering if this is widespread enough to warrant a statement from Kobo now? I have now seen 6 different devices and they all had the issue.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by neil74

I am wondering if this is widespread enough to warrant a statement from Kobo now? I have now seen 6 different devices and they all had the issue.

As mentioned before, the Kindle Paperwhite and the Aura HD both have the same pinprick issue, so I doubt that a special statement from Kobo about the new Aura will be forthcoming.

I also see from your profile that you own a Paperwhite. Isn't this an ongoing issue with lit e-ink screens which is not confined to Kobo e-readers?

[neil74]

Yeh I went through 4 paperwhite before I got an acceptable (but still not perfect one)

Never saw pin pricks just uneven light and leak on the edge. Amazon did put a statement out at the time.

[6charlong]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

As mentioned before, the Kindle Paperwhite and the Aura HD both have the same pinprick issue, so I doubt that a special statement from Kobo about the new Aura will be forthcoming.

I also see from your profile that you own a Paperwhite. Isn't this an ongoing issue with lit e-ink screens which is not confined to Kobo e-readers?

I have both a Paperwhite and a Kobo Aura HD. Neither one has a pinpoint light spot. My PW came from an early production run. It did have the splotches of lighter and darker screen that many complained about. I liked it, thought it made the screen look like parchment, but after a few weeks it went away.

It's a platitude to say that the jump from a perfect device on the lab bench to mass manufacturing the same device without flaws takes some time. The Paperwhte2s will be arriving in reader's hands next week and we would expect there to be some flawed devices, even though the change from a PW1 to a PW2 is less than the move to an entirely new product.

[mr_nihilism]

So after all the hassle I decided to go with the AuraHD. I swear it was calling my name and there was no ignoring it. It is flawless.

Anyhow, good luck each and everybody with their purchases !

[revs]

Originally Posted by mr_nihilism

So after all the hassle I decided to go with the AuraHD. I swear it was calling my name and there was no ignoring it. It is flawless.

How do you find it weight wise compared to the Aura?

[mimosavj]

Hi

For those who has both the Aura & a cover, how heavy both of them weight together?

Thanks
mimosa

[Chocky]

Originally Posted by Chocky

Going for my 4th one tomorrow, hopefully the screen will be acceptable this time.

Not perfect, still got the lines at the top of the screen, but only noticeable in bright sunlight, so I will see if I can live with it for a few days.

If not, then it will be returned.

No leakage or pin holes though.