Water and Dustproof! Do we really want/need it?

[jackastor]

So seems like Kobo is taking a giant leap forward and is finely bringing to the user the options of dust/waterproofness. Fine options I think for tablets and Ereaders. But the question remains do we really need this? and if so what would you be willing to pay for it?

So.....

1) What would you be willing to pay for a Dust/waterproof Kobo?

2) Why would you want a Dust/waterproof Kobo?

3) What colors should be optional for said Ereader?

4) Last question, What features should be available!


Answer any all or any way you feel to the above questions. Do not limit yourself to just these questions provide any feedback you feel is important to your self and lets run with it guys!


regards

JAck

[cybmole]

I'd trade both of those options for something that did not break if you dropped it. i.e. one of those new flexible e-ink screens that were in the news recently

[booklover6]

I'll get one if it runs Android. The waterproofing is immaterial to me. So I wouldn't buy one just for that. Nor would I pay more just for that.

[Ripplinger]

Nothing I'd be interested in at all. I can see special uses for some people, but none that would affect me to want one. While I do read outdoors a lot, reading outdoors in the rain or dust storms isn't one of them.

[jandrew]

Originally Posted by jackastor

...
So.....

1) What would you be willing to pay for a Dust/waterproof Kobo?

2) Why would you want a Dust/waterproof Kobo?

3) What colors should be optional for said Ereader?

4) Last question, What features should be available!

1) at least double the regular price
2) because of climate change: every place will be a desert, or flooded, or both
3) perhaps a nice fuschia/chartruese swirl
4) blinking LEDs around the bezel would be ultra cool

cheers,
andrew

[dmacmart]

Assuming this is an eInk reader

1) I'd pay probably $140-$150; maybe a bit more if it's really solid or ... um ... pretty ...
2) Beach and the bath tub reading - doesn't have to be duststorm or flooding, just knowing that my reader is not damaged by a little infiltration of sand or drops of water is enough to make me want it.
3) Color is irrelevant. However I'd like a thin, blue sleep cover available soon after release, please.
4) Features as on my current Glo are fine. Front light is required. But if I'm making my wish list, a huge plus would be ability to open Adobe DRMed library books without using my computer.

[soulfuldog]

I thought with the Pocketbook Aqua that it was just a feature they've added because they don't have any real updates to give to a new model.... so is this any different?

[teija]

1) What would you be willing to pay for a Dust/waterproof Kobo?
Not much more than I paid for any of my Kobo's so far (under $100).

2) Why would you want a Dust/waterproof Kobo?
For reading by a pool...once a year... hmmm... ok, maybe I don't really NEED one, but the question was why would we WANT them...

3) What colors should be optional for said Ereader?
Turquoise! Can't have something made for water/named after water and not have a nice blue version!

4) Last question, What features should be available!
Lit screen (like Glo), expandable memory, long battery life

[danskmacabre]

I would love a dustproof /waterproof ereader.
I wouldn't be willing to pay much more than I paid for my Kobo Glo though.

Why?
So bits of dust don't get caught in the corners of the ereader screen when I put it in my rucksack.
So I can read by the pool or in light rain or on the beach.

Colours?
Black is fine for me.

Features?
It should at least have all the features the Kobo Glo has.

[eschwartz]

In the wider context of ereaders in general (because I am a Kindler ):

I wouldn't object to waterproofing/dustproofing in my next ereader, but I certainly wouldn't pay more for it.

I am far to busy in the bath actually bathing, and on the beach I would have many things to do that do not involve reading. Might be helpful in case of freak downpours attacking my Kindle...

This seems to me to be very much an edge case need, and a solution looking for a problem.

[SteveEisenberg]

How often does a Kobo actually get destroyed by dust or water?

I'm another Kindler, so maybe it's irrelevant that I once accidentally put a Kindle Keyboard through the wash -- heavy duty cycle, extra rinse. But maybe not. Anyway, the screen cracked, but it seemed otherwise unharmed after a drying. And I doubt Amazon puts any more, or less, thought into waterproofing than does Kobo.

If Kobo is advertising that a reader is waterproof and dustproof, my first thought would be that they are charging many dollars extra for a few pennies worth of rubber seals. My second thought would be to wonder whether the seals really make much difference.

What I need is a crack-proof screen. For everything else, I've already got the spare part.

[Tarana]

1) What would you be willing to pay for a Dust/waterproof Kobo?
My sibling currently pays an additional $55 for stuff to make her kindle dust and waterproof, so I'm sure she'd pay 50% more to get something that was already made that way.

2) Why would you want a Dust/waterproof Kobo?
She usually does a lot of traveling in the West in desert areas and the dust is terrible on electronics. She also likes to read while soaking in the bathtub.

3) What colors should be optional for said Ereader?
Blue, turquoise, anything that sortof stands out.

4) Last question, What features should be available!
Lit screen. Both touch and buttons.

[filmo]

Water and dust proof, I remember when that was extra cost option for watches about same time shock resistance became common. Now every watch must have this before I would consider purchase. Expect same will soon be true for kobo ereaders. First should make one 5 inch screen model unbreakable and larger screens also. Dust and water proof could rule out IR touch while must keep great contrast, resolution and battery life. Try a limited edition to see how it will sell this time.

[leftright]

Originally Posted by jackastor

So seems like Kobo is taking a giant leap forward and is finely bringing to the user the options of dust/waterproofness.

I don't consider that a giant leap forward.

Have you ever tried to read with the Kobo in direct sunlight?, try it and then tell me what you think kobo's primary concern should be for a outdoors e-reader.

[Joques]

leftright, yes, I often read in direct sunlight. Seems great to me; what is the problem?