Kobo Aura H2O - First Impressions

[93terp]

I just got my H2O yesterday and have only had time to update (sideload) to FW 3.8.0 (came preloaded with 3.7.0), apply the FW patches, load my Calibre library, and a brief light comparison with my HD. Here are my initial observations so far:

BLUF (bottom line upfront)
It's a keeper!

1. The lighting is noticably brighter than the HD at the same light levels. I'd almost say about twice as bright, but I don't know of a good way to actually measure this for a true value.

2. I love the new non-sliding power button. It's a "push" button, and the power up light appears to be part of the button assembly. The button is almost darn near flush to the edge, so not sure if this will ultimately be a bad thing (more frequent opportunity for inadvertent power on/off?).

3. I miss the light button from the HD. Unless I'm missing something obvious, there's now no way to completely turn the light off & make the light icon go away. Yes, you can manually set the brightness to "0", but the light icon remains on when you do this. Related to this, but not specific to the H2O, the "Power light off" setting seems to have been removed with FW 3.8.0. I confirmed this on both the H2O and HD, both running 3.8.0.

4. The back of the H2O is much better than the HD, both in materials used and design. The front bezel is a fingerprint magnet unfortunately. I really wish Kobo would have offered the H2O in white, like they did with the HD. I guess I will be getting a skin for the H2O as I really don't like the fingerprints or the black bezel (personal preference only).

5. I thought I read somewhere that the H2O bezel was supposed to be flush with the screen, although I could be thinking of the new Kindle Voyage. My
H2O has a noticable gap between the screen & bezel, comparable to that on the HD.

Will post more observations after more time with the H2O.

[doxallday]

@93terp: Thanks for your input. What annoyed me most with Kobo Touch were both the sliding power button as well as the 'Home' button - good riddance is all I can say.

[93terp]

Originally Posted by doxallday

@93terp: Thanks for your input. What annoyed me most with Kobo Touch were both the sliding power button as well as the 'Home' button - good riddance is all I can say.

YW! Glad it was helpful.

[treadlightly]

Originally Posted by 93terp

2. I love the new non-sliding power button. It's a "push" button, and the power up light appears to be part of the button assembly. The button is almost darn near flush to the edge, so not sure if this will ultimately be a bad thing (more frequent opportunity for inadvertent power on/off?).

I am still finding myself trying to slide the power button. I wonder how long it will take me to re-train my brain to push it...

[mr_nihilism]

Originally Posted by treadlightly

I am still finding myself trying to slide the power button. I wonder how long it will take me to re-train my brain to push it...

I`ve done that several times too. Oops.

[robko]

Originally Posted by 93terp

2. I love the new non-sliding power button. It's a "push" button, and the power up light appears to be part of the button assembly. The button is almost darn near flush to the edge, so not sure if this will ultimately be a bad thing (more frequent opportunity for inadvertent power on/off?).

Way back with the original Kobo's (Orignal and Wifi I think?) there was a push button power button. It stuck out a fair ways. It was a problem because in cases or if it was loose in something (say a briefcase) it was pretty easy to power the device on. That's why they changed to a slide I believe. The new one seems to be short enough that because of the angled top of the case that **should** protect it from being pressed accidentally quite as easily (I hope).

Originally Posted by 93terp

5. I thought I read somewhere that the H2O bezel was supposed to be flush with the screen, although I could be thinking of the new Kindle Voyage. My
H2O has a noticable gap between the screen & bezel, comparable to that on the HD.

You're thinking the Voyage. The H2O has IR touch so it needs that gap for the sensors. Voyage (and Aura 6") are capacitive touch so they don't need the gap. The gap is smaller on the H2O vs HD though.

Good review!

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by 93terp

5. I thought I read somewhere that the H2O bezel was supposed to be flush with the screen, although I could be thinking of the new Kindle Voyage. My
H2O has a noticable gap between the screen & bezel, comparable to that on the HD.

Will post more observations after more time with the H2O.

Its the new Kindle Voyage thats flush with the screen, like the 6 inch KOBO Aura

[robko]

Originally Posted by DNSB

The one that the cover latch clips into?

Had you not gone and spoiled all the fun with the correct answer I think the first answer that jumped to my mind of drainage hole (it is the H2O after all ) would have been a better one

[93terp]

Originally Posted by treadlightly

I am still finding myself trying to slide the power button. I wonder how long it will take me to re-train my brain to push it...

Yep, me too!

[93terp]

Originally Posted by robko

You're thinking the Voyage. The H2O has IR touch so it needs that gap for the sensors. Voyage (and Aura 6") are capacitive touch so they don't need the gap. The gap is smaller on the H2O vs HD though.

Good review!

Ok, thanks for confirming it's the Voyage with the flush screen, not the H2O.

[93terp]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

Its the new Kindle Voyage thats flush with the screen, like the 6 inch KOBO Aura

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by robko

Had you not gone and spoiled all the fun with the correct answer I think the first answer that jumped to my mind of drainage hole (it is the H2O after all ) would have been a better one

I considered that answer -- my laptop has several for those occasions when I decide to share my coffee with it's keyboard -- but decided against it.

[slantybard]

I have used the H2O for several days now and have some further thoughts to add to my initial impressions posted the other day. Overall, I really like the device but have a few minor annoyances:

1. The touch responsiveness of the screen is noticeably slower compared to my KPW2. I have also noticed that the selection of words is also slower and equivalent to my old PRS650.

2. The alignment of the touch position is off. I will search to see if there is a way to calibrate the touch alignment (reminds me of the Palm OS devices).

3. When selecting a book to open from books or collections, there is no feedback showing that a selection has been successful. This often ends up with a noticeable lag where I question if touching the screen registered. I would prefer if the title highlighted (inversed black and white) to confirm selection. This happens when typing on the keyboard so it would not be hard to implement.

4. I have the sleep cover on and put the reader in my work bag area lined with fabric covered foam (laptop section). Later I noticed a scuff mark on the bezel which is noticeable due to the finish and I have no idea how it happened. I have never had this occur on any of my ereaders since I'm pretty careful about them. Maybe I will try washing it since it's waterproof. I guess I will need to pick up a bezel decal when they become available.

[frozen works]

Originally Posted by beedaddy

The H2O is very interesting. But, is it true that the settings for the page refresh only allow every 6 pages at the most? So... is it a Carta dispay without the REGAL technique? (My Tolino Vision, wich also uses Carta, has every 60 (!) pages as default).

Can one of H2O owners verify that it has the regal waveform? I would be interested in picking an H2O up if it does.

[beedaddy]

Originally Posted by frozen works

Can one of H2O owners verify that it has the regal waveform? I would be interested in picking an H2O up if it does.

It either has no regal technique or it does not use it (if that is possible?). At least I can not see this waveform effect during page turn.