New Kobo Aura user

[tvuongpham]

Well. I just got a new Kobo Aura.. the reseller said it was open box but upon receiving the item it was factory sealed.

I powered it on, put it on the wifi, it forced me to use/ create a kobo account. Then it downloaded an upgraded to the firmware. I really didn't have a choice...

Initial impressions:
The device is quite nice. Build quality.
Size and weight are good.
- a bit larger than my older PRS-350, but lighter
- quite a bit smaller than the PRS-T1 and slightly heavier. More square as the PRS-T1 has the area below for hard buttons interface.


Major differences: (between PRS-T1 and Kobo Aura)
no Audio support - but I never used it on my Sony, except to for trial. Nice to play music while reading but I didn't want to stress the battery. iPod, iPhone is readily available for that task.

- Screen resolution.
212 dpi (Kobo Aura) vs 170 dpi (Sony PRS-T1)
While both are 6" e-readers. The Kobo Aura is slighter newer and higher resolution. I choose not to go with the 300 dpi options (kindle pw3, voyage or kobo hd). I wanted to have the flush screen.

- Speed
Kobo Aura Faster

- epub support
One of the major reasons for choosing Kobo. I have kindles in the household but I like the open epub format.

- wifi
both do wifi. I have 802.11n/b in the house and both work fine

- calibre support
same

- Screen lighting
kobo aura has backlight
very nice option. defacto feature for me. I can use my older PRS-T1 if I want no back light but having the option is better.

Interesting:
when I put my old microSD card that was in use for the PRS-T1. The kobo didn't reformat the card. It imported all the books. That was nice. I still need to transfer the internal memory contents from the Sony PRS-T1.

- Kobo Store.
With the exit of Sony in the e-reader manufactures.. Sony Store did transition to Kobo Store. That is nice

- Additional features
Pocket - Pocket is broken (service outage sept 3-4 '15) will try later
Don't need good reads
Don't want Facebook integration


Still looking for a case or slip cover.
I am using my OLD PRS-600 neoprene slip cover.. a bit tall but works fine for now.

Overall experience
The kobo is a pretty good reader. Responsive e-reader. Clear e-ink print. Great formatting customization (fonts, sizing, spacing)
Interface is good. Creating personal "collections" from the device is great. Simple

On screen keyboard is responsive. but small virtual keys.
Dictionary is good. One of the strong features of the sony has been the multi-language dictionary. All top e-readers now seem to have that feature.

Reading Stats and awards are nice motivators
Progress reports on book % read is nice

MicroSD...
the current card is 8 GB from my Sony PRS-T1.. it sort of sticks out when inserted in use for the Kobo Aura. I don't like the open design of the Kobo microSD slot?
Perhaps a recessed slot with a hinged rubberized cover.. that would seem better.

Otherwise the microUSB and reset button seem exposed as well.

Well only 24 hours of use so far.. came with a partial charge and still going strong.

? Does anyone use a screen protector? some soft of vinyl film? or tempered glass? Brands and or where to get them? Is it necessary?

? Cases covers?
Kobo is a bit insane IMHO to charge 40$ USD and shipping for their magnetic case??!!

Rickshawbags will custom make any slip cover as bags are made to order.
Would there be a leather option? or PU leather?? Would be less susceptible to water and more protective.

[dickloraine]

I don't believe in screen protectors. Not needed.
For covers I would look at amazon or ebay (be shure it is for the aura, since searching for aura also brings up results for the hd and h20. Leather or fake leather is a matter of taste and price. I would recommend a slim fit cover. They are light and have exactly the size of the device. Nothing cluttering the bezel too. I have a cheap 10 euro cover and it does its job I think there is a threat somewhere here with more on covers.

[peterwardgd]

Yep its a great device, the official sleepcovers are great but pricey dep on where you buy. I managed to get the grey one for £20 a while ago here in the uk. Check ebay regularly (there can be a lot to dredge through though) Protectors are available but thinking on i don't know anyone who uses them.

[LuisG]

Hi tvuongpham.

I bought a sleep cover from Gecko Covers and I'm very glad with it: http://www.geckocovers.com/ereader-c...ra-6-inch.html

[dickloraine]

I hear good things about gecko, but they didn't have a cover for the aura that suits me. The first is not slim fit, the second has that stupid closing strap gecko seems to like, but t is unneeded with a magnetic cover and only dangles around. The third looks interesting but would be too much for me.

[tvuongpham]

I ordered this one..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191674208533
less than $7 shipped.. (slow but it will get here)

It looks similar to most of the plastic molded that hugs the bottom.

We'll see how it works.

Now.. if I can get Pocket working....

[PeterT]

Pocket had some server issues yesterday but is back fully today.

[dickloraine]

Originally Posted by tvuongpham

I ordered this one..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191674208533
less than $7 shipped.. (slow but it will get here)

It looks similar to most of the plastic molded that hugs the bottom.

We'll see how it works.

Now.. if I can get Pocket working....

It looks just like the one I own. It works fine especially for the price.

[tvuongpham]

CBR/ CBZ files.
I managed to test load a few.. but the problem isn't the reader. The problem is the scan is of a 8x10 page comic book being read on a 6" reader. Even at 212 dpi... I think the 6" form factor is too small.

Maybe my source file isn't too good. oh well it was worth a shot.. I guess that is where my iPad would be better.. now to find a CBR/CBZ file reader for the iPad.

I like how the % read etc is customizable in KOBO.. and yes I got pocket to work

I used the safari plugin.. images and all came across great!

[Care]

Your cover looks like the exact same one I was going to order.

I agree about the CBR/CBZ files, it is too small of a screen and I don't like to zoom with them either.

Besides having some issues with the touch screen that I hope a reset will fix, I really like the Aura as well. The battery life is great so far even though I usually use the light.

[meeera]

(it's a front-light, not a backlight)

Before you go too far, I strongly recommend managing your library and collections from Calibre, rather than on the device. There's a sticky thread in this forum explaining how.

Perhaps a recessed slot with a hinged rubberized cover.. that would seem better.

That would be the Kobo Aura H2O...

[peterwardgd]

have you tried kindle comic converter tvuongpham? i cant remember what settings i ended up using for my own comic files but there is a sweet spot and they look great on my aura.

Should say its not just for kindles obviously there are aura specific settings.

[Ksquared]

Reading Stats and awards are nice motivators
Progress reports on book % read is nice

If you like the progress report, try converting some of your epubs to kepubs - you'll get a bit more progress information, like time left in the current chapter, time to read the next chapter and time left to read the whole book. I like being able to think "oh, I can finish this chapter before:

1. I have to leave for work
2. the plane lands
3. my wife throws something at me

The issue with kepub (much discussed in the forums) is the header and footer space control being limited or difficult, but I have adjusted to that.

Thanks for a very nice summary of the Aura.

[tvuongpham]

Interesting feature missing for Kobo (again with the PRS brig the reference ) integration with Dropbox and or calibre server. I cannot do that transfer books (sideload via wifi) into the kobo :-(

Oh well tethered. The wifi kobo store is fine. Limited but ok.

[tvuongpham]

Originally Posted by peterwardgd

have you tried kindle comic converter tvuongpham? i cant remember what settings i ended up using for my own comic files but there is a sweet spot and they look great on my aura.

Should say its not just for kindles obviously there are aura specific settings.

I will try that sometime. Thanks!