Kobo Aura One is REAL!

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Kobo tries to build readers that are closer to what customers want. The hardware is nice. Unfortunately they don't seem to know how to program the firmware though. Nor do they seem to understand the retail market, at least as far as the USA goes.

Amazon puts its main focus on having a second to none bookstore and reading experience. Want book, find book easily, buy book, read book, buy another book. They can get away with lackluster Kindle updates using that model because customers can find and read what they want and when they want. Kobo puts its main focus on the hardware. But MOST people don't want to have to convert book formats, use an app like calibre to manage their library, etc. Geeks here at MR do, but people most don't! Without a great bookstore and library capability, Kobo will remain on the edge of failure, much like B&N and Sony did with their eReaders.

I would disagree that Kobo does not understand the USA market. They seem to understand that there is little profit in competing with Amazon in that market and concentrate their efforts in markets where they have a better chance of success.

Convert ebooks for my Kobo? Given that I purchase most of my ebooks from Baen, Kobo or Google, they already come in epub format. No conversion necessary. I want to borrow an ebook from a local library? Again epub format (or the rare choice between epub and pdf)—no Kindle format available. OTOH, I rarely use the ability to sync my ereader to my Kobo purchases over the air. I prefer to download and sync offline.

Using Calibre to manage my library? You bet your sweet bippy! Exactly what does Amazon offer that matches Calibre's ability to handle thousands of ebooks? How does Amazon do at handling metadata and cover image updating? Placing books into series collections? For the majority of people who own ereaders and read—perhaps—12 books per year, Calibre would be overkill. For me, 12 books is a very slow month. There is nothing to be ashamed of in being a statistical outlier.

[johnnyb]

I understand that Amazon wants everyone to buy from the selection they are offering but I also understand that Amazon wants to increase their profit margins on devices (e.g. Voyage and Oasis). So why shouldn’t they try another format for a change. Now that high res 8 inch screens are out there, why not just use them... On point of criticism of the Oasis and Voyage has always been that it gives users not enough “NEW” to be attractive at the price points they are offering (or maybe they just can’t get the lighting right on larger screens, they barely can on the six inch panels)...

[hoichi]

Originally Posted by DNSB

There is nothing to be ashamed of in being a statistical outlier.

I don’t think anybody said there was. It’s just that us outliers are not numerous enough for Amazon to take into serious consideration.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by hoichi

I don’t think anybody said there was. It’s just that us outliers are not numerous enough for Amazon to take into serious consideration.

If we were numerous, we wouldn't be outliers.

[murg]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

If we were numerous, we wouldn't be outliers.

We'd be inliers?

[Barty]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

If we were numerous, we wouldn't be outliers.

We few, we crabby few, we band of outliers.

I think Amazon is disinclined to produce a larger e-reader just because kobo has already done it. When you're the dominant incumbent, you don't want to put out a me-too product. Remember how long Apple resisted coming out with a larger iPhone? But the demand for larger phones was too obvious to deny. There is no such pent up demand for a larger kindle.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by murg

We'd be inliers?

Yes, just like most belly buttons.

[Luffy]

Originally Posted by Barty

We few, we crabby few, we band of outliers.

I think Amazon is disinclined to produce a larger e-reader just because kobo has already done it. When you're the dominant incumbent, you don't want to put out a me-too product. Remember how long Apple resisted coming out with a larger iPhone? But the demand for larger phones was too obvious to deny. There is no such pent up demand for a larger kindle.

That's good for me, I don't want a larger e-reader. I've been thinking of getting the Aura H2O, but the Aura One daunts me. I'm glad there is no push for larger screens.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by DNSB

I would disagree that Kobo does not understand the USA market. They seem to understand that there is little profit in competing with Amazon in that market and concentrate their efforts in markets where they have a better chance of success.

Do we really know that the lack of Kobo in the US market is all Kobo's decision though? They lost Best Buy and Fry's as retailers (we don't know why), Family Christian went bankrupt, many indie stores will now only order the devices and no longer stock them, etc. I've seen nothing to indicate that they wouldn't be happy to get their devices into another larger B&M retailer, nor do I know they don't have someone actively pursuing such things. We know that they don't seem to be focusing much marketing to the US market (although I'm not sure the level of marketing other places either).

[cerem0ny]

They sure as hell take their sweet time between leaks and release dates and announcements and everything don't they, meanwhile Amazon is discounting and releasing stuff left right and centre, this ereader was leaked to the FCC a few months ago I believe? What happened to creating a sense of urgency? At this rate before its even announced officially I'll have bought myself a Kindle Oasis 2 for $999... who are having a sale on all their tech at the moment which is very tempting...

Grrrr... im getting bored of waiting!!!

[Ksquared]

Originally Posted by cerem0ny

They sure as hell take their sweet time between leaks and release dates and announcements and everything don't they, meanwhile Amazon is discounting and releasing stuff left right and centre, this ereader was leaked to the FCC a few months ago I believe? What happened to creating a sense of urgency? At this rate before its even announced officially I'll have bought myself a Kindle Oasis 2 for $999... who are having a sale on all their tech at the moment which is very tempting...

Grrrr... im getting bored of waiting!!!

The tweet did say to "keep your eyes open in mid-August", and we are not quite there yet.

As you are one of the most enthusiastic folks to post about this, hopefully patience will pay off!

[Dr. Drib]

What exact date is it coming out?

I need to know RIGHT NOW or I will crash my car against a driver-less semi parked in an abandoned field - absent of any life forms - but full of empty tin cans.

I have a NEED-TO-KNOW!

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by Ksquared

The tweet did say to "keep your eyes open in mid-August", and we are not quite there yet.

As you are one of the most enthusiastic folks to post about this, hopefully patience will pay off!

I saw a Kindle Oasis on sale for $899 - and with your name on it!

[robko]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Do we really know that the lack of Kobo in the US market is all Kobo's decision though? They lost Best Buy and Fry's as retailers (we don't know why), Family Christian went bankrupt, many indie stores will now only order the devices and no longer stock them, etc. I've seen nothing to indicate that they wouldn't be happy to get their devices into another larger B&M retailer, nor do I know they don't have someone actively pursuing such things. We know that they don't seem to be focusing much marketing to the US market (although I'm not sure the level of marketing other places either).

Not sure which is the chicken and which is the egg with Kobo getting into the US market (no b+m outlets so no exposure or no exposure so no b+m want to take them on), but there have been a number of comments reported from upper management at Kobo that the US market wasn't their primary focus. Kobo has always been the "cheaper" option and their original entry into the market was the catalyst for prices on e-ink devices dropping. That also means that likely they are working on tighter margins and it doesn't make business sense to spend what would be required to get a foothold in the U.S. It wouldn't totally surprise me though to see Kobo take another run at the U.S. with Amazon taking their prices back up to a premium level and the Canadian dollar having dropped back down against the U.S.

[Jason90]

Tomorrow is the 15th and a Monday, seems like a good day to announce something,no idea why but just is

Btw as someone who has never used a kobo before how's the dictionary and Wikipedia features/annotations compared to amazons?

I use those features all the time ,hopefully kobos work just as well?