New to e-reading, Kobo or Kindle?

e11 · 03-03-2017, 11:02 AM

I'm sure this is the most common question.

I am currently paying £7.99 a month for the kindle unlimited account and like the selection it offers, but I think I'd prefer the interface and options of a Kobo reader from what I've saw so far. It would be good to have a built in dictionary, but I'm assuming both will one one?

Is there any way that I could access the kindle unlimited account or read the books I have on there on the Kobo reader? I read that Kobo haven't got an online subscription service that lets you borrow a number of books at the one time, which would be the preferred method of reading (If I have my eyes set on a book I really want, I'll normally pay for the hard copy)

soulfuldog · 03-03-2017, 12:09 PM

You can't get access to Kindle Unlimited on a Kobo reader. The books in Kindle Unlimited (and all the books available via Amazon) are in the .azw format used by Kindle ereaders, whereas Kobo uses the .epub format.

Both Kindle and Kobo readers have a built in dictionary, although the dictionaries on the Kindle are far better.

If you'd really prefer a Kobo reader, there might be good news on the way for you, as Kobo are apparently getting set to launch a subscription service. When, or even if, it'll come to the UK doesn't seem clear, and how good the selection will be compared to Kindle Unlimited is also unknown. See:

http://the-digital-reader.com/2017/0...ice-kobo-plus/

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=283873

If you get a Kobo ereader, you might not be able to continue to use Kindle Unlimited, but you will be able to borrow library books if your local library has ebooks.

church mouse · 03-03-2017, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e11

I'm sure this is the most common question.

I am currently paying £7.99 a month for the kindle unlimited account and like the selection it offers, but I think I'd prefer the interface and options of a Kobo reader from what I've saw so far. It would be good to have a built in dictionary, but I'm assuming both will one one?

Is there any way that I could access the kindle unlimited account or read the books I have on there on the Kobo reader? I read that Kobo haven't got an online subscription service that lets you borrow a number of books at the one time, which would be the preferred method of reading (If I have my eyes set on a book I really want, I'll normally pay for the hard copy)

Your best, though not necessarily nice, option to give you Kindle and Kobo would be a tablet or an Android e-ink reader so that you can use the relevant Apps. Mind you, in my opinion both Kindle and Kobo Apps are poor reading experiences on e-ink.

barryem · 03-03-2017, 03:56 PM

I have Kindles and Kobos and, while I think they're both excellent, I much prefer my Kindles.

Barry

JSWolf · 03-03-2017, 07:03 PM

I prefer my Kobo Aura H2O.

Cinisajoy · 03-03-2017, 07:05 PM

Live a little. Buy one of each.

JSWolf · 03-03-2017, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Live a little. Buy one of each.

Yeah, one of each. An Aura H2O and an Aura One.

AnemicOak · 03-03-2017, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I prefer my Kobo Aura H2O.

Yes, but you've never had a Kindle have you?

JSWolf · 03-03-2017, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Yes, but you've never had a Kindle have you?

Don't have to have a Kindle to know about them. But I have experience with some Kindles.

AnemicOak · 03-03-2017, 07:15 PM

This info about Kobo Plus (similar to KU) might be of interest to the OP. Of course we don't know all of the markets it will be available in yet (eventually all or will Kobo limit it?) or what content will be available.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=283873

AnemicOak · 03-03-2017, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Don't have to have a Kindle to know about them. But I have experience with some Kindles.

Don't have to have one to know about their technical aspects, but you can't really give an true impression of the usability of them unless you've used one for a decent period of time.

DNSB · 03-04-2017, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Yes, but you've never had a Kindle have you?

At one point, I owned a Kindle 2. However Amazon did not support the Kindle outside the USA at that point in time and the few ebooks that were in local libraries were a mix of epub and pdf, neither of which were supported by the Kindle 2. When the original Kobo ereader was released, it offered expandable storage and epub support at what appeared to be a reasonable price point and without wasting a good chunk of space on a (IMHO) useless physical keyboard.

At this point, a Kobo Aura One is my main ereader. Using it's Overdrive integration, I can browse for, borrow or place holds on ebooks from my local libraries (which, BTW, still do not support Amazon format ebooks). The 7.8" 300DPI screen has excellent contrast/sharpness and works well for these tired old eyes. I am dubious about the value of the mix of white and RGB LEDs for the screen lighting -- I've never been bothered by the "blue light" though I can accept other people are.

iBurger2 · 03-04-2017, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barryem

I have Kindles and Kobos and, while I think they're both excellent, I much prefer my Kindles.

Barry

But why? Could you elaborate?

Dr. Drib · 03-04-2017, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Yeah, one of each. An Aura H2O and an Aura One.

You rascal, you!

Barbara1955 · 03-04-2017, 12:16 PM

I switched from the Amazon e-Readers to Kobo. Got tired of Loosing the e-books! Yes Did not matter if they were Side loaded or DL Direct from Amazon! Its like they Vanished into the device never to be found!

I Recommend you buy the Cheapo Fire for $50 & install the Kobo App... best of Both & Not a lot of cost

03-03-2017, 11:02 AM	#1
e11 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2017 Device: none	New to e-reading, Kobo or Kindle? I'm sure this is the most common question. I am currently paying £7.99 a month for the kindle unlimited account and like the selection it offers, but I think I'd prefer the interface and options of a Kobo reader from what I've saw so far. It would be good to have a built in dictionary, but I'm assuming both will one one? Is there any way that I could access the kindle unlimited account or read the books I have on there on the Kobo reader? I read that Kobo haven't got an online subscription service that lets you borrow a number of books at the one time, which would be the preferred method of reading (If I have my eyes set on a book I really want, I'll normally pay for the hard copy) Last edited by e11; 03-03-2017 at 11:09 AM.

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03-03-2017, 12:09 PM	#2
soulfuldog I ♥ Calibre Posts: 2,073 Karma: 5678911 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Voyage, Sony PRS-350, Hudl2	You can't get access to Kindle Unlimited on a Kobo reader. The books in Kindle Unlimited (and all the books available via Amazon) are in the .azw format used by Kindle ereaders, whereas Kobo uses the .epub format. Both Kindle and Kobo readers have a built in dictionary, although the dictionaries on the Kindle are far better. If you'd really prefer a Kobo reader, there might be good news on the way for you, as Kobo are apparently getting set to launch a subscription service. When, or even if, it'll come to the UK doesn't seem clear, and how good the selection will be compared to Kindle Unlimited is also unknown. See: http://the-digital-reader.com/2017/0...ice-kobo-plus/ https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=283873 If you get a Kobo ereader, you might not be able to continue to use Kindle Unlimited, but you will be able to borrow library books if your local library has ebooks.

03-03-2017, 03:56 PM	#4
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	I have Kindles and Kobos and, while I think they're both excellent, I much prefer my Kindles. Barry

03-03-2017, 07:03 PM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I prefer my Kobo Aura H2O.

03-03-2017, 07:05 PM	#6
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	Live a little. Buy one of each.

03-03-2017, 07:15 PM	#10
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	This info about Kobo Plus (similar to KU) might be of interest to the OP. Of course we don't know all of the markets it will be available in yet (eventually all or will Kobo limit it?) or what content will be available. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=283873

03-04-2017, 12:16 PM	#15
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,455 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	I switched from the Amazon e-Readers to Kobo. Got tired of Loosing the e-books! Yes Did not matter if they were Side loaded or DL Direct from Amazon! Its like they Vanished into the device never to be found! I Recommend you buy the Cheapo Fire for $50 & install the Kobo App... best of Both & Not a lot of cost