Next model kobo? Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by booklover6

Well I did try out whatever the current fw is on a Mini (4.xxx), but went back to 3.19.xxx. I am sure there are other changes, but I'm happy with that one, and I detest the new home screen. Do you have any screen shots of what the modified new home screen will look like?

My point was that it isn't just the home screen that is changing. There are other things. One that is already in 4.3.x is the top-bar and menu. That is a big improvement over the previous one. And removing the "search bar" from the home screen is a big plus.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by davidfor

There are other things. One that is already in 4.3.x is the top-bar and menu. That is a big improvement over the previous one. And removing the "search bar" from the home screen is a big plus.

Curious as to why removing the search bar would be a "big plus"? I use the search all the time, sometimes from the library and sometimes from the home screen (especially since they made the change so it doesn't always default to a store search).

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

There's probably other things too. But if one change breaks something that I like and I really detest that one change, I'll not update at all. Especially as all other changes are minor (for me) if they even are used by me. So far, I've seen no change that I can't live without and can overcome my repugnance of that new home screen (I've loved the old one since I saw it for the first time and found it fit my needs perfectly)

That's how I feel, and changes to the menu and search bar are not important to me. I like the "older" search bar. I use it a lot.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Curious as to why removing the search bar would be a "big plus"? I use the search all the time, sometimes from the library and sometimes from the home screen (especially since they made the change so it doesn't always default to a store search).

Because it was a button, not an actual search bar. It wasted space and should have been a link at the bottom of the screen or, a icon in the in the top bar.

[kyrilson]

I really wish kobo supported synching of sideloaded books. That's the only thing that keeps me using my kindles. Otherwise I'd switch over to kobo in a heartbeat, as I much prefer the design, typeface and general feel of the kobo line.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

There's probably other things too. But if one change breaks something that I like and I really detest that one change, I'll not update at all. Especially as all other changes are minor (for me) if they even are used by me. So far, I've seen no change that I can't live without and can overcome my repugnance of that new home screen (I've loved the old one since I saw it for the first time and found it fit my needs perfectly)

Me, three.

In addition, I rather resent being shilled to on a device without my consent. Amazon gives a price break for its ads and once you swipe past the lock screen, you don't see an ad again for that session. And then Kobo has the effrontery to claim "no advertisements"!

Kobo is creating a lot of ill will for me with this. I'm stuck with them, I know it, because otherwise they meet my needs, but this was a particularly ham-handed change.

[John F]

I'm hoping that if I ever do "upgrade", I'll be able to avoid the home screen. It is ingrained in me now to hit the "home" button when reading; I would change that to pressing the "Books" button instead. The only time I think I would be forced to the home screen is when I "finish" a book.

And a firmware request for Kobo: make it an option to go to the library when you finish reading a book.

[booklover6]

I ordered the original H2O from Chapters, and a case from Germany. Happy birthday and Mother's Day to me!

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by issybird

Amazon gives a price break for its ads and once you swipe past the lock screen, you don't see an ad again for that session.

Didn't Amazon also put mandatory recommendations on the home screen of all their current devices now too (I read that you can no longer turn them off)? Not that two wrongs make a right mind you.

[pickyaxe]

I have to say, months after getting used to it, that I'm not a fan of Kobo's new hardware aesthetic at all. I honestly think Kobo's older designs were some of the most attractive devices I've owned, and that's not limited to my eReaders. Understated yet stylish.

On the other hand, that blue button is quite tacky and poorly-located, and makes covers look bad. It's not even tactile or satisfying to press. The plastic back is not nearly as grippy as it looks, and feels cheap.

I'm happy that Kobo is making mostly good devices, and I sure am glad that I have a usable and affordable >6.8" eReader. But I can't help but feel that Kobo is making a lot of strange decisions lately.

[MGlitch]

People are acting like it's impossible to ignore the ads. It's not. It's currently less than a quarter of the screen. The links at the bottom are basically just links to the Kobo store.

It does seem like it uses your Overdrive borrowed books to fill the recommended books if you haven't purchased any on that account I imagine it'd suggest top sellers if no data was available ti Kobo.

As far as I know Amazon and Barnes and Noble have similar suggestions on their devices. These aren't like the ads you pay to remove from Kindle

[issybird]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Didn't Amazon also put mandatory recommendations on the home screen of all their current devices now too (I read that you can no longer turn them off)? Not that two wrongs make a right mind you.

I'm sure you're right. I've only got two Fire tablets and extrapolated from my ignorance.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by booklover6

I ordered the original H2O from Chapters, and a case from Germany. Happy birthday and Mother's Day to me!

Yay! Let us know how you like it.

[chrisridd]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Um, no.

OK, so what does it show when it deliberately isn't able to connect to the net and sync?

[Lady Stardust]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Didn't Amazon also put mandatory recommendations on the home screen of all their current devices now too (I read that you can no longer turn them off)? Not that two wrongs make a right mind you.

I don't think so, they are still selling all e-reader models with and without ads? I bought Oasis without ads. Do you maybe know which firmware introduces this?

ETA: I have found option in Settings - Advanced Options - Home Screen View - Display recommended content from store and enable reading lists and it Off on my Oasis. So it's still optional and I would get recommendations only if I opted in.