Forma New Kobo reader: The Forma/Shape

[jlinear]

Originally Posted by k9reeder

I can say this is the first time in my life I've ever had to wiggle a USB cord to get a device to work. But I'm thankful that in my case it only seems to be a cord issue.

But if as you say, you're having no consistency with any cords, then that's a major issue and I'd return it too.

Right or wrong, I pretty much convinced myself the problem was with the USB port on the Forma. I also noticed a “wiggle” issue which I tried to mitigate by keeping both cord and Forma immobile while connected. It helped somewhat but not entirely. Connecting was still intermittent (using both USB 2.0 or 3.0) no matter which of several cables I tried - even cables that, up to now, have worked reliably with other e-readers including my Kobo H20.

[petercreasey]

If you have to wiggle the connection to get the USB port to work now, it seems likely that problem will only get worse down the road.

[k9reeder]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

If you have to wiggle the connection to get the USB port to work now, it seems likely that problem will only get worse down the road.

Not sure who you're addressing with your comment. But just to be clear, I at least don't expect any problems down the road. The trouble I had was not with any ports, but rather the plug in of the cable supplied with my Forma.

I can use the cable supplied with my H2O, I mean use that cable with my Forma, and I can try to wiggle it all day long, and the connection does not break. There's no wiggle room.

Now I don't know anything about cables, but I decided to take a closer look, and I do see that the plug of the cable supplied with the Forma doesn't look exactly like any of the other USB plugs I have at hand. But I've no idea whether the difference in the Forma makes any difference at all.

Photos attached. You can see that the Forma plug has two gaps, above and below, looking head on. The other plugs only have one gap. No idea what that means, if anything. But again, the Forma plug can wiggle, the others can't. The H2O cable does not break connection with my Forma, the Forma cable does break connection with my Forma. So it seems.

Edit. now I'm wondering if I broke it somehow. I've only used it a few times, and it still does continue to work as long as I get the angle just right... Is it supposed to look this way?

[Semwize]

Originally Posted by k9reeder

You can see that the Forma plug has two gaps, above and below, looking head on. The other plugs only have one gap. No idea what that means, if anything. But again, the Forma plug can wiggle, the others can't. The H2O cable does not break connection with my Forma, the Forma cable does break connection with my Forma. So it seems.

Reversible Micro USB Cable

is very similar

[k9reeder]

Originally Posted by Semwize

Reversible Micro USB Cable

is very similar

Yes this pretty much matches the Forma cable I have, the differing ends, same design. Good to know.

I didn't break it! It's just broken, or crappy! Thanks.

[Semwize]

k9reeder,
very convenient thing, for a long time I use these wires, recommend

[pcnnnn]

Mine arrived today - it's the 32gb Japanese Forma. Some random observations:

- Screen size improvement is quite insignificant. However the new form factor is closer to a square or 4:3 ratio and makes reading more pleasant to me. The Aura One form factor is way too similar to a 16:9 Android tablet for my taste.

- IIRC, when I first got the device, I can turn it on/off without having to swipe. After patching the firmware I need to swipe. Too lazy to double check by reseting.

- Kobo advertises, and there are video of the "2-pages mode". Basically if you read manga and use the device in landscape mode, it automatically change into a 2-page view (double pages is displayed correctly - no rotation/zoomed out). However, this doesn't work with my sideloaded .cbz files. Probably unfinished features or it only works with retail books for now.

- I tried the included USB cable and it works fine.

Aura One - Forma - Oasis 2 for comparison.

[kansaskyle]

Originally Posted by pcnnnn

- IIRC, when I first got the device, I can turn it on/off without having to swipe. After patching the firmware I need to swipe. Too lazy to double check by reseting.

That was my experience. The swipe showed up with the firmware update.

[rogerinnyc]

Posted my initial Forma impressions in the software update thread, so, with some additional time to use it, reposting in what I think is the more correct forum (with edits/updates). The comparisons are to my Aura One:

The Forma is definitely lighter and easier to hold in one hand. Very enjoyable feel. Good grippy back (I don't get anyone saying it's slippery). The lighter weight (while keeping/slightly improving the same screen size) is, without a doubt for me, the Forma's best feature.

It is quite a bit wider in order to fit the physical buttons and I don't really like that look. It no longer looks like a book in its dimensions and is that much harder to fit into a pocket/small bag as compared to the Aura One (which had its own limitations, but not as many as this). Indeed most of my winter coat pockets will fit the Aura One, but not the Forma because of its extra width. This is probably the biggest drawback for my personal use.

The Forma's screen strikes me as being whiter than the Aura One, but I don't feel that the fonts are quite as sharp. Both are excellent on their own though -- that's just my impression from a side-by-side.

I do have a very mild white strip on the button side -- I would never have noticed it absent the comments on the forum. For me, it is slightly more pronounced the higher my backlight setting, but it is not distracting and almost exactly matches my right margin. I may have a better unit than others -- I definitely would not return mine on account of this attribute.

There is no auto-sensor on the Forma for adjusting brightness. One the other hand, I never found that worked well on the Aura One, so I don't miss it. It does have the same auto-setting for comfort light as the Aura One, but that's a timing issue that doesn't need the sensor. As others have noted, it's a less red, more even comfort light that, I think, is improved.

The auto-rotation lags a bit when switching hands, but not badly. More annoyingly, often when I turn on the device, the text is upside down in terms of the orientation in which I'm holding it and I have to do a turn and back to get it to correct. I suspect this is why they introduced the swipe, which now always opens the book in the right orientation if you're using the button to turn it on and off. If you're using the sleep cover, the orientation is usually correct at the start and there is no need to swipe.

I actively dislike the power button. It's not a deal breaker, but it's very hard to press and tell whether you activated it or not. The Aura One's button has a much better feel.

Very unscientifically, I don't notice an appreciably different battery life between the two units at this point. Both continue to have appreciable worse battery life for me than my H2O (all using Nickel).

The sleep cover works well, but holds the unit up at a much lower angle than the Aura One's sleep cover. However, this doesn't bother me and, in terms of construction and firmness of support, I think is an improvement.

I'm going back and forth on whether to use the page turn buttons in their default configuration (toggle down is page forward) or their inverted configuration. Since I hold the unit in different ways, what I really would like is an option to have BOTH toggle up and toggle down translate into a page forward. I rarely page backwards and can do that easily enough with a tap or swipe. But I won't hold my breath, as I've been hoping for better tap zone options (i.e., almost everything should translate into a page forward) for the Aura One's bigger screen forever.

Bottom line: There's a lot to like, but I'm still on the fence about whether it's a keeper or not. Lighter weight and comfort is great; larger width not so much. Interested in how others are liking their units....

[hel]

I like it much more than A1, didn't even think about return it. Mine A1 has a problem with calibration, heavier and I mostly switched to Kindle oasis despite of smaller size. For me Forma and Oasis1 fit my needs almost perfectly together.

[k9reeder]

Originally Posted by rogerinnyc

...

I actively dislike the power button. It's not a deal breaker, but it's very hard to press and tell whether you activated it or not. ....

Yes, you always have to wait a bit to see if it's been triggered or not. Afraid it will wear out soon someday. I'm waiting for 3rd party covers with auto sleep, then I expect I'll rarely need to use that button ever again.

Thanks.

[Mrs_Often]

Originally Posted by rogerinnyc

More annoyingly, often when I turn on the device, the text is upside down in terms of the orientation in which I'm holding it and I have to do a turn and back to get it to correct. I suspect this is why they introduced the swipe, which now always opens the book in the right orientation if you're using the button to turn it on and off.

Ahaaaa finally a reason for the sudden swipe requirement! Thanks!

[Tex2002ans]

Originally Posted by rogerinnyc

I actively dislike the power button. It's not a deal breaker, but it's very hard to press and tell whether you activated it or not.

I agree. There is no satisfying click, there is no anything. You can't even tell if you've pressed it or not.

And in the dark, it's impossible. You can't go by pure feel. Most of the time I'm just pressing down on it, not too sure if I've even pressed it or for how long, and it resets the device.

Which brings me to:

Originally Posted by pcnnnn

- IIRC, when I first got the device, I can turn it on/off without having to swipe. After patching the firmware I need to swipe. Too lazy to double check by reseting.

Yes, the swipe was introduced either in the 4.10 or 4.11 firmware.

With the power button issue above, it becomes even worse to use at night in the pitch black.

Before, I would click the power button, and BOOM, the screen would light up and already be on the home page/in the book. You could use the left-edge to swipe brightness higher (or know the ~location of the brightness menu. I was able to adjust brightness in the dark).

Now, you get this awkward "Swipe to Unlock" screen.

Another issue is if you had your book at 0% Brightness previously, the "Swipe to Unlock" screen doesn't light up. So I had no way of even seeing if I was in the normal "sleep screen" or "Swipe to Unlock" screen.

About 5/10 times since I've gotten the Swipe to Unlock screen, I've accidentally reset the device instead:

• Press power button
• Unsure if I pressed it or held it long enough
• ... Waiting for Swipe to Unlock to pop up...
• Resets instead

Originally Posted by rogerinnyc

The auto-rotation lags a bit when switching hands, but not badly. More annoyingly, often when I turn on the device, the text is upside down in terms of the orientation in which I'm holding it and I have to do a turn and back to get it to correct.

Yes, this is also an issue when reading on my side:

Device is locked in Portait mode but the device laying on edge with fat side down/up.

While I was making a few Notes/Highlights the past few nights:

• My text would be right-side-up.
• Press/hold on a word. Go into Notes.
• Typing box + keyboard in Notes is upside down.
• I flip the Kobo so everything rotates correctly.
• Type in my note.
• Get back into book, everything is upside down.
• Have to flip Kobo Up/Down again, so everything is right-side-up.

I really wish there was a Stay in this orientation toggle and do not rotate at all.

Like on Android, you can enable/disable any of the degrees individually (0° + 90° + 180° + 270°).

Originally Posted by rogerinnyc

I do have a very mild white strip on the button side -- I would never have noticed it absent the comments on the forum. For me, it is slightly more pronounced the higher my backlight setting, but it is not distracting and almost exactly matches my right margin. I may have a better unit than others -- I definitely would not return mine on account of this attribute.

Could you take a picture?

What "Natural Color"/Brightness settings are you using as well?

Are you using this mostly in daytime?

And I agree the strip "almost exactly matches the right margin" setting. I have my Margin setting 1 or 2 clicks away from the lowest, and it is about the same thickness.

And like I mentioned in a previous post, when I moved the fat side on my left, it hasn't really bothered me while reading at all.

[Jason90]

can someone please confirm if the kobo forma by design using PWM (pulse width modulation) for the light as seen in this video?

This is a deal breaker for me if the case as pwm is the bane of lcd tech!

[Mrs_Often]

Originally Posted by Jason90

can someone please confirm if the kobo forma by design using PWM (pulse width modulation) for the light as seen in this video?

This is a deal breaker for me if the case as pwm is the bane of lcd tech!

Oh dear, now I afraid the Clara has this (too)... my eyes get strained really quickly when reading in the semi-dark with brightness at 1%... I thought I was just more tired than I was when I read with my Glo but maybe it's a flickering...? Would also explain why nightmode doesn't help prevent the strain at all...

Sorry for the off topic-ness.


EDIT: I just did a quick same kind of slo-mo video and I see *no* flickering for the Clara's LEDs. Neither in full yellow nor in full white/blue mode.