Libra Kobo Libra H2O - first reviews

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by FrustratedReader

1) If it was an inverted surface it would be non-slip and not pick up stuff. It's thoughtless and can't be justified.

False, the inverted back may improve things but if the material is slick the inverted back is meaningless. It's very clearly not thoughtless, and is also very easily justified. You might not like the texture which is fine, but there is a reason for it.

2) I don't see why since there are two options that there are not 4; tap, swipe, swipe or tap and off (but disabled on models with no buttons). Lazy programming. I've used touch screens for 30 years and programmed for 40.

Because it adds needless complications to something. It may be a simple addition in your mind, however it's still an addition to the code that does not need to be there since setting it to 'Swiping only' gets the same thing done. Unless you're caressing the screen for some odd reason.

3)Of course it's because the scan of the book is stored on a portrait page PDF. It's not a problem on my 10" tablet, nor printing, or on the laptop. It makes using landscape text on portrait PDF pages nearly unusable. Again lazy thoughtless programming. This is common with PDFs of old books. Yes, obviously the PDF generation was stupid, but that's common. The Dev mode SHOWS all four orientations and lets you change to any specific one (either Portrait). There is, unlike Android or Win10, or Linux Mint no way to turn off the auto flip in Portrait or Landscape. Stupid, thoughtless, lazy programming.

Again, more like stupid lazy formatting. Why don't you fix the formatting issues with those problematic PDFs.

Just because Kobo never put a switch on the front is no reason to move from side to back. Also a sideways slide doesn't press accidentally. Again I wonder how much thought and testing is done. I have the Nook Touch and the rear button on it is really annoying.

You were the one who mentioned the front of the device as a causal issue for the button placement in your original post. So don't try and back peddle now. I merely pointed out they've not used the front for some time, possibly forever, for the power button. They clearly moved it because people complained about the side placement. They couldn't put it on the top or bottom since those are also sides depending what you rotate the Libra to be in. Which left them with two options, the front where it would be a constant visual reminder you were using a device, Kobo have stated on several occasions their goal is to enable you to be lost in what you're reading so this option is out. Or on the back where it might have the same issues as the sides depending on how firm a press is needed to trigger it.

Personally I think it should have stayed where it was. It couldn't be put on the top or bottom of the wedge when in portrait mode since that area is going to be resting on the person who's reading's palm and would be the most likely to have significant pressure on it from the weight of the reading pressing down.

[Quoth]

I can't believe your defence of kobo's carelessness and suggestion that somehow magically random out of copyright PDFs of ancient books on the internet should be "fixed" rather than having a true orientation lock like almost everything else has!

I think the switch shouldn't be on the back, front or any side is fine.

I've never had ANY gadget in 40 years with such a stupid design of rear surface, the only thing like it in style are fine alloy speaker grills that are too small. The holes are too sharp and small. Dirt magnet.

Do you work for Kobo? I'm making quite reasoned comments.

[Fozkas]

Originally Posted by skimminstones

Got the Libra last week as my first non kindle e-reader and so far very happy with it. Wasn't hundred percent sure id like the design with the thicker bezel on one side but as im coming from a Kindle 4 with the page turning buttons on the side i wanted another one with physical buttons and im not paying the silly price for the Kindle Oasis.

I have no issues with the screen or light, the only issue i have and its probably my fault for not researching it enough is that it doesnt sync with the kobo books app on my phone for books ive sideloaded. Ive since found out they dont support that which is a bit annoying.

I bought this cover for it too which is pretty good quality and much cheaper then the official kobo ones.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Does not ship to Portugal

Now I'm really sad...

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by FrustratedReader

I can't believe your defence of kobo's carelessness and suggestion that somehow magically random out of copyright PDFs of ancient books on the internet should be "fixed" rather than having a true orientation lock like almost everything else has!

I think the switch shouldn't be on the back, front or any side is fine.

I've never had ANY gadget in 40 years with such a stupid design of rear surface, the only thing like it in style are fine alloy speaker grills that are too small. The holes are too sharp and small. Dirt magnet.

Do you work for Kobo? I'm making quite reasoned comments.

You’ve yet to make any reasonable argument for turning touch entirely off for moving through a book given what I presented to you. Instead you raged on about needing it turned off entirely because you’re unable to not caress your ereader I assume.

You’re blaming the reader for issues in the content which is about as far from reasonable as one can be. You don’t blame a glass for contaminated water being unhealthy for you, you blame the source of the water and clean it up. You’ve gone on about being a programmer so write an app which is capable of correcting the issue.

I’ve already said I don’t disagree with you about the button placement. I merely called out your foolish statement about the front of the device having anything to do with Kobos decision on where to put the button given their design history.

You keep going on about the back being a dirt magnet. Having owned a Forma which has a similar back for longer than the Libra has been out I’m saying if you experience a lot of dirt being caught there perhaps you should examine the cleanliness of your environment in which you use the Libra. It’s especially hilarious that you give them this much grief while decrying the death of infrared screens which by necessity required a screen design known to trap dirt. I’ll grant the Libra design of a non flush screen is foolish given there is no functional requirement for it to be indented. But I note that the dirt magnet imbedded screen didn’t make your list of minuses.

[mathil]

I was worried about the back too when I bought my white Libra but it still looks spotless. I read without a cover and keep it in a sleeve when not in use. It doesn't even show fingerprints, thankfully - that would drive me crazy. I wipe it down every now and then with a cloth and that's it.
The power button is something else I was worried about, but it's so recessed that I think it'd be hard to push it on accident - though maybe that depends on how I hold my reader.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

Thanks for the good advice.

The thing I liked about the Gecko Slimfit cover is, hmm, its slimness. The absence of the prop-up capability by the cover allows it to be less cumbersome.

Your thoughts?

My thoughts are as I said.

Here are some Forma covers are similar and less expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QBL5WG1

https://www.amazon.com/MoKo-Forma-Re.../dp/B07QQBYJXN

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by FrustratedReader

I have the Kobo Aura H2O (the original H2O with flap and micro SD card slot).

5) No fiddly cover over USB socket, which inevitably breaks off unless you are amazing!

I'll have had the original H2O for 5 years come November 27. And as you said, I am amazing. My port cover is not broken in any way.

[petercreasey]

Those covers look interesting. I'm leaning toward a slimmer case (without a stand).

[mathil]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I'll have had the original H2O for 5 years come November 27. And as you said, I am amazing. My port cover is not broken in any way.

I must be amazing as well, mine is also 5 years old and still intact not that it matters, considering it's not waterproof anymore (I opened it up to change the internal SD card).

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by FrustratedReader

I think the switch shouldn't be on the back, front or any side is fine.

[...]

Do you work for Kobo? I'm making quite reasoned comments.

There is a difference between "I think the switch shouldn't be on the back" and "Power button on the back. Stupid move simply to make front sleeker?"

One is a reasoned comment, the other isn't.
You may not like the button on the back, but it is what Kobo did by default, for example the KA1 I have has the power button on the back.
They tried something different with the Forma, and obviously got feedback that people didn't like it, so have switched back to what they did on previous devices.
Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it is a stupid decision, or that anyone who does like it must work for the company.

[koboy]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

There is a difference between "I think the switch shouldn't be on the back" and "Power button on the back. Stupid move simply to make front sleeker?"

One is a reasoned comment, the other isn't.
You may not like the button on the back, but it is what Kobo did by default, for example the KA1 I have has the power button on the back.
They tried something different with the Forma, and obviously got feedback that people didn't like it, so have switched back to what they did on previous devices.
Just because you don't like something doesn't mean it is a stupid decision, or that anyone who does like it must work for the company.

i prefer the power button on the top, like it is on my Kobo Aura 6", Mini, Touch.

best wishes koboy

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

Those covers look interesting. I'm leaning toward a slimmer case (without a stand).

They are going to cost you less for a very similar case. The Gecko slimfit is nothing special.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by mathil

I must be amazing as well, mine is also 5 years old and still intact not that it matters, considering it's not waterproof anymore (I opened it up to change the internal SD card).

I've not needed to add more storage. I can fit plenty of eBook on it as is.

Welcome to Club Amazing.

[Quoth]

The reader has two magnets, near the top and bottom corners on the bezel that has the buttons.
The sleep cover magnet sensor is below the eink screen just at the centre of the edge of the large bezel.

€40 approx inc. VAT seems excessive for a cover. That's into the territory for a keybord cover and not much less than for or a Surface 3 or an iPad cover (which are excessively priced).

So I may try making a reversible sleeve with one side cut out, metal on corners on both sides to lock and an embedded magnet on the solid side to sleep the unit. The rear power button is so far the most annoying feature.

It's comfortable to hold reading for 4 hours in left or right hand with the button order reversed so that the thumb easily selects the next page.

I've also discovered that a landscape content double page book scan stored in a portrait PDF works perfectly in landscape mode as the reader automatically splits the PDF pages in two with page next giving the next half of the page. This also means twice size text. Unfortunately this doesn't help scans of old magazines, they still need 10" to 12" screens.

[Nicocecca]

So far so good with my libra, the screen is perfectly even and clear, pdf runs very good as long as you don't zoom, i use them during class and it's very nice.
The original cover is good too, I'm going to get a sleeve also to put it in the bag without worrying