Kobo Forma with light defect now one year old

[koboy]

Originally Posted by bookyboy

I really hope Kobo makes a 7 to 8 inch device that has hardware buttons on both sides.

Sort of like a larger Kindle Voyage but with real buttons.

Or perhaps the rumored next Voyage might fit that bill.

I love that Nook hardware, but the software is egregious.

i'd like a 6 inch version of the above with the Comfort Light/no waterproofing required for my own particular tastes with a 32GB model available.

there's nothing wrong with hoping

best wishes koboy

[ratinox]

Originally Posted by koboy

i'd like a 6 inch version of the above with the Comfort Light/no waterproofing required for my own particular tastes with a 32GB model available.

Thing about waterproofing... I don't believe it's really about waterproofing as such. Rather, I think it's about blocking third party repair. A third party tech who opens the case and breaks the waterproofing seal voids the warranty. In that light, waterproofing as a feature makes sense when applied to devices that normally would never be used near enough water for it to matter.

[koboy]

Originally Posted by ratinox

Thing about waterproofing... I don't believe it's really about waterproofing as such. Rather, I think it's about blocking third party repair. A third party tech who opens the case and breaks the waterproofing seal voids the warranty. In that light, waterproofing as a feature makes sense when applied to devices that normally would never be used near enough water for it to matter.

it's an opinion. personally i'd like to have the choice/option to open an ereader if i had a good enough reason to do so without increasing the risk of breakage.

best wishes koboy

[bookyboy]

Originally Posted by FrustratedReader

The Libra doesn't need buttons on both sides. It flips quickly if you swap the side the buttons are on.

Yes I understand how the design works.

I’m personally expressing a preference for one with equal sized bezels and buttons on both sides. (I change hands a lot - and sometimes use both)

Really a Clara HD with buttons and ideally a 7” or larger size would be great. The Clara could use more bezel for me though. I found it a touch frustrating to hold.

[John F]

Originally Posted by ratinox

Thing about waterproofing... I don't believe it's really about waterproofing as such. Rather, I think it's about blocking third party repair. A third party tech who opens the case and breaks the waterproofing seal voids the warranty. In that light, waterproofing as a feature makes sense when applied to devices that normally would never be used near enough water for it to matter.

If it is under warranty, I would think most people would go the authorized repair tech?

[ratinox]

Originally Posted by John F

If it is under warranty, I would think most people would go the authorized repair tech?

I think some people would like to be able to DIY some basic repairs such as battery replacement. Add waterproofing to the mix (depending on how its done) and this ostensibly simple operation becomes a warranty-voiding ordeal.

[John F]

Originally Posted by ratinox

I think some people would like to be able to DIY some basic repairs such as battery replacement. Add waterproofing to the mix (depending on how its done) and this ostensibly simple operation becomes a warranty-voiding ordeal.

If the battery goes bad under warranty, I would think Kobo would replace it.

I can see people want to swap in a larger memory card, but how many new models can do this, and how many customers want to?

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by ratinox

I think some people would like to be able to DIY some basic repairs such as battery replacement. Add waterproofing to the mix (depending on how its done) and this ostensibly simple operation becomes a warranty-voiding ordeal.

f the device is under warranty, and you replace the battery, you will be voiding the warranty. The battery is not intended to be user replaceable. Of course, just opening the devices voids the warranty.

And if the waterproofing is only about preventing repairs, why does Kobo still sell the Clara HD and the Aura Edition 2? Neither are waterproofed and both have internal SD cards that can be replaced.

[ratinox]

Originally Posted by davidfor

f the device is under warranty, and you replace the battery, you will be voiding the warranty. The battery is not intended to be user replaceable. Of course, just opening the devices voids the warranty.

No, it doesn't per the Magnusen-Moss Warranty Act, no matter what the manufacturer claims. Only if the opener causes damage to the device in the process of opening or performing repairs is the warranty voided.

And if the waterproofing is only about preventing repairs, why does Kobo still sell the Clara HD and the Aura Edition 2? Neither are waterproofed and both have internal SD cards that can be replaced.

At a guess? Old stock.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by ratinox

No, it doesn't per the Magnusen-Moss Warranty Act, no matter what the manufacturer claims. Only if the opener causes damage to the device in the process of opening or performing repairs is the warranty voided.

Which of course depends on the country you are in.

At a guess? Old stock.

No. The Clara HD is a current device which is not likely to be replace soon. The Aura Edition 2 might be.

The problem with your theory is that waterproofing these devices was a desired feature. People asked for it. People have complained there is no waterproof 6" Kobo ereader. Kobo were responding to market demand with them.

[issybird]

Don't flog your stuff in a reader forum. A post has been deleted.

[ratinox]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Which of course depends on the country you are in.

Point. The country I'm in? Warnings about "warranty void if opened" are invalid and unenforceable.

No. The Clara HD is a current device which is not likely to be replace soon. The Aura Edition 2 might be.

Then I don't know. Maybe the cost of redesigning the device and retooling the manufacturing lines isn't seen as worth it.

The problem with your theory is that waterproofing these devices was a desired feature. People asked for it. People have complained there is no waterproof 6" Kobo ereader. Kobo were responding to market demand with them.

That's putting the cart before the horse. "People" weren't demanding it in significant numbers until after Apple started touting the waterproofing in iPhones as a premium feature -- and using it as one of their many threats against third party repairs.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by ratinox

That's putting the cart before the horse. "People" weren't demanding it in significant numbers until after Apple started touting the waterproofing in iPhones as a premium feature -- and using it as one of their many threats against third party repairs.

I don't agree. In the very first review of an ereader that I ever saw, one of the reviewers comments was that he liked to read in the bath. And he was willing to risk losing a $20 dollar book if he dropped it in the bath, but not a $500 dollar (local price, at least 10 years ago). He wanted a waterproof device the first time he saw an ereader. There were plenty of suggestions for a waterproof device in discussions here before Kobo started making them. Lots of people said they

As to other devices, again, waterproofing a phone makes sense. My son has a dead phone after getting caught in a storm on the way home from school.

[ratinox]

Originally Posted by davidfor

I don't agree. In the very first review of an ereader that I ever saw, one of the reviewers comments was that he liked to read in the bath. And he was willing to risk losing a $20 dollar book if he dropped it in the bath, but not a $500 dollar (local price, at least 10 years ago). He wanted a waterproof device the first time he saw an ereader. There were plenty of suggestions for a waterproof device in discussions here before Kobo started making them. Lots of people said they

One reviewer is not significant numbers of consumers. Even a majority of mobileread readers aren't statistically significant.

As to other devices, again, waterproofing a phone makes sense. My son has a dead phone after getting caught in a storm on the way home from school.

And I've never drowned a phone, ereader, tablet, notebook or videogame console in my life therfore waterproofing makes no sense.

Of course not.

I'm not saying there's no benefit to waterproofing electronics. My assertion is that Apple made it A Thing as a threat to third party repair first, a beneficial feature for consumers second, and that other manufacturers have followed either for the same reasons or to avoid being seen as behind the state of the art.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by ratinox

One reviewer is not significant numbers of consumers. Even a majority of mobileread readers aren't statistically significant.

No, but you implication is that no one wanted waterproof devices. I'm stating that people were asking for them a long time before they became available.

And I've never drowned a phone, ereader, tablet, notebook or videogame console in my life therfore waterproofing makes no sense.

Of course not.

I'm not saying there's no benefit to waterproofing electronics. My assertion is that Apple made it A Thing as a threat to third party repair first, a beneficial feature for consumers second, and that other manufacturers have followed either for the same reasons or to avoid being seen as behind the state of the art.

So, Kobo jumped on the waterproofed device bandwagon started by Apple when Apple released the iPhone 7 in 2016? That's a really good trick considering Aura H2O in May 2014. That's ove two years before the Apple. Hell, Kobo even released their second waterproof device, the Aura ONE, before Apple released their first.

Add to that, there were waterproof cases available and a company that would waterproof Kindles and other device.

Sorry, but the waterproofed devices are being released because the market wants them. But, stick to your conspiracy theory.