MobileRead Forums
Register Guidelines E-Books Today's Posts Search

Go Back   MobileRead Forums > E-Book Readers > Kobo Reader
Reload this Page Kobo Forma mini USB cable

Notices

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 06-01-2020, 10:51 PM   #1
jmmcg9
Zealot
jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 123
Karma: 6420516
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Device: Oasis 2, iPad Pro (12.9”), iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPad Mini 5, Forma
Kobo Forma mini USB cable
Man I hate mini USB. I have to dig out my reading glasses every time I charge a device using that adapter.
I received my new Kobo Forma on Friday and I love it!
It uses a mini USB connection. However the cable supplied with the device doesn’t appear to have an up or down orientation like every other mini USB cable I have seen. The Forma female connection does appear to have an orientation. Is this a new type of reversible cable or do I need to up the magnification on my reading glasses?
jmmcg9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2020, 11:50 PM   #2
davidfor
Grand Sorcerer
davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 24,905
Karma: 47303824
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos
Firstly, the connector on the Forma is "Micro USB", not "Mini USB".

Micro USB ports and cables normally have an orientation. But, the cable with the Forma is reversible. They are very nice cables and should work with any device with a micro USB port. They probably aren't as secure as the normal plugs, but, as long as you aren't planning to hang a device from the cable, it should be OK. And they are much easier to use.
davidfor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 01:36 AM   #3
jmmcg9
Zealot
jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.jmmcg9 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 123
Karma: 6420516
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Device: Oasis 2, iPad Pro (12.9”), iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPad Mini 5, Forma
Davidfor,
Thanks for that information. I never heard of the reversible option. I need to invest in a batch of new cables for my other micro USB devices and ditch the reading glasses I leave by all of my chargers!
Also this gives me piece of mind that am not destroying the port on my new Forma!
jmmcg9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 03:20 AM   #4
hobnail
Running with scissors
hobnail ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.hobnail ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.hobnail ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.hobnail ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.hobnail ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.hobnail ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.hobnail ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.hobnail ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.hobnail ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.hobnail ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.hobnail ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 1,592
Karma: 14328510
Join Date: Nov 2019
Device: none
I didn't like the USB cable that came with the Forma and instead use a "standard" non-reversible USB cable. The one that came with the Forma just seemed sort of dodgy and I always felt like I was going to damage the connector in the Forma.

But I certainly do agree that having to get out the Sherlock Holmes magnifying glass to figure out which way to plug it in is a pain in the neck. I've solved that problem by having a cable where the cable comes out the side of the connector at a 90 degree angle instead of straight out like they normally do. So with the buttons on the right the cable goes up along the right edge.
hobnail is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 07:26 AM   #5
meeera
Grand Sorcerer
meeera ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.meeera ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.meeera ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.meeera ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.meeera ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.meeera ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.meeera ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.meeera ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.meeera ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.meeera ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.meeera ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
meeera's Avatar
 
Posts: 5,862
Karma: 68407974
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles
Quote:
Originally Posted by hobnail View Post
But I certainly do agree that having to get out the Sherlock Holmes magnifying glass to figure out which way to plug it in is a pain in the neck. I've solved that problem by having a cable where the cable comes out the side of the connector at a 90 degree angle instead of straight out like they normally do. So with the buttons on the right the cable goes up along the right edge.
Another option is to just put a dab of nail polish or tape on the cable on the "up" side.
meeera is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 07:30 AM   #6
JSWolf
Resident Curmudgeon
JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
JSWolf's Avatar
 
Posts: 80,782
Karma: 150249619
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmmcg9 View Post
Davidfor,
Thanks for that information. I never heard of the reversible option. I need to invest in a batch of new cables for my other micro USB devices and ditch the reading glasses I leave by all of my chargers!
Also this gives me piece of mind that am not destroying the port on my new Forma!
There is another solution. Get some nail polish and put a small dot on side up plastic part of the connector and you'll easy know which is the correct orientation. It's a lot cheaper then buy all new cables.
JSWolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 07:30 AM   #7
JSWolf
Resident Curmudgeon
JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
JSWolf's Avatar
 
Posts: 80,782
Karma: 150249619
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
Quote:
Originally Posted by meeera View Post
Another option is to just put a dab of nail polish or tape on the cable on the "up" side.
I didn't read your post before I posted mine. Seems great minds think alike.
JSWolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 07:53 AM   #8
stumped
Wizard
stumped ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.stumped ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.stumped ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.stumped ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.stumped ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.stumped ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.stumped ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.stumped ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.stumped ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.stumped ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.stumped ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 3,305
Karma: 10259306
Join Date: May 2016
Device: kobo forma, Kobo Libra, Huawei media Tab, fire HD10, PW3 HDX8.9,
Quote:
Originally Posted by JSWolf View Post
There is another solution. Get some nail polish and put a small dot on side up plastic part of the connector and you'll easy know which is the correct orientation. It's a lot cheaper then buy all new cables.
does not work as a multi device solution , because different devices have the socket oriented differently
i had tried the dot idea, but then needed to memorise for each device, with screen side up, should dot be facing up, or down...
stumped is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 08:21 AM   #9
JSWolf
Resident Curmudgeon
JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
JSWolf's Avatar
 
Posts: 80,782
Karma: 150249619
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
Quote:
Originally Posted by stumped View Post
does not work as a multi device solution , because different devices have the socket oriented differently
i had tried the dot idea, but then needed to memorise for each device, with screen side up, should dot be facing up, or down...
But it should work for most devices.
JSWolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 08:43 AM   #10
davidfor
Grand Sorcerer
davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.davidfor ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 24,905
Karma: 47303824
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos
Quote:
Originally Posted by stumped View Post
does not work as a multi device solution , because different devices have the socket oriented differently
i had tried the dot idea, but then needed to memorise for each device, with screen side up, should dot be facing up, or down...
Then add a dot to the device to show the relative orientation.
davidfor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 09:29 AM   #11
Nightflyer
Connoisseur
Nightflyer ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nightflyer ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nightflyer ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nightflyer ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nightflyer ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nightflyer ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nightflyer ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nightflyer ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nightflyer ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nightflyer ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nightflyer ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 81
Karma: 2122502
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Asia (from USA)
Device: Meebook M6, Kobo Clara HD
Quote:
Originally Posted by hobnail View Post
. I've solved that problem by having a cable where the cable comes out the side of the connector at a 90 degree angle instead of straight out like they normally do. So with the buttons on the right the cable goes up along the right edge.
I've been using this method for my devices for awhile including in the car and I didn't even consciously realize it.
Nightflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 03:57 PM   #12
Quoth
Still reading
Quoth ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Quoth ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Quoth ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Quoth ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Quoth ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Quoth ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Quoth ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Quoth ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Quoth ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Quoth ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Quoth ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Quoth's Avatar
 
Posts: 15,004
Karma: 111111255
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Ireland
Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper
I add a black or white bar on the same side of the connector where the logo is printed. It there isn't the USB logo I use white marker or nail varnish on the side of the connector that SHOULD have the logo.
I've thought the little self adhesive gemstones might work and look good. You'd be able to feel it.
Quoth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 04:02 PM   #13
twowheels
Wizard
twowheels ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.twowheels ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.twowheels ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.twowheels ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.twowheels ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.twowheels ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.twowheels ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.twowheels ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.twowheels ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.twowheels ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.twowheels ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
twowheels's Avatar
 
Posts: 1,855
Karma: 13432974
Join Date: Nov 2010
Device: Kobo Clara HD, iPad Pro 10", iPhone 15 Pro, Boox Note Max
Unfortunately my Clara doesn't follow the USB standard. The USB standard says that the narrow part of the connector is supposed to be the TOP. Cables are labeled with the USB logo on the narrow side and you're supposed to be able to orient the cable using the side with the logo, but Kobo decided to use the wrong connector (they make top mount and bottom mount connectors to allow you to have the correct orientation), meaning that the cable must be turned backwards -- annoying.

EDIT: The cable that came with the device has the USB logo on the A side (the side that plugs into the computer), and is properly labeled and oriented, but the B (device) side is unlabeled too.
Last edited by twowheels; 06-02-2020 at 04:09 PM.
twowheels is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 04:06 PM   #14
Ripplinger
350 Hoarder
Ripplinger ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ripplinger ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ripplinger ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ripplinger ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ripplinger ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ripplinger ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ripplinger ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ripplinger ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ripplinger ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ripplinger ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Ripplinger ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Ripplinger's Avatar
 
Posts: 3,587
Karma: 8281267
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Midwest USA
Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2
Quote:
Originally Posted by stumped View Post
does not work as a multi device solution , because different devices have the socket oriented differently
i had tried the dot idea, but then needed to memorise for each device, with screen side up, should dot be facing up, or down...
I use one those old silver marking pens (remember writing on floppy disks so you didn't have to bother with labels? that type of silver marking pen). So S was for the Sony readers, K for Kobo, and had to resort to A for Amazon Kindles. That works really well on black cables.

I have one that's a white shinier plastic cable though, and most anything, even a permament black magic marker eventually rubs off that one, so I have to redo it periodically.

Oh and add an H in there for my Harmony remotes. With so many letters possible on some, I have a couple of cables connected permanently to my PC to cover all of them.

Fortunately my newest cell phone and tablet are both C, I can't wait until everything eventually gets switched to C to avoid the issue, but I doubt it'll happen anytime soon.
Last edited by Ripplinger; 06-02-2020 at 04:18 PM.
Ripplinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2020, 04:12 PM   #15
4691mls
Wizard
4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 2,776
Karma: 30081762
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: US
Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1
Quote:
Originally Posted by twowheels View Post
Unfortunately my Clara doesn't follow the USB standard. The USB standard says that the narrow part of the connector is supposed to be the TOP. Cables are labeled with the USB logo on the narrow side and you're supposed to be able to orient the cable using the side with the logo, but Kobo decided to use the wrong connector (they make top mount and bottom mount connectors to allow you to have the correct orientation), meaning that the cable must be turned backwards -- annoying.

EDIT: The cable that came with the device has the USB logo on the A side (the side that plugs into the computer), and is properly labeled and oriented, but the device side is unlabeled too.
Yeah, my Kobo and Tolino have the wide part of the port facing one way while my cheap Lenovo tablet and my old Moto phone had it in the other. It sure would be nice if all the device makers agreed on which side is up.

My current phone is USB-C so i don't have to worry about direction for it.
4691mls is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Kobo Micro USB Cable Question?. bluesjunior Kobo Reader 7 01-05-2018 07:08 PM
Kindle Paperwhite cable, is it a regular mini USB cable? bounce Amazon Kindle 39 01-02-2018 08:17 PM
Older Kobo E reader cable-Mini-A usb male end? fordprefect Kobo Reader 1 08-09-2013 04:09 PM
Color Will NC accept any mini USB (micro USB?) cable for Charging? Quadzilla Nook Color & Nook Tablet 1 07-11-2013 04:43 PM
USB to Fire mini USB Cable needed swiftness Amazon Fire 6 12-06-2011 02:37 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:34 AM.

Contact Us - FAQ - Guidelines - Privacy - Top

MobileRead.com is a privately owned, operated and funded community.