so are new e-reader devices no longer a thing now?

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by cellaris

What to do in these cases? That's where we are likely to disagree. We can complain bitterly, we can stay as we are, or we can look for alternatives. My position on this is clear: there are plenty of e-readers to choose from. But I respect those who feel orphaned.

I'm not "complaining bitterly," I'm just responding to the title of this thread — "so are new e-reader devices no longer a thing now?" For me, they aren't, not nearly as much as they were. I've become a bit jaded. Before the color Libra and no new B/W Libra, I thought the object of releasing new eReaders was to (hopefully) improve (in some way) the brightness and clarity of the e-Ink screen. By releasing only a color version of the Libra (with a lesser screen quality when speaking of brightness and clarity) they abandoned what I expected them to keep doing — continually improving the reading experience. So, yes, I've lost interest in searching for news about new Kobos (and eReaders in general) on the horizon. In the interview of the Kobo CEO, he mentioned that he wanted sales of Kobos (themselves) to be more profitable. I think part of that search for profit included releasing only a color version of their most popular reader because it could be sold for more — which signals to me that no new B/W Libra is in development. I hope I'm wrong on that assumption but, for now, I remain jaded about the future of eReaders.

I know there is a PocketBook 7" reader that corresponds to the Libra pretty closely in shape and size, but I've seen mixed reviews about its screen and its lighting. So, even though I like my 6" PocketBook, I've ruled the 7" version out. Kindle's download changes have made it a non-starter for me and I'm not interested in an E-Ink Android tablet. I like a dedicated eReader and all I want to use an eReader device for is reading. Which is why I assumed at some point I would probably own a Libra reader.

I realize that not everyone has the same tastes and that many feel the color screen is a good compromise but I'm old and kind of set in my ways. So, for me currently, the interest in the news about new eReaders is pretty much gone.

[Renate]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I like a dedicated eReader and all I want to use an eReader device for is reading.

Even though I'm running Android I use it as a dedicated device.
I never turn on WiFi and only sync books from my desktop.
I only use my "Library" (book file manager) and "Reader".

[issybird]

Originally Posted by cellaris

I just remember that the Kobo Libra 2 was on sale for two and a half years, and during that time some chose to buy it and others did not.

You keep repeating this and don't acknowledge that choosing to buy at any particular time is more complicated than a simple yes or no. Ereaders, especially the premium devices, are not cheap and I'm sure there are many who can't/couldn't justify getting a new reader now if they've already got a perfectly serviceable device in play. They assume, however, and I think reasonably, that there will be an at least as good choice once they're in the market.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by issybird

You keep repeating this and don't acknowledge that choosing to buy at any particular time is more complicated than a simple yes or no. Ereaders, especially the premium devices, are not cheap and I'm sure there are many who can't/couldn't justify getting a new reader now if they've already got a perfectly serviceable device in play. They assume, however, and I think reasonably, that there will be an at least as good choice once they're in the market.

I find myself in EXACTLY this position right now. Having splurged on a Libra Colour 6 weeks ago, the discovery this week that my Sage is preparing to pine for the fjords is very bad timing. I'd love a new Sage, as a much superior reader to the Colour, but unless I get some unexpected extra work, I'll be making do with what I have, for now.

[kandwo]

Originally Posted by Poppaea

Boox just came out with a new bw 7" Carta 1300, the Boox Go 7 and new iterations of their colour Go7.

That's more new ereader excitement in a single week, than my heart and my wallet can take. ��

I bought the white Go 7, hoping it can be a Libra 3 with Android

I'm considering the Tab XC (13" Kaleido 3 with 300+150PPI) purely for reading comics. IF it's good enough for comics the price would be worth it. (It would obviously be bad for general reading, etc. But I don't care - I want something for western comics.)

[John F]

Originally Posted by issybird

You keep repeating this and don't acknowledge that choosing to buy at any particular time is more complicated than a simple yes or no. Ereaders, especially the premium devices, are not cheap and I'm sure there are many who can't/couldn't justify getting a new reader now if they've already got a perfectly serviceable device in play. They assume, however, and I think reasonably, that there will be an at least as good choice once they're in the market.

Maybe Kobo had this mindset when they brought out a 7" color ereader. The 7" BW is a saturated market. They would only get the occasional purchase of a 7" BW: those who need to replace thier current 7" or the geek who has to have the latest gadget; the 7" colour would open new sales/market.

Just a thought.

[cfrizz]

What this thread is showing me is that corporations have truly conditioned us well to ALWAYS expect something new in the pipeline to lust after whether we need a new one or not. Even if the "Upgrade's" changes are so minute that it truly isn't worth the new more expensive price!

The truth is that the devices we already have are designed to last for YEARS, so there is no real reason to upgrade if your current device is working. And yet people are constantly dreaming/hoping that these companies put out something new.

So, Kobo dropped the Libre 2 B&W for their color version. We don't know if they are working on a new version or not, but people are belly aching about it. Some have even admitted that they aren't even in the market for a new reader and have several others in their collection but they want a new one available anyway whether or not they are going to buy one.

We truly have become a nation of consumers who constantly want something new. I now understand why people are constantly complaining of being broke, and it was by their own choice!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by rcentros

When Kobo came out with its color eReaders I was happy to see it because I liked choice (not that I would ever want a color reader). But I never dreamed that the Libra Colour would replace the best selling Libra 2, I thought both would be available. That disappointed me and, honestly, made me cynical about the direction Kobo was going. It seemed Kobo went away from developing the best and clearest e-Ink reader screen they could use, to trying to force an inferior "gimmick" color screen on its users that cost more. (I realize that folks like the Libra Colour, but I thought we would get BOTH a color version AND a black and white version.) Even though I hadn't yet considered buying a 7" reader, I thought the Libra line would always be available if my eyes got worse and I wanted a bigger screen. So I've currently got a "meh" attitude about all new eReaders now. I still hope a new Libra B/W is coming — it was very popular and I think Kobo made a big mistake dropping it.

I've still got plenty (too many) older 6" eReaders. At this point I'm not anticipating buying any new 6" ones (or currently even a 7" one). I know Carta 1200 (or 1300) Libras would sell. If you look on eBay you'll see that used Libra 2s and Libra H2Os are advertised for over $350 — about twice their new price. I don't like it when companies decide to force a (to me) inferior choice on their customers.

(For those who like the Libra Colour I'm not running down your choice, but it's not a choice I'll ever make.)

This is why I cannot really recommend Kobo to anyone anymore. I cannot recommend any color models. I cannot recommend the Clara BW unless the person asking specifically wants a 6" screen. I cannot recommend the Sage because the battery is poor. The Ellipsa battery is also poor and it's a 10.3" screen so most won't want that size.

So really, Kobo leaves no real choice. If anything happened to my Libra 2, I'd have to go back to my Aura H2O as there's nothing Kobo sells now that I want.

[JSWolf]

delete post

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by cfrizz

What this thread is showing me is that corporations have truly conditioned us well to ALWAYS expect something new in the pipeline to lust after whether we need a new one or not. Even if the "Upgrade's" changes are so minute that it truly isn't worth the new more expensive price!

The truth is that the devices we already have are designed to last for YEARS, so there is no real reason to upgrade if your current device is working. And yet people are constantly dreaming/hoping that these companies put out something new.

So, Kobo dropped the Libre 2 B&W for their color version. We don't know if they are working on a new version or not, but people are belly aching about it. Some have even admitted that they aren't even in the market for a new reader and have several others in their collection but they want a new one available anyway whether or not they are going to buy one.

We truly have become a nation of consumers who constantly want something new. I now understand why people are constantly complaining of being broke, and it was by their own choice!

In this case, it's not something new. It's something good. The Libra 2 is good. The Libra Colour is not good. Kobo replaced good with bad.

When it was announced that the Libra 2 was being discontinued, the Libra 2 then sold out pretty quickly. That shoul dhave told Kobo that people want a 7" BW Reader and started making plans for a Libra BW. But they didn't because whoever makes those decisions is has no idea what good business is.

[cfrizz]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

In this case, it's not something new. It's something good. The Libra 2 is good. The Libra Colour is not good. Kobo replaced good with bad.

But you don't know if they are working on a new B&W model. They are simply trying to get a foothold into the color market, they already know they have a B&W market.

These companies are in business to make money, and as someone else pointed out the B&W market is already saturated so there isn't as much money to be made there.

I myself would like a 7-inch color with access to Google Playstore, but the specs aren't really up to where they need to be. But it's a want not a need since I already have a perfectly good Libra. So, I will continue on as is. It's hardly a hardship or a crime that no company is putting out exactly what I want.

[rkomar]

Originally Posted by cfrizz

I now understand why people are constantly complaining of being broke, and it was by their own choice!

I was with you until this last line. There is too much to say about this topic for one post, so I'll just say that I think you are wrong about why more and more people are going broke,

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by John F

Maybe Kobo had this mindset when they brought out a 7" color ereader. The 7" BW is a saturated market. They would only get the occasional purchase of a 7" BW: those who need to replace thier current 7" or the geek who has to have the latest gadget; the 7" colour would open new sales/market.

Just a thought.

Unless I'm remembering wrong, the Libra 2 was reportedly Kobo's best selling eReader up to the time they quit making it. So I don't think saturation was an issue.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by cfrizz

The truth is that the devices we already have are designed to last for YEARS, so there is no real reason to upgrade if your current device is working. And yet people are constantly dreaming/hoping that these companies put out something new.

Again, this is a meaningless argument to people who were planning to buy a Libra 2 at some point or those who break their Libra's screens, or those who lose their Libras or for those where something simply goes wrong with their Libra (like a battery dies or the motherboard gives out).

And, again, the same argument could be brought forward for Claras. Since Clara HDs "are designed to last for YEARS" why did Kobo feel it was necessary to release a new Clara BW?

I'm searching for consistency in these points and I'm not finding it.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This is why I cannot really recommend Kobo to anyone anymore. I cannot recommend any color models. I cannot recommend the Clara BW unless the person asking specifically wants a 6" screen. I cannot recommend the Sage because the battery is poor. The Ellipsa battery is also poor and it's a 10.3" screen so most won't want that size.

So really, Kobo leaves no real choice. If anything happened to my Libra 2, I'd have to go back to my Aura H2O as there's nothing Kobo sells now that I want.

That's been kind of my take on this. I've even read that the new Clara BW "feels cheaper" than the Clara HDs or 2Es. I have to take this with a grain of salt since I've never seen a Clara BW "in the plastic."