Libra Are we expecting a Kobo Libra BW?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by lumping-sugar66

I am very happy to have found a great marketplace deal for a Libra 2!

Upon inspection and comparison, though, I realized although both Clara 2E and Libra 2 are carta 1200, there is a noticeable difference between screen brightness settings and how much contrast the 2E provides.

Although the pictures don’t highlight the differences, 2E is much more brighter and has better contrast.

All you have to do is up the font weight a bit on the Libra 2. Problem solved.

[edojan]

In my opinion, Rakuten Kobo's e-reader strategy has lost its direction. By prioritizing the industry's push for color displays, the company has strayed from the core principles that made e-ink technology a success in the first place: a focused, distraction-free reading experience with exceptional battery life.

This shift suggests a tendency to follow industry trends rather than doubling down on the foundational strengths that built its loyal user base.

However, the path for Kobo to re-establish its leadership is straightforward: return to the basics and perfect the core product. The focus should be on updating its most popular models with meaningful enhancements.

A successful formula would include:

Optimized Screen Sizes: Concentrate on the well-regarded 7" and 7.8" form factors (Libra & Sage). High-Resolution Display: Maintain the crisp 300 dpi standard for text clarity.
Performance: Integrate a significantly faster and more efficient processor.
Exceptional Battery Life: Aim for industry-leading longevity with a battery around 5000 mAh.
By recommitting to these fundamentals, Kobo can once again become the premier choice for serious readers.

[nana77]

Originally Posted by edojan

Exceptional Battery Life: Aim for industry-leading longevity with a battery around 5000 mAh.
By recommitting to these fundamentals, Kobo can once again become the premier choice for serious readers.

A very huge battery may be also too heavy, imho one of the pleasures it's also that the ereader won't weight too much (e.g. the Forma is 197 gr, within a 1200 mAh battery, personally it feels very lightweighted). I guess it's about compromises, between more demanding CPUs, new screens technologies, batteries, time between recharges...

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by nana77

A very huge battery may be also too heavy, imho one of the pleasures it's also that the ereader won't weight too much.

Exactly. I don't want my ereader to weigh more than 250g at most, as I read holding it in one hand.

[Quoth]

I remember a computer magazine maybe 25 years ago with a cartoon "New lightweight laptop with longer battery life".

There was a wheeled shopping bag/trolley with the battery.

I actually have such a thing that converts to a backpack with a 25 Ah 13V LiFePO4 battery in a box with mains charger and solar charger (MPPT). A long whip aerial can be clamped on the telescopic handle. I have also a couple of 12V (nominal) to USB-C 2A converters so I can charge gadgets from it. There are optionally two large solar panels that can fit in the back of the car.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by John F

I guess that Kobo disagrees with you.

So both colour and BW in all those sizes? no 10.3, 10.7 or 13.3? Are there any eink panels between 8 and 10.3?

It's quite clear in my mind what 'WE' () want. I'll limit my list to UPDATED B&W. Color be damned:


1) Kobo Libra 3 (BUTTONS DAMMIT!)
2) Kobo Sage 2 (BUTTONS DAMMIT!)
3) Kobo mini 2 - OR - Kobo Pocket 1

If the color line follows suit with the same numbering (as above), then simply clarify before or after the number with this one, simple, single word: Colour. (Follow with appropriate ad copy differentiating what type of reader would enjoy Colour or B&W.)

The people who want to scribble, annotate, or levitate (hah!!) can have their color for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And they can have it with dessert, too!!! (Get the inference?)

[John F]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

It's quite clear in my mind what 'WE' () want. I'll limit my list to UPDATED B&W. Color be damned:


1) Kobo Libra 3 (BUTTONS DAMMIT!)
2) Kobo Sage 2 (BUTTONS DAMMIT!)
3) Kobo mini 2 - OR - Kobo Pocket 1

If the color line follows suit with the same numbering (as above), then simply clarify before or after the number with this one, simple, single word: Colour. (Follow with appropriate ad copy differentiating what type of reader would enjoy Colour or B&W.)

The people who want to scribble, annotate, or levitate (hah!!) can have their color for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And they can have it with dessert, too!!! (Get the inference?)

Well, we obviously need a Kobo 2026 SUX: 6" with a haptic edge/border where the user can configure zones for what the different haptic regions do. Both BW and Colour.

[JSWolf]

I would like an updated Aura H2O. a 7" version and an 8" version. Both with Carta 1300 screens, no color, and a 3000mAh battery plus a better processor with at least dual-core and fast then 1Mhz. Kobo already sells the buttons.

[PHughes]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I would like an updated Aura H2O. a 7" version and an 8" version. Both with Carta 1300 screens, no color, and a 3000mAh battery plus a better processor with at least dual-core and fast then 1Mhz. Kobo already sells the buttons.

I loved my Aura H2O. Sadly it was killed by a tragic rear hatch closing accident. It lasted many years, but had been laid down in the opening whilst loading the car outside a hotel. I shut the door and it was stopped by something. The screen was a goner.

[edojan]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Exactly. I don't want my ereader to weigh more than 250g at most, as I read holding it in one hand.

Okey, not a "huge" battery. How about a decent battery?
Another modern heresy to eradicate (I sound like an inquisition ) is no front light on the devices. What a dumb idea!

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by edojan

Okey, not a "huge" battery. How about a decent battery?
Another modern heresy to eradicate (I sound like an inquisition ) is no front light on the devices. What a dumb idea!

A slightly larger battery for the Sage along with an change to a MediaTek chipset would be nice. The current AllWinner B300 chipset is not known for decent power management.

As for no frontlight? IMNSHO, that was the greatest improvement for ereaders. No having to have an external light to read is great!

[edojan]

Originally Posted by DNSB

As for no frontlight? IMNSHO, that was the greatest improvement for ereaders. No having to have an external light to read is great!

don't mean to argue, but how an absence of a feature (in this case a frontlight) can be an "improvement"? To me this is some kind of Orwellian reasoning a-la "war is peace", "Freedom is slavery", "ignorance is strength"....

[Aleron Ives]

The frontlight adds distance between the surface and the screen. For devices that support writing, no frontlight makes it feel more like you're actually writing on the screen directly, which some people find to be more pleasant. The distance added by the frontlight layer also makes the text a tiny bit less sharp, so PQ improves a little by removing it, too. The differences aren't huge, but some people do care about them.

[Apollyon202]

Originally Posted by edojan

don't mean to argue, but how an absence of a feature (in this case a frontlight) can be an "improvement"? To me this is some kind of Orwellian reasoning a-la "war is peace", "Freedom is slavery", "ignorance is strength"....

The Kobo Touch has a fairly low PPI, no frontlight Pearl screen, but at the same time it is sharper compared to other readers, because of a missing frontlight layer, not to mention it has an infrared touch input, so no touch sensitive layer either.
If someone is reading outside on it, it still can be a very good experience. I also have a kobo branded clip light made for the Touch (and the Mini), which is also a nice touch, haha.

[kandwo]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

It's quite clear in my mind what 'WE' () want. I'll limit my list to UPDATED B&W. Color be damned:


1) Kobo Libra 3 (BUTTONS DAMMIT!)
2) Kobo Sage 2 (BUTTONS DAMMIT!)
3) Kobo mini 2 - OR - Kobo Pocket 1

If the color line follows suit with the same numbering (as above), then simply clarify before or after the number with this one, simple, single word: Colour. (Follow with appropriate ad copy differentiating what type of reader would enjoy Colour or B&W.)

The people who want to scribble, annotate, or levitate (hah!!) can have their color for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And they can have it with dessert, too!!! (Get the inference?)

Hear, hear!

This is the exact lineup that we want. (With the possible upgraded Elipsa, as well.) And I just don't get why Kobo won't give it to us? All they need to do is release the Libra with Carta 1300 and the Sage with Carta 1300 and a better CPU/battery combo. They're leaving money on the table.