Kobo Aura H2O - First Impressions

[ottdmk]

Given that the 6" Aura has Regal technology I would be deeply surprised if the H2O does not.

[marshap]

Like Slantybard has observed, I too have noticed that the bezel of the H2O scratches easily. I have not yet tried too vigorously to rub them out, but if it gets worse I might try a plastic polish or perhaps an eraser. I hesitate to try anything for fear of making it worse.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by beedaddy

It either has no regal technique or it does not use it (if that is possible?). At least I can not see this waveform effect during page turn.

Going by eInk's Carta spec sheet, it would seem that all Carta screens have capability to use Regal technology. Documentation on another site seemed to indicate that the OEM can choose to go with the full page refresh and not use the Regal technology though some of the wording used was rather odd -- made me think about machine translated documents.

One note is that the 6 inch Aura does not have a Carta screen but does have Regal technology.

[peterwardgd]

Just curious, does anyone know why kobo didn't go with a flush bezel like on the Aura?

Seems like regards waterproofing that's one less seal to deal with. Interesting to see the voyage has taken onboard the flush bezel design which i definitely prefer.

[John F]

Originally Posted by peterwardgd

Just curious, does anyone know why kobo didn't go with a flush bezel like on the Aura?

Seems like regards waterproofing that's one less seal to deal with. Interesting to see the voyage has taken onboard the flush bezel design which i definitely prefer.

The H2O isn't flush because it uses an IR touch screen.

[peterwardgd]

Originally Posted by John F

The H2O isn't flush because it uses an IR touch screen.

ah, understood. ta

[Canuck_in_Japan]

Which apparently is needed because of how water on a screen will affect page turning on a capacitive screen. But still, how many people are going to read underwater? If you get water on your screen then just wipe it off. I really would have preferred capacitive

[soulfuldog]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

I really would have preferred capacitive

Then you might have ended up with not such a fine looking screen. I.e. the screen of the Aura compared to the Aura HD. Yes the latter has a higher resolution, but the capacitive layer of the Aura has an impact too.

[ManDay]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

Which apparently is needed because of how water on a screen will affect page turning on a capacitive screen. But still, how many people are going to read underwater? If you get water on your screen then just wipe it off. I really would have preferred capacitive

As I understood a reviee, the H2O isn't supposed to function when wet in any case. Apparently, as soon as it detects water on screen it will show a pop-up which asks the user to wipe the screen clean and confirm.

[mr_nihilism]

Originally Posted by ManDay

As I understood a reviee, the H2O isn't supposed to function when wet in any case. Apparently, as soon as it detects water on screen it will show a pop-up which asks the user to wipe the screen clean and confirm.

Water detection can be turned off. Also, I tested it in the shower to see how it responded, and it did indeed work. I sometimes had to double press to turn a page though.

Having said that, I can't imagine actually using it that way.

[anacreon]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

I really would have preferred capacitive

For my part I don't like the capacitive Aura 6" screen, not only because the capacitive layer blurs characters, is yellowish, and shows an annoying grid when hit by the sun (even inside a bus), but also because its being flush with the narrow bezels makes it easy to accidentally touch the screen when holding the device, with annoying effects.

So I am very pleased that contrary to my fears Kobo stayed with infrared for their new 6.8" device.

I am very pleased with the H2O globally too, after an admittedly short acquaintance. Of course I'd like it to be lighter, but the material, front and back, has a pleasant feel, and up to now I have not seen the finger traces on the front so many complain about (except one comment somewhere that it disappeared after a while). It used to annoy me so much with the Sony PRSs and the aura HD, which last was slippery to boot, that I had to import skins at great cost and delay from the States.

I wonder whether the batch sold in France (issue date October 10) was a new/improved version.

[GeoffR]

The big advantage I see with infra-red touch is that I can use my fingernail to tap the screen, instead of touching it with my skin. That keeps the screen free of fingerprints and sweat/oils from the skin. With capacitive I would need to use a special thimble or stylus.

[anacreon]

Originally Posted by GeoffR

The big advantage I see with infra-red touch is that I can use your fingernail to tap the screen, instead of touching it with my skin. That keeps the screen free of fingerprints and sweat/oils from the skin. With capacitive I would need to use a special thimble or stylus.

Another advantage I forgot: when waiting for a bus / a train / a friend, you can read with gloves on. How many phone calls lost by the by because mobile phones are capacitive?

[Josieb1]

Can anyone tell me if their H20 looks like mine? Its the middle one, PW2 to the left, Kobo Aura 6 inch to the right.

[Jellby]

What I'd really like is a real button. I hate touchscreens, except annotations.