Is Kobo accidently leaking (sarcasm) of new device's

[John F]

Looking at the pictures on the website, it looks like the Libra 2 and Sage have a slight lip/curve on the buttons side?

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by John F

Looking at the pictures on the website, it looks like the Libra 2 and Sage have a slight lip/curve on the buttons side?

It can be seen in the end-on picture of the Forma and Sage that is in the review https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/04/ko...tylus-support/.

[John F]

Originally Posted by davidfor

It can be seen in the end-on picture of the Forma and Sage that is in the review https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/04/ko...tylus-support/.

Thanks. Is it just me, or is there a slight gradual increase in thickness from the non-button side to the button side (excluding the larger curve on button side edge)?

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Does Kobo have proprietary audiobook format like Kindle?

Yes. They have DRM and can only be played via the Kobo App.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by davidfor

No idea. Almost the only exposure I have to them is turning off the display of them when I search the store for books. My wife has bought a few and uses the Kobo app on the phone to listen to them. I haven't tried to look at what the audiobooks look like filewise.

I've never done much of anything with audiobooks either. But I've got nephews who drive a lot who listen to "books" on the road. So, I guess, if my situation was different I might get used to them. Still doesn't seem like reading to me.

Originally Posted by booklover6

Yes. They have DRM and can only be played via the Kobo App.

I see. The PocketBook uses a couple formats, .mp3 is one of them. But I don't even know if you can buy .mp3 audiobooks. I know I can't borrow audiobooks from Overdrive and use them on the PocketBook — I tried it once just to see.

[NiLuJe]

The Sage is likely going to use the same SoC as the Elipsa, so, we can answer the "is it faster" questions: yes, a (very) tiny bit. The suspend/resume shenanigans when reading¹ still kill any impact it might have when actually reading, though (TL;DR: should you care? Outside of PDF reading (especially in third-party software, because the Foxit implementation is only mildly less terrible than the RMSDK one in Nickel), no.)

And the screen being infinitesimally faster is offset by the driver being infinitely worse.

So, mildly curious how the Libra 2 will fare, as it's using the "new" screen with the "old" CPU (and its much less less awful driver).

Same answer re: nightmode: yes, it actually makes the thing usable, so, if you care about that stuff, it's a plus.

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Add me to the "disappointed" list about the weight of the Sage, though. (Will probably order one and see for myself).

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[1]: I mean, that's actually visible in their promo video: the page turn speed on display makes me cringe.

[Liesse]

New devices, yay. I love my forma, but shiny new things! I have had it since launch and one corner looks a bit battered. No idea why, I've never dropped it.

My first inclination is that I am drawn to the libra 2 more. I have a few bags the forma doesn't fit well in, and the smaller size might suit me more. Bigger battery, but weight bothers me. I had a h2o original before the forma, in a fairly bulky gecko case (saved it a few times) and I remember the weight difference on switching to the forma was huge. Less weight is so much better for one hand reading. And also lugging round in a bag for most of the day: lighter is better please.

I am also a bit sad to see the plastic substrate go.

Maybe I need to wait for some hands on thoughts before deciding what the husband is getting me for Christmas.

Incidentally, I am on holiday at the moment, as I was when the forma was announced. Strolling round the pool side, noticing everyone with identical little kindles makes me so happy to have my forma.

EDIT: Just seen the h2o weighed at 233g and I thought that was too heavy. Really making me think libra 2 for me.

[Almamida]

Originally Posted by NiLuJe

The Sage is likely going to use the same SoC as the Elipsa, so, we can answer the "is it faster" questions: yes, a (very) tiny bit. The suspend/resume shenanigans when reading¹ still kill any impact it might have when actually reading, though (TL;DR: should you care? Outside of PDF reading (especially in third-party software, because the Foxit implementation is only mildly less terrible than the RMSDK one in Nickel), no.)

And the screen being infinitesimally faster is offset by the driver being infinitely worse.

So, mildly curious how the Libra 2 will fare, as it's using the "new" screen with the "old" CPU (and its much less less awful driver).

Same answer re: nightmode: yes, it actually makes the thing usable, so, if you care about that stuff, it's a plus.

----

Add me to the "disappointed" list about the weight of the Sage, though. (Will probably order one and see for myself).

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[1]: I mean, that's actually visible in their promo video: the page turn speed on display makes me cringe.

Your comment hurts and kills my hopes. Was hopping for a Sage at least as snappy as the Oasis 3.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I've never done much of anything with audiobooks either. But I've got nephews who drive a lot who listen to "books" on the road. So, I guess, if my situation was different I might get used to them. Still doesn't seem like reading to me.

So what? What difference does it make? It’s entertainment. I don’t think listening to audiobooks is reading either, but I enjoy them. As with most things, it has advantages and disadvantages compared to reading and there’s no reason why you can’t do both, choosing the option that best fits the situation. And the bottom line is that you’ve still absorbed the content.

But for me, in general I don’t want audiobook capability on eink. The devices are too large and too fragile; it makes no sense. And in regard to Kobo audiobooks in particular, that ship has sailed for me. I have a large Audible library, a considerable Downpour library, and I borrow audiobooks liberally from OverDrive and Hoopla. Kobo’s a purveyor too many; I can’t be bothered.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Almamida

The Oasis has a better display, a perfect front light, a (way) better processor and snappier interface, and finally better buttons.

It's not just a question of cost, it's a question of having a device that matches someone's criteria / preferences.

You don't know that any of this is true given that the Libra 2 has not yet been released.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

The Libra doesn't suffer from the band issue. It's just generally somewhat uneven. But there is no darker band.

Originally Posted by elomire678

Tell that to the 3 Libra H20s that I bought and returned when it came out.

Sure it was less bad than the Forma, but it was still there and on each of them.

The light issue with the Libra H2O has been fixed. Others have said so. The problem did affect early Libra H2O.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

I have a Libra, and it's my understanding it doesn't use a mobius screen? If that's true, then the Libra 2 would not be "ditching" the mobius screen.

The Libra H2O uses a glass backed screen.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by mezzanine

I think you might be underestimating the weight difference a bit. I believe the Sage to be around 25% heavier, or 240 grams to the 190 of the Forma. Two ounces. I believe its similar to the difference between my Aura HD and Clara, and when we are talking about devices that are being held over extended time periods during a reading session, small differences become magnified.

The Kobo Aura h2O that I am using weight 233g. Give that the Sage is 240g, I'll not notice any weight difference unless the cover is heavier enough. I am thinking of maybe getting a Sage.

Its not a dealbreaker for me because of the way I read. I mostly just dont like seeing Kobo seemingly going backward on an important characteristic of ereaders. The new kindle is comparatively heavier than I wish it was, but it has a bigger battery, whereas the sage seems to be heavier without the corresponding trade off.

Kobo is not going backward. The reason the Sage is heavier is that it's using a Carta 1200 for increased contrast and faster speed. The Mobius screen of the Forma has less contrast and is not as fast. Also the Sage is sporting a quad core 1.8GHz processor. Plus the Sage has bluetooth for listening to Kobo's eBooks. The Sage also has an optional pen for annotations/notes. How is this going backwards just because it weights more?

The iPhone 12 Pro Max weights less then the iPhone 13 Pro Max. I would not say that's a step backwards. I would say it's a step forwards.

[Sirtel]

Well, I'm waiting for the reviews on speed, because that's the main area in which Kobo readers are still worse than Kindles. At least the Oasis.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

Thanks. Is it just me, or is there a slight gradual increase in thickness from the non-button side to the button side (excluding the larger curve on button side edge)?

Have a look at post #28 in this thread to see the difference between the lip of the Forma and Sage.