Kobo Aura One review

[freekobo]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

[Name of DRM removal software removed] is based on old version of the DRM removal tools. They stole the code and used it for their own and renamed it. It's crap.

ah good to know, thanks.

[chrisridd]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

Not quite what he says

From the FAQ


There's a world of difference between stating they won't work, and stating there's no support for removing DRM from library books.

Well it depends on what is meant by support. "Software doesn't support X" often means it will simply not do X, not "it might do X but you're on your own without technical support". I've raised an issue on github to see if this wording can be improved.

But it appears we're talking about an old fork of the tools anyway.

[MGlitch]

Rather there's a bit of cross conversation. Epubber has no qualms about removing DRM from library books, and uses an older set of the tools from Alf.

Alf, likely to avoid legal issues, isn't going to detail removing DRM from books not owned by the individual.

But I think we're getting a bit OT here. We wont even know how Kobo handles Overdrive books until September when the feature goes live.

[Agama]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

If you choose to read a book as kepub rather than standard epub then, yes, the default layout has a header (showing book title) and a footer (showing page number). Standard epubs just have the footer. However both formats can also use a 'full-screen' option with no header and no footer.

Thanks for this info, the Aura One is looking like a very attractive proposition. I have some epubs from my days with a Sony ereader and presume these will be standard enough for Kobo readers, or do I need to get kepub versions? (Is this possible with calibre?)

[icallaci]

Originally Posted by Agama

Thanks for this info, the Aura One is looking like a very attractive proposition. I have some epubs from my days with a Sony ereader and presume these will be standard enough for Kobo readers, or do I need to get kepub versions? (Is this possible with calibre?)

Kobos handle standard epubs just fine. You don't need kepubs unless you want the extra features (image zooming, footnote preview, etc.).

[Agama]

Then standard ePub sounds fine for me. It does mean I'll need to convert my Kindle collection but for that size screen, (and resolution), it will be worth it.

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by Agama

... or do I need to get kepub versions? (Is this possible with calibre?)

You definitely won't need to re-buy any books. The decision to choose kepub or standard epub is entirely personal. Both have pros & cons.

As ever calibre is your friend. There are 2 plugins to consider:

• Kepub Output - just adds KEPUB to the list of possible conversion output formats. If you convert using this you will end up with both the source format and the KEPUB format in your calibre library.
  
  
• KoboTouch Extended driver - Once you've tried KEPUB, if you decide you prefer this format you can use this plugin to convert standard EPUB format (** see Note below) to KEPUB format on-the-fly during the calibre send-to-device process. This has the benefit of not cluttering your calibre library with all the KEPUBs. Personally I wouldn't consider using KEPUB as my 'Master single format' in calibre. If you're planning to hand-edit your books EPUB innards are simpler.
  
  ** Note: I don't use KoboTouchExtended myself so I'm not sure whether you can convert formats other than EPUB (e.g. AZW3) on-the-fly to KEPUB.

More info ... if you buy books direct from Kobo via Wi-fi you'll get a KEPUB delivered. If you buy via PC you usually also have the option to download the standard EPUB format using traditional ADE method. If you download the KEPUB to your PC, DRM can be removed using one of Alf's tools. Once de-DRM'd you can turn a KEPUB into a standard EPUB using a couple of options in the calibre 'Modify Epub' plugin. It just removes the KEPUB extra coding bits leaving behind the EPUB innards you're probably already familiar with.

[Agama]

Thanks for the infos. Agreed, calibre is always my friend. I used ePub as my master format until my PRS300 died and then I went over to Kindle because the Paperwhite was so much better than Kobo's equivalent at the time. I tried a Kobo Glo in a store but the user interface was frustratingly slow. I'll try and get a hands-on with an Aura One asap but the hardware is so appealingly that I'm prepared to be more forgiving with the firmware – and hopefully Kobo have improved things over the years.

[MGlitch]

Unless I'm missing something the plugin 'modify epub' will not work on kepubs. At least it wont for any that were created using the kepub plugins for Calibre, I've not tested on a kepub from Kobo themselves.

It gives an error that there is no ePub available when I try to use it on just a kepub.

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

Unless I'm missing something the plugin 'modify epub' will not work on kepubs. At least it wont for any that were created using the kepub plugins for Calibre, I've not tested on a kepub from Kobo themselves.

It gives an error that there is no ePub available when I try to use it on just a kepub.

I really don't want to de-rail this thread so I'll keep it brief. A de-DRM'd Kobo-bought kepub arrives in calibre with the .epub extension so Modify Epub will handle it OK. For other kepubs, just manually copy the .kepub out of the calibre library to somewhere else - manually rename it to .epub - re-add to calibre, calibre thinks it's just another epub (which it is) and ME works fine.

ETA: Do not under any circumstances manually rename the .kepub to .epub within the calibre library directory. That's a sure way to foul up your calibre database.

[Barbara1955]

Originally Posted by Agama

Then standard ePub sounds fine for me. It does mean I'll need to convert my Kindle collection but for that size screen, (and resolution), it will be worth it.

Not if you Amazon Collection is in MOBI ... Read the list of Formats One excepts.

[Agama]

Interesting. About 90% of them are AZW3, 5% MOBI and 5% ePub, (converted to azw3), - but every little helps.

Would azw3 to mobi be better than azw3 to epub?

[robko]

Originally Posted by Katie1

Not if you Amazon Collection is in MOBI ... Read the list of Formats One excepts.

Originally Posted by Agama

Would azw3 to mobi be better than azw3 to epub?

The short answer is NO. While Katie1 is correct that MOBI is listed as an accepted format on a Kobo, users have found that Mobi support is pretty limited so it is not advisable to use it as a format on a Kobo if you have another choice. So you're better off converting to epub.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by Agama

Interesting. About 90% of them are AZW3, 5% MOBI and 5% ePub, (converted to azw3), - but every little helps.

Would azw3 to mobi be better than azw3 to epub?

It's my understanding that you likely wouldn't see a difference. Though azw is basically just mobi in another wrapper thanks to Amazon. Ultimately I think it depends on the quality of the formatting of the source, the better it is the less likely things will get funky. In terms of the formatting for the ebook.

However Kobo only supports mobi in a very offhand way. I prefer kepub for my Kobo.

I'll note that I have converted nearly 1,000 some odd books from epub to kepub and I've yet to see any issues. I've not converted many azw3 to any format, but the few I have, have also not had any issues.

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by Agama

Interesting. About 90% of them are AZW3, 5% MOBI and 5% ePub, (converted to azw3), - but every little helps.

Would azw3 to mobi be better than azw3 to epub?

Although MOBI is, in theory, a supported format some MOBIs work better than others. You'll get a more reliable experience with epub or kepub.