Do NOT buy from Kobo - worst company ever - Page 2

Marcy · 04-11-2012, 01:10 AM

When I get on and off the freeway (3 times on the journey to and from work). I have to wait at least 3 traffic lights in dead stop traffic. If I saw a flaming fireball coming towards me I couldn't get out of the way, being sandwiched in between cars and barrier wall, so my alertness level isn't much of an issue. So I'll die oblivious.

Somehow I never miss the light change and have to be honked at to move the car, so I suppose I maintain some level of alertness. Oddly the only times I do have to be honked at to move are when I (collective gasp) make a phone call and talk while waiting instead of reading.

[insert lesson about phone use in a stopped car]

And although it isn't for any safety reason I never read with my kid in the car. I read to alleviate boredom when I'm stopped. When he's in the car I have a constant source of entertainment and commentary on life.

ronlizpatsimon · 04-11-2012, 03:05 AM

Marcy; I,m not joking about the battery methods I suggested. In particular; the additional transformer is very small and can be permanently left in the car. I have carried one for many years because I sometimes find myself on a motoring journey when a special TV event is due (a Grand Prix for instance). I stop the car & get out the portable TV & Aerial (also always left in the car). Both items are low voltage.

Kboland · 04-11-2012, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcy

When I get on and off the freeway (3 times on the journey to and from work). I have to wait at least 3 traffic lights in dead stop traffic. If I saw a flaming fireball coming towards me I couldn't get out of the way, being sandwiched in between cars and barrier wall, so my alertness level isn't much of an issue. So I'll die oblivious.

Somehow I never miss the light change and have to be honked at to move the car, so I suppose I maintain some level of alertness. Oddly the only times I do have to be honked at to move are when I (collective gasp) make a phone call and talk while waiting instead of reading.

[insert lesson about phone use in a stopped car]

And although it isn't for any safety reason I never read with my kid in the car. I read to alleviate boredom when I'm stopped. When he's in the car I have a constant source of entertainment and commentary on life.

tubemonkey · 04-11-2012, 07:30 AM

I don't read in my car until I've put it in cruise control

oldyellr · 04-11-2012, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcy

I think reading at a red traffic light when I'm stopped is not much of a hazard. I don't read while the car is moving. There are lights I get stuck at where I have to wait for 3 cycles of the light before I get to go through them.

Ronlizpatsimon I'm assuming your answer is tongue in cheek. You're not seriously suggesting I carry a transformer everywhere with me to keep my ereader battery from dying.

No matter how aware you are of your surroundings, It's still illegal to read or text at a red traffic light. That's the most likely place a cop would be watching you to nail you. What if you want to finish a paragraph when the light turns green and a road raged idiot behind you loses it?

I too have seen people with eReaders in waiting rooms, etc, and wish I had my Vox instead of having to browse old Readers Digests. However, if one were to carry it around for such occasions, the battery needs to have a longer life, or the Vox needs to be less power-hungry. Elsewhere on this forum someone was using a rechargeable battery pack.

49Kat · 04-11-2012, 12:39 PM

I just kind of tolerate the Vox's battery life, but I, too, wish it was better. At home, the only way I can keep it from freezing when it comes out of sleep mode is by leaving the wifi on, but that drains the battery even if I'm not using the Vox. So at home if I'm not reading, it's in sleep mode and plugged in. If the weather is stormy and we're facing a power outage, I make sure my Sony PRS650 is fully charged up and I'm sure of my page numbers, because I also have all my books on the Sony as a backup and the Sony can go for a few days. (My Sony's battery life is not what it should be either...probably 3 or 4 days max, but that's still far better than the Vox's.)

We have an outlet in our vehicle that the Vox charger can be plugged into, so for long road trips, the Vox can be plugged in and I can read while it's charging. If I'm away from an outlet, the Vox gets powered completely off when not in use. (Besides, haven't you noticed the device stays a bit warm in sleep mode? Probably not too healthy for it when it's in its cover plus in a handbag.)

I do use the Vox in doctors' office waiting rooms. When I was in a waiting room while a family member was having surgery, though, that's a few hours...The last time that situation happened for me was prior to the first firmware update, and back in the good old days (November of 2011), one could turn off wifi and have it in sleep mode without the device freezing.

When I'm away from home, if the Vox is with me, so is the charger.

ronlizpatsimon · 04-11-2012, 01:33 PM

Mine has never froze (had it 3 months). Sometimes I leave it in standby, with or without wifi on. Sometimes I turn it completely off (again wifi sometimes left on.

Orn8one · 04-11-2012, 02:16 PM

I hope that adorable little one isn't in the car while you are indulging in your ''little stolen reading moments''.

hpulley · 04-11-2012, 04:07 PM

Audiobooks are probably safer while driving.

Bilbo1967 · 04-11-2012, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hpulley

Audiobooks are probably safer while driving.

"Probably"?

kcarscadden · 04-11-2012, 05:30 PM

Depends on how engrossing they are. Or how good the readers are. I could see a scream from the reader at the wrong time causing problems.

hpulley · 04-11-2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

"Probably"?

I find it distracting to listen to a business conference call while driving, even if I am not actively participating. I think it is because I am concentrating to catch the details. Perhaps Audiobooks are as bad but I don't use them anywhere so I can't say. Music is not a problem for me for some reason.

Alans · 04-18-2012, 09:55 PM

I also have tbe Kobo Vox and while I'm keeping mine I do think it is dreadfully made.
I use it only for Overdrive. I contacted the company and asked about keeping the page in portrait mode. I used the setting to do this many times and it doesn't work. Today I got a response from the company that you can't lock the s reenact in portrait mode. Now what were they thinking? They provide a box to tick off to do this and then they tell me it doesn't work. And who in the world would want to read a book in landscape? It is idiotic.
I an ashamed that this is- a Canadian company. At least nowvthat the Japanese have bought it maybe the device will start to work intelligently.

oldyellr · 04-18-2012, 10:08 PM

Overdrive has its own screen orientation available in its settings. Works for me.

Alans · 04-18-2012, 10:14 PM

My other complaint is the battery life as discussed above. I almost always keep my device in airplane mode. Still I barely get five hours of battery time. I can use my Kindle for a month and the battery lasts. This is pathetic. How can I travel with this thing? A flight overseas and the dvice will die. I go out of my way to tell all my friends to avoid this device like the plague. The customer support is lousy and the product is crap.

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04-11-2012, 01:10 AM	#16
Marcy Guru Posts: 897 Karma: 950683 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kobo Libra2	When I get on and off the freeway (3 times on the journey to and from work). I have to wait at least 3 traffic lights in dead stop traffic. If I saw a flaming fireball coming towards me I couldn't get out of the way, being sandwiched in between cars and barrier wall, so my alertness level isn't much of an issue. So I'll die oblivious. Somehow I never miss the light change and have to be honked at to move the car, so I suppose I maintain some level of alertness. Oddly the only times I do have to be honked at to move are when I (collective gasp) make a phone call and talk while waiting instead of reading. [insert lesson about phone use in a stopped car] And although it isn't for any safety reason I never read with my kid in the car. I read to alleviate boredom when I'm stopped. When he's in the car I have a constant source of entertainment and commentary on life.

04-11-2012, 03:05 AM	#17
ronlizpatsimon Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cambridge UK Device: Kobo Vox	Marcy; I,m not joking about the battery methods I suggested. In particular; the additional transformer is very small and can be permanently left in the car. I have carried one for many years because I sometimes find myself on a motoring journey when a special TV event is due (a Grand Prix for instance). I stop the car & get out the portable TV & Aerial (also always left in the car). Both items are low voltage.

04-11-2012, 07:30 AM	#19
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,763 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	I don't read in my car until I've put it in cruise control

04-11-2012, 12:39 PM	#21
49Kat Fanatic Posts: 580 Karma: 1309104 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: BC,Canada/NV, USA Device: iPad 9th Gen, iPhone 11, Paperwhite 10th Gen.	I just kind of tolerate the Vox's battery life, but I, too, wish it was better. At home, the only way I can keep it from freezing when it comes out of sleep mode is by leaving the wifi on, but that drains the battery even if I'm not using the Vox. So at home if I'm not reading, it's in sleep mode and plugged in. If the weather is stormy and we're facing a power outage, I make sure my Sony PRS650 is fully charged up and I'm sure of my page numbers, because I also have all my books on the Sony as a backup and the Sony can go for a few days. (My Sony's battery life is not what it should be either...probably 3 or 4 days max, but that's still far better than the Vox's.) We have an outlet in our vehicle that the Vox charger can be plugged into, so for long road trips, the Vox can be plugged in and I can read while it's charging. If I'm away from an outlet, the Vox gets powered completely off when not in use. (Besides, haven't you noticed the device stays a bit warm in sleep mode? Probably not too healthy for it when it's in its cover plus in a handbag.) I do use the Vox in doctors' office waiting rooms. When I was in a waiting room while a family member was having surgery, though, that's a few hours...The last time that situation happened for me was prior to the first firmware update, and back in the good old days (November of 2011), one could turn off wifi and have it in sleep mode without the device freezing. When I'm away from home, if the Vox is with me, so is the charger.

04-11-2012, 01:33 PM	#22
ronlizpatsimon Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Cambridge UK Device: Kobo Vox	Mine has never froze (had it 3 months). Sometimes I leave it in standby, with or without wifi on. Sometimes I turn it completely off (again wifi sometimes left on.

04-11-2012, 02:16 PM	#23
Orn8one Groupie Posts: 176 Karma: 8362 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northamptonshire UK Device: Kobo Touch, Sony 650 and Cool-er	I hope that adorable little one isn't in the car while you are indulging in your ''little stolen reading moments''.

04-11-2012, 04:07 PM	#24
hpulley Addict Posts: 288 Karma: 29760 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Vox, Playbook32	Audiobooks are probably safer while driving.

04-11-2012, 05:30 PM	#26
kcarscadden Zealot Posts: 141 Karma: 13776 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: semi-north Ontario, Canada (N 45.41 W -79.67) Device: iPad Air 5, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE	Depends on how engrossing they are. Or how good the readers are. I could see a scream from the reader at the wrong time causing problems.

04-18-2012, 09:55 PM	#28
Alans Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kobo Vox	I also have tbe Kobo Vox and while I'm keeping mine I do think it is dreadfully made. I use it only for Overdrive. I contacted the company and asked about keeping the page in portrait mode. I used the setting to do this many times and it doesn't work. Today I got a response from the company that you can't lock the s reenact in portrait mode. Now what were they thinking? They provide a box to tick off to do this and then they tell me it doesn't work. And who in the world would want to read a book in landscape? It is idiotic. I an ashamed that this is- a Canadian company. At least nowvthat the Japanese have bought it maybe the device will start to work intelligently.

04-18-2012, 10:08 PM	#29
oldyellr Evangelist Posts: 486 Karma: 26106 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Vox, Amazon Fire 7	Overdrive has its own screen orientation available in its settings. Works for me.

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04-18-2012, 10:14 PM	#30
Alans Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2011 Device: Kobo Vox	My other complaint is the battery life as discussed above. I almost always keep my device in airplane mode. Still I barely get five hours of battery time. I can use my Kindle for a month and the battery lasts. This is pathetic. How can I travel with this thing? A flight overseas and the dvice will die. I go out of my way to tell all my friends to avoid this device like the plague. The customer support is lousy and the product is crap.