New e-reader, Kobo or Sony or...?

[HarryT]

Obvious though it is to say, lack of library lending is only an issue for those who wish to borrow library books. I don't, so it's not an issue for me. I prefer to buy books.

[LuvReadin]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I realize that but the poster mentioned that the Kindle cannot be used in the libraries in the UK and that publishers are upset with Amazon for the lending program it has through Amazon Prime. I am guessing that is what he is referencing as a fee.

Yes, that's what I meant - thanks for clarifying it.

Originally Posted by l_macd

Lack of library lending is a major drawback of the Kindle.

It certainly was for me. Fair enough if like HarryT, you prefer to buy books, but I read so many I'd never be able to afford to buy them, even second-hand, and besides, I feel that libraries are an important resource that should be supported.

Originally Posted by l_macd

8However, (current Kobo pricing excepted) the price difference between buying a Kindle and a Sony means many people will go for the Kindle even if they are aware of this issue before they buy. Personally, I researched how I could borrow library books and read them on a Kindle, and went for that option. (Though I'd probably just buy a Kobo if I was doing so now).

I'm not sure that's the reason, at least in the UK - I feel that it's far more down to the heavy marketing by Amazon. Even though Kobo is catching up, it's still lost ground, and Sony doesn't seem to be making much of an effort at all, at least in the UK. There are ads on UK TV every day for the Kindle, but I've seen nothing at all for Sony. By contrast, Kobo seems to be doing very well in some other countries, and is a real challenger to the Kindle.

Originally Posted by l_macd

Also, just how good are UK libraries for ebooks? The libraries in my city don't have them, and the libraries I've looked at don't have an awful lot of ebooks available anyway.

I think they're OK - there are about 60 libraries countrywide offering ebooks (BTW, when I say 'libraries', it's really councils, so there would be one e-library covering the same area as maybe 20 or 30 physical libraries). The choice isn't huge, but it's certainly along the lines of a mobile library or even a small branch, i.e in the low thousands. There's a thread on here somewhere that gets updated with the numbers in various libraries round the country. I find it very convenient - no more running out of books before I can get into town again!

Originally Posted by l_macd

I've only looked at the Kobo's in a shop, but twice I've played about with the Kobo Touch & Wi Fi side-by-side, and both times noticed the Wi Fi was a lot slower. It really put me off it. Whereas, as much as I like my Kindle Keyboard, I was very impressed with the Kobo Touch.

I tried out one last week on my own wifi system - it was slow, but I didn't think it was much slower than my Sony, so I put it down to my wifi not being the fastest (no fibre-optic here!). I certainly wouldn't use it for general surfing, but I think I'd find it adequate for buying/borrowing.

[bethany7]

Wow, this thread really exploded whilst I was away!

I have a quick update: I was having big wifi issues with my Kobo Touch, and after emailing customer services, I (very quickly) got a reply telling me to take it back. I did so and... Bought the Sony PRS-T1. I am MUCH happier with this one, I am fortunate to be a member of two local libraries (live on the border for two councils) that do ebooks, so I am very pleased with downloading them directly onto my device. The man in the Sony Centre that I spoke to (really lovely bloke!) was very helpful and let me have a play around with the Sony before I bought it, and I just knew that it was the right choice. He also confirmed that the plan is for the Reader Store to open in Europe in Spring this year, apparently it has been delayed because of (obviously) publisher agreements and (less obviously) sorting out security after the Playstation issues last year. Looking forward to the launch, but I'm happy with the Reader as is right now.

Thanks, everyone!

[The Terminator]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Before you dismiss swiping, it's a very light swipe. One thing you probably didn't know is that tapping causes more visible fingerprints on the screen then swiping. Just go tap your current screen and you'll see more fingerprints then if you swiped.

While that probably is true, I haven't noticed any fingerprints on my screen.

[The Terminator]

Originally Posted by LuvReadin

Glad you've got something you're happy with. I'll just mentione a couple of points that are UK-specific, in case anyone else has the same question in the future.



Yes, you can - another reason to avoid Kindle, IMO. Both the Sony and the Kobo work with UK libraries, but the Kindle doesn't, and judging from the row brewing with publishers re Kindle lending, isn't likely to do so in the near future. Plus it means paying Amazon an annual fee.



I bought the T1 because I wanted the extra features, such as annotation and collections. However, if these weren't important, I'd be looking seriously at the Kobo now that the price has come down so much (£49 in Asda currently; think this lasts till 11 April), especially if it was going to be a secondary device.

I recently helped a relative who'd bought the basic Kobo, and I really didn't find any of the issues mentioned by some of the earlier posters. I thought the page turns were fine; the font sizes were limited, but acceptable; and it was easy to find books even without collections. The page numbering was a bit odd in the books that came with it (by chapter rather than book), but normal in any I loaded myself.

If by annotations you mean notes, highlights and multiple bookmarks the Kobo has all of those, and with the plugin in has collections.

[sporran]

Originally Posted by bethany7

Wow, this thread really exploded whilst I was away!

I have a quick update: I was having big wifi issues with my Kobo Touch, and after emailing customer services, I (very quickly) got a reply telling me to take it back. I did so and... Bought the Sony PRS-T1. I am MUCH happier with this one, I am fortunate to be a member of two local libraries (live on the border for two councils) that do ebooks, so I am very pleased with downloading them directly onto my device. The man in the Sony Centre that I spoke to (really lovely bloke!) was very helpful and let me have a play around with the Sony before I bought it, and I just knew that it was the right choice. He also confirmed that the plan is for the Reader Store to open in Europe in Spring this year, apparently it has been delayed because of (obviously) publisher agreements and (less obviously) sorting out security after the Playstation issues last year. Looking forward to the launch, but I'm happy with the Reader as is right now.

Thanks, everyone!

Happy new Sony, I'm already on my fifth download from my library,It's so convenient to have this option, good news about the reader store ( maybe ).
Don't know if you already have, but when I registered my T1 on Sony's website, they gave me a load of classic books to download,plus the promise of future stuff..

[bethany7]

Originally Posted by sporran

Happy new Sony, I'm already on my fifth download from my library,It's so convenient to have this option, good news about the reader store ( maybe ).
Don't know if you already have, but when I registered my T1 on Sony's website, they gave me a load of classic books to download,plus the promise of future stuff..

Yep, downloaded the classics Loving the library, I'm on my second book now. It's great not having to pay for books! And it's so much more convenient than driving to a library (our local one is tiny and I've read a lot of the books) or having to pay for a reservation. Looking forward to at least having the option of the store, but as we are able to download from the likes of Kobo on the device already, I'm not too fussed.
I was happy with the Kobo, until the WiFi bug, but I'm even happier with the the Sony.

[LuvReadin]

Originally Posted by The Terminator

If by annotations you mean notes, highlights and multiple bookmarks the Kobo has all of those, and with the plugin in has collections.

I meant handwriting really, but I don't think the basic Kobo (Wireless) actually has any note or highlighting capabilities, does it?

[Pomtroll]

I like my Sony too. Enjoy.