New Home Screen vs Old Home Screen

[John F]

Originally Posted by issybird

I tend to go for the "as it works out of the box" option; I've applied the full screen hack to my Kobos and that's it. Once and done, I'll add, unlike with the weekly firmware updates.

Frankly, I don't have the skills to patch easily; I could get there, but my Luddite heart quails at the learning curve. I can't use a computer right now anyway, so that would be for the future.

I appreciate the reminder that there are options; I'm just annoyed that Kobo is making me choose between unattractive alternatives, that for my purposes they've broken something that worked well before.

I understand and agree completely. I just wanted to mention it, in case it may be helpful.

Shame on Kobo for not allowing users to disable/delay updates.

[Bookworm_Girl]

I voted no. I think the old home page is more useful and functional. I don't want it to be more "Amazon-like". It would be better if they offered customization. I would like to see reading stats on the home page, especially since that is something that they do different from the other brands so why not feature it.

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I voted no. I think the old home page is more useful and functional. I don't want it to be more "Amazon-like". It would be better if they offered customization. I would like to see reading stats on the home page, especially since that is something that they do different from the other brands so why not feature it.

I agree with these sentiments. I think the old Home screen with its dismissable tiles was innovative with great customisation abilities.

How can making Kobo devices 'more Kindle-like' with less options possibly do Kobo any good at all in the long run? They need to stick to their traditional strengths. That's why we keep buying them. If a Kobo becomes 'just another Kindle' then many potential new customers will stick with the perceived 'safer' option. Only one winner there - and it's not Kobo.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by Ksquared

I did share my opinion of that new home screen with Kobo - I encourage others to do the same! I work in Quality Assurance (not for Kobo, BTW) and nothing is more difficult than a customer that tells you about a problem six months after is started to annoy them.

https://www.kobo.com/help/?style=one...&culture=en-US

Done, thank you.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

I agree with these sentiments. I think the old Home screen with its dismissable tiles was innovative with great customisation abilities.

How can making Kobo devices 'more Kindle-like' with less options possibly do Kobo any good at all in the long run? They need to stick to their traditional strengths. That's why we keep buying them. If a Kobo becomes 'just another Kindle' then many potential new customers will stick with the perceived 'safer' option. Only one winner there - and it's not Kobo.

What I would like to see is a home screen with the upper row from the new home screen but the dismissable tiles from the old home screen. I like the magnifying glass search icon instead of the bar and the drop down menu for functions though adding back the home button would be my preference. OTOH, I am not a user interface designer and I suspect that any attempts on my part would have me emulating Homer Simpson in the "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" episode.

I have to agree that Kobo needs to avoid falling into the "me too" trap of trying to make their ereader GUI look more like the Kindle GUI but there also seems to be a fairly vocal group complaining about "stale interfaces". Much like the constant complaints that Apple does not completely re-invent the iPhone interface every couple of years while almost every Android phone maker slaps their own modified GUI over Google's GUI. A rather noisy group that prefers eye candy over functionality.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by DNSB

What I would like to see is a home screen with the upper row from the new home screen but the dismissable tiles from the old home screen.

That might be an interesting compromise.

I like the magnifying glass search icon instead of the bar and the drop down menu for functions though adding back the home button would be my preference.

Removing the wasted space of the search "bar" is right. And overall I like the new top bar and menu a lot better. But, it is missing a home button.

OTOH, I am not a user interface designer and I suspect that any attempts on my part would have me emulating Homer Simpson in the "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" episode.

I have to agree that Kobo needs to avoid falling into the "me too" trap of trying to make their ereader GUI look more like the Kindle GUI but there also seems to be a fairly vocal group complaining about "stale interfaces". Much like the constant complaints that Apple does not completely re-invent the iPhone interface every couple of years while almost every Android phone maker slaps their own modified GUI over Google's GUI. A rather noisy group that prefers eye candy over functionality.

Yes, redesigning for the sake of making it "new" is a waste of time. But, I think Kobo are also trying to make the apps and devices a little more consistent. The new home screen sort of matches that of the recent Android and iOS apps. There's a list of books you are reading across the top and then sections further down the screen for the store type functions. I'm not sure if I like the design overall, but I can sort of see what Kobo are up to.

[Cherry Picker]

After reading this thread, I guess the next question has to be for davidfor...
(Keep in mind that I use a GloHD and I do not have the new Home Screen)

I am heavily reliant on Kobo Utilities for almost all of the features it provides. Included in those are the "Display Extra Tiles" and "Remove Tiles" from the home screen options. I guess I have two questions:

1. For those with the new home screen, can any of the issues above be remedied with a re-write of the Kobo Utilities plugin to accomodate new home screen displays that are not already covered by Kobo Utilities?
2. For those with the old home screen, would such a re-write affect the currently fabulous working version of Kobo Utilities (a selfish way of asking if we'd lose anything)?

[the.Mtn.Man]

Originally Posted by issybird

I must note that Kobo after a relationship of years and tons of data about what I like to read has yet ever to market to me a book I'd remotely be interested in reading.

That's hilarious.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by Cherry Picker

After reading this thread, I guess the next question has to be for davidfor...
(Keep in mind that I use a GloHD and I do not have the new Home Screen)

I am heavily reliant on Kobo Utilities for almost all of the features it provides. Included in those are the "Display Extra Tiles" and "Remove Tiles" from the home screen options. I guess I have two questions:

1. For those with the new home screen, can any of the issues above be remedied with a re-write of the Kobo Utilities plugin to accomodate new home screen displays that are not already covered by Kobo Utilities?
2. For those with the old home screen, would such a re-write affect the currently fabulous working version of Kobo Utilities (a selfish way of asking if we'd lose anything)?

The tiles on the home screen work a little differently to the old home screen. I haven't played with it much, but at the moment, I don't think there is any useful that can be done with it. And if I do find something that works, I'll try to keep it working for both home screens.

[oren64]

Originally Posted by issybird

This means I lose OverDrive integration on my Aura One, as of the two I'd rather avoid the new screen than download library books directly to my device.

I don't have Aura ONE or OverDrive, but do you have to sync the device to have OverDrive integration, isn't there another way?

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by oren64

I don't have Aura ONE or OverDrive, but do you have to sync the device to have OverDrive integration, isn't there another way?

If you are borrowing on the device, it will probably download when you borrow the book. But, if you reserve a book, or borrow using OD some other way, you will need to sync.

[booklover6]

That new home screen is enough to make me refuse to buy any new devices from Kobo. (That mythical waterproof 5" or 6" Kobo.) I'm already disappointed in advance.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by davidfor

If you are borrowing on the device, it will probably download when you borrow the book. But, if you reserve a book, or borrow using OD some other way, you will need to sync.

And if you want the books to show up on your other Kobos, you'll need to sync them.

Originally Posted by booklover6

That new home screen is enough to make me refuse to buy any new devices from Kobo. (That mythical waterproof 5" or 6" Kobo.) I'm already disappointed in advance.

I realized I'm running five different firmwares on my five Kobos. And there they'll stay; I already played Russian roulette with my Glo HD once, but I won't risk it again with any of them.

Seriously, I know that if for some reason the new screen were forced on me I'd shrug my shoulders and get over it; the reading experience itself would be unaltered. But I resent that Kobo is taking back back functionality in exchange for aggressive marketing. On the positive side, I'm fully gadgeted and barring incident won't need a new one for a long, long time.

[Willa]

Originally Posted by davidfor

The tiles on the home screen work a little differently to the old home screen. I haven't played with it much, but at the moment, I don't think there is any useful that can be done with it. And if I do find something that works, I'll try to keep it working for both home screens.

Pleeeease - go play

*sending subliminal smiling winsomely vibes*

[Willa]

I got a reply from Kobo to my comments/thoughts on the new style homescreen - the emoticons are my response!


Thank you for suggesting a new feature! We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing a problem. We’re always looking for ways to improve our service and products so we truly value your feedback.

Your suggestion will be forwarded to our innovation-minded Dev Team for review. To recognize the inconvenience caused by this issue and to thank you for your loyalty to Kobo, please accept this £3 store credit offer*

If you continue to experience problems trying to update the eReader, please contact us.