Kobos at Wal Mart.... still happening?

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I was wondering if it wasn't because, if you can easily borrow books from the library, you're less likely to buy as many from Kobo. I know I liked it when the Sony's T2 Overdrive app still worked. I probably borrowed forty books on my Kindle last year and would definitely like to see this direct borrowing feature on my Kobo Touch. (Not that I expect it will happen.)

Thing is, those who are generally into borrowing extensively from their library often aren't in a position to buy every book they wish to read.

Easy is relative when the wait lines for the latest title by popular authors mean it can take months to get.

OTOH, for constant readers like me, I am always checking my wish list to see what's available now. So I keep quite busy waiting for my next hold to drop.

Plus there's always public domain.

Yes, I buy fewer from Kobo because of borrowing, but realistically, can't afford to buy ebooks constantly (I read 2-4 books weekly), so if library ebooks weren't available, I'd be going with more freebies, public domain, and GASP, paper books.

But, I DO buy from time to time, because my library doesn't carry everything I want. In a few cases, I simply am not patient enough to wait.

Anyway, I think direct library borrowing would convince some to buy devices, from there, perhaps they'd move to buying ebooks from Kobo/Walmart. It's a fair certainty that without owning a Kobo device they aren't likely to be buying Kobo ebooks, so seems to me, only a plus to add the feature to any reader they offer through Walmart.


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[davidfor]

Originally Posted by graycyn

Thing is, those who are generally into borrowing extensively from their library often aren't in a position to buy every book they wish to read.

Easy is relative when the wait lines for the latest title by popular authors mean it can take months to get.

That is one of the things I've been wondering about: Are the people who borrow from a library and those who buy books a distinct set. I do get the feeling from discussions here, that heavy library users don't buy many books. And maybe Kobo was hoping that people would try to borrow a book, see there was a queue and decide to buy the book instead. If that is the case, and hasn't happened as much as they thought it would, then justifying the expansion of the service (other devices and other countries) might be hard.

It would be interesting to see how much usage is made of the service and how many people do buy the books instead. Unfortunately, neither Kobo or OverDrive are likely to publish those stats.

[ottdmk]

For myself, I'm unable to buy as many books as I have in the past. E-book library borrowing has been an absolute godsend for me. I still buy a few books a year though, and they're pretty much all through Kobo (with the odd Kindle exclusive. I hate Kindle exclusives though. Grrrrr.)

[Cootey]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I'll guess we'll see what happens. You may be surprised at how many people are getting tired of Amazon taking over everything.

This. Also, there are deals to work out in Japan. The Kobo in Walmart isn't the only aspect of this deal. Rakuten is getting access to Walmart in Japan as well. Also, also, I fully expect Walmart to be pushing for a bargain bare bones eReader that they can move in high volumes, both online and in store. I wouldn't expect anything that competes with the Kindle Oasis or KA1.

[Cootey]

Originally Posted by mdclanahan

I would think the built-in Overdrive support on the Aura might be a good selling point. Is it really more convenient than using Overdrive with a Kindle? Not really, but it could certainly be hyped up.

I don't know. I've done both and I really like the Overdrive integration on my KA1 vs my Paperwhite. What's an improvement is a) being able to borrow from the Kobo store (though allowing us to filter for library books would make that ever better) and b) renewing and returning right from the KA1. Much easier than having to load up a web page.

However, if you do all your borrowing from your library's Overdrive portal, you might not see much of a difference.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Cootey

...Also, also, I fully expect Walmart to be pushing for a bargain bare bones eReader that they can move in high volumes, both online and in store. I wouldn't expect anything that competes with the Kindle Oasis or KA1.

Putting on my Carnac the Magnificent turban, I expect the Clara HD to compete with the Paperwhite and the Aura Edition 2 to be the 'bargain, bare bones eReader that they can move in high volumes.'

[John F]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Putting on my Carnac the Magnificent turban, I expect the Clara HD to compete with the Paperwhite and the Aura Edition 2 to be the 'bargain, bare bones eReader that they can move in high volumes.'

Will that work? The Aura 2nd ed is $119, the Clara HD is reportedly $129, and the basic Kindle is $79. I would guess the "bare bones" shopper would want to save the $40 (get the Kindle basic), although I know I wouldn't buy a non-lighted reader.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by John F

Will that work? The Aura 2nd ed is $119, the Clara HD is reportedly $129, and the basic Kindle is $79. I would guess the "bare bones" shopper would want to save the $40 (get the Kindle basic), although I know I wouldn't buy a non-lighted reader.

My guess is that the Aura 2nd edition will be discontinued, just as the Glo HD was discontinued when the Aura2E came out. They can't sell two devices at such close price points.

Which might mean bargain prices on the Aura2E once the Clara's for sale.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by John F

Will that work? The Aura 2nd ed is $119, the Clara HD is reportedly $129, and the basic Kindle is $79. I would guess the "bare bones" shopper would want to save the $40 (get the Kindle basic), although I know I wouldn't buy a non-lighted reader.

That's assuming there will never be a change. I don't think the Aura Edition 2 will drop to $79 But I could see it dropping to $100.00.

This is only guessing by me. If not that, then I guess the Aura 2 will just vanish. But if Walmart does want a cheap-o reader (which does fit their style) the Aura 2 seems to be the best Kobo has to offer.

[John F]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

That's assuming there will never be a change. I don't think the Aura Edition 2 will drop to $79 But I could see it dropping to $100.00. ...

Sure, and doesn't the paperwhite go to $100? Given the choice of the two, I would probably pick the Paperwhite (for $100)

...

This is only guessing by me. If not that, then I guess the Aura 2 will just vanish. But if Walmart does want a cheap-o reader (which does fit their style) the Aura 2 seems to be the best Kobo has to offer.

It is all just guessing, and isn't it fun.

Weren't people guessing that the Glo HD was dropped because it wasn't profitable (enough?)? Interesting that adding the Comfort Light Pro will make the Clara more profitable.

[Wearever]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

That's assuming there will never be a change. I don't think the Aura Edition 2 will drop to $79 But I could see it dropping to $100.00.

This is only guessing by me. If not that, then I guess the Aura 2 will just vanish. But if Walmart does want a cheap-o reader (which does fit their style) the Aura 2 seems to be the best Kobo has to offer.

Why just a cheap o-reader for Walmart ? They do sell iphones and ipad's and Samsung tablets and phones too. They also have the pay as you go phones so something for everyone. I would guess they would have a large Aura One and the smaller e ink Kobo's most likely the new Clara model.

I hope so anyway. I would like to see both in the Walmart's in the US.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

This is only guessing by me. If not that, then I guess the Aura 2 will just vanish. But if Walmart does want a cheap-o reader (which does fit their style) the Aura 2 seems to be the best Kobo has to offer.

Kobo changed the hardware in the Aura 2 and Aura H2O2 either late last year or earlier this year. That doesn't sound like something you do just before dropping the device.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by John F

Sure, and doesn't the paperwhite go to $100? Given the choice of the two, I would probably pick the Paperwhite (for $100)

The Paperwhite is $140 ($120 with ads). If you've seen it for $100.00, that was a sale.

Weren't people guessing that the Glo HD was dropped because it wasn't profitable (enough?)? Interesting that adding the Comfort Light Pro will make the Clara more profitable.

I still think the Glo HD was dropped due to profitability.

I think the Clara HD is an admission that Kobo can't put out a subpar device and expect to compete with the Paperwhite and the Glowlight 3. I would guess that they are hoping to make up for it by having major distribution in the US (something they didn't have when they dropped the Glo HD).

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Wearever

Why just a cheap o-reader for Walmart ? They do sell iphones and ipad's and Samsung tablets and phones too. They also have the pay as you go phones so something for everyone. I would guess they would have a large Aura One and the smaller e ink Kobo's most likely the new Clara model.

Who said 'just'? But lets be honest, Walmart is known for being cheap, not for being high-end. Sure, maybe they'll have all the Kobo models for sale. But a cheaper model is right up Walmart's alley.

My local Walmart has the Lenovo Tab4, but not the nicer Tab4 Plus. They have the cheaper Samsung Galaxy Tab E, but not the Tab S.

The iPad is the exception to the rule and Kobo isn't Apple.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Kobo changed the hardware in the Aura 2 and Aura H2O2 either late last year or earlier this year. That doesn't sound like something you do just before dropping the device.

So they're going to continue to sell the Aura Edition 2 for $119 and then sell the Clara HD for $129?