new device announcement?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by issybird

This is where you lose the argument and I don’t even disagree about the unimportance of waterproofing.

What happens if you spill a drink on a book? Or if you drop it into the tub? The book won’t be as nice anymore, but it’ll still be readable. And in the worst case scenario where you’ve got mush, your exposure is the cost of the single book only. In the case of an ereader your exposure in the case of a spill or a dunk can be literally hundreds of dollars. In other words, skip the hyperbole.

I would never drop my Reader in a tub for two reasons. one I would never have electronics with me in the tub and two, I don't have a tub. Just two proper showers.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

The current Kobo gen has replaceable batteries.

https://ifixit.com/Device/Kobo

That's not withing the upcoming EU law. A user replacable battery is a battery door you open to remove and replace the battery and no wires are used with the battery.

I hope Kobo comes out with new Reader(s) in 2027 so we can see what the design will be when it's got easily user replaceable batteries. I also look forward to seeing what the iPhone will be like in 2027.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Something I think you are overlooking is the capacity of the Nokia batteries. Searching on BL-5C and BL-6C shows capacity around 1000 to 1500 mAh. The Libra Colour on the other hand has a 2050 mAh battery .

We'll see what the replaceable battery will be like for the next Kobo released after Feb 2027.

[Quoth]

There are (from easy to harder)

1. Snap in batteries, even some recent phones.
2. Snap in with a couple of screws.
3. Batteries with a cable and plug. The main board connector on some breaks easily.
4. Batteries with a captive cable that's soldered.

Very many gadgets and phones use standard cells, but there are a huge variety. In my experience of very many repairs the biggest issues are:
1. Access. Some models are easy (DXG, K3, Libra H2O, Libra 2, Sage). One Oasis seems to not open at all. The original Aura HD H20 was stupid double-sided tape on bezel, as it was hard to take apart and nearly impossible to reassemble. It should have had 6 rear screws into bezel outside a neoprene gasket ring.
2. Flimsy socket (intended for single use), or soldered wires (not as bad if you can solder).

I conclude it's partly deliberate in some cases and partly lazy design. Double sided tape or glue is poor design. Not impressed by Apple's new electrically debonding glue.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Kobo_Libra_Colour

I find it hilarious that even with an official OEM partnership w/ Kobo and iFixIt, iFixIt still only gives the device a 6/10 repairability score.

If you check on that, the main reason for that rating is that the Kobo ereaders are only fixable in large chunks and for most of them, those chunks are not available. For the newest devices, motherboard, display or battery are available. You want to change out the memory (RAM and/or eMMC)? Happen to have a surface mount rework station handy? Oh, and the programmer for reading the old eMMC and writing the new one.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That's not withing the upcoming EU law. A user replacable battery is a battery door you open to remove and replace the battery and no wires are used with the battery.

Jon, where the <expletive deleted> did you get that crap about needing a battery door?

To quote from section 38 of REGULATION (EU) 2023/1542:

A portable battery should be considered to be removable by the end-user when it can be removed with the use of commercially available tools and without requiring the use of specialised tools, unless they are provided free of charge, or proprietary tools, thermal energy or solvents to disassemble it. Commercially available tools are considered to be tools available on the market to all end-users without the need for them to provide evidence of any proprietary rights and that can be used with no restriction, except health and safety-related restrictions.

Please note there is no mention of a battery door anywhere in the document. Current Kobo ereaders where you pop the back cover off with spudger/guitar pick/whatever to access the battery meets that requirement. The iFixit Kobo battery kit contains all the tools needed so the commercially available part is met. Oddly, I already have the tools required but electronics is one of my hobbies.

[Quoth]

There will not be battery doors.