Kobo Aura H2O Officially Announced

[ottdmk]

It's an Aura HD that costs $10 more. For that $10 you get a Carta screen and water/dust proofing. I think Carta + water/dust proofing (especially dust) might be worth it, *if* I didn't have an Aura HD. If I ever need to replace my Aura HD, I will happily go with the H2O.

I had my Aura HD with me while meeting some friends, and one of them excitedly mentioned that they came out with a waterproof Kindle recently. I corrected her, of course. However, it shows that the waterproofing is making a bit of a splash (pun intended.) She also said she wants one.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

And it may not be a water-only device, but I rather think it is a device only for people who will sometimes use it in/near water. Just because it can be used out of water doesn't mean you should ignore the fact that the waterproofing itself is an extra cost that you are paying for.

Only some people (some/half/many/whatever, it doesn't really matter) read near baths, pools, and beaches. But virtually everyone reads near liquids from time to time, be it a glass of water, a cup of tea, a gin & tonic, a toddler with an open container, water falling from the sky, etc. The waterproofing comes at a marginal increase in cost - and as PP have noted, a better screen as well. I reckon it's a great deal, and not just because I'd like to read in the bath.

[ersott]

Kobo aura H2o vs kobo aura 6"

[filmo]

I think water proof readers is natural evolutionary development of readers to make them more rugged, able to prevent acidental damage for little cost with better design. I expect screen substaight damage will will also be greatly reduced by future more rugged designs to reduce costomer complaints. Soon after ereaders without rugged design will be cosidered a chincy product.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've be bothered having to carry that extra weight and having to carry around two books for when I finish one and want to start another. What's the point of having a Reade rif she takes pBooks on vacation?



I think we all are. But for now, I'm thinking of getting the H2O and then waiting for the next one to be glass free.

Don't ask me why she does that. I know she leaves the paperbacks that she finishes behind.

My neighbor is a bit the same way. If there is any situation that risks the reader she won't take it. But mostly she is afraid someone will steal it.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by meeera

Only some people (some/half/many/whatever, it doesn't really matter) read near baths, pools, and beaches. But virtually everyone reads near liquids from time to time, be it a glass of water, a cup of tea, a gin & tonic, a toddler with an open container, water falling from the sky, etc. The waterproofing comes at a marginal increase in cost - and as PP have noted, a better screen as well. I reckon it's a great deal, and not just because I'd like to read in the bath.

Me too. I have a lot of recipes and cookbooks on my laptop but I do NOT take it into the kitchen while cooking. I'm not sure I'd take the waterproof one in there, but I probably would because the other day I was reading a really good book and was standing at the stove stirring while reading. I think a nice rugged waterproof design would up the ante for people with recipes/cookbooks on their reader or even for those of us who can't put the book down for five minutes stir dinner!!!

[93terp]

Originally Posted by PeterT

Correct.

At one point there was a version of the Kobo Touch Extended driver that allowed stats to be enabled for sideloaded kEpubs. For various issues, this one a one time version of the driver and further development of it did not continue.

Thanks Peter, I do remember that.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But even if you just remove the Reader from the case while reading, there's still the drp on the floor that you can have and do all floors/grounds you are on when reading have a nice soft carpet? Probably not. So it's still a bigger risk you take.

Yes but for some of us it's a risk worth taking. Relative to the weight of the reader a case can add a significant amount of weight to the reader. It doesn't slip into my pocket nicely due to the added bulk. It hinders my ability to read with either my left or my right hand. It's just a pain in the butt in general. I've had my readers fall from the bed to the floor, I've sat on them while in my back pocket and I've had one drop from my cargo pocket onto the concrete platform while waiting for the train. I also throw it into the front pocket of my shoulder bag which really offers no protection at all and my readers have never even suffered as little as a scratch. I'm all for covers for phones which generally cost three times as much and fit into pockets whether they have covers or not and I would not be able to get along without even for a few days if I were to break it. Readers on the other hand are a different story which is why I appreciate it when they come with a nice easy to hang onto backing.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

Yes but for some of us it's a risk worth taking. Relative to the weight of the reader a case can add a significant amount of weight to the reader. It doesn't slip into my pocket nicely due to the added bulk.

Putting a Reader in your pocket is even a great risk of it getting broken. Don't do it.

[filmo]

I once rode a roller coaster with Kobo wifi in front pocket of loose fit trousers. I took some extra precautions. Silicone cover with 23 gage really stiff steel sheet metal to protect screen. I and reader survived the rides and I read while in long lines. At the time I had 2 wifi readers that are now gifted and now have 3 touch screen readers. Need another Kobo mini that is much easier to carry in pocket.

[booklover6]

I carry and use my white Mini out of a cover at all times. I have a black back on it, and it is just so small and light and attractive. I keep a bubble mailer in my purse and just slip it in there to protect the screen.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by booklover6

I carry and use my white Mini out of a cover at all times. I have a black back on it, and it is just so small and light and attractive. I keep a bubble mailer in my purse and just slip it in there to protect the screen.

I made a quilted cover. But I mostly use a fitted case all the time.

Although with Jswolf nagging and scolding it makes you just want to run in the backyard tossing it from person to person and yelling "My reader is naked, nah,nah,naaaaah." And then jumping in the pool and having a H2O tossed at you so you can dunk it and yell, "Hah, I have an H2O!!!"

[Barty]

Originally Posted by ersott

Kobo aura H2o vs kobo aura 6"

Their review is frustrating . It's obvious the new aura has a lighter screen background but they don't tell us whether they see it in person or what the front light setting is for each. Or how text clarity compares . Instead it's mostly about how the firmware is basically the same. D'oh!

[ersott]

Originally Posted by Barty

Their review is frustrating . It's obvious the new aura has a lighter screen background but they don't tell us whether they see it in person or what the front light setting is for each. Or how text clarity compares . Instead it's mostly about how the firmware is basically the same. D'oh!

+1

It´s frustrating for me too : Blink:

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by Barty

Their review is frustrating . It's obvious the new aura has a lighter screen background but they don't tell us whether they see it in person or what the front light setting is for each. Or how text clarity compares . Instead it's mostly about how the firmware is basically the same. D'oh!

That is so typical of them. I watched it with the sound off. Even so, it was quite useless.

It might have been slightly more useful, had the compared the H2O and the Aura HD.