Any news on when KOBO ereader will be at walmart?

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by dakini

Second store had a display of kobo gift cards, but it was odd. You could buy denominations for dollar amounts (that makes sense), or you could buy gift cards for particular books in particular formats. That seems not the best option, since what if someone already has the book, and the card prices seemed inflated. To Kill A Mockingbird, in audiobook, was $27, which seemed quite pricey. I asked there about the Kobos, they didn’t know if there were plans to bring any in store. Their best guess was to check around Black Friday.

I think the book cards they do have on display are — more or less — just there for spur of the moment purchases. Samples of what's available online. As for Kobo devices, what I read in Walmart's press release was that there was going to be 1,000 stores that had the devices and 3,500 stores that had the book and gift cards. I don't know if the 3,500 stores included the 1,000 stores that had both, or not. So if that particular Walmart has the book cards but doesn't have the Aura on display (or at least a spot for it) I'm guessing they won't be getting them. (Unless the numbers change, and maybe for Christmas in the tablet section?) I guess it also depends on Kobo sales.

I honestly thought the "roll-out" would be a bit bigger than this.

[HLS]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I think the book cards they do have on display are — more or less — just there for spur of the moment purchases. Samples of what's available online. As for Kobo devices, what I read in Walmart's press release was that there was going to be 1,000 stores that had the devices and 3,500 stores that had the book and gift cards. I don't know if the 3,500 stores included the 1,000 stores that had both, or not. So if that particular Walmart has the book cards but doesn't have the Aura on display (or at least a spot for it) I'm guessing they won't be getting them. (Unless the numbers change, and maybe for Christmas in the tablet section?) I guess it also depends on Kobo sales.

I honestly thought the "roll-out" would be a bit bigger than this.

My store has a nice display now but the employees are clueless. They don’t know what an ereader is so they call it a ebook. Lol I purchased the Aura and it was a painful shopping experience. I almost went postal with these idiots. So far the Aura is thinner and lighter than a paperwhite. Better customization as well of fonts, sizes..etc. Only two things I hate is keyboard is so small took
Me dozens of tries to log in and I do not see a way to bold text

[HLS]

Originally Posted by RPribyl

Just found my way back to mobileread after debating spending the $$ on an Oasis since I scratched my voyage . However, I then found about about Kobo’s and became intrigued. I didn’t even realize Walmart was going to be selling them, so I’m hopeful that my local Walmart will have them tomorrow!

I love love the oasis outside of the battery life which sucks. I have to recharge 2 or 3 times a week

[Wearever]

I've not been to a Walmart yet to see if they have them ( Kobo's ) but at this point they probably won't be one of the 1000 stores. No ads about Kobo from Walmart so far either. They just don't seem to be promoting them. I agree not a very good roll out effort. If they are this timid at launch it doesn't look promising. Most likely they will be available online in most stores. Better than nothing but still I would like to see them in person. Maybe they will have them on the shelves by the holidays.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Wearever

I've not been to a Walmart yet to see if they have them ( Kobo's ) but at this point they probably won't be one of the 1000 stores. No ads about Kobo from Walmart so far either. They just don't seem to be promoting them. I agree not a very good roll out effort. If they are this timid at launch it doesn't look promising. Most likely they will be available online in most stores. Better than nothing but still I would like to see them in person. Maybe they will have them on the shelves by the holidays.

It's possible that they want to get supplies up and work out the kinks before the big promotion(s). I don't know. I'm hoping that, at some point, they have a sale to get people's attention. As it is, so far, it's not very impressive.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Well, that's something I never knew. Do they lower the price of everything you buy with cash?

The price was lowered simply by going from free 2 day home delivery to 2 day store pickup - regardless of payment. I am not sure if all store pickup are cheaper, I have never ordered from Walmart.com.

[HLS]

Originally Posted by Wearever

I've not been to a Walmart yet to see if they have them ( Kobo's ) but at this point they probably won't be one of the 1000 stores. No ads about Kobo from Walmart so far either. They just don't seem to be promoting them. I agree not a very good roll out effort. If they are this timid at launch it doesn't look promising. Most likely they will be available online in most stores. Better than nothing but still I would like to see them in person. Maybe they will have them on the shelves by the holidays.

Pull up the kobo on Walmart.com and use the store availability feature to whine which store has them

[lkmiller]

I would imagine the specific book cards could be used for some other book if the recipient already had it. Need to read the fine print though.

Checked the website for store availibilty here -- looks like it's only ship to store and pick up in a few days. One of the readers (Clara?) had a pick-up discount.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by kcladyz

Lol I purchased the Aura and it was a painful shopping experience. I almost went postal with these idiots. So far the Aura is thinner and lighter than a paperwhite. Better customization as well of fonts, sizes..etc. Only two things I hate is keyboard is so small took
Me dozens of tries to log in and I do not see a way to bold text

Search through the different threads here or post a separate thread and you should get some answers. If you want all the text bolded, you should be able to adjust the font weight. But that discussion is probably better had in a different thread.

Hope you like your Kobo. I've only had limited experience with the Kindle, so I can't say the Kobo is better. But it is loads better than the Nook software experience.

[Flaneurette]

Originally Posted by rcentros

It's possible that they want to get supplies up and work out the kinks before the big promotion(s). I don't know. I'm hoping that, at some point, they have a sale to get people's attention. As it is, so far, it's not very impressive.

Here is the ad from the nyt book review I mentioned upthread

[Cyfranek]

Originally Posted by Flaneurette

Here is the ad from the nyt book review I mentioned upthread

What a giant Kobo! 10 inches? More...? [ups, this picture is about e-book not ereaders]

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Cyfranek

What a giant Kobo! 10 inches? More...? [ups, this picture is about e-book not ereaders]

It looks like an eInk device in the ad. I wonder which one.

[Wearever]

Originally Posted by kcladyz

Pull up the kobo on Walmart.com and use the store availability feature to whine which store has them

Thanks, the store nearest me will ship in 2 days for pick up. They don't have them on display yet. So they are only available online so far.

[Wearever]

Originally Posted by Flaneurette

Here is the ad from the nyt book review I mentioned upthread

Lol at least they could have shown a Kobo with this ad. I know the ad is for e books, but since they are timing the roll out with the Kobo tie in ?

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It looks like an eInk device in the ad. I wonder which one.

It looks too big, the bezels look more like a tablet. Dedicated devices are nice, but will work on any tablet or phone you already have. Wherever you can use your tablet now, you will be able to read. Small steps, replace some entertainment on tablet with books, then venture outside.