Need help understanding Kobo vs Pocketbook

[neil_swann80]

Originally Posted by pypeke

I have done some more research on Kobos and they sell audiobooks, so the Kobos do not have speakers, therefore, no TTS.

They do sell audiobooks, but you can't really sideload your own; whereas Pocketbook allows audiobook sideloading and supports many formats.

I don't think any Kobos provide TTS. You don't specifically need a built-in speaker for this functionality, works with Bluetooth audio.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by meeera

If they many sizes on a Kobo aren't enough for you, you can enable even more by patching.

How does patching work? Does that mean patching the device or patching the book? Using Calibre? Does that mean editing the font in all of my books? Maybe even making the fonts darker or thicker?

The Kindle font that doesn't strain my eyes is 6 bumps on the slider. The 7th bump is way too big... about like this or this But the 6th bump on the Fire slider is too blurry after wearing contacts all day then switching to glasses.

Or maybe download new fonts on the Kobo. Does PocketBook let me download new fonts?

I had Nooks, early on, then switched to Kindle Fire and many Samsung tablets so Kobo and PocketBook is unknown to me. Calibre is brand new to me....

Thanks.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by neil_swann80

They do sell audiobooks, but you can't really sideload your own; whereas Pocketbook allows audiobook sideloading and supports many formats.

I don't think any Kobos provide TTS. You don't specifically need a built-in speaker for this functionality, works with Bluetooth audio.

Man, this over my head! So not the lack of a speaker... How does it work with Bluetooth audio?

I think I need to go back to learning the differences between using Kobo and using PocketBook devices.

All I THINK I know is that is sideloading books is necessary with Pocketbook (no store) and that Kobo has its own store. Does Kobo work like Nook and Kindle where you can use your eReader to download straight from their store?

I am learning how to use Callibre but I don't have any Kobo books. I saw the word "kepubs" today and I have no idea what that is, so I will head down that rabbit hole. It will take me forever to be ready to choose a new eReader, and my Fire is on its last legs.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by pypeke

How does patching work? Does that mean patching the device or patching the book? Using Calibre? Does that mean editing the font in all of my books? Maybe even making the fonts darker or thicker?

Patching the device. Which you can do, but it's not necessary.

You can make fonts darker and thicker using default options on your Kobo. No patching or Calibre editing needed for that.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by pypeke

Does Kobo work like Nook and Kindle where you can use your eReader to download straight from their store?

Yes, it does.

[neil_swann80]

Originally Posted by pypeke

Man, this over my head! So not the lack of a speaker... How does it work with Bluetooth audio?

I'm not really sure what you're asking; but it simply plays the audio through the bluetooth speakers/headphones that you've paired with the reader (rather than a built-in speaker). Same for audiobooks, TTS or music.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by neil_swann80

I'm not really sure what you're asking; but it simply plays the audio through the bluetooth speakers/headphones that you've paired with the reader (rather than a built-in speaker). Same for audiobooks, TTS or music.

OK. I wasn't thinking! As long as the eReader has Bluetooth it can play audiobooks. Just one of my duh! moments today.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Patching the device. Which you can do, but it's not necessary.

You can make fonts darker and thicker using default options on your Kobo. No patching or Calibre editing needed for that.

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Yes, it does.

I just read your post from the Kobo sticky. I really don't want to do any patching. I understand some people like Kobo better and some like Pocketbook better for their stock reader. (No changes)

I just don't understand why some would choose a Kobo vs a Pocketbook eReader or the other way around. No stores around here have them. Maybe Walmart does, but I don't know if they can be returned if I don't like them. I need to get my hands on them.

I understand why people choose Boox as their reader. Easy if you can remember whether you bought a particular book from Kindle or Nook store. That is my main reason I am using Calibre. I created a column to remind me where I bought books. With a Boox, I have to search both apps to find where I bought a book. If I sideload my books, it does not matter. Kobo or Pocketbook would be great.

However, I would like to go with an eReader that gets updates even after being discontinued like the Kobo does. Not sure if Pocketbook keeps updates going like Kobo does. Plus, I like the idea of fixing the Kobos if a battery needs replaced. (Only the 3 newest Kobos so far)

[John F]

Originally Posted by pypeke

How does patching work? ...

The Kindle font that doesn't strain my eyes is 6 bumps on the slider. The 7th bump is way too big... about like this or this But the 6th bump on the Fire slider is too blurry after wearing contacts all day then switching to glasses.

...

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Patching the device. Which you can do, but it's not necessary.

...

pypeke, if you don't plan on patching, I wouldn't assume the Kobo is better just because it has more font size options. As I recall, there are some that are way too small, and some that are way too big, so there weren't many variations for the sizes that I desired. I forget what the number of choices were, but I think it was around 14? I haven't used the default font sizes in a long time, so I may be off base on this.

With patching, I'm very happy with the font size options (I think I have it down to one pixel per slider step).

[issybird]

I find the Kobo font sizes to be sufficiently granular right out the box. Much more so than Kindle, where 5 is too small and 6 is too big. The margin settings on Kobo are also much better; the text can go right to the edge if you’d like (I like). Kindles leave a significant margin which means you’re losing a lot of reading area. I also prefer Kobo’s stock fonts to Kindle’s.

I’ve never patched or jailbreaked; I always use stock. I’m not very fussy — but I do prefer Kobo’s granularity to Kindle’s. However, I read on both and both are fine.

It’s true, though; you won’t be able to try either a Kobo or a Boox in the wild before purchasing, so ultimately if you pick one it’s a leap of faith.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by John F

pypeke, if you don't plan on patching, I wouldn't assume the Kobo is better just because it has more font size options. As I recall, there are some that are way too small, and some that are way too big, so there weren't many variations for the sizes that I desired. I forget what the number of choices were, but I think it was around 14? I haven't used the default font sizes in a long time, so I may be off base on this.

With patching, I'm very happy with the font size options (I think I have it down to one pixel per slider step).

Thanks. I guess I would use patches if I had to, but it is over my head right now. I just need to make a decision on Kobo vs PocketBook. I just read posts that said Pocketbooks do not have warranty servicen the U.S. I assumed I would need to mail it to Europe, but someone posted that Pocketbook would only give a discount on a new device. If true, then I will buy Kobo and use the stock reader and stock fonts.

Then once I understand more, I will probably add any patches for the fonts I want to use.

I am just not used to doing anything but reading on my eReader. I need to start with small bites... and not jump in with both feet.

[pypeke]

Originally Posted by issybird

I find the Kobo font sizes to be sufficiently granular right out the box. Much more so than Kindle, where 5 is too small and 6 is too big. The margin settings on Kobo are also much better; the text can go right to the edge if you’d like (I like). Kindles leave a significant margin which means you’re losing a lot of reading area. I also prefer Kobo’s stock fonts to Kindle’s.

I’ve never patched or jailbreaked; I always use stock. I’m not very fussy — but I do prefer Kobo’s granularity to Kindle’s. However, I read on both and both are fine.

It’s true, though; you won’t be able to try either a Kobo or a Boox in the wild before purchasing, so ultimately if you pick one it’s a leap of faith.

Thanks. I am going to buy a Kobo.

Kobo Libra 2: cannot find unless I want to pay more than the original price for a used device...comparable to the price of a new Sage.

Kobo Sage: I don't mind charging it more often because of the battery. Can the battery be replaced. I-Fix-It only shows the 3 newest Kobos as repairable. I figure with my luck, Kobo will come out with a Sage 2 with a bigger battery as soon as I buy the original Sage. Good news for everyone else.

Kobo Libra Colour: I could deal with the color, I guess, but it is a 7". But it is a 2024 model while the Sage is a 2021. I would use the front light while reading in the house anyway, so the darker screen would still be clear. I never read outside unless while riding in a car.

Does anyone know if the Sage and the Libra Colour have recessed screens or if they have flush screens?

One minute I decide on a Sage, then I read more posts and change my mind. Then I switch back and forth. Cannot make up my mind. But, if Kobo offered a Sage 2 in a month, I would get that. I should probably stick with the Sage.
No matter which one I buy, I will have to settle.

[Bookstooge]

Reading through this thread.

Do you mind explaining what made your mind up about Kobo instead of pocketbook? Just people talking about it, something else? I too will be looking for a new reader in the next couple of months and any bit of info I can glean ahead of time is most welcome.

[Aleron Ives]

The Sage screen is flush. The Libra Colour is indented, IIRC.

If you have the money, you should really choose based on what you want. Do you want 8" enough to accept the increased weight and worse battery life? If so, get a Sage. If you prefer 7", less weight, and bettery battery life, get a Libra 2. It's expensive now because it's a good device, and Kobo hasn't released a worthy successor yet.

[Sirtel]

One difference between Kobo and Pocketbook that may be important to some people: making fonts darker and thicker (i.e. adding weight). You can do that in the stock reader of the Kobo, but AFAIK not on the Pocketbook - with Pocketbooks, you need to either sideload a dark custom font or use KOReader (the latter needs to be installed separately).