Original Kobo users forgotten?

Duiker · 10-27-2010, 05:00 PM

Is anyone else feeling like the original Kobo users have been left behind? We've been promised new firmware for weeks now and are just kept being told "soon". Now after 6 months of promising us newspapers they are finally here but are not supported for blackberry. I've been waiting 6 months for support for my blackberry using bluetooth (Curve 8330) and I'm still waiting. I feel a lot of pressure to buy the wireless version or get left behind, but since it's only been 6 months since the original came out I can't rationalize this.
What are your thoughts?

GA Russell · 10-27-2010, 05:48 PM

Duiker, when I joined MR over a year ago, I read a number of posts by long-time members that said that one should never count on firmware updates. There had been too many instances of companies that failed to keep their promises regarding updates.

I took that advice to heart, and purchased the least expensive unit available, the jetBook Lite, with low expectations. There have been two firmware updates since then, and I am quite pleased with the current edition. I consider myself lucky.

When you bought your Kobo, it was one of the least expensive devices. I believe that for the next couple of years, buying an inexpensive unit that does not do all that one might hope for is the way to go.

So my philosophy is: Keep your expectations low, and you won't be disappointed.

digital_steve · 10-27-2010, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duiker

What are your thoughts?

Similar... so i bought another device

taming · 10-27-2010, 06:30 PM

Yes--I believe you have told us that a number of times now, Steve. Again congratulations on finding something that meets your needs.

roguefan99 · 10-27-2010, 07:27 PM

Duiker, were you around for the previous upgrade. Same thing happened, there was talk of an upcoming firmware upgrade and it was confirmed by Kobo that it was happening and then it went really quiet for a while. A few weeks after that, it was confirmed on their blog that the firmware was coming and people should sign up for the beta testing. Then suddenly the firmware appeared on the website (and a post here) and people went and upgraded.

Whilst this is probably not the best way to go, I have a funny feeling that the firmware is probably in heaving testing and bug repair mode (thus kobo silence) and we should see it before christmas.

As for the other issues, I'm guessing Blackberry isn't where they are focussed on with their $$ plan, my guess is that only a small number of people use the app (unfortanetly) and the wide variety of devices makes it hard to support.

sabredog · 10-27-2010, 07:44 PM

I think we need to be patient. They have been focused on the Ko2, but now that is out we should see new firmware soon.

Kobo support has been pretty good to date. They came through for me and many others when issues have occurred and support staff are an active part of this forum. This is far more than I can say regarding Kindle and Sony for instance.

digital_steve · 10-27-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taming

Yes--I believe you have told us that a number of times now, Steve. Again congratulations on finding something that meets your needs.

We're all entitled to an opinion remember?
I'm not slagging Kobo off in any way, so maybe we can rein in the high horse and chill with a big cup of relax?

... and thanks, i did find a device that meets my needs exactly. I guess i'm lucky in that aspect. Amazingly i still own a Kobo; who would've thought!?

3d0g · 10-27-2010, 08:12 PM

Gosh, I'm so busy reading on my perfectly functional first gen kobo, I don't have time to feel forgotten...

jimr · 10-27-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3d0g

Gosh, I'm so busy reading on my perfectly functional first gen kobo, I don't have time to feel forgotten...

My sentiments exactly. Sure, whatever improvements they can make with another update will be great...but in the meantime, I haven't got a single thing to complain about. Not to mention (ok, I'll mention it anyway), any further updates will undoubtably introduce new problems, as we can plainly see by some of the comments on this forum re: the wifi Kobo...so as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Happy reading all

sabredog · 10-27-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3d0g

Gosh, I'm so busy reading on my perfectly functional first gen kobo, I don't have time to feel forgotten...

Very true

taming · 10-27-2010, 08:47 PM

One of the most asked for updates was the ability to read newspapers and magazines. The 1.7.x updates to the desktop software has made that possible for both devices, not just the WiFi. I got my email about it today.

SensualPoet · 10-27-2010, 10:26 PM

Since newspapers can't be driven to the original Kobo over the air, they are no interest to me. By the time I remember to put it on the Kobo via USB, they are no longer "news". So, a nice to have for the wifi edition.

Hey: with the Kobo wifi, do they load up when I am not looking? Or do I have to force the download? Is the newspaper available on my Kobo and my Galaxy Tab, also seamlessly?

I am also struggling with the concept of reading the Sunday New York Times on a 6" e-ink window ... and navigating through the paper. It seems to me the online experience HAS to be better.

And ... we do have access to Macleans, Canadian Business, Chatelaine, Flare, Helo, Loulou, Today's Parent and Profit, right? In Canada?

sabredog · 10-27-2010, 11:10 PM

If you use Calibre, there are recipes to pull newspapers down at whim, save as ePUB and transfer to your Kobo.

roguefan99 · 10-27-2010, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3d0g

Gosh, I'm so busy reading on my perfectly functional first gen kobo, I don't have time to feel forgotten...

LOL, and thats why I'm not rushing for a firmware upgrade, just incase it resets some of my bookmarks that I have in my books. Though I would like the covers back rather than the dull KOBO ereader screen when its off (though that just says to me "read, and read now".)

The irony is taming that I currently do read newspapers and magazines on my kobo, just using the systems that are included with Calibre. Its not quite the same and its a bit buggy (time has stopped working), but its good enough. Persoanlly I dont think its the best device for this as a web browser is much better (i.e. my phone), but its okay.

Oh and didn't newspapers just start yesterday, or am I missing something?

zoran · 10-28-2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimr

I haven't got a single thing to complain about. Not to mention (ok, I'll mention it anyway), any further updates will undoubtably introduce new problems, as we can plainly see by some of the comments on this forum re: the wifi Kobo...so as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

He-he! Exactly. In a matter of fact 1.4 is pretty fine, if you could
live without go-to. If you cannot, 1.7 will not help.
I know what is the feeling, but I would choose the word "jettison".

10-27-2010, 05:00 PM	#1
Duiker Addict Posts: 258 Karma: 30680 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Original Kobo users forgotten? Is anyone else feeling like the original Kobo users have been left behind? We've been promised new firmware for weeks now and are just kept being told "soon". Now after 6 months of promising us newspapers they are finally here but are not supported for blackberry. I've been waiting 6 months for support for my blackberry using bluetooth (Curve 8330) and I'm still waiting. I feel a lot of pressure to buy the wireless version or get left behind, but since it's only been 6 months since the original came out I can't rationalize this. What are your thoughts?

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10-27-2010, 05:48 PM	#2
GA Russell Riders' last win July 19 Posts: 7,619 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	Duiker, when I joined MR over a year ago, I read a number of posts by long-time members that said that one should never count on firmware updates. There had been too many instances of companies that failed to keep their promises regarding updates. I took that advice to heart, and purchased the least expensive unit available, the jetBook Lite, with low expectations. There have been two firmware updates since then, and I am quite pleased with the current edition. I consider myself lucky. When you bought your Kobo, it was one of the least expensive devices. I believe that for the next couple of years, buying an inexpensive unit that does not do all that one might hope for is the way to go. So my philosophy is: Keep your expectations low, and you won't be disappointed.

10-27-2010, 06:30 PM	#4
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	Yes--I believe you have told us that a number of times now, Steve. Again congratulations on finding something that meets your needs.

10-27-2010, 07:27 PM	#5
roguefan99 Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 16 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Smart Q7, and Kobo	Duiker, were you around for the previous upgrade. Same thing happened, there was talk of an upcoming firmware upgrade and it was confirmed by Kobo that it was happening and then it went really quiet for a while. A few weeks after that, it was confirmed on their blog that the firmware was coming and people should sign up for the beta testing. Then suddenly the firmware appeared on the website (and a post here) and people went and upgraded. Whilst this is probably not the best way to go, I have a funny feeling that the firmware is probably in heaving testing and bug repair mode (thus kobo silence) and we should see it before christmas. As for the other issues, I'm guessing Blackberry isn't where they are focussed on with their $$ plan, my guess is that only a small number of people use the app (unfortanetly) and the wide variety of devices makes it hard to support.

10-27-2010, 07:44 PM	#6
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	I think we need to be patient. They have been focused on the Ko2, but now that is out we should see new firmware soon. Kobo support has been pretty good to date. They came through for me and many others when issues have occurred and support staff are an active part of this forum. This is far more than I can say regarding Kindle and Sony for instance.

10-27-2010, 08:12 PM	#8
3d0g I make fjords. Posts: 304 Karma: 11192 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Colorado Device: kobo 1 (retired), kobo 2, iPad, G2, Galaxy Tab 7+	Gosh, I'm so busy reading on my perfectly functional first gen kobo, I don't have time to feel forgotten...

10-27-2010, 08:47 PM	#11
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	One of the most asked for updates was the ability to read newspapers and magazines. The 1.7.x updates to the desktop software has made that possible for both devices, not just the WiFi. I got my email about it today.

10-27-2010, 10:26 PM	#12
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	Since newspapers can't be driven to the original Kobo over the air, they are no interest to me. By the time I remember to put it on the Kobo via USB, they are no longer "news". So, a nice to have for the wifi edition. Hey: with the Kobo wifi, do they load up when I am not looking? Or do I have to force the download? Is the newspaper available on my Kobo and my Galaxy Tab, also seamlessly? I am also struggling with the concept of reading the Sunday New York Times on a 6" e-ink window ... and navigating through the paper. It seems to me the online experience HAS to be better. And ... we do have access to Macleans, Canadian Business, Chatelaine, Flare, Helo, Loulou, Today's Parent and Profit, right? In Canada?

10-27-2010, 11:10 PM	#13
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	If you use Calibre, there are recipes to pull newspapers down at whim, save as ePUB and transfer to your Kobo.

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