What do we think the next new Kobo will be?

omro · 08-30-2021, 06:05 PM

I have an ageing Kobo Aura HD. I bought a Libra last year, but found the uneven lighting to be a total distraction. I considered a Forma, but read that it also suffered some lighting issues. The Clara is not new or different enough from what I have to interest me. I'm utterly meh about the Nia. I was excited for this year's new Kobo, what turned out to be the Elipsa, but ultimately it's not what I want for my next Kobo.

So... utter speculation here... what do you think the next Kobo will be, what features it might have and when do you think it might come to the market?

Uncle Robin · 08-30-2021, 06:16 PM

As a very satisfied Libra owner (either mine doesn't have the lighting problem or I lack the wit to notice them), I'd be tempted by a "fixed" Forma. If they fixed the Forma's power button problem and gave it the display of the Elipsa (which seems to be getting raves), I'd look at going from 7 to 8 inches. All the other flim flam frippery like BT, audiobook support etc has no appeal for me

Sirtel · 08-30-2021, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

As a very satisfied Libra owner (either mine doesn't have the lighting problem or I lack the wit to notice them), I'd be tempted by a "fixed" Forma. If they fixed the Forma's power button problem and gave it the display of the Elipsa (which seems to be getting raves), I'd look at going from 7 to 8 inches. All the other flim flam frippery like BT, audiobook support etc has no appeal for me

Same.

I did notice the uneven lighting on my Libra when I first got it, but I've never been particularly fussy about lighting issues and soon stopped noticing it.

hobnail · 08-30-2021, 09:16 PM

I'd like an Elipsa with buttons on the side like the Forma has. It already has a wide spot there so it's ready for them. I really like the Elipsa (without the heavy cover or case it snaps into) so if they come out with a Forma that has its warts fixed I don't plan on getting one. They also should use the faster cpu like the Elipsa has; it's noticeably faster after adding some books to it with calibre, when that adding books progress bar pops up.

meeera · 08-30-2021, 10:56 PM

I'd love a Forma type reader (light, flexible substrate) the size of the H2O.

Rid · 08-30-2021, 11:08 PM

I agree with what hobnail said about the Forma but without it being close to double the price of the Libra....

ZodWallop · 08-30-2021, 11:40 PM

I'd like a 6" reader with both warm light and waterproofing. I believe that is coming soon, but not sure it will be their next reader.

Now a 6" reader with the form factor and features of the Libra and Forma?

tschucha · 08-31-2021, 10:46 AM

9.7 or 10 inch screen - 300DPI
Form factor like Aura ONE
Comfortlight lighting
keep it as light as possible

4691mls · 08-31-2021, 10:56 AM

I'd like a Clara with page-turn buttons.

davidfor · 08-31-2021, 11:31 AM

In order of likelihood, I think an update or replacement for:

Clara HD - probably waterproofed
Libra H2O
Forma - I don't think this is the next device as someone in Kobo marketing will think they can sell more Elipsa's by not updating the Forma.
Nia - though this needs to be either abandoned or made much cheaper.

Hopefully whatever comes will get the CPU and RAM from the Elipsa.

I can almost see a Forma sized version of the Elipsa. But, again, I don't think it will be the next device. If this is in the pipeline, I think it will be another year at the earliest.

Quoth · 08-31-2021, 11:56 AM

The Elipsa and Forma are really different markets?

A waterproofed Clara HD seems likely. It's the PW4 competitor?
Maybe a revised forma to cost reduce internals, improve lighting and power button.

The Libra is already pretty minimalist internals, works well and we have two (one recent) with no issues on buttons, lighting, or power button. Maybe they might make 32G Flash a default if Flash prices fall.

Josieb1 · 08-31-2021, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omro

I have an ageing Kobo Aura HD. I bought a Libra last year, but found the uneven lighting to be a total distraction. I considered a Forma, but read that it also suffered some lighting issues. The Clara is not new or different enough from what I have to interest me. I'm utterly meh about the Nia. I was excited for this year's new Kobo, what turned out to be the Elipsa, but ultimately it's not what I want for my next Kobo.

So... utter speculation here... what do you think the next Kobo will be, what features it might have and when do you think it might come to the market?

I have the Libra and the Forma and whilst the Libra has better even lighting than the Forma (which does have an uneven bit bottom right of the screen) it’s the Forma I like the most. Because of the Natural light selector is quite easy to cover over the uneven bit by going a bit more yellow. I love the Forma and would get another one if anything happened to it. Both readers are lovely to use.

Uncle Robin · 08-31-2021, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

The Elipsa and Forma are really different markets?

They seem like it to me, with the Elipsa's focus on note taking.

ZodWallop · 09-01-2021, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quoth

A waterproofed Clara HD seems likely. It's the PW4 competitor?

I think so too. I just hope they don't add waterproofing, but then drop the amber lighting.

There's also been speculation of a Paperwhite refresh coming soon. And waterproofing and amber lighting is about all they can really do feature wise at this point on the 6" readers.

Yeah, larger hard drive, more RAM, new processor. But that stuff is harder to market to a typical buyer.

DNSB · 09-01-2021, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tschucha

9.7 or 10 inch screen - 300DPI
Form factor like Aura ONE
Comfortlight lighting
keep it as light as possible

Does E Ink even make a 9.7/10" screen with 300PPI resolution?

08-30-2021, 06:05 PM	#1
omro Addict Posts: 373 Karma: 452000 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hamilton, On Device: Kobo Aura HD	What do we think the next new Kobo will be? I have an ageing Kobo Aura HD. I bought a Libra last year, but found the uneven lighting to be a total distraction. I considered a Forma, but read that it also suffered some lighting issues. The Clara is not new or different enough from what I have to interest me. I'm utterly meh about the Nia. I was excited for this year's new Kobo, what turned out to be the Elipsa, but ultimately it's not what I want for my next Kobo. So... utter speculation here... what do you think the next Kobo will be, what features it might have and when do you think it might come to the market?

08-31-2021, 11:31 AM	#10
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,907 Karma: 47303748 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	In order of likelihood, I think an update or replacement for: Clara HD - probably waterproofed Libra H2O Forma - I don't think this is the next device as someone in Kobo marketing will think they can sell more Elipsa's by not updating the Forma. Nia - though this needs to be either abandoned or made much cheaper. Hopefully whatever comes will get the CPU and RAM from the Elipsa. I can almost see a Forma sized version of the Elipsa. But, again, I don't think it will be the next device. If this is in the pipeline, I think it will be another year at the earliest.

08-31-2021, 11:56 AM	#11
Quoth the rook, bossing Never. Posts: 11,156 Karma: 85874891 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper11	The Elipsa and Forma are really different markets? A waterproofed Clara HD seems likely. It's the PW4 competitor? Maybe a revised forma to cost reduce internals, improve lighting and power button. The Libra is already pretty minimalist internals, works well and we have two (one recent) with no issues on buttons, lighting, or power button. Maybe they might make 32G Flash a default if Flash prices fall. Last edited by Quoth; 08-31-2021 at 12:01 PM.

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08-30-2021, 06:16 PM	#2
Uncle Robin Diligent dilettante Posts: 3,417 Karma: 48736498 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: in my mind Device: Kobo Sage; Kobo Libra H2O	As a very satisfied Libra owner (either mine doesn't have the lighting problem or I lack the wit to notice them), I'd be tempted by a "fixed" Forma. If they fixed the Forma's power button problem and gave it the display of the Elipsa (which seems to be getting raves), I'd look at going from 7 to 8 inches. All the other flim flam frippery like BT, audiobook support etc has no appeal for me

08-30-2021, 09:16 PM	#4
hobnail Running with scissors Posts: 1,552 Karma: 14325282 Join Date: Nov 2019 Device: none	I'd like an Elipsa with buttons on the side like the Forma has. It already has a wide spot there so it's ready for them. I really like the Elipsa (without the heavy cover or case it snaps into) so if they come out with a Forma that has its warts fixed I don't plan on getting one. They also should use the faster cpu like the Elipsa has; it's noticeably faster after adding some books to it with calibre, when that adding books progress bar pops up.

08-30-2021, 10:56 PM	#5
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,658 Karma: 66420972 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	I'd love a Forma type reader (light, flexible substrate) the size of the H2O.

08-30-2021, 11:08 PM	#6
Rid Groupie Posts: 196 Karma: 20980 Join Date: Oct 2020 Device: Kobo Aura One, Aura HD (R.I.P.) :(	I agree with what hobnail said about the Forma but without it being close to double the price of the Libra....

08-30-2021, 11:40 PM	#7
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 10,989 Karma: 108312789 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara HD; Nook ST w/Glowlight, (2015) Glowlight Plus, Paperwhite 3	I'd like a 6" reader with both warm light and waterproofing. I believe that is coming soon, but not sure it will be their next reader. Now a 6" reader with the form factor and features of the Libra and Forma?

08-31-2021, 10:46 AM	#8
tschucha Zealot Posts: 147 Karma: 52546 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kobo Sage	9.7 or 10 inch screen - 300DPI Form factor like Aura ONE Comfortlight lighting keep it as light as possible

08-31-2021, 10:56 AM	#9
4691mls Wizard Posts: 2,776 Karma: 30081762 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1	I'd like a Clara with page-turn buttons.

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