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Old 08-27-2020, 04:29 PM   #1
BL99
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Is Kobo browser still experimental?
On my Kobo Aura H2O I read Pocket articles which have sometimes have a link to a website. When I follow a link, it uses the "experimental browser", one of the Beta features. There's a bit of inconvenience because there's a mismatch in the text sizes in the Pocket articles and the browser.
Assuming the browser is still available on more recent devices, have there been any improvements? Is it still described as experimental?
Thanks,
Brian
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Old 08-27-2020, 05:34 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BL99 View Post
On my Kobo Aura H2O I read Pocket articles which have sometimes have a link to a website. When I follow a link, it uses the "experimental browser", one of the Beta features. There's a bit of inconvenience because there's a mismatch in the text sizes in the Pocket articles and the browser.
Assuming the browser is still available on more recent devices, have there been any improvements? Is it still described as experimental?
Thanks,
Brian
The browser is still found in the beta features. The browser is the same on all Kobo ereaders running the same firmware release so changing devices won't help much. Personally I only use the web browser on one of my Kobos when I am curious as to how a page would display or I am desperate enough to use a web browser on an eInk display.
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Old 08-27-2020, 08:21 PM   #3
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desperate enough to use a web browser on an eInk display.
I think you hit the nail on the head.

The reason the web browser is experimental, and will most likely always be experimental, is because using it on an e-ink device is garbage.

It's slow to render, slow to display, slow to recognize input.

This is highlighted by the fact that almost everyone has a lightning fast internet browser in their pocket, in the form of their phone.

The Kobo browser is a novelty, basically. Unless someone develops an e-ink technology that can match the responsiveness of a smartphone, I don't think Kobo will ever take web browsing seriously as a feature.
Last edited by DevonHess; 08-27-2020 at 08:38 PM.
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Old 08-27-2020, 09:26 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by DevonHess View Post
The reason the web browser is experimental, and will most likely always be experimental, is because using it on an e-ink device is garbage.

It's slow to render, slow to display, slow to recognize input.
There is no reason that more complex sites cannot be supported. Full motion video might not be that great, but, most of the other features could be. I think it is as much about the CPU and RAM in these devices. They are low powered to give the best battery life using relatively tiny batteries.

That plus the development cost of making a browser that works well under all these conditions. Kobo, Amazon, tolino and the others are making ereaders, not general purpose computers. Hence the browser is very much a secondary consideration.
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Old 08-27-2020, 09:54 PM   #5
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What @davidfor said. Powered by much beefier hardware, a browser could actually be fairly usable on eInk.

Alas, a browser is possibly the most complex bit of software on a modern device, so, don't hold your breath .
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Old 08-27-2020, 11:23 PM   #6
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Keeping experimental means they don't have to guarantee it works with every possible configuration of devices out there on the globe. And people can't complain as much if they ever decide to remove it.

It's the most convenient way for me side load books but I only sideload a few at a time. I love having a browser. I don't use it daily but it's valuable when I do need it.

I would look at the other devices if Kobo ever decides to remove a browser capability.
Last edited by Nightflyer; 08-27-2020 at 11:44 PM.
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Old 08-28-2020, 05:52 AM   #7
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Quote:
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What @davidfor said. Powered by much beefier hardware, a browser could actually be fairly usable on eInk.
Precisely. The browser on Onyx e-readers is an example. It certainly can't be a daily driver, but it's serviceable on a much broader range of websites than Kobo's. That said, Kobo's e-readers are an entirely different type of device from Onyx's, and I don't think they'll be improved by making them more like Onyx's.
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Old 08-28-2020, 02:02 PM   #8
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I don't think the Kobo browser supports HTML5 so I wouldn't suggest it unless if for reading on Wikipedia or sideloading on Calibre.
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Old 08-29-2020, 11:21 PM   #9
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I find it works tolerably well for a quick check of Environment Canada's weather site. Otherwise, I mostly ignore it.
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