Kobo Wifi Forgotten?

[nikk]

With the ongoing firmware release frenzy for the Kobo Touch, the smart devices software updates and all the attention between these, it seems like the Kobo Wireless has been left in the dust, where its performance is less then acceptable. As an example - PDF viewing is horrible when page refreshes take 2 seconds. When devices on the market speed up their devices by selectively writing to the screen to improve performance, I find it hard to believe that this is a hard feature to implement, especially if it reduces the 'flicker' down to a more acceptable rate.

With the Touch getting firmware 1.9.5, when will this be available for the Wifi? There are much more Wifi devices on the market then the Touch. I haven't been able to find a single page where the updates are available for download and future releases are outlined.

It seems that with each new hardware release, the old ones get forgotten. For all us that have bought the device just recently and prefer to stay with Kobo then buy a competitor's product only because of product support and performance, it would be nice to have some updates to Wifi too...

[46jimbo]

Those who own the original Kobo are even more deprived.

[kaikara]

A new device will require quicker firmware releases because of bug fixes and missing features from the initial release. This will slow down over time. The reality is the touch may have features that the older devices can't have because of better/faster hardware.

[Psyke]

one thing to keep in mind is that when the wifi was released, it received some firmware loving at first before some of the new options were ported over to the original. It's very possible some of the options that are currently being implemented on the touch will be ported backwards. That being said, there is no guarantee that any device you buy will be future proof.

[m_bisson]

I want the power off timer not just the sleep timer.

[nikk]

I am sure that developers would help make these devices even more popular (i am a developer), but we either need all the code as open source (for nickel too), even without all the DRM proprietary stuff which I'm sure it won't bother most people... or... we need a decent API where we can add / modify functionality... That way the Kobo developers can concentrate on their new hardware, but the people stuck on the old hardware can get some performance fixes by the community...

[Cyberman tM]

Might it be worth a try to backport Nickel (and probably related libraries) from the Touch to the Wifi?
I.e., take the binaries and run them on the older system.

Originally Posted by nikk

I am sure that developers would help make these devices even more popular (i am a developer), but we either need all the code as open source (for nickel too), even without all the DRM proprietary stuff which I'm sure it won't bother most people... or... we need a decent API where we can add / modify functionality...

I wouldn't hold my breath, though I certainly would continue to hope for it.
It seems RingerC tried to get sources of nickel, without luck.
http://blog.ringerc.id.au/2011/01/pr...21217396814324

[george.talusan]

The display drivers are different so it won't work.

You can try though.

[digiSara]

From the Kobo Touch FAQ page:

4. Can I upgrade my Kobo Original or Kobo Wireless eReader to a Kobo eReader Touch?

Unfortunately the full Kobo eReader Touch experience requires specialized hardware and it is not possible to upgrade the Kobo Original or Kobo Wireless eReader. However, we are committed to continuing to support both of these devices and we will be delivering many new feature enhancements over the coming year.

I hope that is true - I'm sure they are busy bug-fixing the Touch, and hopefully will start to roll-out some of the enhancements to the other readers. I know technology moves on, but the Original was only a year old when the Touch was announced and the Wifi probably about 6 months, plus the Wifi is still available for sale.

[moffattm]

Originally Posted by 46jimbo

Those who own the original Kobo are even more deprived.

Ain't that the truth!

All I want my KO to do is the goto page function and the close book function. I don't expect anything more beyond those two features as the poor old KO hardware probably can't handle it.

The Touch is receiving all the love at the moment, but Touch owners will feel left out in the cold when the Kobo Think comes out (that's the new model that can respond to brain waves so you just need to think your command and the Kobo Think does them; completely does away with all the arguments about the Kobo being left or right handed, missing hardware buttons, unresponsive screens, etc)!

[jackastor]

Whats a Kobo Wifi?

JK , We are all just so excited about our touch. now wait till next year and we will be focused one what ever is new then.

regards

jack

[p_a_smith]

Originally Posted by moffattm

Ain't that the truth!

All I want my KO to do is the goto page function and the close book function. I don't expect anything more beyond those two features as the poor old KO hardware probably can't handle it.

Those two features are certainly missed on a first gen Kobo. Mine is almost a year old!

[La Coccinelle]

Originally Posted by moffattm

All I want my KO to do is the goto page function and the close book function. I don't expect anything more beyond those two features as the poor old KO hardware probably can't handle it.

Same here. I'd even settle for just a go-to page function. It's the only thing that's really holding me back from doing more reading on my Kobo.

The attitude that we're supposed to buy a brand-new e-reader every six months just to have basic features is annoying... as well as being environmentally disrespectful.

[Nigol]

Originally Posted by La Coccinelle

The attitude that we're supposed to buy a brand-new e-reader every six months just to have basic features is annoying... as well as being environmentally disrespectful.

You really think you will have better support from say Sony? They are more the type that if you want a new firmware you have to buy a new model, so what Kobo has done until now with the old model is not bad at all.

But they can't always add new feature on every hardware, I ditched the Original Kobo for the touch because of the speed, but the OK still does what it is supposed to do, just read books.

But right now, I think it is really a better idea for the Kobo team to focus on the touch, because it has way better potential to go up against their competitor. I really think that with the touch we will have less new model than in the past, but the firmware still needs work, it is why the focus is on the touch right now.

[pokee]

Chapters website says all Kobo Wifi's are UNAVAILABLE. Does that mean they are not making them anymore? If we need to do an exchange, does that mean we're stuck with a Touch whether we want it or not?