Expansion of the Koboverse--how does our little reader fit in?

taming · 09-02-2010, 06:29 AM

I recently wrote this as a comment to a post on the Kobo blog (awaiting moderation):

Quote:

So, how does the Kobo e-reader fit into the growing Koboverse? Will the only e-ink device continue to be a very basic reader aimed at folks who just want to load a book and turn pages? Is the expectation that those who want advanced features will turn to an LCD device (tablet, LCD reader, app on some other product)?

I can understand why Kobo might want to guard the details of its road map--after all, it's a competitive field--but as a person who bought my first Kobo reader on day one of its availability, I sure would like to know what you have planned for e-ink devotees.

HamsterRage · 09-02-2010, 03:46 PM

You know, I don't really view the Kobo reader as "a very basic reader aim at folks who just want to load a book and turn pages".

It's a single purpose device that performs that single purpose extremely well. I don't have an issue with it being a single purpose device either, since it replaces up to 1000 other single purpose devices (more if I use an SD card). The fact that that single purpose simply doesn't require fancy bells and whistles, and can be delivered in a cheap device doesn't devalue it either.

It's a gizmo, so it's inevitable that it's going to be obsolete some day. For me, the thing that's going to make it obsolete is a multifunction device that's no bigger or heavier than the Kobo and doesn't cost a fortune.

taming · 09-02-2010, 04:43 PM

I didn't mean for my post to sound hostile or anything. I love, love, love my Kobo. I do though have the sense that there are folks who want more, are certainly asking for more, and that getting some answers regarding how our reader fits into the overall plan would be very nice indeed.

SensualPoet · 09-02-2010, 06:12 PM

I think the Kobo fits in just fine. The current model will gravitate to their b&w single purpose entry level -- $99ish. Then you will be able to buy the $159 colour reader Literati. Or sync with a Samsung Android tablet. Or iPhone, Blackberry or Android phone.

Kobo is trying to get its bookstore as widely available as possible and forge the live links -- like Kindle has -- between devices of the identical content. Nook oculd do that too and are to an extent; but they are US-only bound. Sony hasn't shown much interest in pursing that at all. It kinda makes it a Kindle / Kobo race internationally (potentially anyway).

I think Kobo is making all the right moves: it's only been in market 11 weeks in the US.

sabredog · 09-02-2010, 07:36 PM

True

With the new pricing regime announced for the new Sony models, the Kobo still remains a very good option for many people seeking an ereader. This is particularly true in Australia at current.

*reg* · 09-03-2010, 02:08 AM

I will be so happy when I can sync my Kobo with the Kobo App on my iPhone. They are meant to be working on that aren't they?

HamsterRage · 09-03-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *reg*

I will be so happy when I can sync my Kobo with the Kobo App on my iPhone. They are meant to be working on that aren't they?

I think you're SOL on that. There's some restriction on the Bluetooth on the iPhone only being for voice, no data.

I could be wrong, though.

*reg* · 09-03-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamsterRage

I think you're SOL on that. There's some restriction on the Bluetooth on the iPhone only being for voice, no data.

I could be wrong, though.

What's SOL stand for? So out of luck?

dmacmart · 09-04-2010, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *reg*

What's SOL stand for? So out of luck?

Umm - yes ? ... (think of a "ruder" word that starts with S). Apparently S can also stand for "sadly".

OT - My husband and I used to work in the same company. Before the days of email or instant messaging, he walked WAY over to my office from the other side of the building to ask me how to use a specific feature in a software program. I didn't know but pulled up the help file and showed him. I said "RTFM". He asked what that meant and I said "Read The Friendly Manual".

A couple of hours later he made the trip back from the other side of the long building and said sheepishly "F doesn't stand for Friendly, does it?"

taming · 09-04-2010, 10:51 AM

The kobobooks.com site has received a major face-lift this AM which reflects all of the options for using/downloading various devices and formats.

*reg* · 09-04-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmacmart

Umm - yes ? ... (think of a "ruder" word that starts with S). Apparently S can also stand for "sadly".

Oh, got it!

HamsterRage · 09-04-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *reg*

What's SOL stand for? So out of luck?

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be obscure. Personally, I've never been able to figure out why it isn't "SOOL".

pholy · 09-05-2010, 09:13 AM

I think the 'O' stands for 'outta'....

HamsterRage · 09-05-2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pholy

I think the 'O' stands for 'outta'....

Probably, but that feels like cheating to me.

JPenguin · 09-12-2010, 05:48 PM

Looking at the KoboLabs git repo they've got WiFi stuff in the packages dir, I'd hardly take this as definitive proof but it could mean a WiFi reader is somewhere on the road map.

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09-02-2010, 03:46 PM	#2
HamsterRage Evangelist Posts: 435 Karma: 24326 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kobo	You know, I don't really view the Kobo reader as "a very basic reader aim at folks who just want to load a book and turn pages". It's a single purpose device that performs that single purpose extremely well. I don't have an issue with it being a single purpose device either, since it replaces up to 1000 other single purpose devices (more if I use an SD card). The fact that that single purpose simply doesn't require fancy bells and whistles, and can be delivered in a cheap device doesn't devalue it either. It's a gizmo, so it's inevitable that it's going to be obsolete some day. For me, the thing that's going to make it obsolete is a multifunction device that's no bigger or heavier than the Kobo and doesn't cost a fortune.

09-02-2010, 04:43 PM	#3
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	I didn't mean for my post to sound hostile or anything. I love, love, love my Kobo. I do though have the sense that there are folks who want more, are certainly asking for more, and that getting some answers regarding how our reader fits into the overall plan would be very nice indeed.

09-02-2010, 06:12 PM	#4
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	I think the Kobo fits in just fine. The current model will gravitate to their b&w single purpose entry level -- $99ish. Then you will be able to buy the $159 colour reader Literati. Or sync with a Samsung Android tablet. Or iPhone, Blackberry or Android phone. Kobo is trying to get its bookstore as widely available as possible and forge the live links -- like Kindle has -- between devices of the identical content. Nook oculd do that too and are to an extent; but they are US-only bound. Sony hasn't shown much interest in pursing that at all. It kinda makes it a Kindle / Kobo race internationally (potentially anyway). I think Kobo is making all the right moves: it's only been in market 11 weeks in the US.

09-02-2010, 07:36 PM	#5
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	True With the new pricing regime announced for the new Sony models, the Kobo still remains a very good option for many people seeking an ereader. This is particularly true in Australia at current.

09-03-2010, 02:08 AM	#6
reg Human Posts: 47 Karma: 1264 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo, iPhone	I will be so happy when I can sync my Kobo with the Kobo App on my iPhone. They are meant to be working on that aren't they?

09-04-2010, 10:51 AM	#10
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	The kobobooks.com site has received a major face-lift this AM which reflects all of the options for using/downloading various devices and formats.

09-05-2010, 09:13 AM	#13
pholy Booklegger Posts: 1,801 Karma: 7999816 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Device: BeBook(1 & 2010), PEZ, PRS-505, Kobo BT, PRS-T1, Playbook, Kobo Touch	I think the 'O' stands for 'outta'....

09-12-2010, 05:48 PM	#15
JPenguin Connoisseur Posts: 90 Karma: 42 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo EReader, Kobo for Palm Pre	Looking at the KoboLabs git repo they've got WiFi stuff in the packages dir, I'd hardly take this as definitive proof but it could mean a WiFi reader is somewhere on the road map.

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