Would you buy an updated (second generation) Aura HD?

Anak · 09-09-2013, 05:37 AM

Just out of curiosity.
Amazon just announced/released the second generation of the Kindle Paperwhite. Which uses the latest E Ink Carta screen technology while the Kobo HD uses the previous generation Pearl screens.
Carta screens promises:

50% better contrast
supports the new Regal technology for page updates. Regal virtually eliminates the need for a full page refresh giving the reader smoother page transitions for more focused reading (*).

(*) Note: The Aura 6" seems to use a hybrid screen (or different screen controller). It uses a Pearl screen with Regal support. (Kobo website: "with low-flash waveform"). The Aura HD don't.

So would you consider buying a (second generation) Kobo Aura HD with E Ink Carta screen technology?

Note/Erratum to the poll
I've noticed that I the second choice in the poll isn't as clear as I had intended.

Quote:

no, but I would welcome a restyled design of the Aura HD which is (more) in line with the Aura 6" reader

What meant was:

Quote:

yes, the existing Aura HD but with a restyled design which is (more) in line with the design of the Aura 6" reader. The technical specifications of the Aura HD don't need to be upgraded.

Technical differences between Carta and Pearl screens
For your information (source: Technical Spec Sheets).

Imaging Component (Pearl): E Ink Pearl ePaper Display Film
Imaging Component (Carta): E Ink Carta ePaper Display Film
Contrast Ratio (Pearl): 10:1 (min)
Contrast Ratio (Carta): 15:1 (min)
White State (L*) (Pearl): 70 (min)
White State (L*) (Carta): 74 (min)
Dark State (L*) (Pearl): 24 (max)
Dark State (L*) (Pearl): 19 (max)
% Reflectance (Pearl): 40.7%
% Reflectance (Carta): 44%
Image Update Time ((Pearl/Carta): 120 msec (1 bit)
Image Update Time (Pearl): 450 msec (4 bit)
Image Update Time (Carta): not stated (4 bit)
Display Resolution (Pearl): Capabilities up to 300 dpi for 4 bit Grayscale (sizes 9.7 in & below)
Display Resolution (Carta): Greater than 300 dpi

John F · 09-09-2013, 06:16 AM

I would consider an Aura HD that uses the new screen, is thinner, has sticky plastic, and I can buy locally.

glos · 09-09-2013, 06:25 AM

No, I'm totally satisfied with my Aura HD as it is, I wouldn't spend money for a second very similar e-reader when my first one is new and perfectly functional

I am curious about the Aura, though, but I'm not going to buy it.

I plan to use my current reader for as long as I can

I'll consider buying a new one when this one dies

GeoffR · 09-09-2013, 06:28 AM

It would depend more on the other features than on the Perl/Carta screen. In particular I would prefer infra-red touch, so if the second generation Aura HD had capacitive touch that would be a negative.

If my Glo was stolen right now, I would probably replace it with an Aura HD, but I'd consider another Glo or a new Aura too. But I wouldn't buy another reader as long as my Glo still works, I think It'd be a better use of the money to buy more ebooks.

meeera · 09-09-2013, 06:43 AM

No "maybe" option? I might, if it looked great, and if I hadn't already either bought an Aura 6 or received one as a gift.

Canuck_in_Japan · 09-09-2013, 06:57 AM

I would buy one if I didn't already have an Aura. What I would like to see is an Aura HD with the new screen and flush bezel/reduced size bezel and back of the Kobo Aura. That would be awesome.

jackie_w · 09-09-2013, 07:08 AM

I'm quite interested to see what owners of the new Kindle Carta screen will think of it. The claim is for "whiter whites and blacker blacks", but don't we already have that on the current Kobo devices? You get a whiter white by switching on the front-light at a low-ish level, and a blacker black by increasing the font-weight. More page turns without ghosting sounds good but it seems the new Aura 6" will have that anyway.

meson1 · 09-09-2013, 07:10 AM

I've only just bought an Aura HD. It's fine and I'm not about to go buy an updated one so soon.

But Kobo do need to make more of an effort with their next Aura HD because its their halo model. They should:

upgrade to a 6.8 inch version of the E-ink Carta display (if such a beast exists)
add a capacitive touch screen with gorilla glass
use a grippy soft touch material for the enclosure. In fact, go back to the quilted effect of previous models; that looked cool.
Restyle the power and reading light buttons for ergonomics and for visual appeal. Ditch the red plastic and use lovely metal buttons instead; this is the halo model after all, so little touches like this make a difference. And 'texture' the buttons so you can find and identify them by feel.
And please for the love of god do NOT replace the micro SD card with cloud storage as seems to be the current trend.

samhy · 09-09-2013, 08:15 AM

I'm happy with the Aura HD as is.

If the new Aura is really interesting, I could be selling one for the other (lower price), but I won't be replacing the HD by a HD 2 (same or higher price). I'm not sure if that makes sense, but in my mind it does

taming · 09-09-2013, 08:23 AM

I am going to take a good look at the Aura when it is on store shelves here. I can't imagine going back to a 6 inch reader, but if I like the new screen, I'd probably buy a new Aura HD with it as long as the HD part is still there.

llcj · 09-09-2013, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackie_w

I'm quite interested to see what owners of the new Kindle Carta screen will think of it. The claim is for "whiter whites and blacker blacks", but don't we already have that on the current Kobo devices? You get a whiter white by switching on the front-light at a low-ish level, and a blacker black by increasing the font-weight. More page turns without ghosting sounds good but it seems the new Aura 6" will have that anyway.

My sentiments exactly. I also feel that the Carta screen will only be an incremental improvement (although I haven't really taken the time to educate myself on its specs.)

tlaine · 09-09-2013, 10:38 AM

The Aura HD was my first experience with an e-ink device and I love it for reading ... much better for me than a tablet interface. So having said that, I've ordered the new Aura and also the new Kindle. I tend to read more than one book at a time, so having a reader left in different rooms works well for me.

John F · 09-09-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackie_w

I'm quite interested to see what owners of the new Kindle Carta screen will think of it. The claim is for "whiter whites and blacker blacks", but don't we already have that on the current Kobo devices? You get a whiter white by switching on the front-light at a low-ish level, and a blacker black by increasing the font-weight. More page turns without ghosting sounds good but it seems the new Aura 6" will have that anyway.

It will be interesting to see the Carta screens. Trying to get whiter whites by cranking up the internal lighting gives me washed out black.

jackie_w · 09-09-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

It will be interesting to see the Carta screens. Trying to get whiter whites by cranking up the internal lighting gives me washed out black.

But doesn't increasing the font-weight combat that quite effectively? I also keep the light < 35%.

John F · 09-09-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackie_w

But doesn't increasing the font-weight combat that quite effectively? I also keep the light < 35%.

Fiddling with the light and font weight I see varying results. YMMV.

View Poll Results: Would you buy an updated (second generation) Aura HD?
yes	47	47.00%
no, but I would welcome a restyled design of the Aura HD which is (more) in line with the Aura 6" reader	3	3.00%
no, I own a Kobo Aura HD	28	28.00%
no, I own a Kobo Mini, Touch or Glo	6	6.00%
no, I own a different brand of ereader	2	2.00%
no, but I consider to buy the new Kindle Paperwhite	2	2.00%
no, but I consider to buy the new Kindle Paperwhite instead of the Aura 6"	3	3.00%
no, I want a Aura 6" with the new Carta screen technology	9	9.00%
Voters: 100. You may not vote on this poll

09-09-2013, 07:08 AM	#7
jackie_w Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,246 Karma: 16539642 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Device: ClaraHD, Forma, Libra2, Clara2E, LibraCol, PBTouchHD3	I'm quite interested to see what owners of the new Kindle Carta screen will think of it. The claim is for "whiter whites and blacker blacks", but don't we already have that on the current Kobo devices? You get a whiter white by switching on the front-light at a low-ish level, and a blacker black by increasing the font-weight. More page turns without ghosting sounds good but it seems the new Aura 6" will have that anyway. Last edited by jackie_w; 09-09-2013 at 07:24 AM.

09-09-2013, 07:10 AM	#8
meson1 Member Posts: 23 Karma: 333824 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: UK Device: Espresso Kobo Aura HD	I've only just bought an Aura HD. It's fine and I'm not about to go buy an updated one so soon. But Kobo do need to make more of an effort with their next Aura HD because its their halo model. They should: upgrade to a 6.8 inch version of the E-ink Carta display (if such a beast exists) add a capacitive touch screen with gorilla glass use a grippy soft touch material for the enclosure. In fact, go back to the quilted effect of previous models; that looked cool. Restyle the power and reading light buttons for ergonomics and for visual appeal. Ditch the red plastic and use lovely metal buttons instead; this is the halo model after all, so little touches like this make a difference. And 'texture' the buttons so you can find and identify them by feel. And please for the love of god do NOT replace the micro SD card with cloud storage as seems to be the current trend. Last edited by meson1; 09-09-2013 at 12:45 PM.

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09-09-2013, 06:16 AM	#2
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,836 Karma: 70000001 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	I would consider an Aura HD that uses the new screen, is thinner, has sticky plastic, and I can buy locally.

09-09-2013, 06:25 AM	#3
glos Zealot Posts: 132 Karma: 1070185 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Italy Device: Kobo Aura HD	No, I'm totally satisfied with my Aura HD as it is, I wouldn't spend money for a second very similar e-reader when my first one is new and perfectly functional I am curious about the Aura, though, but I'm not going to buy it. I plan to use my current reader for as long as I can I'll consider buying a new one when this one dies

09-09-2013, 06:28 AM	#4
GeoffR Wizard Posts: 3,821 Karma: 19162882 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Te Riu-a-Māui Device: Kobo Glo	It would depend more on the other features than on the Perl/Carta screen. In particular I would prefer infra-red touch, so if the second generation Aura HD had capacitive touch that would be a negative. If my Glo was stolen right now, I would probably replace it with an Aura HD, but I'd consider another Glo or a new Aura too. But I wouldn't buy another reader as long as my Glo still works, I think It'd be a better use of the money to buy more ebooks.

09-09-2013, 06:43 AM	#5
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,791 Karma: 68051336 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	No "maybe" option? I might, if it looked great, and if I hadn't already either bought an Aura 6 or received one as a gift.

09-09-2013, 06:57 AM	#6
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	I would buy one if I didn't already have an Aura. What I would like to see is an Aura HD with the new screen and flush bezel/reduced size bezel and back of the Kobo Aura. That would be awesome.

09-09-2013, 08:15 AM	#9
samhy Wizard Posts: 1,821 Karma: 9503859 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: France Device: (Sony (J) PRS 650), Kobo Mini, Kobo Glo HD (broken), Kobo Clara BW	I'm happy with the Aura HD as is. If the new Aura is really interesting, I could be selling one for the other (lower price), but I won't be replacing the HD by a HD 2 (same or higher price). I'm not sure if that makes sense, but in my mind it does

09-09-2013, 08:23 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	I am going to take a good look at the Aura when it is on store shelves here. I can't imagine going back to a 6 inch reader, but if I like the new screen, I'd probably buy a new Aura HD with it as long as the HD part is still there.

09-09-2013, 10:38 AM	#12
tlaine Zealot Posts: 113 Karma: 145622 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Southwestern Ontario Device: Kobo Aura HD, Mini; Kindle PW2	The Aura HD was my first experience with an e-ink device and I love it for reading ... much better for me than a tablet interface. So having said that, I've ordered the new Aura and also the new Kindle. I tend to read more than one book at a time, so having a reader left in different rooms works well for me.

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