Kobo e-reader

[annedonnelly]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Kobo e-reader as sold by WHSmith?

Our local library is now offering e-books on loan and as I'm struggling to get to the library during opening hours it would be useful to be able to download books to an e-reader. The file formats don't support Kindle so that's out. A quick Google suggests that Kobo is the second favourite reader after Kindle.

I'm not looking for fancy features and don't need WiFi. I just want to read a book easily. I don't think I'd be carrying it around a lot. It looks like the choice would be between the Mini and the Touch - I'm concerned that the smaller Mini would make it harder to read.

Has anyone any experience of using either? Other suggestions are welcome but I don't want a smartphone or tablet.

Thanks!!

 

[Herr-B]

Are you sure they aren't available for the world's leading e-reader? Seems strange if not.

 

[Oldlegs]

It seems Amazon are not keen to allow UK libraries to use their format although it's not a problem in the US. Funny that seeing they are so keen to pay UK taxes.

 

[Cubist]

I was given a Kobo for Christmas. It does exactly what it says it does.. It stores books and you can read them on it. Popular formats all supported, so I get my subscription mags on tehm as well. No fuss, simple sort of jobbie. No WiFi so you have to hook it up to upload, but hey. Oh, and no back light, so if you read in bed you'll need one of the little clip on ones

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Get Calibre, it will convert different formats into the format you want.

 

[fossyant]

You will, be fine. Callibre will convert anything.

 

[annedonnelly]

Thanks all - I think I'll give the Kobo a try. Although everyone seems to love the Kindle I am trying to boycott Amazon because of their tax avoidance scam.

 

[Trail Child]

I've had a Kobo since they came out. I'm now on my 2nd (got the Kobo Touch) have been unite satisfied. I read on my iPad through Kobo and when I'm out & about, travelling or in bed, I read on my Kobo. I went with them because they were available in Canada first, they support Canadian literature and that I can easily download library books on it. I've been very satisfied, even though there was a small period when a software update prevented reliable syncing between devices, which has since been fixed. The company responds fast to any device or software problems.

 

[annedonnelly]

Thanks all. I've ordered a Kobo Touch. I won't blame anyone here if I don't like it

 

[Blue Hills]

Any update on this anne?

How's it going?

 

[annedonnelly]

Hi Blue Hills,

I love it! I've used it a lot since I got it and find it very easy to read. The model I got was the basic older model (not the Touch in the end) so it doesn't have any extra features like back-lighting. I'm perfectly happy without them and haven't even tried turning on the wireless - you can only get library books via a computer.

The only thing that I think may be a bit tedious is searching for a book if you have a lot stored - you can sort by author or title but then you have to look through the list page by page - I'd like to be able to jump to a particular author or title. But once you've started reading a book it's really easy to find, so it's just a little niggle

I've bought a cover so that it doesn't get damaged - I'm sure I'll be using it a lot.

Anne

 

[Blue Hills]

thanks for the update anne - always nice when folk feedback after asking for advice - I'll look into it more.

 

[Davidc]

I've had the Kobo WiFi non touch screen one for ages. Excellent device. Huge selection of material from sellers around the world including many periodicals and academic papers and publications, plus of course the Kobo store and libraries..

The same issue applies as to the Amazon own brand ones - the e-ink screens are fragile so always keep a cover on it.

The Kobo Android App is excellent, and if you do have Wi Fi your phone, Android devices, and the reader will keep in sync while you're reading a book.

Are you sure they aren't available for the world's leading e-reader? Seems strange if not.

According to the figures I've seen the world's leading e-reader is the Kobo, by a large margin. The leading e-reader in the US and UK is the Amazon Kindle.

I originally bought the Kobo because of the larger library, support for open source international formats in which a number of the things I wanted to carry round were published, competitive sourcing of materials, and avoidance of a one retailer minority proprietary format.

My wife has a Kindle. If buying now with experience of both we'd both buy Kobos, with absolutely no hesitation.

 

[Herr-B]

According to the figures I've seen the world's leading e-reader is the Kobo, by a large margin. The leading e-reader in the US and UK is the Amazon Kindle.

Fair enough, but a quick Google for 'World's best selling e-reader' did come up with a whole page of nothing but Kindle, but then Google hasn't been noted for their unbiased approach to search results.

My wife has a Kindle. If buying now with experience of both we'd both buy Kobos, with absolutely no hesitation.

That's the kind of post people want about an item, an unwavering, definite this one is better than that - you've tried both and can speak from experience. Thanks.

 

[marinyork]

Fair enough, but a quick Google for 'World's best selling e-reader' did come up with a whole page of nothing but Kindle, but then Google hasn't been noted for their unbiased approach to search results.

Numbers of sales of various electronic devices tend to be kept secret.

The issue about libraries is as much libraries themselves. What services have been offered where has varied greatly by location. Some library services are not very interested in e-books at all and this is on top of gigantic cuts to library funding.