Thank you to square space for sponsoring today's video: www.squarespace.com/danielgreene CORRECTION! The Kobo libra color does not come with the stylists! That is an additional $70ish purchase. Update: Kindle has updated to better accept epub, but still lacks some of the compatibility of Kobo. Ereaders mentioned: Kobo: Kobo Libra Color: Releasing April 30th Kobo Clara Color: Releasing April 30th Kobo Clara: amzn.to/4aC0qVt Kobo Libra: amzn.to/4b03vOG Kindle: Kindle (basic): amzn.to/3UbLw1k Kindle Paperwhite: amzn.to/3Q6OP8L Kindle Scribe: amzn.to/3TXSOFE
@DanielGreeneReviews Hey Daniel, how come you didn't also add the Nook to this discussion? Never heard of Kobo before. Only 2 that I'm familiar with are Kindle & Nook.
Quick note on the magnets for the stylus, looking at some other reviews, it seems to be intended to attach to the side of the e-reader opposite to the page-turn buttons :)
I didn’t hear it mentioned and haven’t watched the other reader reviews. But the annoying load taking so long thing can be helped some by turned off page refresh. It can’t be turned off completely because of the e ink display but it can be delayed. I think kindle does have an off feature but kobo I think delays to the end of a chapter. I’ve never experimented with it as far as navigating through menus or the stores but the flashing black is a screen refresh so if it can be turned off or refreshed less often it should speed up the experience a little bit. Possibly enough to make it more bearable
@@thepacksurvives71 It definitely does in the US (it's the primary way I read now). I have heard that Libby does not work with Kindle in Canada, not sure where else also has this problem.
5:40 I will just respectfully disagree with the cover thing and "How Kobo thinks we read". I like reading whilst I'm eating so having it propped up in a way I don't have to hold it or hunch over it if it's flat on the table, is a HUGE bonus to me. I love that cover because of it, it's a simple design with a great feature that you can use if you want to or ignore it all together if you don't.
I totally agree with this. Reading at a brewery is a somewhat regular occurrence for me and being able to place my device on a table at a useable angle has always been a struggle.
I don't have a Kobo, so I can't say for sure, but I had thought that it might be nice while watching the video. I read in bed a lot, but sometimes my hand will start to hurt, and if I'm on my side, my wrist is at a weird angle trying to hold the Kindle, but at a specific angle. For now I got a pop-socket for my kindle, but I wouldn't hate a case that doubles as a stand
I was thinking the same. I spend my days off on my cough munching on cookies with tea, and i usually prop my kindle on a phone stand, so such a case would be beneficial
I read a lot on my phone and end up propping it up when I'm doing things like eating at the table or doing some brainless task like the dishes. Yes, I read while washing dishes, and I made a small sign reminding family "No Sharp Knives In The Sink."
Bought a Kobo a few years ago because why would I support amazon when I don't have to? Still works like a charm after 3 years of heavy usage. But having the ability to read comics in color makes me at least consider an upgrade.
Barnes & Noble Nooks don't factor in? One could have a souped-up Nook or maybe Kobo that have the Kindle app, comixology app, or Marvel apps? That way you could support the hardware purchase of your choice?
@@genghisgalahad8465 I'm sure there are plenty of options. Grateful for all suggestions. Haven't really done much research as I just got the idea of a possible upgrade when I watched this video this morning. Was not aware of Nook. Despite my name, I'm Swedish and B&N has no presence here in scandinavia. Maybe that's why I never heard of it or. I'll look into it.
As someone who doesn't have their kindle connected to the internet and gets books solely using a wired connection be aware that Amazon recently changed their policy that you can no longer outright download the file from purchases to do with as you please. They only allow you to send it to a wired kindle registered to an account. Kind of beats the purpose of owning the file because YOU DON'T IF YOU CAN'T DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH IT.
Right, not owning the book is the biggest reason I tend to limit e-readers. Years ago Amazon removed 1984 from people's kindle because they lost the publishing rights or some shit. Not surprising they're closing off users work arounds.
@@IzzysTravelDiaries I've found Drag and Dropping the file to the "send to kindle" website to be more convenient, especially if you're sending in bulk. You get to see which files are ready and if there is a problem in real time.
Just like you don't really "own" digital movies you buy. Think of it more as a permanent rental. No, you can't do with it as you please and yes, they can remove it for whatever reasons.
Honestly I bought a kindle specifically thinking I could download ebooks from the library. I had no clue about kobo at the time and got most of my information from American reviewers. Big mistake, I live in Australia and kindle does not work with any of the library apps. So thank you for mentioning how outside the US kobo is mostly the better option! Yes I know kindle has their daily deals but I found buying books because they were cheap actually costed me more, than buying just a few full priced ebooks I was actually interested. I also don’t like Amazon and when I can afford it, I’m looking forward to switching to a kobo
Just bought a Libra 2 (don't like the colour) from Dick Smith because of this exactly. Can't wait until it arrives so I can lurk the libraries, and use my Drive to download books.
I'll say this about standing cases, I bought a random standing case off Amazon for my Oasis and as someone who just had a kid it's awesome. I can hold/feed/rock her comfortably while still being able to read without hands. That's something that's really helped my ability to read more.
In my country, on Amazon you can get Kindle cases for like $8-10, and Kobo cases are like $50 minimum. I don't know if no one makes cheap cases for Kobo, or Amazon pushes the cheap options far down below that they're not searchable. Given the state of the companies, both things are plausible
Thanks for the review. I am a Kobo Libra Color user. What convinced me was the more customer-centric business model. Some examples: right to repair. You can repair rather than replace your Kobo should the situation arise. Another example, in the Kobo store, if you are looking at a book to buy, you can press a menu button and if the book is available at your local library, they will tell you that. And you can check it out, right there, rather than buying it. There are other examples, but this is what made me favor Kobo over Kindle.
Thank you so much for reviewing manga and comics on the device! Tech reviews have been shockingly lacking in talking about the experience of reading comics or illustrated books on the color Kobo. I've got mine pre-ordered and I can't wait.
I switched from kindle to kobo over 10 years ago and I've never looked back. Being able to link my kobo to my dropbox account and just plonk pdfs and ebooks in there from any other device is a game changer for me.
I've also decided to switch to Kobo simply because I want to get away from buying books from Amazon. Just going to wait for the new models to go on sale.
I’ve had the original Kobo libra for 3 years and I want to get the colour, but I can’t justify the expense when my current kobo still works great and does everything I need it to. 😅
I actually bought both but I hardly ever use my kindle. I like the library access and also the just the size of the kobo much more. One thing I really love about kobo is that the Page count will dynamically adjust to however large your font is so it's always accurate how much longer you have in a chapter.
Not sure if we're talking about the same thing but I just figured out that the page number listed at the bottom of the Kindle corresponds to the printed book and doesn't change with your personal settings for text size or spacing. I assume so that you can compare notes with friends about how far you are or what happens on page 492 and you'll always be talking about the same point in the book, which I thought was cool.
@@ThexImperfectionist they also DO have a function that changes page number based on font size, the “place” number is your amount of pages based on screen size and font size! they just also keep the ability to see true page number which i like having both personally
I'm a relatively early adopter to Kobo (I bought mine in 2012), and it still holds up, if only slightly slower compared to 12 years ago. I mainly use it when traveling/train commute, so not the most intense usage, but it is so convenient (especially with the side-loading part)
Loooove my kobo - the ability to handle different formats is a huge deal breaker for me, and the easy library access rocks. I've read so many more books thanks to this.
Thank you for thinking about readers outside of US. I can tell you that for someone who’s from Europe, kindle sucks in so many more ways. And it’s even worse if you love reading series. The reading itself is really nice and quick though. I couldn’t search anything on my old pocketbook because it was painfully slow.
My grandma likes stands for her e-reader - I think it makes more of a difference for people with weaker grasp or joints! That said, the lack of adjustment for the viewing angle does sound like an issue.
In the kobo subreddit there's at least one post that shows how you can set it up so you can use something extremely cheap with a couple buttons (on a ring or whatever) that connects to bluetooth so you don't actually need to touch the device at all. For those of us with accessibility needs or who just don't want to hold it, it's an interesting and useful thing to check out. Fwiw - gooseneck clamp set up in favourite reading spot also works either in conjunction with a bluetooth option for back and forward pages, or on it's own.
I've always been a Kindle guy, but that new Kobo colour is sublime. I'm so tempted to jump ship. The main issue I have is that I "own" (lol) so many books via the Kindle store.
I'm partial to Onyx Boox myself. Specifically because you can use both the Kindle and the Kobo platforms on it, as well as others. Runs Android but has eInk (and there are colour eInk options too).
You can always read those Amazon books on Kindle and get Kobo for other books. Why would you need to jump ship? I’m from Europe so Kindle is for books in english (just cause it’s gorgeous) and Kobo for books in my native language and library. Easy peasy.
I personally never buy ebooks I can't strip the DRM from (I'm pretty sure it's legal where I am, for my personal use of course), I've been bitten by that too many time in the past. Using Calibre and DeDRM, it's pretty easy to do if you have an eink Kindle whether you use it or not (I bought the cheapest model exactly for that after Amazon ruined my previous protocol with Kindle4PC, I'm not even sure where it is by now). And Calibre is just the superior option to manage your ebook collection (good for comics or documents too).
The Android to Apple comparison is so accurate. Picked up the Kobo Clara BW for my first eReader and I love it. Crisp, snappy, lightweight, and most importantly - heavy customization and open-source capabilities.
I have owned both Kobos and Kindles. I am currently reading on Kindles. I have a Paperwhite for travel and read on a Scribe at home. I have to say I have never had a problem checking out books on a Kindle from a library. I actually prefer it. Kobo has one really large drawback for me. It only allows one connected library at a time. In California you can get a LA and San Francisco library card without living in the city. Which means I actually have 3 libraries to check out books from at a time. The Libby app lets me look at all three libraries and I can check a book out or put a hold from whichever one I want. Then I just hit the read with Kindle and it sends me to Amazon and I check it out. I can have a book checked out and on my Kindle in under a minute.
If I may give you a little bit of doubt, I'm myself partial to Onyx Boox. It's an eInk Android device, so you can have both Kobo and Kindle and also have more options in terms of featureset.
Daniel, the Kobo website literally shows where the stylus is supposed to be placed... 😅 They have a cover designed to fit and close around the stylus to keep it secured to the device. It goes on the left. Where your hand was.
There's a very niche little thing that I like about the Kobo, specifically the Libra, that I think is such a pleasant feature for me as a reader who likes to read in bed, before falling asleep, sideways... and that is that I can turn the Kobo upside down and the buttons switch... so whatever button is down keeps being the one who turns the page forward. It is such a tiny little detail that makes a world of a difference for me
That's seriously a very thoughtful feature. Guess, people at Rakuten do care about their users and try to provide the best possible UX. I have recently decided to jump ships. Have been a kindle user for 10 years now, but recently ordered a Kobo Libra Color and cannot wait to get my hands on it. Thanks for sharing.
thank you Daniel. you made me way more confident in just buying a kobo. these things are expensive and when I get one, because I've been wanting one e-reader for a while, I'm gonna be stuck with it. so while I do not wanna support amazon, it's hard to say no to kindle. specially since I never even saw an e-reader that wasn't a kindle in person. gonna keep this video in mind and probably get myself a kobo for xmas.
Absolutely team kobo for not supporting amazon, library access, and the ease of uploading files onto it (great for reading textbooks I acquired through totally 100% legal means). Will say, though, they don't seem to be as robust as kindles. I have a kindle at home somewhere thats probably at least ten years old and still going strong, while my first kobo just randomly stopped working after two years. Both were the cheapest versions.
Got a kobo libra 2 recently. Amazing ereader and my consumption of books and manga has gone way up. Kobo is also awesome in Canada as I can link it to my library card which you can’t do with kindle in Canada.
libra 2 is what I have as well, and in my opinion it's perfect. It would be nice to have the color, but I think I'm gonna wait until there's a couple more iterations of color versions before I think about upgrading.
lol tbh I do actually use the case stand on my kobo. usually when I want to have my hands free for something else like eating! The other pro of color is the ability add colored annotations. Some readers love annotating their books so that would be really convenient for them.
Watching you work on this yesterday and seeing the finished project today really makes me appreciate your uploads more. Always have. I finally caught an editing stream so now I'm like "aye i saw him do the 'click click move zoom in' on this" 😂 Edit: Now that ive finished the video, I'm probably gonna stick with my iPad Pro until budget allows for an e-reader. I was thinking Kindle Oasis but I'm feeling like getting a Kobo Libra Color or Sage. Amazon don't need my money.
This was a great video. I have been using a cheap kobo the last couple of years and I might just upgrade to the colour one so I can finally read manga on my e reader. Thank you Daniel ❤❤
It's possible to stand the case up so the device is in vertical orientation and I get a lot of use out of that by reading on my lunch break at work - being able to read while only needing to turn the page by tapping the edge of the screen with a finger every so often is huge and lets me get more reading in where I otherwise couldn't
I’m still rocking my ancient kobo from over 10 years ago. Had to toss my old cover, though as it disintegrated. I’m debating getting a new dresser but I mostly read on my phone as is so probably not.
I have a boox Palma. Love it. It's about the size of my phone, but it's a Paperwhite. It COULD run apps in a pinch, but it doesn't do it well, which is a perk for me. Reads like a book, carries like a phone, keeps me off social media.
I live in the US and after watching your first video on the Kindle I decided to look into it more. After extensive research I ended up choosing a Kindle because for where I am at I can get library books on my kindle as well as being able sync it to audiobook.
5:36 - Don't have that specific kobo, but the kindle case that does the same thing was a game changer for me in the past. Basically for years I used to ride my bicycle to my work office, it was about a 45 minute bike ride, so there was no reasonable way for me to get back home for lunch. As such, I'd usually either eat out, or brown paper bag it and eat at my desk. In either case, rather then just eat in silence, I would try to read books but had trouble both holding my books/turning pages while eating, and not getting my books covered with food bits. Then I got a kindle voyage which had that kind of stand and suddenly I could eat and read hands free. It improved my lunch experience 1000%. Consequently I made sure to get a similar case when I later upgraded to an Oasis. Now adays my work situation changed such that I'm not usually reading during my lunch breaks, and thus this feature of the case is less useful to me, but when I do it is still always a big value add. I legitimately do not think I'd read as much as I do if I didn't have this kind of case, and certainly not while eating.
I have a kindle oasis which has the clicky buttons like the kobo, and also has a lovely aluminium body which makes it very sturdy and premium feeling. I have a case that stands it up just like the kobo colour, and I use it to read whilst I'm eating dinner at the table.
According to the photos on their website, the stylus for the Kobo Libra Colour apparently goes on the left edge, opposite the buttons. The magnets you showed it attaching to are probably for the cases which is why they don't line up right. It's odd to me (even as a lefty) that the stylus is on the left. In the right handed dominated world, it goes against the norm.
I’ve still been using Nook from BN for 15 yrs. It works with Libby and is also in color. They had a “paper white” screen even before kindle and still have new models that I think will rival kindle.
I own a Boox Nova3 colour e-ink tablet, it was Boox's second colour device in 2021 and I still love it, yes, the newer devices look better, I still love it, I'm struggling with the fact that Everand is glitching, still love it. Even if Kindle was a much better device, I would choose Kobo
Besides color, what Kobo Libra Colour can do that Kindle Scribe can't do is annotate directly on the page rather than using sticky notes like in Kindle Scribe. This itself is a big feature in favor of Kobo
Not sure why Daniel says reading library books on a Kindle with Libby is a "headache" in the US. It's the primary way I read, and it takes 2 clicks. Once you've borrowed the book on the Libby app, I click "Read With" and select my Kindle (which is now set as my default so it skips this step), and it opens my Amazon account page with a big yellow button that says "send to Kindle" and Done!
Great review! I've been using Kobo for several years now, after starting with the Barnes & Noble Nook and then using a Kindle for a short time. I had the original Kobo Libra H2O, and then upgraded to the Sage for the larger screen, but it has honestly felt like a downgrade in a lot of ways. The Libra was so much more comfortable to hold and could last at least a couple weeks longer on a charge than the Sage can. Still, it's a nice device, but I'll probably sell it once the Libra Colour arrives.
10:37 the pen goes on the side opposite the buttons, on the side of the book (not on the faces, think how iPads have the Apple Pencil magnetise to the top). Hope this helps!
I have a kobo libra from 2020. Its great! I dont use it very intensive but will always accompany me while taking a nice bath. 🛀🏻 That folding cover is a MUST. Even when holding it I fold it to have more grip. 👌🏻
I couldn't decide between kobo and kindle. I live outside the USA and like to read comics. So choice is clear. Thank you for the very informative video!
I’m in Canada and have been using my Kobo for a couple years now with Libby. I’ve got about 400 hours of reading now on my Kobo without having to spend a single penny on ebooks 😁 definitely saves me a lot of money
I got a kindle paperwhite because when I was buying the kobo at the same price in uk just felt flimsier so I traded the freedom of format for sturdiness. I also usually only ever buy ebooks when they are on sale because if I am to pay full price I might as well get a proper paper book that I actually own.
I've got a Kindle scribe for notes and a Kobo Libra for reading its a solid combo and helps with school multitasking having a lecture going on the computer the text book on the kobo and a notepad for the scribe
On sideloading Kindle does have an advantage... if you use send to kindle it is an easy drag to drop and then sync... BUT then it is in your cloud and you can sync your progress between your phone and your kindle. You can't do that on Kobo.
I picked up one of those Kobo minis when they came out in 2012 and I loved it, but really ended up just using the Kobo and Kindle apps on my regular Samsung tablet more. Just having the freedom of the speedier device that I have already is a big pro. Especially since most of my book consumption is in audio form now, I just reach for my phone.
I read my comics and manga on the kindle fire. Works well for me. And you can highlight and make notes on your Kindle books on the Fire too. I've only owned Kindle Fire (HDX 7 and HD 8) so I don't know how it compares to other Kindle that are just e readers.
I got the paperwhite about a decade ago and the main issues I had were: 1. It charged an extra £10 to get rid of ads on the sleep screen, which for me was a hidden cost that infuriated me. Don't know if they still do that but I ikely wouldn't choose kindle again for that reason alone. 2. It doesn't have physical buttons and having used a much ealier kindle, with buttons, I know physical buttons are the best way of turning pages. 3. It's just painfully slow as ebooks are. I'm just checking out videos to see the current state of them. USB C, buttons to turn pages and faster speeds are whats making me think about an upgrade.
I don't use a strict e-reader but instead really enjoy the Kindle Fire HD 10 (and FIRE HDX 8.9 before that) and do my reading on that. High res color screen, general android tablet device able to do web and other things, and I enjoy the cover/stand for reading while eating which is where I do more than half my reading. I think the fire tablets are worth considering if you are interested in color and/or a combined tablet and reader. The HDX 8.9 lasted me 4.5 years and I'm 5 years into the HD 10 so pretty decent lifespan for electronic devices too.
I had a kindle for years, and this past winter just switched to kobo, because eff amazon. The clara is a great replacement for my paperwhite, but my problem isn’t with hardware, it’s with the selection available in the store. And I understand that’s most certainly due to amazon’s control of the market, especially their hold on the indie market, but it can be frustrating when I want to read something my library doesn’t have, but it’s also not available on the kobo store.
I have a Libra 2, Kindle Paperwhite, Fire 7 and 8, and Pocketbook Era. Libra 2 is still my favourite overall reading experience (hand feel, screen size and dimensions, clarity of font, etc.), and especially with library integration (I'm in Canada). I use my Kindle frequently though, as I'm a sucker for Kindle Unlimited. Love the Pocketbook Era for its excellent Text-to-Speech and integration across ereader, mobile app, and browser. That being said, I'm looking forward to grabbing the Libra Colour on release day because obviously I'm running low on ebook devices and need another one desperately.
Love my kobo libra 2. Put 200 days of reading time on my ClaraHD, then dropped something on the screen My Libra 2 has another 30 days of readong on it, and love it so much. Bought a case for it like yours, never use the stand up function, but live how it wakes whrn i "open my book"
The reason I bought a case mainly is because I left my Kobo on an airplane before, the black colour blended in with the airplane blanket. So I bought a bright yellow case. I laughed when you mentioned the angle of staring down at a tabletop because that is exactly how I’m watching this TH-cam video
Im Kindle Paperwhite for books, and Ipad Pro for Comics/Manga. The screen is so nice on the Ipad. And the access to Viz, Marvel Unlimited, and DC Infinite are just too good to pass up. Even an Ipad Mini would be good for Manga fans.
Had Kindles for ages but one author I read regularly is a Kindle Unlimited only author. This is her comment about Kobo. Hi, because these books are listed in Kindle Unlimited they have to be exclusive to Kindle, so they can only be read on the kindle or through a kindle app. If the Kobo can use the Kindle app then it will work, but if it doesn't have access to the kindle app then you won't be able to read these series on it. That being said would I have to keep my Kindle or would I be able to purchase new books thru my Kindle app on my phone and then use Calibre to transfer to the Kobo? That is my main drawback to purchasing and need clarification.
i miss my Kindle 3rd Gen Keyboard. i very much enjoyed the size and feel of it. i do use the Kindle paper white -- it is fine. i don't love or hate it. it works for reading WoT on. if they could make an updated version of the 3rd gen keyboard, i would absolutely love it. But I am excited about the color e-ink. I like the Kobo's price-point for the color version. Good review, Daniel.
What about Barnes and Noble's e reader? The Nook? I have a lot of owned books through the nook app reading on my phone, but I want to get an e reader.... Can the kobo have Nook as like, an app? or Everand?
@@DanielGreeneReviewsDefinitely recommending the Onyx Boox Air 3 C for a follow up. It's expensive but it's basically the "no compromises" option. You get eInk, you get Android, you get everything.
So I've been a Kindle user since 2009 and I gotta say, that while I love my paperwhite, the new Kobos are very impressive and when it comes time to buy a new device I will definitely be researching what Kobo has to offer at that time. Thank you for this review!
I installed Koreader on the Kobo because I didn't like the default reader. It's an amazing e-book reader which is compatible with other devices as well (like Android). Extensible and easy to use, I can sync progress and manage my library without ever having to plug into the pc. With the Kindle (unless it's a really old model) this sort of freedom just isn't an option.
My problem like others is that I have way too many ebooks I've purchased through Kindle, and I don't want to start over again with a Kobo. I'm one of the types that due to limited space back in the day I always read on e-readers or an ipad or tablet. I just never had room for a book shelf to fill with tons of books, so I started with Amazon Kindle stuff probably 12 years ago, and have been using them or their app ever since. And again since I read a lot and don't be physical its kind of locked me in to Amazons environment. I also love Goodreads and like how everything syncs with it. I know evil Amazon and everything but what can I say, they got me.
I have a year old Libra 2 and it is great but the colour version is tempting. My 6 year old Aura HD is still working fine but I upgraded for a larger screen and more memory. It is more user friendly in my opinion than a Kindle. I do have a Kindle basic but I rarely use it. And, as you mentioned, it works seamlessly with Libby in Canada.
I just got my Kindle for Christmas in 2022 so I'm not in the market to upgrade yet. And, my mom, who also has a kindle, and is probably not looking for a new device, pays for KU, and I use her KU in addition to my library card through Libby. Which, may take more steps to set up, but once you've got it set up it's not that difficult to get your library books on your kindle. So for right now a switch doesn't make sense. But I see where the Kobo has it's appeal. And of course, not being from Amazon. But maybe in the future depending on their answer to KU, and getting access to more books through that subscription.
The color being better than I would have expected might tempt me into finally buying an e-reader again. And yeah, as integrated as Amazon is, I really don't want to support them, and I already make sure any books I buy cannot be locked to an ecosystem one way or another.
Great review! I like the direction epaper devices are headed, still not quite where they need to be for me though. Not sure comics will ever be a workable format for me on any of them given how prevalent and important double page splashes are.
I do the same for books as I do for all my movies and music. I download whatever book I want for free (if you know, you know) and then buy the physical version. Convert the files to epub on calibre if need be and load them up onto my kobo. I can edit all the metadata and choose whatever cover I want. The real cost is the tedious process of maintaining continuity between all the titles.
I returned my Kindle for Kobo because of how Amazon changes everything; all my Wheel of time books have the new covers (no offense), not my favorite. I like the older artsy ones. So kobo, once I learned how to covert the files, has fully respected my book cover preferences.
The library restriction is on the Amazon us platform, you can be in any country using it, you just can’t mix it with your Amazon account from Japan or Germany or any other country, with Apple Store and google store is the same thing
Outside of the U.S, libraries aren’t as good for all content. So I do suggest checking it out through your Libby on your phone before allowing it to be a deciding factor cos for me my local library is ass for sapphic books.
I've also long contemplated what e-Reader to get and ended up with the Pocketbook Era. It far surpasses the kobo in build quality whilst still being an open system and I'd argue the software is pretty fast. Maybe worth a look next time around ;)
I use my kobo but wonder if a tablet would be even better for me to listen to audio books instead while driving. Currently I am using my cell phone and downloading the from my library using libby or hoopla. Maybe a cheap small android tablet would do the trick and could read or use an audio book with the tablet?
Sending books from outside Amazon's store is beyond simple when sending to the kindle's email addresses, it sends it as a cloud book that can be downloaded on device's with my Amazon account.
I do have to disagree with the fold-over cover. I prop my phone up to read books while eating quite a lot. This way I can enjoy the content of the book while keeping my hands free to do something that my eyes don't need to be used for. So I would find the fold-over covers very useful in how I consume my book content.
I have an old Pocketbook Basic and I wonder why we moved away from that - no need for internet, reads any format, battery lives for weeks, no light or any gadgets - pretends to be a book, it's just lighter and holds more.
I have a kindle paperwhite, and I love it. But I'm in Canada, and I would love to be able to use my kindle for both audio books and library books. So I think I might grab the Kobo Clara Colour and see if I want to continue with Kindle. Love the review!
Thank you for the very informative video! As someone who like to download books via wired connections, I think that would be an important thing to consider for many people. My next question would be how you feel nooks compare to the others!
Hey, uou haven't included in your comparison the Kindle Fire, which is in color. I have 2 of them: the 8''' and the 10'', and the battery lasts a week. I live in Southern Brazil. All the best.
Thank you to square space for sponsoring today's video: www.squarespace.com/danielgreene
CORRECTION! The Kobo libra color does not come with the stylists! That is an additional $70ish purchase.
Update: Kindle has updated to better accept epub, but still lacks some of the compatibility of Kobo.
Ereaders mentioned:
Kobo:
Kobo Libra Color: Releasing April 30th
Kobo Clara Color: Releasing April 30th
Kobo Clara: amzn.to/4aC0qVt
Kobo Libra: amzn.to/4b03vOG
Kindle:
Kindle (basic): amzn.to/3UbLw1k
Kindle Paperwhite: amzn.to/3Q6OP8L
Kindle Scribe: amzn.to/3TXSOFE
@DanielGreeneReviews
Hey Daniel, how come you didn't also add the Nook to this discussion? Never heard of Kobo before. Only 2 that I'm familiar with are Kindle & Nook.
Quick note on the magnets for the stylus, looking at some other reviews, it seems to be intended to attach to the side of the e-reader opposite to the page-turn buttons :)
I didn’t hear it mentioned and haven’t watched the other reader reviews. But the annoying load taking so long thing can be helped some by turned off page refresh. It can’t be turned off completely because of the e ink display but it can be delayed. I think kindle does have an off feature but kobo I think delays to the end of a chapter.
I’ve never experimented with it as far as navigating through menus or the stores but the flashing black is a screen refresh so if it can be turned off or refreshed less often it should speed up the experience a little bit. Possibly enough to make it more bearable
Hey Daniel, Is it possible to attach voice notes to text as one reads? Is there a device like this?
I have 3 kindles and I get ebooks on each. I'm in Florida, USA
Kobo in my region (Canada) lets you take out library books in e-book format, Kindle does not, so its an easy decision
Misread “region” as “religion” and was like huh…
Libby(my library app) lets you connect your amazon account so kindle has easy access automatically.
Same. Loving my Libra 2
Kindle doesn’t allow you to read library books?
@@thepacksurvives71 It definitely does in the US (it's the primary way I read now). I have heard that Libby does not work with Kindle in Canada, not sure where else also has this problem.
5:40 I will just respectfully disagree with the cover thing and "How Kobo thinks we read". I like reading whilst I'm eating so having it propped up in a way I don't have to hold it or hunch over it if it's flat on the table, is a HUGE bonus to me. I love that cover because of it, it's a simple design with a great feature that you can use if you want to or ignore it all together if you don't.
I totally agree with this. Reading at a brewery is a somewhat regular occurrence for me and being able to place my device on a table at a useable angle has always been a struggle.
I don't have a Kobo, so I can't say for sure, but I had thought that it might be nice while watching the video. I read in bed a lot, but sometimes my hand will start to hurt, and if I'm on my side, my wrist is at a weird angle trying to hold the Kindle, but at a specific angle. For now I got a pop-socket for my kindle, but I wouldn't hate a case that doubles as a stand
I would like to have a Bluetooth or cable dongle with it for page turns
Also seems useful for sneakily reading in class or at work
I was thinking the same. I spend my days off on my cough munching on cookies with tea, and i usually prop my kindle on a phone stand, so such a case would be beneficial
the "how they think we read" vs "how we read" is the most accurate and relatable case review.
I only use the case "stand" when I'm eating dinner + reading at the same time. Having a near hands-free option is convenient in that edge case.
Not gonna lie, I was expecting the thing that happens to me almost every long reading session at some point. The ol' device dropped onto face.
@@tengwarsenna try Strapsicle game changer
I read a lot on my phone and end up propping it up when I'm doing things like eating at the table or doing some brainless task like the dishes. Yes, I read while washing dishes, and I made a small sign reminding family "No Sharp Knives In The Sink."
Bought a Kobo a few years ago because why would I support amazon when I don't have to? Still works like a charm after 3 years of heavy usage. But having the ability to read comics in color makes me at least consider an upgrade.
Barnes & Noble Nooks don't factor in? One could have a souped-up Nook or maybe Kobo that have the Kindle app, comixology app, or Marvel apps? That way you could support the hardware purchase of your choice?
@@genghisgalahad8465 I'm sure there are plenty of options. Grateful for all suggestions. Haven't really done much research as I just got the idea of a possible upgrade when I watched this video this morning. Was not aware of Nook. Despite my name, I'm Swedish and B&N has no presence here in scandinavia. Maybe that's why I never heard of it or. I'll look into it.
I’ve had a nook. Barely used it compared to kindle hated it
@@sluper12345Hope you don't mind me asking, why do you dislike Amazon?
Sure! If Amazon doesn’t make a color version of PaperWhite i’ll probably switch to Kobo
As someone who doesn't have their kindle connected to the internet and gets books solely using a wired connection be aware that Amazon recently changed their policy that you can no longer outright download the file from purchases to do with as you please. They only allow you to send it to a wired kindle registered to an account. Kind of beats the purpose of owning the file because YOU DON'T IF YOU CAN'T DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH IT.
Right, not owning the book is the biggest reason I tend to limit e-readers. Years ago Amazon removed 1984 from people's kindle because they lost the publishing rights or some shit. Not surprising they're closing off users work arounds.
Why not just load it using Calibre? Though I usually just use my email to send books to my kindle nowadays.
@@IzzysTravelDiaries I've found Drag and Dropping the file to the "send to kindle" website to be more convenient, especially if you're sending in bulk. You get to see which files are ready and if there is a problem in real time.
Just like you don't really "own" digital movies you buy. Think of it more as a permanent rental. No, you can't do with it as you please and yes, they can remove it for whatever reasons.
@@milliealderman9796 well, I don't think people want to "permanently rent" books. They want to own it.
Video really starts at 3:57
Ty
Honestly I bought a kindle specifically thinking I could download ebooks from the library. I had no clue about kobo at the time and got most of my information from American reviewers. Big mistake, I live in Australia and kindle does not work with any of the library apps. So thank you for mentioning how outside the US kobo is mostly the better option! Yes I know kindle has their daily deals but I found buying books because they were cheap actually costed me more, than buying just a few full priced ebooks I was actually interested. I also don’t like Amazon and when I can afford it, I’m looking forward to switching to a kobo
Kobo also has daily deals to compete with amazon
@@OkamiRose good to know thanks!
You don't "buy" ebooks from Amazon, you rent them. Good on you for switching to Kobo, we shouldn't normalize not owning what we pay for.
Just bought a Libra 2 (don't like the colour) from Dick Smith because of this exactly. Can't wait until it arrives so I can lurk the libraries, and use my Drive to download books.
I'm in NZ and same deal.
I'll say this about standing cases, I bought a random standing case off Amazon for my Oasis and as someone who just had a kid it's awesome. I can hold/feed/rock her comfortably while still being able to read without hands. That's something that's really helped my ability to read more.
In my country, on Amazon you can get Kindle cases for like $8-10, and Kobo cases are like $50 minimum. I don't know if no one makes cheap cases for Kobo, or Amazon pushes the cheap options far down below that they're not searchable. Given the state of the companies, both things are plausible
Thanks for the review. I am a Kobo Libra Color user. What convinced me was the more customer-centric business model. Some examples: right to repair. You can repair rather than replace your Kobo should the situation arise. Another example, in the Kobo store, if you are looking at a book to buy, you can press a menu button and if the book is available at your local library, they will tell you that. And you can check it out, right there, rather than buying it. There are other examples, but this is what made me favor Kobo over Kindle.
Thank you so much for reviewing manga and comics on the device! Tech reviews have been shockingly lacking in talking about the experience of reading comics or illustrated books on the color Kobo. I've got mine pre-ordered and I can't wait.
I switched from kindle to kobo over 10 years ago and I've never looked back. Being able to link my kobo to my dropbox account and just plonk pdfs and ebooks in there from any other device is a game changer for me.
I've also decided to switch to Kobo simply because I want to get away from buying books from Amazon. Just going to wait for the new models to go on sale.
I wish I could get away from Amazon, but Whispersync for me is a must-have. We really should have an open source alternative for it.
I’ve had the original Kobo libra for 3 years and I want to get the colour, but I can’t justify the expense when my current kobo still works great and does everything I need it to. 😅
I feel your struggle. It the same for me.
I have my kobo for 7 years and I read every day.
I have the same struggle lol. my kobo libra works fine, but the color model looks so nice!
Same here... although the improved battery and faster cpu are really tempting, more so than the colour
Maybe you can sell your old one?
WOAH this was a lot sooner than expected!
The Apple vs Android comparison is actually really good and summarises the difference quite well 👌
only if there weren't already actual android eReaders, who fit the android part of the comparison better :D
I actually bought both but I hardly ever use my kindle. I like the library access and also the just the size of the kobo much more. One thing I really love about kobo is that the Page count will dynamically adjust to however large your font is so it's always accurate how much longer you have in a chapter.
Not sure if we're talking about the same thing but I just figured out that the page number listed at the bottom of the Kindle corresponds to the printed book and doesn't change with your personal settings for text size or spacing. I assume so that you can compare notes with friends about how far you are or what happens on page 492 and you'll always be talking about the same point in the book, which I thought was cool.
@@ThexImperfectionist they also DO have a function that changes page number based on font size, the “place” number is your amount of pages based on screen size and font size! they just also keep the ability to see true page number which i like having both personally
I'm a relatively early adopter to Kobo (I bought mine in 2012), and it still holds up, if only slightly slower compared to 12 years ago. I mainly use it when traveling/train commute, so not the most intense usage, but it is so convenient (especially with the side-loading part)
Loooove my kobo - the ability to handle different formats is a huge deal breaker for me, and the easy library access rocks. I've read so many more books thanks to this.
Thank you for thinking about readers outside of US. I can tell you that for someone who’s from Europe, kindle sucks in so many more ways. And it’s even worse if you love reading series. The reading itself is really nice and quick though. I couldn’t search anything on my old pocketbook because it was painfully slow.
Depending on where you live, you can also check out Tolino. They’re the same hardware as the kobo 😊
My grandma likes stands for her e-reader - I think it makes more of a difference for people with weaker grasp or joints! That said, the lack of adjustment for the viewing angle does sound like an issue.
In the kobo subreddit there's at least one post that shows how you can set it up so you can use something extremely cheap with a couple buttons (on a ring or whatever) that connects to bluetooth so you don't actually need to touch the device at all. For those of us with accessibility needs or who just don't want to hold it, it's an interesting and useful thing to check out. Fwiw - gooseneck clamp set up in favourite reading spot also works either in conjunction with a bluetooth option for back and forward pages, or on it's own.
I've always been a Kindle guy, but that new Kobo colour is sublime. I'm so tempted to jump ship. The main issue I have is that I "own" (lol) so many books via the Kindle store.
I'm partial to Onyx Boox myself. Specifically because you can use both the Kindle and the Kobo platforms on it, as well as others. Runs Android but has eInk (and there are colour eInk options too).
You can use a program called Calibre to strip the DRM off of any ebook and put it on the device you wish.
You can always read those Amazon books on Kindle and get Kobo for other books. Why would you need to jump ship? I’m from Europe so Kindle is for books in english (just cause it’s gorgeous) and Kobo for books in my native language and library. Easy peasy.
Are these books you "own" (never forget those quotes) on the Kindle store ones you're still planning on reading?
I personally never buy ebooks I can't strip the DRM from (I'm pretty sure it's legal where I am, for my personal use of course), I've been bitten by that too many time in the past.
Using Calibre and DeDRM, it's pretty easy to do if you have an eink Kindle whether you use it or not (I bought the cheapest model exactly for that after Amazon ruined my previous protocol with Kindle4PC, I'm not even sure where it is by now). And Calibre is just the superior option to manage your ebook collection (good for comics or documents too).
The Android to Apple comparison is so accurate.
Picked up the Kobo Clara BW for my first eReader and I love it. Crisp, snappy, lightweight, and most importantly - heavy customization and open-source capabilities.
I have owned both Kobos and Kindles. I am currently reading on Kindles. I have a Paperwhite for travel and read on a Scribe at home. I have to say I have never had a problem checking out books on a Kindle from a library. I actually prefer it. Kobo has one really large drawback for me. It only allows one connected library at a time. In California you can get a LA and San Francisco library card without living in the city. Which means I actually have 3 libraries to check out books from at a time. The Libby app lets me look at all three libraries and I can check a book out or put a hold from whichever one I want. Then I just hit the read with Kindle and it sends me to Amazon and I check it out. I can have a book checked out and on my Kindle in under a minute.
Multi-library access is one of Kindle’s biggest advantages! If Kobo added the feature they’d be so much more competitive.
Thank you for doing this I have been hard debating on an eReader but as a Manga reader this definitely gives me an answer
If I may give you a little bit of doubt, I'm myself partial to Onyx Boox. It's an eInk Android device, so you can have both Kobo and Kindle and also have more options in terms of featureset.
Daniel, the Kobo website literally shows where the stylus is supposed to be placed... 😅 They have a cover designed to fit and close around the stylus to keep it secured to the device. It goes on the left. Where your hand was.
There's a very niche little thing that I like about the Kobo, specifically the Libra, that I think is such a pleasant feature for me as a reader who likes to read in bed, before falling asleep, sideways... and that is that I can turn the Kobo upside down and the buttons switch... so whatever button is down keeps being the one who turns the page forward. It is such a tiny little detail that makes a world of a difference for me
That's seriously a very thoughtful feature. Guess, people at Rakuten do care about their users and try to provide the best possible UX. I have recently decided to jump ships. Have been a kindle user for 10 years now, but recently ordered a Kobo Libra Color and cannot wait to get my hands on it. Thanks for sharing.
thank you Daniel. you made me way more confident in just buying a kobo.
these things are expensive and when I get one, because I've been wanting one e-reader for a while, I'm gonna be stuck with it.
so while I do not wanna support amazon, it's hard to say no to kindle. specially since I never even saw an e-reader that wasn't a kindle in person.
gonna keep this video in mind and probably get myself a kobo for xmas.
You won't regret getting a Kobo, I've been using the same one daily for about 8 years and it's still going strong :)
As someone is Australia with lots of ebooks in various formats, I will be going with a Kobo. Thank you very much for this, it has been very helpful.
You're just supposed to put the stylus on your ear.
Bro, I've tried. The point hurts my brainy when I push it too far.
@@kombatwombat6579 you guys push through the pain!
@@RubenRodriguez-co9jx SIR YES SIR.
it's too long and dingle on my nipples
Absolutely team kobo for not supporting amazon, library access, and the ease of uploading files onto it (great for reading textbooks I acquired through totally 100% legal means). Will say, though, they don't seem to be as robust as kindles. I have a kindle at home somewhere thats probably at least ten years old and still going strong, while my first kobo just randomly stopped working after two years. Both were the cheapest versions.
Got a kobo libra 2 recently. Amazing ereader and my consumption of books and manga has gone way up.
Kobo is also awesome in Canada as I can link it to my library card which you can’t do with kindle in Canada.
libra 2 is what I have as well, and in my opinion it's perfect. It would be nice to have the color, but I think I'm gonna wait until there's a couple more iterations of color versions before I think about upgrading.
lol tbh I do actually use the case stand on my kobo. usually when I want to have my hands free for something else like eating! The other pro of color is the ability add colored annotations. Some readers love annotating their books so that would be really convenient for them.
Watching you work on this yesterday and seeing the finished project today really makes me appreciate your uploads more. Always have. I finally caught an editing stream so now I'm like "aye i saw him do the 'click click move zoom in' on this" 😂
Edit: Now that ive finished the video, I'm probably gonna stick with my iPad Pro until budget allows for an e-reader. I was thinking Kindle Oasis but I'm feeling like getting a Kobo Libra Color or Sage. Amazon don't need my money.
The Kindle Oasis, sadly, is no more!
That was a great conversation comparing and contrasting the two platforms, and I appreciate it greatly!
This was a great video. I have been using a cheap kobo the last couple of years and I might just upgrade to the colour one so I can finally read manga on my e reader. Thank you Daniel ❤❤
It's possible to stand the case up so the device is in vertical orientation and I get a lot of use out of that by reading on my lunch break at work - being able to read while only needing to turn the page by tapping the edge of the screen with a finger every so often is huge and lets me get more reading in where I otherwise couldn't
Sincerely appreciate your honest thoughts and your drive to be as unbiased as possible (while still taking a firm stand on what you’re going to do) 😊
I’m still rocking my ancient kobo from over 10 years ago. Had to toss my old cover, though as it disintegrated. I’m debating getting a new dresser but I mostly read on my phone as is so probably not.
I have a boox Palma. Love it. It's about the size of my phone, but it's a Paperwhite. It COULD run apps in a pinch, but it doesn't do it well, which is a perk for me. Reads like a book, carries like a phone, keeps me off social media.
I'm still thinking on getting a Boox Palma. It's just the perfect size and all
Holy shit, I just looked it up and it looks amazing! How is it from a purely ebook perspective? Navigating your books and all that? Sideloading?
I live in the US and after watching your first video on the Kindle I decided to look into it more. After extensive research I ended up choosing a Kindle because for where I am at I can get library books on my kindle as well as being able sync it to audiobook.
5:36 - Don't have that specific kobo, but the kindle case that does the same thing was a game changer for me in the past. Basically for years I used to ride my bicycle to my work office, it was about a 45 minute bike ride, so there was no reasonable way for me to get back home for lunch. As such, I'd usually either eat out, or brown paper bag it and eat at my desk. In either case, rather then just eat in silence, I would try to read books but had trouble both holding my books/turning pages while eating, and not getting my books covered with food bits. Then I got a kindle voyage which had that kind of stand and suddenly I could eat and read hands free. It improved my lunch experience 1000%. Consequently I made sure to get a similar case when I later upgraded to an Oasis.
Now adays my work situation changed such that I'm not usually reading during my lunch breaks, and thus this feature of the case is less useful to me, but when I do it is still always a big value add. I legitimately do not think I'd read as much as I do if I didn't have this kind of case, and certainly not while eating.
I have an old Kobo that I got back when the company was still owned by Indigo. I don't use it much anymore because it's no longer supported.
Super helpful review covering all important considerations! Thanks
I have a kindle oasis which has the clicky buttons like the kobo, and also has a lovely aluminium body which makes it very sturdy and premium feeling. I have a case that stands it up just like the kobo colour, and I use it to read whilst I'm eating dinner at the table.
According to the photos on their website, the stylus for the Kobo Libra Colour apparently goes on the left edge, opposite the buttons. The magnets you showed it attaching to are probably for the cases which is why they don't line up right. It's odd to me (even as a lefty) that the stylus is on the left. In the right handed dominated world, it goes against the norm.
That was the best explaining I’ve ever seen
Getting one now kindle paper oasis because of you to take to my chemo sessions
Bless yoi
Well done Comparison. It helps a lot for the decision making . Thanx for the help😊
I’ve still been using Nook from BN for 15 yrs. It works with Libby and is also in color. They had a “paper white” screen even before kindle and still have new models that I think will rival kindle.
I own a Boox Nova3 colour e-ink tablet, it was Boox's second colour device in 2021 and I still love it, yes, the newer devices look better, I still love it, I'm struggling with the fact that Everand is glitching, still love it. Even if Kindle was a much better device, I would choose Kobo
Besides color, what Kobo Libra Colour can do that Kindle Scribe can't do is annotate directly on the page rather than using sticky notes like in Kindle Scribe. This itself is a big feature in favor of Kobo
Not sure why Daniel says reading library books on a Kindle with Libby is a "headache" in the US. It's the primary way I read, and it takes 2 clicks. Once you've borrowed the book on the Libby app, I click "Read With" and select my Kindle (which is now set as my default so it skips this step), and it opens my Amazon account page with a big yellow button that says "send to Kindle" and Done!
Great review! I've been using Kobo for several years now, after starting with the Barnes & Noble Nook and then using a Kindle for a short time. I had the original Kobo Libra H2O, and then upgraded to the Sage for the larger screen, but it has honestly felt like a downgrade in a lot of ways. The Libra was so much more comfortable to hold and could last at least a couple weeks longer on a charge than the Sage can. Still, it's a nice device, but I'll probably sell it once the Libra Colour arrives.
10:37 the pen goes on the side opposite the buttons, on the side of the book (not on the faces, think how iPads have the Apple Pencil magnetise to the top). Hope this helps!
I have a kobo libra from 2020. Its great! I dont use it very intensive but will always accompany me while taking a nice bath. 🛀🏻 That folding cover is a MUST. Even when holding it I fold it to have more grip. 👌🏻
I couldn't decide between kobo and kindle. I live outside the USA and like to read comics. So choice is clear. Thank you for the very informative video!
Yass keen for this
I’m in Canada and have been using my Kobo for a couple years now with Libby. I’ve got about 400 hours of reading now on my Kobo without having to spend a single penny on ebooks 😁 definitely saves me a lot of money
these videos are amazing. good work
I got a kindle paperwhite because when I was buying the kobo at the same price in uk just felt flimsier so I traded the freedom of format for sturdiness. I also usually only ever buy ebooks when they are on sale because if I am to pay full price I might as well get a proper paper book that I actually own.
I've got a Kindle scribe for notes and a Kobo Libra for reading its a solid combo and helps with school multitasking having a lecture going on the computer the text book on the kobo and a notepad for the scribe
On sideloading Kindle does have an advantage... if you use send to kindle it is an easy drag to drop and then sync... BUT then it is in your cloud and you can sync your progress between your phone and your kindle. You can't do that on Kobo.
I picked up one of those Kobo minis when they came out in 2012 and I loved it, but really ended up just using the Kobo and Kindle apps on my regular Samsung tablet more. Just having the freedom of the speedier device that I have already is a big pro. Especially since most of my book consumption is in audio form now, I just reach for my phone.
I read my comics and manga on the kindle fire. Works well for me. And you can highlight and make notes on your Kindle books on the Fire too. I've only owned Kindle Fire (HDX 7 and HD 8) so I don't know how it compares to other Kindle that are just e readers.
I got the paperwhite about a decade ago and the main issues I had were:
1. It charged an extra £10 to get rid of ads on the sleep screen, which for me was a hidden cost that infuriated me. Don't know if they still do that but I ikely wouldn't choose kindle again for that reason alone.
2. It doesn't have physical buttons and having used a much ealier kindle, with buttons, I know physical buttons are the best way of turning pages.
3. It's just painfully slow as ebooks are.
I'm just checking out videos to see the current state of them. USB C, buttons to turn pages and faster speeds are whats making me think about an upgrade.
I don't use a strict e-reader but instead really enjoy the Kindle Fire HD 10 (and FIRE HDX 8.9 before that) and do my reading on that. High res color screen, general android tablet device able to do web and other things, and I enjoy the cover/stand for reading while eating which is where I do more than half my reading. I think the fire tablets are worth considering if you are interested in color and/or a combined tablet and reader. The HDX 8.9 lasted me 4.5 years and I'm 5 years into the HD 10 so pretty decent lifespan for electronic devices too.
Thank you for this
I had a kindle for years, and this past winter just switched to kobo, because eff amazon. The clara is a great replacement for my paperwhite, but my problem isn’t with hardware, it’s with the selection available in the store. And I understand that’s most certainly due to amazon’s control of the market, especially their hold on the indie market, but it can be frustrating when I want to read something my library doesn’t have, but it’s also not available on the kobo store.
I have a Libra 2, Kindle Paperwhite, Fire 7 and 8, and Pocketbook Era. Libra 2 is still my favourite overall reading experience (hand feel, screen size and dimensions, clarity of font, etc.), and especially with library integration (I'm in Canada). I use my Kindle frequently though, as I'm a sucker for Kindle Unlimited. Love the Pocketbook Era for its excellent Text-to-Speech and integration across ereader, mobile app, and browser. That being said, I'm looking forward to grabbing the Libra Colour on release day because obviously I'm running low on ebook devices and need another one desperately.
Love my kobo libra 2. Put 200 days of reading time on my ClaraHD, then dropped something on the screen
My Libra 2 has another 30 days of readong on it, and love it so much.
Bought a case for it like yours, never use the stand up function, but live how it wakes whrn i "open my book"
The reason I bought a case mainly is because I left my Kobo on an airplane before, the black colour blended in with the airplane blanket. So I bought a bright yellow case. I laughed when you mentioned the angle of staring down at a tabletop because that is exactly how I’m watching this TH-cam video
Im Kindle Paperwhite for books, and Ipad Pro for Comics/Manga. The screen is so nice on the Ipad. And the access to Viz, Marvel Unlimited, and DC Infinite are just too good to pass up. Even an Ipad Mini would be good for Manga fans.
Oh no! I just bought a Kobo the day before this was uploaded 😢 but I’m still quite happy to see you cover this topic :D
Don't worry, you made the right choice ;)
I think it is important that people are reading. I use Kindle but everyone has a preference
Had Kindles for ages but one author I read regularly is a Kindle Unlimited only author. This is her comment about Kobo.
Hi, because these books are listed in Kindle Unlimited they have to be exclusive to Kindle, so they can only be read on the kindle or through a kindle app. If the Kobo can use the Kindle app then it will work, but if it doesn't have access to the kindle app then you won't be able to read these series on it.
That being said would I have to keep my Kindle or would I be able to purchase new books thru my Kindle app on my phone and then use Calibre to transfer to the Kobo? That is my main drawback to purchasing and need clarification.
i miss my Kindle 3rd Gen Keyboard. i very much enjoyed the size and feel of it. i do use the Kindle paper white -- it is fine. i don't love or hate it. it works for reading WoT on. if they could make an updated version of the 3rd gen keyboard, i would absolutely love it. But I am excited about the color e-ink. I like the Kobo's price-point for the color version. Good review, Daniel.
What about Barnes and Noble's e reader? The Nook? I have a lot of owned books through the nook app reading on my phone, but I want to get an e reader.... Can the kobo have Nook as like, an app? or Everand?
Depending how this video does there are a few other ereaders I want to look at :) this has been fun and informative.
You could probably convert the book files for Kobo’s use. It’s complicated and involves breaking a DRM but theoretically should be possible
@@DanielGreeneReviewsDefinitely recommending the Onyx Boox Air 3 C for a follow up. It's expensive but it's basically the "no compromises" option. You get eInk, you get Android, you get everything.
So I've been a Kindle user since 2009 and I gotta say, that while I love my paperwhite, the new Kobos are very impressive and when it comes time to buy a new device I will definitely be researching what Kobo has to offer at that time. Thank you for this review!
I installed Koreader on the Kobo because I didn't like the default reader. It's an amazing e-book reader which is compatible with other devices as well (like Android).
Extensible and easy to use, I can sync progress and manage my library without ever having to plug into the pc. With the Kindle (unless it's a really old model) this sort of freedom just isn't an option.
Really great up front scoping and caveat section to define the review; and the filmography lately has been top tier.. levelled up!
My problem like others is that I have way too many ebooks I've purchased through Kindle, and I don't want to start over again with a Kobo. I'm one of the types that due to limited space back in the day I always read on e-readers or an ipad or tablet. I just never had room for a book shelf to fill with tons of books, so I started with Amazon Kindle stuff probably 12 years ago, and have been using them or their app ever since. And again since I read a lot and don't be physical its kind of locked me in to Amazons environment. I also love Goodreads and like how everything syncs with it. I know evil Amazon and everything but what can I say, they got me.
AFAIK Kindle supports epub since a while ago, and sideloading is either a drag and drop or an email send. And both of those get automated with calibre
I have a year old Libra 2 and it is great but the colour version is tempting. My 6 year old Aura HD is still working fine but I upgraded for a larger screen and more memory. It is more user friendly in my opinion than a Kindle. I do have a Kindle basic but I rarely use it. And, as you mentioned, it works seamlessly with Libby in Canada.
I just got my Kindle for Christmas in 2022 so I'm not in the market to upgrade yet. And, my mom, who also has a kindle, and is probably not looking for a new device, pays for KU, and I use her KU in addition to my library card through Libby. Which, may take more steps to set up, but once you've got it set up it's not that difficult to get your library books on your kindle.
So for right now a switch doesn't make sense. But I see where the Kobo has it's appeal. And of course, not being from Amazon. But maybe in the future depending on their answer to KU, and getting access to more books through that subscription.
The color being better than I would have expected might tempt me into finally buying an e-reader again.
And yeah, as integrated as Amazon is, I really don't want to support them, and I already make sure any books I buy cannot be locked to an ecosystem one way or another.
Great review! I like the direction epaper devices are headed, still not quite where they need to be for me though. Not sure comics will ever be a workable format for me on any of them given how prevalent and important double page splashes are.
I do the same for books as I do for all my movies and music. I download whatever book I want for free (if you know, you know) and then buy the physical version. Convert the files to epub on calibre if need be and load them up onto my kobo. I can edit all the metadata and choose whatever cover I want. The real cost is the tedious process of maintaining continuity between all the titles.
I returned my Kindle for Kobo because of how Amazon changes everything; all my Wheel of time books have the new covers (no offense), not my favorite. I like the older artsy ones. So kobo, once I learned how to covert the files, has fully respected my book cover preferences.
The library restriction is on the Amazon us platform, you can be in any country using it, you just can’t mix it with your Amazon account from Japan or Germany or any other country, with Apple Store and google store is the same thing
Outside of the U.S, libraries aren’t as good for all content. So I do suggest checking it out through your Libby on your phone before allowing it to be a deciding factor cos for me my local library is ass for sapphic books.
I've also long contemplated what e-Reader to get and ended up with the Pocketbook Era. It far surpasses the kobo in build quality whilst still being an open system and I'd argue the software is pretty fast. Maybe worth a look next time around ;)
I use my kobo but wonder if a tablet would be even better for me to listen to audio books instead while driving. Currently I am using my cell phone and downloading the from my library using libby or hoopla. Maybe a cheap small android tablet would do the trick and could read or use an audio book with the tablet?
Sending books from outside Amazon's store is beyond simple when sending to the kindle's email addresses, it sends it as a cloud book that can be downloaded on device's with my Amazon account.
I do have to disagree with the fold-over cover. I prop my phone up to read books while eating quite a lot. This way I can enjoy the content of the book while keeping my hands free to do something that my eyes don't need to be used for. So I would find the fold-over covers very useful in how I consume my book content.
I have an old Pocketbook Basic and I wonder why we moved away from that - no need for internet, reads any format, battery lives for weeks, no light or any gadgets - pretends to be a book, it's just lighter and holds more.
I have a kindle paperwhite, and I love it. But I'm in Canada, and I would love to be able to use my kindle for both audio books and library books. So I think I might grab the Kobo Clara Colour and see if I want to continue with Kindle. Love the review!
If you're reading comics, magazines, or whatever use a regular tablet and get great colors instead of (almost)acceptable colors.
Thank you for the very informative video! As someone who like to download books via wired connections, I think that would be an important thing to consider for many people.
My next question would be how you feel nooks compare to the others!
Been waiting for this one thanks for an honest review
Hey, uou haven't included in your comparison the Kindle Fire, which is in color. I have 2 of them: the 8''' and the 10'', and the battery lasts a week. I live in Southern Brazil. All the best.