I've followed this series of videos with interest. The way you talk it sounds like you are enjoying the reading experience far more with Kobo. I must admit when I need to replace my Oasis I'll go to Kobo just on the grounds of the page buttons. Due to the sort of things I read electronically I'm not really tethered to Amazon the few books I have bought off them are already in my Calibre library so it would be pretty easy to swap over. Thanks for the videos
I too recently moved to kobo from long time kindle usage (since kindle keyboard). Unfortunately, while there are some features I find kobo does better than the kindle, there are some things that I still think kindle is superior. 1) dark mode is much easier to toggle on/off on the kindle (without having to “hack” the device) 2) the screen has way less ghosting, page turns faster and is generally much more responsive on the kindle. I find the kobo a bit more glitchy to use overall. 3) side loaded books syncs with whisper sync (doesn’t sync on kobo) 4) while I’m getting used to the google drive function, I think email to kindle is hard to beat (everyone has an email, not everyone has drop box or google drive)
I was leaning toward the Kobo over the Paperwhite and yesterday after the bezos Washington Post debacle I'm going with kobo. Thank you, as always, for your balanced Fair review of both positives and negatives.
Kobo has google drive integration, you get a kobo folder in google drive on your laptop, copy a project gutenberg book, or any book, in to this folder and it appears on your kobo to download. So sorry saying Kobo has nothing like that is just plain silly, I download manuals, payslips and all sorts of things to my kobo this way. Couldn't be easier.
Nice thing with Send to Kindle is it's just email based. You can set it up so others can send you content as well. A lot of us don't like or use Google / Dropbox for privacy reasons.
I own an Oasis second gen that I like, but just couldn’t stand the Amazon thing. I purchased a Kobo Forma and am now set to go with the Color Libra. I love the format with the buttons. And, I love KOBO!
I have a Kindle and a Kobo but I'm in the process of moving all my ebooks over to my Kobo because I'm afraid of losing the books I've purchased. Aside from that, really really enjoy my Kobo Plus subscription, no borrow limits AND audiobooks! Highly recommend.
beware that in both, Amazon and Kobo you dont really own your books. Kobo will have to remove your books if required by the publishers ( same as amazon was forced to do ). Always make a backup and remove the DRM from your books, whether you got them from Amazon or Kobo. Or just get DRM free books :)
@@calitb Why don't people just read books on Kindle and return them and not worry about who owns them? I buy physical books I want to keep but mostly when I'm done with a novel, I'm never going to read it again so why buy it? There's more books in the world than anyone could ever read but I hear from people who've read Harry Potter dozens of times. I seriously don't get it.
@@debra2700 ahaha, I don’t think I have ever read the same book twice, but I get them, I have tried to do it. I guess it is the same as people watching Friends, the Office and so on, over and over and over.
This finally convinced me to ditch the kindle. I've been pretty annoyed with the kindle user interface and the screen for a while now, and I want the page buttons back. Also I get a majority of my ebooks from the libby app anyway. Plus f*ck jef bezos!
Thanks for this video. I've pretty much made up my mind to switch over for the exact same reason as you. I'm a little on the fence about which Kobo. Mostly I'm planning on getting a Kobo Clara Colour since I value portability more than virtually anything with an e-reader. I usually carry my Kindle in a cargo pocket/back pocket. But those page turn buttons are very tempting when I think about them so I haven't completely abandoned getting a Libra Colour. I've been putting a little aside out of the last couple of paychecks for a Kobo, hoping to get it a little deeper into the holiday system when hopefully there will be some deals on.
I prefer Android e-readers so I can have both the Kindle app and the Google Play Books app with no need to convert my content from one format to another.
Love this video but just want to point out that with the Kobo there is an easy way to get files on it through a cloud service. It has direct links to a Google Drive folder and a Dropbox folder. I personally use this feature and have found it just as seamless as the emailing feature for Kindle
I switched to the same device, and I'm never going back! The Kobo experience is much more for READERS and not CUSTOMERS. Amazon doesn't have library access for Canadians (me) and Kobo does, flexible ecosystem and file types, Kobo Plus has a FAR better selection than Kindle Unlimited, and not supporting Amazon is always a bonus.
I'm unsure about this, I tried a Kobo Libra and found it quite buggy, lacking basic features like global dark mode and reading clock, and the actual reading experience was glitchy, some epubs that worked on the Kindle made the Kobo lock-up, others would never save their reading progress. Not to mention the hardware quality. Eventually returned it and switched back to Kindle PW.
@@collodionpositive554 As I switched from a Kindle, it did take some getting used to, as it would for anything when it comes to a new interface. I would say it took less than a week for me to get used to it, personally. But that could easily vary from one person to the other. As for the dark mode, it gives me a headache, so I'd never used it. I do think the Kobo may be a lighter and more plastic-feeling build, but that just goes into the comfort of holding it without strain. I still can't get over the fact that the PW I have makes my hand cramp faster than my Libra Colour which is technically a bigger device. If the Kobo doesn't align with your needs, that's alright! But, for me as a reader, it's everything I'd wanted and would never consider going back to the massive corporation Monopoly of Amazon and its ethics, even if I didn't like the Kobo as much. The fact alone that it's Amazon keeps me away from Kindles in itself, going forward.
I have an Oasis and love it... but have been waiting for better annotating like the Kobo Libra color- SOOO disappointed with new Kindle options! Could you please tell: 1. Can a person export annotations (highlights and notes at least) like the Kindle does by sending them in an email? 2. If these annotations cannot be exported... how to take advantage of the overdrive library aspect to be able to keep notes and highlights after the book is gone? 3. Do annotations of any kind show up on the Kobo APP/ sync notes, etc?
I have recently made the switch and the hassle I experienced with downloading all my purchased (!!) and thusly owned content from Kindle to make it available on Kobo only made my choice more firm in my head. I hate that my purchased content is stuck in an environment that purposely makes it difficult to actually own the content. I am still in the process of downloading all my audiobooks and it is a pain - Amazon is really nasty that way. I did get the Kobo Libra Colour and overall I am happy with it. Took me a while to get used to the different userinterface, as I have been a Kindle reader for years and years. With the integration with Google Drive, I don't have any difficulties at all to get my books on the Kobo. It works pretty intuitively and takes not much more time than mailing something. So no worries there. I do miss whispersync, and the integration with a service like Goodreads, Fable or Storygraph. But if that is all ... happy to have moved, frankly.
I love my boox go 10.3. Used to have a nova air c and sold it because I don't need colour. I'm waiting for a new boox nova, 7.8" with pen compatibility would be my perfect on the go partner to the bigger 10.3.
I had been waiting for an age for Amazon to release a colour Kindle, and when Kobo released theirs, I was surprised Amazon didn't have anything to release soon after. But now that they have, like you, it's a major disappointment... simply a Paperwhite with a colour e-ink screen and ridiculously priced!!!! So with that, I will be looking to buy a Kobo Libra Colour. I'm hoping it goes on sale for Black Friday, but if not, I'll be getting one regardless. Thank you for your recent videos on moving to Kobo, as you've helped me make my mind up to do the switch as well. 😎
Thanks for the great info as always! I'm working on downloading my Kindle books and purchased a Kindle Scribe as I needed some kind of Kindle. I got it for $239 so I felt like it was the best deal. It was only a little more then a basic Kindle and I'm interested in the note taking aspect :)
I have 2 Kobo Libra and I'm very happy with them. The only down side, if you buy books from Kobo store they have all DRM on them (at least those I bought) and it is not easy to transfer them into my calibre library. So back to tree books . Tree books for day time reading and Kobo for night time reading. 🙂
Actualky, you could not be more wrong! It is extremely easy to transfer DRMed books into Calibre whilst stripping them of it at the same time. All you need is a plugin. Just google 'Apprentice Harper'.
Already have a Libra 2…and while I like hardware and its software, I’m about to go back to the Kindle world solely for the lack of sync between devices… it’s really a pity they don’t have this for side loaded content..
I have a really old Kindle and Fire tablet. Won't be adding my books to the old one as there is no light on screen and won't switch off so having to charge before reading. Will load to fire or use an android based one.
I have a kindle and recently purchased kobo...and the experience is amazing with kobo ..you don't have a format limitation ..audible and kobo plus are great ...I am wondering why I didn't migrate earlier
I’m still on the fence about buying an e-reader. I’ve been using the kindle app on my iPad and it’s not as straining on my eyes as I thought it would be on the large font size, so I’m not sure I want to invest in one.
I'm looking to make the same switch, but lack of cloud functionalities is putting me off. I was expecting Amazon to come out guns blazing with there colour Kindle leaving the competition behind in the dust, but it seems like they went for the opposite...
I prefer my Kobo Libra Colour over my Paperwhite 11th gen in every possible way. I'll have to keep my paperwhite because there are so many books and authors that I love that you just can't buy anywhere else and you can't download them without a registered kindle which is rather annoying but it's the way they try to get you to stay in their ecosystem. I bought it specifically for the buttons, I won't lie since amazon refuses to bring out a new oasis, even though I have seen 3x more people asking for a new oasis than asking for a kindle with color.
I ended up buying a kindle oasis purely to get buttons as I absolutely hated the paperwhite for that reason. Though in future I’m considering a switch to a different e-reader to get away from the amazon ecosystem.
Wasn't a fan of the Kobo Libra Color, found it quite buggy coming from a Kindle which made reading frustrating. Will eventually try a PocketBook, but for now the new PW SE is great.
Hi Olly thank you very much for your effort to explain all these aspects. Had a kindle keyboard ages ago and have been reading on mobile devices after it gave away. Struggling to decide between kobo clara bw and kobo libra. Love the contrast of bw and scared of the grainy appearance of kobo libra color but I know how handy physical buttons are. If you have any advice, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
@@CriminOllyBlog Hi Thanks for your answer. I know but it (Kobo Libra 2) does not seem to be available on retail anymore. At least not in any major store from what I can find. Even kobo store does mention it but you cannot purchase it, at least in Europe where i reside.
I'm considering picking up a Kobo myself soon. I read somewhere that sync works on sideloaded kepub but not standard epub files. Have you tried converting to kepub in Calibre?
The thing about other e-readers different than Kindle is that it is like tossing a coin, it could be great or not, I've read quite many comments on that they have any kind of malfunction in no time, or the battery doesn't last long anymore in a matter of weeks or months, or they freeze etc. What Kindle has is guarantee, it is rare that a Kindle malfunctions in no time, I have one basic model about 8 years old by now and still working properly.
A lot of people are canceling their Washington Post subscription after Bezos caved to Trump. I just subscribed to the Guardian instead of the Post. I’ll be cutting my Amazon purchases as much as possible. Kobo looks like the one to get if my Oasis ever quits.
Thank you for the comparison, I’ve been contemplating kindle or kobo for a long time. I ordered the colorsoft. I have a 6 year old paperwhite that I’ve refused to upgrade until a color kindle came out., but they were taking so long that I was considering a kobo. I’m in the minority- I like the book recommendations from Amazon. It helps me find books I may not have found on my own. I’ve never had a page turn button so I can’t miss what I’ve never had. Unlimited reading plans aren’t for me, I only read about one book per month so financially it’s less expensive for me to buy my ebooks. And as you mentioned, I love that if I’m at an appointment waiting to be seen, and I don’t have my kindle, I can pull out my phone and open the kindle app and pick up where I left off. I’m currently reading How to Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix, and I pulled out my phone while waiting to be seen at a dentist appointment just today.
I am in the minority too I don't find the adverts that intrusive as I rarely am on the home screen. I have quite a large collection of unread books so everytime I need to start a new one I go straight into the library.
I'm with you. I just got a new Kindle Paperwhite and I love it for all the reasons you listed. I don't get all the handwringing over no buttons when I just have to touch the screen which I do with my laptop all the time. I love the book suggestions and am currently reading an author I never would have found on my own, Kindle Unlimited and Prime are fantastic and no one mentions the ridiculous price for those Kobo readers over Kindles.
A few months back I decided to get the Kobo Clara Color, and move away from Amazon. My Kindle oasis is on airplane mode so I can still read the books without dealing with Amazon. Within the last week, when I finish an audible book, it is followed by several samples that Amazon wants me to buy. I do miss Kindle unlimited, there are several authors that I really enjoy that only publish there.
I find Kindle's UI bordering on unusable.Apart from the fact that it's convoluted, it's rediculous that a device supposedly designed with reading books in mind would not give users an option to see the books on their kindles as a simple text-based list, and, instead, opts for thumbnails.
you can see it as a list when you're in your library. just click on that button beneath the 3 vertical dots on the top right corner (near the battery icon) and change the view options to List
How many titles fits on one screen? Is it 6? Even if it's - let's be generous - 10 at a time, it's waaay off the most efficient use of the screen, partucularly as Kindle is capable of holding thousands of books. Still - thank you for the tip (even though this should be beyond obvious - which kinda proves my point).
@@mk5346 it depends on the screen size. on my kindle paperwhite 5 (11th gen) that has a 6.8" screen, when in list mode i can see 5 titles. while in list, it also shows a very small thumbnail of the cover, which is what is limiting the number of titles.
@@benskelly8892 Hm, one use case I appreciate is turning pages with gloves on when it's cold. That said, I understand it's a very specific problem so yes, not everyone needs them.
Amazon cloud is the singular reason why I still stuck with my kindle. Recent kindle firmwares are so bad that I have to reboot my kindle paperwhite several times a day.
Good breakdown. :) I'm getting a Kobo Libra Colour, and one of the big draws for me was the Libby access natively. You *can* use Libby to send books to your Kindle, but it's not nearly as seamless. I have a few things on Kindle Unlimited. Last time I checked the ToS, you had to have your book exclusive on Kindle for a period of time (90 days, maybe?) but not in perpetuity. Maybe they changed that, though.
It's not, I've just been down this rabbit hole. If you want Borrowbox, you need an android ereader that can download third-party apps. Issue is they seem pretty difficult to get hold of in the UK.
My Kindle is now 6-years old and still plugging away. No issues. Kindle unlimited is great and downloading Libby library books is so easy. Can’t imagine ever switching.
@lukepaulson3428 Being able to download Libby books straight to Kindle is only available in the US, for any UK peeps reading this comment. Not possible in the UK.
You claim Amazon didn’t do anything bold and just slapped a color display on a Kindle Paperwhite, which is true, just like how Kobo basically didn’t do anything bold and just slapped a color display on a Clara and Libra 2? Let’s be consistent on the criticism. With the Home tab and the ability to stick to the Library tab, as you mentioned, I don’t find the Kindle store any more intrusive than the Kobo Store. Do I wish you could get rid of the Home tab, like you said? Yes. But there are tabs on the Kobo o wish I could get rid of as well but can’t, so I see them both as even in this category. I will say the UI is better and simpler overall on the Kobo and I do like the reading stats and header and footer details within a book in the Kobo UI. The main thing that is keeping me with Kindle is the Send to Kindle feature that includes auto syncing of Reading progress, bookmarks, highlights, etc. If Kobo would implement this I would greatly consider fully switching over. I know Kobo has Google Drive /Dropbox support, but the way it’s locked to one device and doesn’t auto sync is vastly inferior.
@@CriminOllyBlogI am not really sure I believe the idea that they ended up with a device with more features. It’s a device with the exact same features it has always had, just with a color screen. Just like the Kindle has the exact same features it has always had, just with a color screen. And yes, the Colorsoft is more money, but as I believe you pointed out in a previous video, with the trade in program and Amazon’s frequent sales, that price is sure to be on par or cheaper many times than the Kobo, who hardly has any sales greater than a $20 discount.
1.- 2:31 (Store)
2.- 3:57 (User Interface)
3.- 4:54 (Phisical Design)
4.- 5:49 (Kobo plus vs Kindle Unlimited)
5.- 7:35 (Cloud Services)
I've followed this series of videos with interest. The way you talk it sounds like you are enjoying the reading experience far more with Kobo. I must admit when I need to replace my Oasis I'll go to Kobo just on the grounds of the page buttons. Due to the sort of things I read electronically I'm not really tethered to Amazon the few books I have bought off them are already in my Calibre library so it would be pretty easy to swap over. Thanks for the videos
Should be super easy for you to switch then! Hope you enjoy it when you do
I too recently moved to kobo from long time kindle usage (since kindle keyboard). Unfortunately, while there are some features I find kobo does better than the kindle, there are some things that I still think kindle is superior.
1) dark mode is much easier to toggle on/off on the kindle (without having to “hack” the device)
2) the screen has way less ghosting, page turns faster and is generally much more responsive on the kindle. I find the kobo a bit more glitchy to use overall.
3) side loaded books syncs with whisper sync (doesn’t sync on kobo)
4) while I’m getting used to the google drive function, I think email to kindle is hard to beat (everyone has an email, not everyone has drop box or google drive)
I was leaning toward the Kobo over the Paperwhite and yesterday after the bezos Washington Post debacle I'm going with kobo. Thank you, as always, for your balanced Fair review of both positives and negatives.
That does seem to have hurt Bezos a lot, which is good
Kobo has google drive integration, you get a kobo folder in google drive on your laptop, copy a project gutenberg book, or any book, in to this folder and it appears on your kobo to download. So sorry saying Kobo has nothing like that is just plain silly, I download manuals, payslips and all sorts of things to my kobo this way. Couldn't be easier.
Nice thing with Send to Kindle is it's just email based. You can set it up so others can send you content as well. A lot of us don't like or use Google / Dropbox for privacy reasons.
I don’t have a computer, just an iPad Air
Yeah that is good, but not as good as what Kindle has
@@collodionpositive554 people who care about privacy don't own amazon products lol
Remember a loooooong time ago when you teased me for being a Kobo girlie. Hee hee. This is great!
Ha ha I did
I own an Oasis second gen that I like, but just couldn’t stand the Amazon thing. I purchased a Kobo Forma and am now set to go with the Color Libra. I love the format with the buttons. And, I love KOBO!
I have a Kindle and a Kobo but I'm in the process of moving all my ebooks over to my Kobo because I'm afraid of losing the books I've purchased. Aside from that, really really enjoy my Kobo Plus subscription, no borrow limits AND audiobooks! Highly recommend.
beware that in both, Amazon and Kobo you dont really own your books. Kobo will have to remove your books if required by the publishers ( same as amazon was forced to do ).
Always make a backup and remove the DRM from your books, whether you got them from Amazon or Kobo.
Or just get DRM free books :)
Yeah Kobo Plus is great
@@calitb Why don't people just read books on Kindle and return them and not worry about who owns them? I buy physical books I want to keep but mostly when I'm done with a novel, I'm never going to read it again so why buy it? There's more books in the world than anyone could ever read but I hear from people who've read Harry Potter dozens of times. I seriously don't get it.
@@debra2700 ahaha, I don’t think I have ever read the same book twice, but I get them, I have tried to do it.
I guess it is the same as people watching Friends, the Office and so on, over and over and over.
This finally convinced me to ditch the kindle. I've been pretty annoyed with the kindle user interface and the screen for a while now, and I want the page buttons back. Also I get a majority of my ebooks from the libby app anyway. Plus f*ck jef bezos!
Glad the video helped! And yes Bezos does seem to have shot himself in the foot this week
Easy brightness adjustment and title navigation are definitely features I'm looking for! 4:00
Thanks for this video.
I've pretty much made up my mind to switch over for the exact same reason as you. I'm a little on the fence about which Kobo. Mostly I'm planning on getting a Kobo Clara Colour since I value portability more than virtually anything with an e-reader. I usually carry my Kindle in a cargo pocket/back pocket. But those page turn buttons are very tempting when I think about them so I haven't completely abandoned getting a Libra Colour.
I've been putting a little aside out of the last couple of paychecks for a Kobo, hoping to get it a little deeper into the holiday system when hopefully there will be some deals on.
I'm sure there will be some deals for Black Friday
I prefer Android e-readers so I can have both the Kindle app and the Google Play Books app with no need to convert my content from one format to another.
They are really versatile
which would you recommend?
Kindle Paperwhite size is just perfect, all Kobo devices are too huge or too small for my needs.
Love this video but just want to point out that with the Kobo there is an easy way to get files on it through a cloud service. It has direct links to a Google Drive folder and a Dropbox folder. I personally use this feature and have found it just as seamless as the emailing feature for Kindle
That's a good point, I have used that a couple of times but need to use it more
You've sent me down a very deep rabbit hole this morning, Olly! I'm now looking at moving my content over to Kobo.
I've really found it a positive move
I switched to the same device, and I'm never going back! The Kobo experience is much more for READERS and not CUSTOMERS.
Amazon doesn't have library access for Canadians (me) and Kobo does, flexible ecosystem and file types, Kobo Plus has a FAR better selection than Kindle Unlimited, and not supporting Amazon is always a bonus.
I'm unsure about this, I tried a Kobo Libra and found it quite buggy, lacking basic features like global dark mode and reading clock, and the actual reading experience was glitchy, some epubs that worked on the Kindle made the Kobo lock-up, others would never save their reading progress. Not to mention the hardware quality. Eventually returned it and switched back to Kindle PW.
@@collodionpositive554 As I switched from a Kindle, it did take some getting used to, as it would for anything when it comes to a new interface. I would say it took less than a week for me to get used to it, personally. But that could easily vary from one person to the other. As for the dark mode, it gives me a headache, so I'd never used it.
I do think the Kobo may be a lighter and more plastic-feeling build, but that just goes into the comfort of holding it without strain. I still can't get over the fact that the PW I have makes my hand cramp faster than my Libra Colour which is technically a bigger device.
If the Kobo doesn't align with your needs, that's alright! But, for me as a reader, it's everything I'd wanted and would never consider going back to the massive corporation Monopoly of Amazon and its ethics, even if I didn't like the Kobo as much. The fact alone that it's Amazon keeps me away from Kindles in itself, going forward.
I like that Readers vs Customers way of phrasing it!
I have an Oasis and love it... but have been waiting for better annotating like the Kobo Libra color- SOOO disappointed with new Kindle options! Could you please tell: 1. Can a person export annotations (highlights and notes at least) like the Kindle does by sending them in an email? 2. If these annotations cannot be exported... how to take advantage of the overdrive library aspect to be able to keep notes and highlights after the book is gone? 3. Do annotations of any kind show up on the Kobo APP/ sync notes, etc?
Hi - I'm not a big annotater, but I believe you can export them as a text file
I have recently made the switch and the hassle I experienced with downloading all my purchased (!!) and thusly owned content from Kindle to make it available on Kobo only made my choice more firm in my head. I hate that my purchased content is stuck in an environment that purposely makes it difficult to actually own the content. I am still in the process of downloading all my audiobooks and it is a pain - Amazon is really nasty that way.
I did get the Kobo Libra Colour and overall I am happy with it. Took me a while to get used to the different userinterface, as I have been a Kindle reader for years and years.
With the integration with Google Drive, I don't have any difficulties at all to get my books on the Kobo. It works pretty intuitively and takes not much more time than mailing something. So no worries there. I do miss whispersync, and the integration with a service like Goodreads, Fable or Storygraph. But if that is all ... happy to have moved, frankly.
Agreed - it's very time consuming to get books out of the kindle ecosystem, but worth the effort!
Thinking of moving from Kindle to Onxy Boox.
I love my boox go 10.3. Used to have a nova air c and sold it because I don't need colour. I'm waiting for a new boox nova, 7.8" with pen compatibility would be my perfect on the go partner to the bigger 10.3.
The Boox devices are great - I have 3!
I had been waiting for an age for Amazon to release a colour Kindle, and when Kobo released theirs, I was surprised Amazon didn't have anything to release soon after. But now that they have, like you, it's a major disappointment... simply a Paperwhite with a colour e-ink screen and ridiculously priced!!!! So with that, I will be looking to buy a Kobo Libra Colour. I'm hoping it goes on sale for Black Friday, but if not, I'll be getting one regardless. Thank you for your recent videos on moving to Kobo, as you've helped me make my mind up to do the switch as well. 😎
I've certainly seen the Kobo Libra Colour discounted in the past, so seems a safe bet it will be again for Black Friday
Thanks for the great info as always! I'm working on downloading my Kindle books and purchased a Kindle Scribe as I needed some kind of Kindle. I got it for $239 so I felt like it was the best deal. It was only a little more then a basic Kindle and I'm interested in the note taking aspect :)
That is a good price!
I have 2 Kobo Libra and I'm very happy with them. The only down side, if you buy books from Kobo store they have all DRM on them (at least those I bought) and it is not easy to transfer them into my calibre library. So back to tree books . Tree books for day time reading and Kobo for night time reading. 🙂
Actualky, you could not be more wrong! It is extremely easy to transfer DRMed books into Calibre whilst stripping them of it at the same time. All you need is a plugin. Just google 'Apprentice Harper'.
I think you just need Adobe Digital editions software installed and then you can easily get them into Calibre
Already have a Libra 2…and while I like hardware and its software, I’m about to go back to the Kindle world solely for the lack of sync between devices… it’s really a pity they don’t have this for side loaded content..
I've read this can work if you convert your ebooks from epub to kepub in Calibre. Have you tried that? I want to know if that's the case myself!
I own so many books on Kindle that I feel trapped using their devices for the rest of my life.
I have 2000 and I managed to move them all over to Kobo 😊
@@CriminOllyBlog do you have a video showing how?
I have a really old Kindle and Fire tablet. Won't be adding my books to the old one as there is no light on screen and won't switch off so having to charge before reading. Will load to fire or use an android based one.
I have a kindle and recently purchased kobo...and the experience is amazing with kobo ..you don't have a format limitation ..audible and kobo plus are great ...I am wondering why I didn't migrate earlier
Glad you're enjoying it!
I’m still on the fence about buying an e-reader. I’ve been using the kindle app on my iPad and it’s not as straining on my eyes as I thought it would be on the large font size, so I’m not sure I want to invest in one.
If the ipad works for you I'd stick with that
I'm looking to make the same switch, but lack of cloud functionalities is putting me off. I was expecting Amazon to come out guns blazing with there colour Kindle leaving the competition behind in the dust, but it seems like they went for the opposite...
Yeah it feels complacent
Hello Olly, when you removed the drm of the books, did you use any apps other than calibre?
Just Calibre with the DeDRM plug in
I prefer my Kobo Libra Colour over my Paperwhite 11th gen in every possible way. I'll have to keep my paperwhite because there are so many books and authors that I love that you just can't buy anywhere else and you can't download them without a registered kindle which is rather annoying but it's the way they try to get you to stay in their ecosystem. I bought it specifically for the buttons, I won't lie since amazon refuses to bring out a new oasis, even though I have seen 3x more people asking for a new oasis than asking for a kindle with color.
So many people want those buttons back!
I ended up buying a kindle oasis purely to get buttons as I absolutely hated the paperwhite for that reason. Though in future I’m considering a switch to a different e-reader to get away from the amazon ecosystem.
That are loads of options nowadays
Wasn't a fan of the Kobo Libra Color, found it quite buggy coming from a Kindle which made reading frustrating. Will eventually try a PocketBook, but for now the new PW SE is great.
Thorough breakdown. It's hard to beat AWS which is Amazon's main revenue stream.
Yeah it is an impressive thing
Hi Olly thank you very much for your effort to explain all these aspects.
Had a kindle keyboard ages ago and have been reading on mobile devices after it gave away. Struggling to decide between kobo clara bw and kobo libra. Love the contrast of bw and scared of the grainy appearance of kobo libra color but I know how handy physical buttons are. If you have any advice, will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
There is a black and white version of the Kobo as well
@@CriminOllyBlog Hi Thanks for your answer. I know but it (Kobo Libra 2) does not seem to be available on retail anymore. At least not in any major store from what I can find. Even kobo store does mention it but you cannot purchase it, at least in Europe where i reside.
I’m no longer giving Jeff my money. When my kindle finally dies I’ll be making the switch to Kobo purely for the Libby capabilities.
I'm considering picking up a Kobo myself soon. I read somewhere that sync works on sideloaded kepub but not standard epub files. Have you tried converting to kepub in Calibre?
I have some kepubs yes - will have to look into that - thank you!
The thing about other e-readers different than Kindle is that it is like tossing a coin, it could be great or not, I've read quite many comments on that they have any kind of malfunction in no time, or the battery doesn't last long anymore in a matter of weeks or months, or they freeze etc. What Kindle has is guarantee, it is rare that a Kindle malfunctions in no time, I have one basic model about 8 years old by now and still working properly.
Can you side load a book to Kobo from your computer?
Yes, you can
KOBO doesn't sell e-readers in my country.
Which country is that?
A lot of people are canceling their Washington Post subscription after Bezos caved to Trump. I just subscribed to the Guardian instead of the Post. I’ll be cutting my Amazon purchases as much as possible. Kobo looks like the one to get if my Oasis ever quits.
It does seem appallingly weak of him
Ah, but what to do when Amazon buys Kobo? 😆
Yep, just canceled my Amazon Prime!
Trump Vance 2024
You're a moron @@JR-lg7fd
Can my book files be loaded on the Kobo via Calibre?
Yes
@@CriminOllyBlog Sold! Thank you. :)
hi, may i ask, what camera are you using?
iPhone 14 Pro Max
@@CriminOllyBlog thank you!
Does koreader work on kobo?
I haven't tried it, but I believe so
Thank you for the comparison, I’ve been contemplating kindle or kobo for a long time. I ordered the colorsoft. I have a 6 year old paperwhite that I’ve refused to upgrade until a color kindle came out., but they were taking so long that I was considering a kobo. I’m in the minority- I like the book recommendations from Amazon. It helps me find books I may not have found on my own. I’ve never had a page turn button so I can’t miss what I’ve never had. Unlimited reading plans aren’t for me, I only read about one book per month so financially it’s less expensive for me to buy my ebooks. And as you mentioned, I love that if I’m at an appointment waiting to be seen, and I don’t have my kindle, I can pull out my phone and open the kindle app and pick up where I left off. I’m currently reading How to Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix, and I pulled out my phone while waiting to be seen at a dentist appointment just today.
I am in the minority too I don't find the adverts that intrusive as I rarely am on the home screen. I have quite a large collection of unread books so everytime I need to start a new one I go straight into the library.
I'm with you. I just got a new Kindle Paperwhite and I love it for all the reasons you listed. I don't get all the handwringing over no buttons when I just have to touch the screen which I do with my laptop all the time. I love the book suggestions and am currently reading an author I never would have found on my own, Kindle Unlimited and Prime are fantastic and no one mentions the ridiculous price for those Kobo readers over Kindles.
Yeah that sync is so handy!
A few months back I decided to get the Kobo Clara Color, and move away from Amazon. My Kindle oasis is on airplane mode so I can still read the books without dealing with Amazon. Within the last week, when I finish an audible book, it is followed by several samples that Amazon wants me to buy.
I do miss Kindle unlimited, there are several authors that I really enjoy that only publish there.
Yeah that is one problem with moving away from Amazon
So, he is only TALKING about the differences instead of SHOWING us?!?!
I find Kindle's UI bordering on unusable.Apart from the fact that it's convoluted, it's rediculous that a device supposedly designed with reading books in mind would not give users an option to see the books on their kindles as a simple text-based list, and, instead, opts for thumbnails.
you can see it as a list when you're in your library. just click on that button beneath the 3 vertical dots on the top right corner (near the battery icon) and change the view options to List
How many titles fits on one screen? Is it 6? Even if it's - let's be generous - 10 at a time, it's waaay off the most efficient use of the screen, partucularly as Kindle is capable of holding thousands of books. Still - thank you for the tip (even though this should be beyond obvious - which kinda proves my point).
@@mk5346 it depends on the screen size. on my kindle paperwhite 5 (11th gen) that has a 6.8" screen, when in list mode i can see 5 titles. while in list, it also shows a very small thumbnail of the cover, which is what is limiting the number of titles.
5:30 The problem with physical buttons is that they are the first thing that tend to break down due to constant use and wear.
Not sure I get the button thing. If I can change pages just by tapping my finger on the screen, what's the big deal?
@@benskelly8892 greasy fingers on screen...
I've yet to have that problem, but I get that it could happen
@@benskelly8892 Hm, one use case I appreciate is turning pages with gloves on when it's cold. That said, I understand it's a very specific problem so yes, not everyone needs them.
Amazon cloud is the singular reason why I still stuck with my kindle. Recent kindle firmwares are so bad that I have to reboot my kindle paperwhite several times a day.
Really? Wow that's bad
Good breakdown. :)
I'm getting a Kobo Libra Colour, and one of the big draws for me was the Libby access natively. You *can* use Libby to send books to your Kindle, but it's not nearly as seamless.
I have a few things on Kindle Unlimited. Last time I checked the ToS, you had to have your book exclusive on Kindle for a period of time (90 days, maybe?) but not in perpetuity. Maybe they changed that, though.
Ah that's interesting! When I published there it was forever
@@CriminOllyBlog If it's forever, I definitely want to pull my stuff from there. That's a little too long. :)
My library service doesn't use Libby they use Borrowbox. Are you aware if Borrowbox is compatible with the Kobo?
It's not, I've just been down this rabbit hole. If you want Borrowbox, you need an android ereader that can download third-party apps. Issue is they seem pretty difficult to get hold of in the UK.
Yeah Boox or Bigme would work for this
My Kindle is now 6-years old and still plugging away. No issues. Kindle unlimited is great and downloading Libby library books is so easy. Can’t imagine ever switching.
@lukepaulson3428 Being able to download Libby books straight to Kindle is only available in the US, for any UK peeps reading this comment. Not possible in the UK.
Ok so the video is he talking all the time instead of showing the devices and their differences.
You claim Amazon didn’t do anything bold and just slapped a color display on a Kindle Paperwhite, which is true, just like how Kobo basically didn’t do anything bold and just slapped a color display on a Clara and Libra 2? Let’s be consistent on the criticism.
With the Home tab and the ability to stick to the Library tab, as you mentioned, I don’t find the Kindle store any more intrusive than the Kobo Store. Do I wish you could get rid of the Home tab, like you said? Yes. But there are tabs on the Kobo o wish I could get rid of as well but can’t, so I see them both as even in this category.
I will say the UI is better and simpler overall on the Kobo and I do like the reading stats and header and footer details within a book in the Kobo UI.
The main thing that is keeping me with Kindle is the Send to Kindle feature that includes auto syncing of Reading progress, bookmarks, highlights, etc. If Kobo would implement this I would greatly consider fully switching over. I know Kobo has Google Drive /Dropbox support, but the way it’s locked to one device and doesn’t auto sync is vastly inferior.
That's true, but Kobo ended up with a device that has more features for less money
@@CriminOllyBlogI am not really sure I believe the idea that they ended up with a device with more features. It’s a device with the exact same features it has always had, just with a color screen. Just like the Kindle has the exact same features it has always had, just with a color screen.
And yes, the Colorsoft is more money, but as I believe you pointed out in a previous video, with the trade in program and Amazon’s frequent sales, that price is sure to be on par or cheaper many times than the Kobo, who hardly has any sales greater than a $20 discount.
I dont think I’ll ever change. I like the KU too much .
There are some great books there
UnboxOLLY meets ComparisOLLY. A first for the channel?