eBook Formats and Readers ?'s

[JWolf]

I found a program called Calibre that seems really good. Its main use is to convert all the different ebook formats from one to another but as a perk it also downloads newspapers. I think this might make the Kobo the best option for me. Wireless newspaper support would be better but I can sync this thing in the morning before I leave for work, that's no big deal. And calibre is free

Unless the Kobo reader has the bugs fixed at time of purchase, you may end up finding it rather frustrating to use. How some of these bugs were allowed to get out in the wild, I'll never know. But one major issue is with changing the font size. Sometimes it just doesn't work when it should.

 

[ATimson]

But one major issue is with changing the font size. Sometimes it just doesn't work when it should.

My understanding is that it's only not changing the font size when the styling in the book uses a fixed size, instead of a relative one. In which case it's a badly-coded book, but the Kobo is behaving as the ePub author asked for.

 

[JWolf]

But one major issue is with changing the font size. Sometimes it just doesn't work when it should.

My understanding is that it's only not changing the font size when the styling in the book uses a fixed size, instead of a relative one. In which case it's a badly-coded book, but the Kobo is behaving as the ePub author asked for.

It's not changing font size sometimes even when the CSS is not using fixed font sizes. When the font size is fixed then it should not change font sizes. And that's a poorly made ePub. But it also doesn't change fonts in cases where it should.

 

[ATimson]

It's not changing font size sometimes even when the CSS is not using fixed font sizes.

Okay, that wasn't what I'd gathered from people reporting online. Good to know, since I'd been planning on looking at them when they came out in the US next month.

 

[garoo1980]

What does everyone else say sucks about the Kobo? I found the lack of touch screen annoying but I think I'd be ok with it eventually. Anything else?

 

[BrotherBenny]

What does everyone else say sucks about the Kobo? I found the lack of touch screen annoying but I think I'd be ok with it eventually. Anything else?

It's comparable to the Sony Readers, not to the Nook or the Kindle.

 

[Venardhi]

I see you all mentioning the Amazon reader app on ipad/iphone/blackberry/whatever but B&N has had one for like a year now, and without the proprietary bull.

A cheaper wi-fi-only nook is 99% definitely coming soon, probably this summer, as an answer to Kobo. Pricing will probably depend on the first month or so of Kobo sales. As low as 179 seems likely.

From what I've heard, the next patch will probably be giving us a lot of the features/changes nook owners have been asking for. Better organization, retooled notes/highlights, music playlists, more games, etc. The ability to do these big patches is seriously one of the best parts of the nook.

Oh, and the Kobo is distractingly ugly. Who thought that big blue button was a good idea?

 

[BrotherBenny]

I don't want an eReader with bells and whistles. I want a simple eReader with wifi. That's it. And I don't want to spend more than $150 for it, but if this new Nook does what I want it to, I will consider $180.

 

[Ktrek]

Here is another option for anyone considering an ereader. If you like the Ipad, but think it's too expensive, then perhaps the Pandigital Novel is for you? It has a lot of the "flashiness" of the Ipad without breaking your wallet. I'm not sure when the release date is though. Take a look here:

http://androidcommunity.com/pandigital-novel-199-android-ereader-20100524/

I love the B&N nook. Personally I believe it is the best ereader on the market but if I did not own one I might have given the Pandigital some serious consideration. Being that it's also android based means they will be able to upgrade the features as time goes on.

Kevin

 

[BrotherBenny]

This is exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[garoo1980]

That looks like it might be the device for me too. It doesn't look like e-ink though, looks backlit. I'm not sure how easy that would be on the eyes.

 

[BrotherBenny]

That looks like it might be the device for me too. It doesn't look like e-ink though, looks backlit. I'm not sure how easy that would be on the eyes.

Oh yeah, forgot about that...maybe it's not the right one then. Unless I can turn the backlight off.

 

[Ktrek]

It is backlit but supposedly the light is adjustable. So, you probably could find a comfortable level that won't give you eye strain. I'd at least like to see it. I saw on their website that the device is to be released in June but no exact date listed yet. Looks like they will have a lot of outlets so it shouldn't be too hard to find one to try.

Kevin

 

[JWolf]

What does everyone else say sucks about the Kobo? I found the lack of touch screen annoying but I think I'd be ok with it eventually. Anything else?

It's comparable to the Sony Readers, not to the Nook or the Kindle.

The nook is not all that wonderful and that LCD screen does cause less battery life between charges. The Kindle locks you into Amazon. The Kobo doesn't compare to Sony or anyone yet as it has bugs that need to be fixed before it's comparable.

 

[JWolf]

That looks like it might be the device for me too. It doesn't look like e-ink though, looks backlit. I'm not sure how easy that would be on the eyes.

I've done some reading on an iPad and I found it no bother at all. As long as it allows you to turn down the brightness to what works for you, then it should be ok.

 

[BrotherBenny]

What does everyone else say sucks about the Kobo? I found the lack of touch screen annoying but I think I'd be ok with it eventually. Anything else?

It's comparable to the Sony Readers, not to the Nook or the Kindle.

The nook is not all that wonderful and that LCD screen does cause less battery life between charges. The Kindle locks you into Amazon. The Kobo doesn't compare to Sony or anyone yet as it has bugs that need to be fixed before it's comparable.

JWolf, I was referring to the basic functions, not to it's usability, and comparable does not mean "A is exactly like B in my opinion." It means similar.

 

[Ktrek]

The nook is not all that wonderful and that LCD screen does cause less battery life between charges.

I think that's a matter of opinion. How much time have you spent using a nook to be able to have such an opinion? I actually own one and I think it is a wonderful device and keeps getting better with each software update they release. I think it's in a class by itself as an ereader when compared to the Kindle and the Kobo or the Sony. It should not be compared to the Ipad because the Ipad is not an ereader. It can be used to read books but that is not its primary purpose. I'm very happy with my nook purchase and have read more books since getting it in December than I did the entire year last year or the year before. That's how much I love the nook for book reading!

Kevin

 

[Thrawn]

^ That was definitely the experience I had when I got my Kindle. In my experience, just about everyone that has either a Kindle or a Nook is completely satisfied with it, and tends to prefer it over the other one.

To me, when I played with it, the Nook felt kind of cheap, and heavier, and I don't think the LCD screen is worth the weight and lower battery life. But I'm glad you're happy with it.

 

[Judith Sisko]

The nook is not all that wonderful and that LCD screen does cause less battery life between charges.

I think that's a matter of opinion. How much time have you spent using a nook to be able to have such an opinion? I actually own one and I think it is a wonderful device and keeps getting better with each software update they release. I think it's in a class by itself as an ereader when compared to the Kindle and the Kobo or the Sony. It should not be compared to the Ipad because the Ipad is not an ereader. It can be used to read books but that is not its primary purpose. I'm very happy with my nook purchase and have read more books since getting it in December than I did the entire year last year or the year before. That's how much I love the nook for book reading!

Kevin

Beautifully said, Kevin.

Judith
(another proud nook owner)

 

[JWolf]

I have read what others have been saying about various devices and these are owners.

As for the iPad, it is becoming the most versatile device for using to read. Overdrive, is coming out with a reader app that will use the ADE SDK version 9.