• TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
  • Follow
    • Follow
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google+
    • instagram
    • youtube
Hearst Corporation
  • TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
Forums
  • Register
  • Login
  • Forums
  • Gadgets
  • Tablets and e-Readers
Kindle or Kobo?!!!
<<
<
2 of 3
>>
>
whiskydry
05-12-2011
Kindle, for this reason: I also have the Kindle app on my iPhone, plus the Kindle Cloud Reader on my laptop. This means that wherever I am, I can pick up whichever device I have available and carry on with my book - and it knows where I am in the book on all the other devices! And next time I pick up my Kindle, it will know where I got to on my phone or laptop.

There is no touchscreen in the world that I would swap for that kind of usefulness!
InsideSoap
05-12-2011
^ The Kobo has similar applications to read books on smartphones, tablets and PC. I haven't tried it but I assume it works in the same way as the Kindle apps (e.g. download a book you've bought and let's you read it).
susie-4964
05-12-2011
Originally Posted by whiskydry:
“Kindle, for this reason: I also have the Kindle app on my iPhone, plus the Kindle Cloud Reader on my laptop. This means that wherever I am, I can pick up whichever device I have available and carry on with my book - and it knows where I am in the book on all the other devices! And next time I pick up my Kindle, it will know where I got to on my phone or laptop.

There is no touchscreen in the world that I would swap for that kind of usefulness!”

That's the Kindle's main strength, if you also read books on other devices, and I also find it very useful.
bean999
05-12-2011
Originally Posted by whiskydry:
“Kindle, for this reason: I also have the Kindle app on my iPhone, plus the Kindle Cloud Reader on my laptop. This means that wherever I am, I can pick up whichever device I have available and carry on with my book - and it knows where I am in the book on all the other devices! And next time I pick up my Kindle, it will know where I got to on my phone or laptop.

There is no touchscreen in the world that I would swap for that kind of usefulness!”

An earlier poster is correct, there are smartphone and desktop apps for the Kobo, "pick up reading right where you left off... your bookmarks follow you no matter how you use Kobo to read — switch seamlessly between computer, smartphone, tablet, or eReader". Probably many readers have the same functionality.

Maybe there's a branding effect: something is famous → it must have unique properties.

I reckon all these eReaders might be ok. It'd be interesting to hear though if anyone has bought one (any brand) and completely regretted it, found it to be complete rubbish.
johnny_t
05-12-2011
I can't compare it to other e-readers, but I can tell you that I have a Kindle and it is possibly the best thing I have ever bought.

Also, for me, the 3G is invaluable. Not only for downloading books, but I travel a lot, and it has a (admittedly fairly rudimentary) browser included so if I'm in an airport or a hotel or on a train and want to quickly catch up with the headlines or facebook, I can. Best thing about that is that there are no 3G data charges whatsoever, even when roaming (I still can't quite believe it, but it's true).
Kedece
06-12-2011
Definitely Kindle, Ive had mine a year or so and have the wifi one. Ive never once wished I had the 3g one.
susie-4964
06-12-2011
Originally Posted by bean999:
“I reckon all these eReaders might be ok. It'd be interesting to hear though if anyone has bought one (any brand) and completely regretted it, found it to be complete rubbish.”

The OH had a BEBook neo, which had a battery life of about a day (literally). So yes, I'd say that was pretty much rubbish, and a serious waste of money. He's now got a Sony, because he likes the SD card add-on storage and the variety of file types that it will read.

I've said so before, but I think it's very much a matter of personal taste and requirements. I like to download the latest books, I'll literally stand there in Waterstones downloading with my iPhone! So the Kindle suits me very well, as the prices are pretty good. The OH has a lot of PDF files and technical manuals, plus thousands of books in different formats, but isn't so bothered about keeping up to date, so he likes the Sony. If you're just getting into the e-reader market and don't care about fancy connections and extra storage, go for the cheapest offer with the longest battery life.
grumpyoldbat
06-12-2011
I had a Sony PRS505. I found having to buy the books, plug in the reader to the PC to copy them across to be a right pain. Now I either buy direct on the Kindle or on the Amazon website and it sends the books across wirelessly the next time I switch on. So much easier. If I want to go away for the weekend without a computer and I want to buy another book whilst I'm away, I can. With the old Sony that wouldn't have been an option.
susie-4964
06-12-2011
Originally Posted by grumpyoldbat:
“I had a Sony PRS505. I found having to buy the books, plug in the reader to the PC to copy them across to be a right pain. Now I either buy direct on the Kindle or on the Amazon website and it sends the books across wirelessly the next time I switch on. So much easier. If I want to go away for the weekend without a computer and I want to buy another book whilst I'm away, I can. With the old Sony that wouldn't have been an option.”

While a fair number of e-readers have wifi connections now, the Kindle is the only one with the 3G connection, and that really is like magic! You can be sitting on the beach in the Caribbean and download a new book as easily as texting your mate (and absolutely free as well). I remember the days when the OH and I would take about five books each on holiday - now we can take more clothes instead!
grumpyoldbat
06-12-2011
Originally Posted by susie-4964:
“While a fair number of e-readers have wifi connections now, the Kindle is the only one with the 3G connection, and that really is like magic! You can be sitting on the beach in the Caribbean and download a new book as easily as texting your mate (and absolutely free as well). I remember the days when the OH and I would take about five books each on holiday - now we can take more clothes instead!”

That's exactly the reason I got the 3G version. Whilst most of the newer devices have wi-fi, you still can't rely on there being free wifi wherever you go, and if you have to pay to connect to wifi, that suddenly makes the price of the book a whole lot more!
IvanIV
06-12-2011
Without 3G you could tether to your mobile phone, but it's not a good idea while abroad, roaming prices for data are outrageous, Kindle 3G downloads are for free. I'd recommend Kindle over Kobo, because DRM and buying DRM books is seamless on Kindle, it's not that straightforward on other readers. It's not exactly an IQ test either, but Kindle is just more comfortable and you don't need any cable or computer to get your books on the reader.
grumpyoldbat
06-12-2011
Originally Posted by IvanIV:
“Without 3G you could tether to your mobile phone, but it's not a good idea while abroad, roaming prices for data are outrageous, Kindle 3G downloads are for free. I'd recommend Kindle over Kobo, because DRM and buying DRM books is seamless on Kindle, it's not that straightforward on other readers. It's not exactly an IQ test either, but Kindle is just more comfortable and you don't need any cable or computer to get your books on the reader.”

Yes, if you don't have some kind of arrangement for tethering abroad, depending on where you are, you could end up paying as much as £10 per MB, and some larger books are bordering that in file size!
andallthatjazz
06-12-2011
Finally bought (literally just now) Kindle £89 whilst on the look out for Nook colour for my nephew which I believe I have to buy from US only.
grumpyoldbat
06-12-2011
Originally Posted by andallthatjazz:
“Finally bought (literally just now) Kindle £89 whilst on the look out for Nook colour for my nephew which I believe I have to buy from US only.”

The Nook Color is only available in the US from Barnes & Noble and it's not possible to use their services or store outside the US. It blocks via IP address, so even US owners can't purchase books/magazines/apps from their store if they're outside the US!
scooby1970
06-12-2011
I bought a Kindle for my mother a few months ago and she hasn't looked back! Shes gone from reading a of books a fortnight to a couple a week. Shes discovered many more authors thanks to the first-chapter free read feature and it really has changed her life.

Mark
CoolboyA
06-12-2011
I had a go on the Android Kobo - 7" touchscreen. At £189 it's pretty damn decent - especially considering you can get Android apps on it and things.
InsideSoap
06-12-2011
I know this is basic maths but I cba, if the new Kindle has a battery life of one month based on 30 mins a day reading, I read about 2-3 hours a day so how long should the battery last? Wi-Fi turned off.

Originally Posted by CoolboyA:
“I had a go on the Android Kobo - 7" touchscreen. At £189 it's pretty damn decent - especially considering you can get Android apps on it and things.”

I saw on the Smiths website it was 189 but I'm sure the in-store price was 169 unless they changed it (or are charging £20 more to buy it online).
bobcar
06-12-2011
Originally Posted by CoolboyA:
“I had a go on the Android Kobo - 7" touchscreen. At £189 it's pretty damn decent - especially considering you can get Android apps on it and things.”

Bare in mind though that it's an LCD screen rather than e ink so not so good as a reader.
metanoia
07-12-2011
Originally Posted by InsideSoap:
“I know this is basic maths but I cba, if the new Kindle has a battery life of one month based on 30 mins a day reading, I read about 2-3 hours a day so how long should the battery last? Wi-Fi turned off.
.”

Well by their reckoning that would work out at about 15 hours battery life, so around a week of use for you, however there are a lot of factors to take into account. The Kindle only uses power (with the wifi off) when you turn the page, so depending on how quick you read and how large the font/line spacing is will make a difference.

I read about an hour a day averaging it out, and I've had my Kindle (the latest version) since mid October and I've charged it once since the initial charge, I'm also mainly reading now with the official lit case which uses the Kindle battery.
InsideSoap
07-12-2011
Originally Posted by metanoia:
“Well by their reckoning that would work out at about 15 hours battery life, so around a week of use for you, however there are a lot of factors to take into account. The Kindle only uses power (with the wifi off) when you turn the page, so depending on how quick you read and how large the font/line spacing is will make a difference.

I read about an hour a day averaging it out, and I've had my Kindle (the latest version) since mid October and I've charged it once since the initial charge, I'm also mainly reading now with the official lit case which uses the Kindle battery.”

I used to use the default size font but I use one of the larger ones now so it only takes a few seconds to read the page. I disabled the full page refresh too because with turning the page so quickly because the previous pages words still being there isn't noticeable. Where did you get the official lit case from?
IvanIV
07-12-2011
^^^ That's a pretty good estimate, I read 2-3 hours daily and I charge my Kindle weekly.
grumpyoldbat
07-12-2011
I leave the wireless off on my Kindle when I don't need it and I get 2-3 weeks battery life from a charge. I probably read for an hour a day.
InsideSoap
09-12-2011
I see they've reduced the price of the Kobo and the Touch version as well, pretty bad considering the people that bought them at the higher price. Even at 69.99 for the Kobo I'd still choose the Kindle.
InsideSoap
09-12-2011
I can't edit my post so will have to post again, apparently they have reduced the price because ASDA are now stocking them, for £67.00! Why when I thought WH Smith had exclusivity? Or was that just for a few weeks? Still a kick in the teeth for the people that paid more. And does anyone know if ASDA will stock them in-store or just online?
bean999
10-12-2011
Originally Posted by InsideSoap:
“I see they've reduced the price of the Kobo and the Touch version as well, pretty bad considering the people that bought them at the higher price. Even at 69.99 for the Kobo I'd still choose the Kindle.”

I was browsing WHS earlier and wondered if they'd dropped the price. But, my conclusion is different from yours, I'd probably go for the Kobo (wireless).
<<
<
2 of 3
>>
>
VIEW DESKTOP SITE TOP

JOIN US HERE

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Hearst Corporation

Hearst Corporation

DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

© 2015 Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Complaints
  • Site Map