I Swapped to Kobo from Kindle... Here's Why

Summary

The video compares the Cobo Libra Color e-reader to the Kindle, focusing on features like integration with Libby for library book borrowing, customizable reading stats, and superior ergonomics with physical page-turn buttons. The Cobo offers enhanced color display, faster navigation, and a more personalized reading experience compared to the Kindle, though it lacks Kindle's Goodreads integration and has slightly worse battery life. While the Kindle remains a solid device, the reviewer finds the Cobo more enjoyable and functional, especially after two weeks of use, making it their new go-to e-reader.

Takeaways

• 😀 The review focuses on a personal experience with the Cobo Libra Color e-reader, contrasting it with long-term use of Kindles.
• 😀 The reviewer initially upgraded to a Kindle Paperwhite, but found certain features lacking compared to other e-readers.
• 😀 One of the main reasons for switching to the Cobo Libra Color was the desire to try out buttons and explore color features for highlighting and book covers.
• 😀 Cobo's integration with Libby allows users to borrow books directly from the library and read them on the e-reader, which is a game-changer in regions where this feature is available.
• 😀 The Cobo Libra Color has enhanced reading statistics, like tracking reading time, pages per minute, and progress on books, making reading more engaging.
• 😀 The customization options on the Cobo are far superior to the Kindle, with a broader selection of fonts and the ability to adjust layout and margins.
• 😀 Ergonomically, the Cobo's physical buttons are a major plus, offering ease of use and comfort during extended reading sessions.
• 😀 The color display of the Cobo is visually appealing, though the color E Ink is less sharp than black-and-white displays, which is a trade-off for the color feature.
• 😀 Cobo's user interface is quicker than the Kindle’s, offering faster navigation and typing, improving the overall experience.
• 😀 Despite being a more affordable option than the Kindle, the Cobo Libra Color provides a solid user experience with features like library borrowing, easy navigation, and customization.
• 😀 The Kindle still has a better black-and-white contrast and is more refined in terms of software like Goodreads integration, though the reviewer prefers the Cobo's user experience overall.

Q & A

Why did the speaker switch from a Kindle to the Kobo Libra Color?

The speaker switched from the Kindle to the Kobo Libra Color because they wanted to try out buttons on an e-reader and enjoy the added feature of color for highlighting and book covers. They were also seeking a more seamless integration with library services, which the Kobo offered.

What is the main reason the speaker enjoys the Kobo Libra Color's integration with Libby?

The speaker enjoys the Kobo Libra Color's integration with Libby because it allows them to borrow and read library books directly from the device, making the process easier and more convenient, especially in regions where Kindle doesn't support such functionality.

How does the speaker describe the Kobo Libra Color's reading statistics feature?

The speaker describes the Kobo Libra Color's reading statistics feature as a fun and insightful way to track reading activity. It shows how many hours have been spent on a book, the average reading time per session, and how many pages are read per minute. This feature adds an extra layer of engagement with the reading experience.

What customization options does the Kobo Libra Color offer compared to the Kindle?

The Kobo Libra Color offers more customization options than the Kindle, such as a wider range of preloaded fonts, adjustable margins, customizable button functions, and the ability to modify the reading progress display. The speaker found these options fun and enhancing to their reading experience.

How does the speaker feel about the Kobo Libra Color's ergonomics?

The speaker is very pleased with the Kobo Libra Color's ergonomics, particularly the physical buttons. They found the buttons to be intuitive and easy to use, especially when switching hands. The device's accelerometer also adjusts the screen orientation quickly, making it comfortable to hold and use in various positions.

What is the speaker's opinion on the color display of the Kobo Libra Color?

The speaker enjoys the color display of the Kobo Libra Color, especially for viewing book covers and images while reading. However, they note that color e-ink is not as crisp as black and white e-ink, but they find it sufficient for their needs, particularly since they wear glasses.

What aspect of the Kobo Libra Color does the speaker appreciate in terms of user experience?

The speaker appreciates the Kobo Libra Color's user interface, particularly the fact that the homepage emphasizes the books they are currently reading, rather than pushing new book purchases. This creates a more focused, less commercialized reading experience.

What issue does the speaker mention about the Kindle's interface compared to the Kobo Libra Color?

The speaker mentions that the Kindle's interface can be janky at times, especially when navigating between pages or typing. They found the Kobo Libra Color to be quicker and more responsive, providing a smoother user experience overall.

What are some drawbacks of the Kobo Libra Color compared to the Kindle?

Some drawbacks of the Kobo Libra Color include the lack of Goodreads integration, which the Kindle offers, and the potentially shorter battery life. Additionally, the Kobo Libra Color does not provide etymology information when looking up words, unlike the Kindle.

Does the speaker believe they will return to using the Kindle?

No, the speaker does not plan on returning to using the Kindle. After using the Kobo Libra Color for two weeks, they find it more enjoyable and fun, despite the Kindle being a solid and reliable e-reader.