Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by boplicity 52 days ago
I really want to like the Kobo. I really do. But I've had such bad luck with their devices. For example, sometimes the pages randomly start turning, really fast, so I completely lose my place. It also never reliably syncs between devices. And the integration with Overdrive is unreliable, only working some of the time. I also read it in the bath sometimes, which supposedly is one of the features available due to the water resistance, but the steam causes random clicks on the device, which makes it not really functional.

For me, I've mostly switched to reading on my phone. Dark mode, plus OLED, works very well for my needs.
4 comments
idoubtit 52 days ago
If you have trouble with the default software on a Kobo ereader, you can install other applications aside it, then switch to them after boot. In my experience, the installation process is innocuous and straightforward.

I use Koreader: after experimenting with various configuration parameters for a few days, the UI is now stable and tailored to my taste. Once in a while, I switch to another app: Plato is better at handling huge PDF files.

Another bonus point is that I can mount my ereader as a USB mass-storage and rsync the git repository of my ebooks onto it.

link
georgefrowny 51 days ago
You can also SSH into it because it's just running Linux.

So you could even just git push.

link
mrec 52 days ago
> For example, sometimes the pages randomly start turning, really fast, so I completely lose my place.

FWIW, I've had the same issue with my Kindle, and cleaning the screen seemed to fix it reliably.

link
wao0uuno 52 days ago
I bought a Kobo Libra about a year ago and it's rock solid although I'm not using any sync features. I turned on the airplane mode on day one. Just works.
link
jay_kyburz 52 days ago
i love my libra. i added a pop out handle thing they make for phones and its much easier to use one handed.
link
_whiteCaps_ 52 days ago
I've had three different Kobos (two with touchscreen) and never ran into this issue.

But the Overdrive issues are infuriating, especially when you miss out on a hold from the library and have to get in the queue again. On popular books it can take months. :(

link