Borders unveils updated Kobo eReader with Wi-Fi

[911jason]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20017975-1.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20



Here are the key specs:

    * Price: $139.99
    * 6-inch screen
    * Weighs 7 ounces
    * Built in Wi-Fi (802.11g)
    * Faster processor makes turning pages over 2.5X times faster
    * Sharper E-Ink screen (16-grayscale)
    * Longer battery life: up to 10,000 page turns on a single charge (with the wireless setting turned off)
    * 1GB of built-in memory stores up 1000 eBooks
    * Expansion slot for SD card (store up to 5000 eBooks)
    * Built-in dictionary
    * Available in three colors (black, silver, and lavender)
    * Support for ePub and PDF files
    * 100 free classics and Poker game pre-loaded onto device
    * Ships at the end of October (available for preorder now).

[KBoards.com]

[Ann in Arlington]

I had looked at the original Kobo at Borders the other day. . . .this is a nice improvement. . . .makes it a real competitor for the Kindle.  If I was looking for a reader that could easily access libraries, it's what I'd pick. . . . . .navigation was intuitive and the WiFi makes acquiring content very easy.

I like the new color too. . . .I think I know where they got the idea.

[G. Henkel]

Very cool. I think they really needed that to stay competitive.

[911jason]

I like the new color too. . . .I think I know where they got the idea.

I thought the same thing Ann... did you see it also comes in lavender? Odd choice...

[Ann in Arlington]

I saw that. . . . .I'm guessing a lot of  more girly-girl readers would like the lavender. . . .

[Betsy the Quilter]

I could get interested in one of these; I like the look of it better than the Nook.  Has anyone used a Kobo to access library books?

Betsy

[Atunah]

This might be a weird question, but how do you change pages on it? Is it that bubble button? Hmmm.

I too am putting out feelers for a reader that does library books. Its all it needs to do for me so the cheaper and bare bone the better.

[Ann in Arlington]

They have them available to play with at Borders. . . .I found it very intuitive.  Yes, the big button is a 5 way controller like on the Kindle.

[Atunah]

So the next page and previous page are on the 5 way? I can't make out any page buttons on the bezel on it.
Unfortunately the Borders here is in a weird spot for me to get there. I don't drive in that area.

I am just getting a feel whats out there that does library books. I only every hear talk about the Nook and some of the Sony. I didn't know about others.

[mlewis78]

I think that all the readers that have epub can be used for ebooks from libraries.  You can check with the library websites.  They also sometimes have mobi-formatted ebooks, but the DRM doesn't work with Kindle. 

I use Cybook Opus (Bookeen is the company) for mine.  I often think about getting a Nook or the new Kobo (in black) so that I can read with a cover on it.  Haven't seen any jacket-like covers for Kobo yet, however.  I keep holding off, because I can't justify spending for just this reason.  The Cybook Opus works very well for me, except that my light doesn't clip on to it well and I don't have a jacket-type of cover.

[CegAbq]

I just 'won' a Wireless Kobo & have spent the weekend getting used to is. My main love for it is my library's ADE & epub book access. So now I'll be trying it out.
One question if anyone out there knows: with digital audiobooks, once I transfer them to my player, they do not 'expire' and I can take as long as I want to listen to them before I delete them.
Do the ADE or epub books work the same way?

[Meemo]

I just 'won' a Wireless Kobo & have spent the weekend getting used to is. My main love for it is my library's ADE & epub book access. So now I'll be trying it out.
One question if anyone out there knows: with digital audiobooks, once I transfer them to my player, they do not 'expire' and I can take as long as I want to listen to them before I delete them.
Do the ADE or epub books work the same way?

My experience has been that once the check-out time has expired, as long as I don't leave the book and don't turn on wifi/wireless, the book remains readable.  If I leave the book, or turn on wireless, it seems to remind the book that it's past the check-out time and I can't read it anymore.  This is on my nook, and also borrowed books on the Kindle - I'd assume it probably works the same way on other readers.

[CegAbq]

My experience has been that once the check-out time has expired, as long as I don't leave the book and don't turn on wifi/wireless, the book remains readable.  If I leave the book, or turn on wireless, it seems to remind the book that it's past the check-out time and I can't read it anymore.  This is on my nook, and also borrowed books on the Kindle - I'd assume it probably works the same way on other readers.

Thanks meemo. I'm going to be finding out. Downloaded a book on Saturday; I'll turn off wifi & wait & see what happens.

[KBoards.com]