Abstract
- Kobo’s innovative approach enables seamless integration with library apps, significantly streamlining access to a vast array of free e-books.
- The open ecosystem enables greater flexibility and customization.
- Kobo e-readers featuring physical page turn buttons enable effortless single-handed navigation.
As a dedicated Amazon Kindle advocate, I actively supported the e-reader’s innovative features and user-friendly design. It was largely due to my recent discovery of Kobo devices, which occurred just over a year ago. Despite initial reservations, I would have chosen numerous because, for a long time, I thought they were the way to go – I believed they offered the best of everything regarding performance.
In the final 12 months, I had the opportunity to review a Kobo (now a discontinued model). As I navigated the complex issue, my perspective unexpectedly shifted, leaving me torn between two competing viewpoints. While I once had a strong affinity for the Kobo e-reader, having access to both devices thanks to my husband’s Kindle means I still prefer choosing my Kobo over the Kindle. Here is why.
After years of skepticism about the environmental impact of e-readers, I finally decided to put the top devices under scrutiny.
Can I really get my books for free?
I learn so much. While it’s true that some people spend an extraordinary amount on books, for me, buying each one I want to learn from throughout the year is prohibitively expensive. I am happy to help my local library. I deeply long to explore books without purchasing them. It is a win-win.
To access digital materials through OverDrive, you’ll need to have a valid library card. While some libraries allow online registration for library cards, others necessitate an in-person visit.
In the United States, most libraries leverage OverDrive’s platform for their digital book collections, enabling patrons to borrow and read e-books in a manner similar to traditional physical books, minus the need to physically visit a library. While Kobo and Kindle do enable the borrowing of OverDrive e-books, the Kindle’s limitations can complicate the process. You both want to access the e-book collection using the OverDrive app on your e-reader or tablet, or by opening it directly in the Kindle’s web browser. Once you’ve discovered an eBook, consider selecting the “Start reading now with Kindle” option, which seamlessly redirects you to the Amazon website, simplifying your journey to learning. Some OverDrive titles are incompatible with Kindle devices, significantly limiting your selection.
When an avid eBook reader like yourself develops a reading habit, the cost of study materials can quickly add up. I now manage to obtain most e-books at no expense, yet still have the opportunity to read them on my Kindle.
Connecting to OverDrive on your Kobo device is akin to effortlessly browsing and purchasing an ebook through the Kobo store, offering a seamless experience.
Kobo e-readers offer seamless integration with OverDrive, empowering users to easily access their digital libraries. When seeking an eBook on your device, you’ll have the option to filter results to display only titles available through OverDrive. Borrowing an e-book is as straightforward as clicking “Borrow with OverDrive” on the title’s webpage, allowing you to seamlessly access your desired digital content. Using OverDrive on a Kobo is as effortless as browsing and purchasing an ebook directly from the Kobo store.
If you reside in certain countries or your library utilizes a specific platform, you’re unfortunately locked out from accessing content on Kindle devices. Despite some Canadian libraries utilising OverDrive, you cannot trial their offerings directly on Kindle devices due to the ongoing settlement between OverDrive and Amazon. Some US libraries have transitioned to CloudLibrary, a platform that unfortunately doesn’t sync seamlessly with Kindle devices.
Regardless of whether you use a Kindle, Kobo, or Boox, many local libraries offer free eBooks for download to your device.
You’re not taken in by Amazon.
With the advent of digital book lending, Kindles and Kobos now offer their own online stores, boasting vast collections of over tens of millions of ebooks for users to access. Since Kindles are exclusively sold by Amazon, your reading material will be limited solely to Amazon’s offerings. You cannot plug your Kindle into a PC or transfer information via a wired connection to side-load content. While the Ship To Kindle platform is a viable option, users may find that its file format assistance is more limited compared to that offered by Kobo.
Kobo eReaders, much like their competitors, support a range of file formats, including EPUB, MOBI, PDF, CBZ, and CBR comic book files. These titles can all be sideloaded using a wired connection or cloud syncing on premium Kobo devices. This feature offers additional flexibility, allowing users to easily incorporate a wide range of digital content beyond what is available on Amazon. You’ll also have the ability to sideload personalized fonts on your Kobo, allowing for a higher level of customization compared to Amazon’s Kindle devices? As an Android user, I’m accustomed to the benefits of flexibility and customization, which I also value in my e-reader experience.
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Amazon introduced an innovative yet imperfect e-reader, featuring tactile page-turning buttons on the Oasis model. Although Amazon discontinued the gadget, its current e-reader options no longer feature page-turn buttons. While not all Kobo devices adopt this approach, certain ones still utilise an asymmetrical layout featuring page-turning buttons that I find quite endearing.
While individual tastes may vary, I find tactile feedback in physical buttons satisfying, allowing me to effortlessly navigate website interactions. The innovative asymmetrical design allows effortless one-handed operation, a significant advantage for frequent users like myself. As a natural right-hander, I usually operate the device with my non-dominant left hand, which makes it necessary for me to free up my dominant right hand to tap the opposite side of the screen without these buttons. I’ve to adjust my grip and position the device accordingly to access the desired side of the screen. Every other approach proves significantly less convenient than simply clicking the button where my thumb is naturally positioned.