Kobo’s new e-readers are a sidegrade most can skip (with one exception) | TechCrunch

by techmim trend


Kobo put out a handful of recent e-readers a couple of weeks again: colour variations of the superb Libra 2 and Clara, in addition to an updated monochrome version of the latter. However after trying out all of them out, I will say that for many customers, there’s no explanation why to modify.

First, the colour editions. I’ve been ready on colour e-paper displays for what turns out like part my lifestyles, and they have got but to reach the extent of vibrancy I’d need in an effort to in point of fact experience comics and internet sites on them. That’s nonetheless the case with the Clara Color and Libra Color.

Those units use E Ink’s newest Kaleido 3 show, and without a doubt issues have come a long way from what we have been seeing 10 years in the past. However the easy reality is the colour copy continues to be no longer nice. Higher than it ever was once … however deficient when put next with virtually the rest.

It’s unclear to me why you can need colour in any respect on a 6″ software in regards to the measurement of a pulp paperback. I attempted to learn a couple of comics however the textual content is just too small and zooming and panning too clumsy. And the colours, whilst provide, are washed out in each colour. Most likely a youngsters’s e-book?

Now, I wish to give credit score the place credit score is due: The display screen presentations all kinds of colours — I studied one panel particularly that had a number of distinct however identical sunglasses of blue (no longer the only beneath), and I used to be in a position to discern them at the reader virtually in addition to my customary LCD display screen. They’re without a doubt desaturated, however they’re there.

The moiré and aliasing are much less visual in individual, however you get the theory.
Symbol Credit: techmim

Those criticisms are all similarly true of the bigger Libra Color, the most recent within the line of asymmetrical 7″ units with web page flip buttons. That additional inch makes for approximately as a lot additional clarity as you can be expecting — a little — however the display screen itself isn’t any other.

You’ll be pondering: Why no longer simply get the colour one so you’ve gotten the choice? You’ll nonetheless learn abnormal books, finally. Sure, however … sadly, the colour layer in fact makes black and white content material worse.

I when put next the Clara Color and BW facet by way of facet — and for that subject, the year-old Clara 2E I had sitting round. Whilst they’re all nominally the similar solution, the Color looks like there’s a type of gentle gauze over it, darkening all the show rather and in consequence lowering the distinction.

This isn’t only a few minor factor that one most effective notices with a microscope. It’s in point of fact obtrusive. The colour displays are dimmer and tougher to learn. I attempted and didn’t seize it in pictures, however consider me, it’s for sure a step down.

As such, I merely can’t counsel the colour variations of those readers to someone, until you’ve gotten a selected use case the place desaturated colours and a rather degraded studying revel in aren’t a large deal.

Now, as for the Clara BW, that is necessarily the brand new default advice I’ll be giving — no longer as it considerably outdoes my go-to reader, the Clara 2E, however as it provides modest enhancements for $10 much less.

The brand new model of this very easy shape issue features a frivolously up to date display screen, the Carta 1300 collection, which boasts rather higher distinction and page-turning speeds. Examined towards the 2E, I discovered it to be noticeably quicker when tapping briefly thru pages, however no longer noticeable in abnormal use. And so far as the readability and distinction, they have been about equivalent to my eye, with a slight merit going to the brand new software. My favourite function is that it doesn’t crash after I plug it into my pc part the time, a Clara 2E addiction I’d given up on solving.

So in point of fact, you get what I believe is essentially the most sensible e-reader available on the market for most of the people, just for $130 moderately than $140. No advertisements, sideload your individual fonts and paperwork, integrated library app, a variety of room to mess around and hack. Then again, if you happen to personal a Clara 2E, or perhaps a Clara HD, I don’t assume the improve is essentially value it. Kind high quality hasn’t progressed that a lot in the previous few years.

As earlier than, I like to recommend getting their faux-leather “sleep duvet,” which each protects your software from the standard scuffs and folds into a good looking little stand. I like to recommend the Cayenne Pink colour so that you by no means lose it. Imagine me, you’ll be satisfied you spent the $30.



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