Friday, November 4, 2011

My new Kobo Vox

I picked up a black Kobo Vox on Wednesday and have been playing with it. My goal was to buy an eReader first and a tablet second. I didn't want to spend $500 on a tablet. I don't need 3g, wifi is good enough.
What I like:
  1. Great reader, clear type, no need for an external light
  2. Price $199
  3. $40 cover that doubles as a leaner / stand, I had a choice of black or violet, I chose the black cover
  4. Main screen with your 5 last books and 10 apps, the 5 books allows you to read a couple at a time and not have to search for them in the library
  5. Not too heavy, lighter than an iPad
  6. 7" screen is ideal
  7. You Tube video is great
  8. You can thumb type when you're in vertical mode
What bugs me:
  1. Can't use the normal Android Market Place
  2. Android Market Place doesn't recognize the Vox
  3. Calibre (PC desktop ebook manager) doesn't recognize the Vox (there's already a ticket open)
  4. Adobe Digital Editions doesn't recognize the Vox
  5. You can't use the USB connection to charge the Vox
  6. Had to sideload Aldiko
  7. No native file manager, downloaded Files
  8. Can't upload Gmail Contacts and Calendar entries
Update: Kobo issues an update to the system early in 2012 and that fixed a lot of problems. The reader is no faster, but the battery now lasts significantly longer. I've also added Battery Booster and the battery life is about 40 hours in Airplane mode.

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