🌈 Kobo Libra Colour Unboxing & Review 📖

papernroses
6 May 202419:16

TLDRThe video provides an in-depth review and unboxing of the Kobo Libra Colour e-reader. The device features a 7-inch screen, a sidebar with page-turning buttons, and the option to annotate directly in color on e-books. The stylus, sold separately, offers an eraser and replaceable pen tips with pressure sensitivity for varied line thickness. The e-reader is lightweight at 199g, has a plastic build, and comes in both black and white. It is waterproof, has an auto-rotate feature, adjustable brightness and color temperature, and a battery life of up to 40 days. The device also integrates with OverDrive for library book borrowing and includes a note-taking feature with customizable templates. However, the small screen size makes it impractical for complex digital planning. The review also addresses the challenges of transferring Kindle books with DRM protection to Kobo, suggesting the use of Calibre software to remove DRM. The reviewer highly recommends the Kobo Libra Colour for its annotation capabilities but advises potential buyers to consider their current reading and note-taking habits before switching from another e-reader ecosystem.

Takeaways

  • 📚 The Kobo Libra Colour is a color e-reader that allows users to annotate directly on the pages of their books with color.
  • 🖊️ A stylus is required for annotations and is sold separately for $69.99, while the e-reader itself costs $219.99.
  • 💰 The price is considered fair compared to similar devices on the market, such as the discontinued Kindle Oasis and the Kindle Scribe.
  • 📖 The device has a 7-inch screen, a sidebar with page-turning buttons, and is lightweight at approximately 199 grams.
  • 🌈 Users can underline, highlight, and write notes directly on the pages, with annotations saved and viewable regardless of font size changes.
  • ✍️ The stylus has an eraser, replaceable tips, and a shortcut button for highlighting, providing a more natural writing experience.
  • 📉 The device is pressure-sensitive, allowing for variable line thickness based on the pressure applied while writing.
  • 🔌 It is made of plastic, which keeps it lightweight, and comes in black and white options with a thoughtful design.
  • 💧 The Kobo Libra Colour is waterproof and has adjustable brightness and color temperature settings.
  • 🔋 The battery life is rated at up to 40 days on a single charge, based on 30 minutes of reading per day with the front light at 30% brightness.
  • 📖 OverDrive is built into the device, allowing users to borrow library books directly without needing to visit a physical library.
  • 🚫 The device is not compatible with Kindle Unlimited, and transferring Kindle books with DRM protection requires additional steps that may not be practical for all users.

Q & A

  • What was the reviewer's initial reaction to the announcement of the Kobo Libra Colour e-reader?

    -The reviewer was excited about the announcement and pre-ordered the Kobo Libra Colour e-reader immediately.

  • What are the prices of the Kobo Libra and the stylus?

    -The Kobo Libra sells for $219.99, and the stylus is sold separately for $69.99.

  • What are the key features of the Kobo Libra Colour e-reader that the reviewer finds appealing?

    -The reviewer finds the 7-inch screen, the sidebar with page-turning buttons, the light weight of the device, and the ability to annotate with color directly on the pages of books particularly appealing.

  • How does the reviewer describe the stylus that comes with the Kobo Libra Colour?

    -The stylus has an eraser on the back, replaceable pen tips, a shortcut button for highlighting, and it is pressure-sensitive, offering a different line thickness depending on the pressure applied.

  • What are the battery life expectations for the Kobo Libra Colour according to the reviewer?

    -According to the reviewer, a single charge should last up to 40 days based on 30 minutes of reading per day with the front light on at 30% brightness and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off.

  • How does the Kobo Libra Colour handle library books and annotations?

    -The device has OverDrive built-in, allowing users to connect their library card and download books for free. Annotations made on library books can be saved and reverted back to the original settings if the font size is changed.

  • What are the advantages of the note-taking section of the Kobo Libra Colour?

    -The note-taking section offers more pen options, including different types of pens, brush pens, and calligraphy pens. It also provides customizable notebooks with various templates that can be used within the same notebook.

  • What is the reviewer's opinion on using a digital planner with the Kobo Libra Colour?

    -The reviewer finds it unrealistic to use a digital planner on the Kobo Libra Colour due to the small screen size and slow pinch-to-zoom functionality, which can lead to frustration and ghosting.

  • How does the Kobo Libra Colour interact with Kindle books and the Kindle ecosystem?

    -Most Kindle books are protected with DRM, which prevents them from being transferred to other devices. However, using an app like Calibre, users can potentially remove the DRM and transfer the books to the Kobo device. The reviewer also notes that Kindle Unlimited is not compatible with the Kobo ecosystem.

  • What is the reviewer's final verdict on the Kobo Libra Colour?

    -The reviewer is very impressed with the Kobo Libra Colour and plans to continue using it. They find it particularly useful for annotating books in color and recommend it for those looking for this feature.

  • What considerations should potential buyers keep in mind before switching from Kindle to Kobo?

    -Potential buyers should consider their current reading and note-taking habits, the compatibility of their existing Kindle library with the Kobo device, and the limitations of transferring DRM-protected Kindle books. They should also consider the availability of titles on Kobo Plus compared to Kindle Unlimited.

  • What additional features does the Kobo Libra Colour offer that the reviewer appreciates?

    -The reviewer appreciates the waterproof feature, adjustable brightness and color temperature of the screen, and the ability to lock the auto-rotate function. They also like the built-in OverDrive feature for library access and the device's light weight.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Unboxing the Kobo Libra Color E-Reader

The speaker excitedly unboxes the Kobo Libra, a color e-reader they pre-ordered immediately after its announcement. They discuss the purchase of additional accessories like a stylus for annotations and different sleeve options. The speaker is eager to test the device's features, including its ability to turn on and off with a sleep cover. They provide timestamps for viewers who wish to skip to specific topics and start by discussing the device's pricing, which they consider fair compared to similar devices on the market. The Kobo Libra features a 7-inch screen, page-turning buttons, and a lightweight design, making it an ideal form factor for the speaker. A standout feature is the ability to annotate in color directly on the pages of e-books, which is a significant advantage over Kindle's current offerings.

05:01

🖌️ Annotating with the Kobo Libra Stylus

The speaker delves into the Kobo Libra's annotation capabilities, highlighting the stylus's features such as an eraser and replaceable pen tips. They compare the stylus to the Apple Pencil and note its lack of traditional paper-to-pen feel due to the firm plastic material, which they don't find problematic. The stylus's pressure sensitivity is praised for allowing variable line thickness, enhancing the handwriting experience. The build quality of the e-reader and stylus, both made of plastic, is deemed satisfactory, especially considering the device's light weight and comfortable grip. The speaker also appreciates the Kobo Libra's design, including the sidebar with buttons and the option to magnetize the stylus to the device. Additional features like waterproofing, auto-rotate, adjustable brightness and color temperature, and a long battery life are mentioned, along with the device's unique integration with OverDrive for library book borrowing.

10:02

🗒️ Note-taking and Library Integration

The speaker explores the note-taking aspect of the Kobo Libra, drawing comparisons with the Kindle Scribe. They find the note-taking section to offer more pen options and customizable templates than the book section, which is a significant advantage. However, the speaker notes that using the device as a digital planner is impractical due to the small screen size and slow pinch-to-zoom functionality. They also mention the ease of uploading PDF documents, although these lack the full annotation tools available in the notebook section. The speaker expresses concern about accidentally turning pages or adjusting settings due to the device's sensitivity to touch, which could be frustrating for some users. They conclude the section by discussing the compatibility of the Kobo Libra with Kindle books, emphasizing that transferring DRM-protected Kindle books to Kobo might be challenging for some users.

15:04

🔄 Transitioning from Kindle to Kobo and Final Thoughts

The speaker addresses the potential transition from Kindle to Kobo, noting that it might not be straightforward for those heavily invested in the Kindle ecosystem. They explain the DRM protection on Kindle books and the difficulty they encountered while trying to remove it using Calibre, suggesting that potential switchers test this process before purchasing. While the speaker finds the Kobo bookstore and library borrowing features to be seamless, they mention that Kindle Unlimited is not compatible with Kobo. They introduce Kobo Plus as an alternative subscription service. The speaker concludes by expressing their overall satisfaction with the Kobo Libra Color, especially for its annotation capabilities, but advises against switching ecosystems unless it aligns with the user's reading and note-taking habits. They offer to provide further updates in the future and invite viewer questions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Kobo Libra Colour

The Kobo Libra Colour is a color e-reader device that the speaker pre-ordered and is reviewing in the video. It is a significant topic as the entire review revolves around its features, performance, and the user's experience with it. The device is highlighted for its color annotation capabilities and is compared with other e-readers like the Kindle Oasis and Kindle Scribe.

💡Annotation

Annotation refers to the act of adding notes, comments, or edits to a text. In the context of the video, it is a core feature of the Kobo Libra Colour that allows users to directly write, highlight, and make notes on the digital pages of their books. The reviewer expresses enthusiasm for this feature, which is a major selling point of the device.

💡Stylus

The stylus is an accessory for the Kobo Libra Colour that enables users to make annotations on the e-reader. It is a separate purchase and is described as having an eraser on the back and replaceable pen tips. The stylus is crucial for utilizing the annotation features of the device and is noted for its pressure sensitivity and shortcut button for highlighting.

💡Waterproof

The Kobo Libra Colour is described as being waterproof, which is an important feature for a device that may be used in various environments. The waterproof characteristic allows users to read and annotate even in the presence of water, such as in the bath or during light rain, without damaging the device.

💡OverDrive

OverDrive is a digital platform that allows users to borrow eBooks and audiobooks from their local library. In the video, it is mentioned as a built-in feature of the Kobo Libra Colour, which enhances the device's functionality by providing access to a wide range of library books directly on the e-reader.

💡DRM (Digital Rights Management)

DRM is a form of copyright protection for digital media, which restricts the use of digital content to authorized users. The video discusses the challenges of transferring Kindle books to the Kobo Libra Colour due to DRM protection. The reviewer mentions using a tool like Calibre to remove DRM as a potential solution.

💡Calibre

Calibre is a free and open-source e-book management software that can also be used to remove DRM from e-books. The video mentions Calibre as a potential method to transfer Kindle books to the Kobo e-reader by removing the DRM protection, although the reviewer notes difficulties in successfully implementing this process.

💡Kobo Plus

Kobo Plus is a subscription service offered by Kobo, similar to Kindle Unlimited. The video discusses it as an alternative to Kindle Unlimited for users who are considering switching to the Kobo ecosystem. However, it is noted that Kindle Unlimited has exclusive content that may not be available on Kobo.

💡E-ink Display

E-ink Display refers to the technology used in e-readers to mimic the appearance of ink on paper, providing a more comfortable reading experience. The video mentions the E-ink display in the context of the Kobo Libra Colour's performance, noting issues like slow pinch-to-zoom functionality and ghosting when zooming in on small text.

💡Note-taking

Note-taking is a feature of the Kobo Libra Colour that allows users to create digital notes, which can be customized with various templates and pen styles. The video discusses the note-taking capabilities, highlighting the device's ability to use different templates within one notebook and the practicality of the built-in templates.

💡Ghosting

Ghosting is a term used to describe a visual artifact on a display where a faint impression of previous images is still visible. In the context of the video, ghosting is mentioned as a potential issue when using the Kobo Libra Colour for tasks that require pinch-to-zoom, such as detailed note-taking or navigating small text in a digital planner.

Highlights

Kobo announced a color e-reader, the Kobo Libra Colour, which the reviewer pre-ordered immediately.

The Kobo Libra Colour includes a stylus for annotation, sold separately for $69.99.

The device offers various sleeve options, including a clear one and a Sleep cover.

The Kobo Libra Colour has a 7-inch screen with a sidebar for easy holding and clickable page-turning buttons.

The e-reader is lightweight at approximately 199 grams, enhancing portability and comfort for extended reading sessions.

Users can annotate in color directly on the pages of their novels, a feature not possible with current Kindle devices.

Annotations are saved and can be reverted to the original font size for easy reference.

The stylus has an eraser, replaceable pen tips, and a shortcut button for highlighting.

The stylus is pressure-sensitive, allowing for variable line thickness based on writing pressure.

The Kobo Libra Colour is made of plastic but is lightweight and comfortable to hold.

The device has a modern design with a sidebar, buttons, and a magnetized stylus that attaches to the side.

It is waterproof, has an auto-rotate feature, and adjustable brightness and color temperature settings.

Battery life is rated at up to 40 days on a single charge, based on 30 minutes of reading per day with the front light at 30% brightness.

OverDrive is built into the device, allowing users to connect their library card and download books for free.

The note-taking feature includes customizable notebooks with various templates and pen options.

The device allows users to annotate directly on library books, with annotations remaining visible regardless of font size changes.

While the note-taking section is fun, using a digital planner on the device's small screen may not be practical.

Transferring Kindle books to Kobo may be possible but requires removing DRM protection, which can be challenging.

Kobo Plus is a subscription program similar to Kindle Unlimited, but Kindle Unlimited content is not transferable to Kobo.

The reviewer highly recommends the Kobo Libra Colour for its annotation capabilities and overall user experience.