3 explanation why I want Kobo over Kindle

I was a agency Kindle supporter. Granted, that was largely as a result of I solely realized about Kobo units somewhat over a 12 months in the past. Even nonetheless, I might used numerous Kindle devices for thus lengthy that I assumed they have been the way in which to go — I assumed they provided the very best of every part relating to e-reader performance.

Then, final 12 months, I had the prospect to assessment a Kobo (a now discontinued mannequin, the Libra 2). Surprisingly, I discovered myself switching sides. I used to be far more drawn to the Kobo gadget, and although I’ve entry to each (my husband makes use of a Kindle), I nonetheless want choosing up my Kobo over the Kindle. Here is why.

1 Higher integration with library apps

I want to get my books without cost

I learn rather a lot. Not practically as a lot as some, granted, however sufficient that purchasing each ebook I learn all year long could be very costly. Additionally, I need to assist my native library. So, I a lot want to take a look at books as a substitute of buying them. It is a win-win.

Most libraries in the US use OverDrive for his or her e book platforms, permitting you to take a look at ebooks very similar to you’d take a look at bodily books (although with out the effort of bodily going to the library). Kobo and Kindle mean you can learn OverDrive books, although Kindle would not make it very straightforward. You both want to make use of the OverDrive app on a special gadget or the Kindle net browser to open the OverDrive website. Then, while you discover a ebook, that you must choose “Learn now with Kindle,” which is able to redirect you to the Amazon web site for much more steps earlier than you get to studying. Plus, some OverDrive titles aren’t appropriate with Kindles in any respect, so you might have a extra restricted choice.

Associated

How to get free books on your Kindle and Fire tablet without buying from Amazon

You probably have a ebook dependancy like I do, studying can get costly. However now I snag most of ebooks without cost — and nonetheless get to learn them on my Kindle.

Kobo e-readers, however, include OverDrive baked in and able to use. If you seek for a ebook on the gadget, you possibly can choose to solely show choices from OverDrive. Checking a ebook out is so simple as choosing “Borrow with OverDrive” on a person ebook web page. There is no pulling up a browser or utilizing a special gadget and no multi-step course of involving a number of web sites or platforms. Utilizing OverDrive on a Kobo is as seamless as shopping for a ebook from the Kobo retailer.

Moreover, should you reside in a special nation or your library makes use of a special platform, you are out of luck on Kindle units. For instance, though many Canadian libraries use OverDrive, you can not test them out on Kindle units as a result of the settlement between OverDrive and Amazon is restricted to the United States. Likewise, some libraries in the US have switched to CloudLibrary, which is incompatible with Kindle units.

Associated

How to get free books on your ereader

Whether or not you utilize a Kindle, Kobo, or Boox, you may get free books in your gadget via most native libraries.

2 A extra open and versatile ecosystem

You are not caught with Amazon

Past checking books out from a library, each Kindle and Kobo provide their very own on-line shops with tens of millions of ebooks. For Kindles, that is the Amazon retailer, and you will be restricted to simply that. You’ll be able to’t plug your Kindle into a pc or switch recordsdata by way of a wired connection to side-load recordsdata. You should utilize the Ship To Kindle platform, however the file format assist is extra restricted than that of Kobos.

Kobo units, just like the Kobo Sage, assist a variety of file codecs, together with EPUB, MOBI, PDF, CBZ, and CBR Comedian E book codecs. These can all be side-loaded utilizing a wired connection or cloud sync on the premium Kobo fashions. That provides you extra flexibility so as to add books, papers, and different content material not from Amazon. Plus, you possibly can even side-load customized fonts on Kobo, permitting you to customise your Kobo greater than you possibly can on Kindle. I am an Android consumer, which ought to let you know that I worth flexibility and customization; it seems that it additionally carries over to e-readers.

3 Bodily web page flip buttons

Extra choices for transferring to the following web page

​​​​​​​ At one level, Amazon provided an uneven e-reader with bodily page-turn buttons (the Oasis). It discontinued that gadget, although; now, none of Amazon’s choices present page-turn buttons. Not all Kobo units do, however some nonetheless use that asymmetrical design with buttons for turning pages, which I respect.

I do know these buttons aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, however I like having a bodily button to press to show the web page. The asymmetrical design makes it simpler to make use of the gadget one-handed, which I do rather a lot. I typically maintain the gadget with my left hand (I am right-handed), so with out these buttons, I’ve to unencumber my proper hand to faucet the far aspect of the show. Both that or I’ve to place it down to make use of my left hand on the appropriate aspect of the display screen. Each strategies are much less handy than merely urgent the button the place my thumb is already resting.