3 the 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 a bit over a 12 months in the past. Even nonetheless, I would used varied Kindle devices for therefore lengthy that I assumed they had been the best way to go — I assumed they supplied one of the best of all the things concerning 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 machine, and regardless that I’ve entry to each (my husband makes use of a Kindle), I nonetheless want selecting up my Kobo over the Kindle. Here is why.

1 Higher integration with library apps

I want to get my books totally free

I learn rather a lot. Not practically as a lot as some, granted, however sufficient that purchasing each e-book I learn all year long can be very costly. Additionally, I wish to help my native library. So, I a lot want to take a look at books as an alternative of buying them. It is a win-win.

Most libraries in america use OverDrive for his or her e book platforms, permitting you to take a look at ebooks very like you’ll try bodily books (although with out the effort of bodily going to the library). Kobo and Kindle can help you learn OverDrive books, although Kindle would not make it very simple. You both want to make use of the OverDrive app on a unique machine or the Kindle internet browser to open the OverDrive website. Then, while you discover a e-book, it’s worthwhile to choose “Learn now with Kindle,” which can 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’ve a extra restricted choice.

Associated

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

When you’ve got a e-book habit like I do, studying can get costly. However now I snag most of ebooks totally free — 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 e-book on the machine, you’ll be able to choose to solely show choices from OverDrive. Checking a e-book out is so simple as deciding on “Borrow with OverDrive” on a person e-book web page. There isn’t any pulling up a browser or utilizing a unique machine 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 e-book from the Kobo retailer.

Moreover, in the event you reside in a unique nation or your library makes use of a unique 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 america have switched to CloudLibrary, which is incompatible with Kindle units.

Associated

How to get free books on your ereader

Whether or not you employ a Kindle, Kobo, or Boox, you may get free books in your machine by means of 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 thousands and thousands of ebooks. For Kindles, that is the Amazon retailer, and you will be restricted to simply that. You may’t plug your Kindle into a pc or switch recordsdata by way of a wired connection to side-load recordsdata. You need to use the Ship To Kindle platform, however the file format help is extra restricted than that of Kobos.

Kobo units, just like the Kobo Sage, help a variety of file codecs, together with EPUB, MOBI, PDF, CBZ, and CBR Comedian Ebook 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’ll be able to even side-load customized fonts on Kobo, permitting you to customise your Kobo greater than you’ll be able to on Kindle. I am an Android person, which ought to inform you 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 subsequent web page

​​​​​​​ At one level, Amazon supplied an uneven e-reader with bodily page-turn buttons (the Oasis). It discontinued that machine, 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 recognize.

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 machine one-handed, which I do rather a lot. I usually maintain the machine with my left hand (I am right-handed), so with out these buttons, I’ve to unlock 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 suitable aspect of the display screen. Each strategies are much less handy than merely urgent the button the place my thumb is already resting.