3 explanation why I favor Kobo over Kindle

I was a agency Kindle supporter. Granted, that was largely as a result of I solely realized about Kobo gadgets slightly over a 12 months in the past. Even nonetheless, I might used varied Kindle devices for thus lengthy that I assumed they have been the best way to go — I assumed they provided one of the best of the whole lot relating to e-reader performance.

Then, final 12 months, I had the possibility to evaluation a Kobo (a now discontinued mannequin, the Libra 2). Surprisingly, I discovered myself switching sides. I used to be rather more drawn to the Kobo system, and despite the fact that I’ve entry to each (my husband makes use of a Kindle), I nonetheless favor selecting up my Kobo over the Kindle. Here is why.

1 Higher integration with library apps

I favor to get my books at no 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 wish to assist my native library. So, I a lot favor to take a look at books as an alternative of buying them. It is a win-win.

Most libraries in the USA use OverDrive for his or her e book platforms, permitting you to take a look at ebooks very like 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 system or the Kindle internet browser to open the OverDrive website. Then, if you discover a ebook, you could 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 suitable with Kindles in any respect, so you’ve gotten 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 ebook dependancy like I do, studying can get costly. However now I snag most of ebooks at no cost — and nonetheless get to learn them on my Kindle.

Kobo e-readers, alternatively, include OverDrive baked in and able to use. If you seek for a ebook on the system, you possibly can choose to solely show choices from OverDrive. Checking a ebook out is so simple as deciding on “Borrow with OverDrive” on a person ebook web page. There isn’t any pulling up a browser or utilizing a special system 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, when you stay in a special nation or your library makes use of a special platform, you are out of luck on Kindle gadgets. For instance, though many Canadian libraries use OverDrive, you can’t examine them out on Kindle gadgets as a result of the settlement between OverDrive and Amazon is restricted to the United States. Likewise, some libraries in the USA have switched to CloudLibrary, which is incompatible with Kindle gadgets.

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 system by way 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 only that. You’ll be able to’t plug your Kindle into a pc or switch information through a wired connection to side-load information. You should utilize the Ship To Kindle platform, however the file format assist is extra restricted than that of Kobos.

Kobo gadgets, 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 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 shifting to the subsequent web page

​​​​​​​ At one level, Amazon provided an uneven e-reader with bodily page-turn buttons (the Oasis). It discontinued that system, although; now, none of Amazon’s choices present page-turn buttons. Not all Kobo gadgets 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 really like having a bodily button to press to show the web page. The asymmetrical design makes it simpler to make use of the system one-handed, which I do rather a lot. I typically maintain the system with my left hand (I am right-handed), so with out these buttons, I’ve to unencumber my proper hand to faucet the far facet of the show. Both that or I’ve to place it down to make use of my left hand on the precise facet of the display. Each strategies are much less handy than merely urgent the button the place my thumb is already resting.