Review: Kobo’s Sage and Libra 2 e-readers enhance shows however compromise on design – TechCrunch

The newest pair of e-readers from Kobo present a modest however noticeable improve to the show, stylus assist, and Bluetooth for listening to audiobooks, however take a step down in construct high quality from the admirable Forma. But the brand new capabilities could also be definitely worth the improve, and the Libra 2 particularly makes for a gorgeous little package deal.

The units are successors to the Forma and Libra H2O, the forma of which (forgive me) has been my day by day driver since I cracked the display screen of my beloved Boox Poke 3. The predominant variations between the 2 new readers is measurement; many of the different options are the identical. At $260 and $180 the Sage and Libra 2 aren’t low cost, although I feel that least the latter is value contemplating when you use an e-reader usually, and like audiobooks and Pocket.

The most seen new function is the display screen, which is the most recent Carta 1200 E Ink show. Both readers have 300 PPI, which is greater than sufficient to make the textual content look sharp. Comparing the older Forma to the Sage (as they’ve very related builds) I used to be shocked to search out that the brand new display screen actually does make a distinction; the distinction is noticeably improved and the Forma’s letters appeared barely gray subsequent to the a lot darker Sage’s. Both look glorious, to be clear, however the brand new display screen is an enchancment.

Operation is far the identical as earlier units, although the upgraded internals imply these are a bit faster to wake, navigate, and reorientate once you flip them. Once in a e-book, web page turns took about the identical period of time as older units, which is to say practically no time in any respect even when skipping a number of at a time. But when loading a complete new a part of the e-book I discovered the outdated Forma is definitely sooner. All of this to say it’s nice however don’t anticipate iPad-like fluidity out of those or any e-reader.

The audiobooks are a brand new factor for Kobo and the brand new units have Bluetooth connections to make it doable — no audio system. Syncing a pair was as straightforward as it’s on some other machine, and from there I listened to a little bit of one of many included books from Kobo’s retailer (you may’t load your personal, for now) and it was just about as anticipated. You can pace up and decelerate playback, skip ahead and backward, and it retains your house when you disconnect or shut it down. Audio high quality was nice, aside from the same old small glitches that occur with accelerated playback.

Using a stylus on a tool this measurement has by no means appeared sensible to me, however I can definitely see it is perhaps helpful for an editor or one thing who likes to mark up their books. I discovered on the Elipsa that the performance is… effectively, purposeful. Nothing fancy, only a few methods to instantly mark up your books and paperwork. A logo or notation-based approach so as to add notes you may reference later (like Sony’s stars) can be good, however they’re simply getting began. At any price the stylus works simply nice, however since there’s no place to place it you’ll in all probability lose it in brief order.

Image Credits: Kobo

Both units have gotten thicker than their predecessors, presumably to accommodate the brand new {hardware} and stylus detection layer. It’s not an enchancment, for my part, and the units really feel cheaper than the Forma and to a lesser extent the Libra H20. The physique feels extra like molded plastic than one thing sculpted, partly as a result of they did away with all of the decisive angles and wedges that made the Forma such an fascinating form. The new readers are additionally heavier than the outdated ones, which weren’t among the many lightest to start with.

Kobo has by no means been good at buttons, and these aren’t any exception. The web page flip buttons, particularly on the Sage, are tender and indecisive and its recessed energy button, whereas an enchancment over the Forma’s terrible facet one, remains to be not nice. The smaller Libra 2 fares higher, with clickier however not too clicky buttons.

I’m not a fan of the adjustments, as you may inform, but it surely’s not prefer it ruins the entire thing. But I hope that Kobo reclaims a little bit of that premium really feel in its subsequent technology, as a result of this has positively been a step again.

The SleepCover makes it and/or breaks it

Image Credits: Devin Coldewey / TechCrunch

The beneficial accent for each units is a $40 SleepCover or PowerCover. These leather-esque (undecided if actual or pretend, but it surely feels good) folio covers connect securely and, like others in the marketplace, wake your reader or put it to sleep once you open or shut them respectively. These new ones add an origami-like fold system that lets them arise at an angle.

I desire my e-readers bare, so I wasn’t anticipating to love these — . And on the bigger Sage, I didn’t. Already slightly giant, the Sage with the case turns into even bigger with the case, the folding bit appeared too free, and it lined up the ability button — though it’s type of superfluous, this bothered me. Yet with out it the Sage appeared a bit fragile and lackluster.

On the smaller Libra 2, although, I cherished the duvet. It turned the considerably plasticky machine into a way more premium-feeling one, and the crimson colour is definitely fairly engaging (plus the ability button is accessible). Not solely that however the fold-out piece is nice for each setting it down and holding it — offers a bit extra form to it, like folding again the primary half of a paperback. And the recessed display screen (I desire a flush one) is protected against grime as effectively. While I nonetheless desire the Boox’s ultra-compact, ultra-smooth design, the Libra 2 shortly ascended to second place for instances after I’m not so anxious in regards to the house it takes up.

There are “PowerCovers” for extra money, but when your machine already lasts weeks, I don’t see the utility in including extra weight and bulk simply so you may final a pair extra weeks.

My last suggestion right here is to skip the Sage and the PowerCovers — in order for you massive, go massive and get an Elipsa or reMarkable. If you need Kobo and also you need audiobooks, seize the Libra 2 and a SleepCover, you’ll like it. If you don’t want audiobooks, you may nonetheless seize a Forma. All the units and equipment can be found now.