Switching from Kindle to ... ?

[kathyspear]

One of my favorite possessions is my Kindle Paperwhite. I am, however, trying to wean myself away from Amazon and considering switching to something else. Kobo seems to be the next most popular system. Anyone use it and have any comments, pro or con?

Thanks.

kathy

[JohnN]

Interesting topic. I do like my Kindle paperwhite, that'd be a hard habit to break.

[Inspector Mark]

I use a iPad mini. For reading books I use the kindle app. I can get books for Amazon and also for the Library. The iPad allow my to do so much more then just read books.

[retiredguy123]

It looks like Kobo has a device similar to the Kindle Oasis, which has a high resolution screen and real buttons to turn the pages. But, I would never switch from the Kindle to Kobo. The inexpensive Kindle Fire 7 can often be bought on sale for less than 40 dollars, and you can load the books you own onto about 6 Kindle devices and lend them to friends. Also, the Kindle format is compatible with many public libraries for free lending. Very convenient.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

My first tablet was the first iteration of the Nexus 7. I went from that to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, 10-inch. I still have it and use it and love it. They haven't upgraded the operating system in a couple of years, but everything works on it and all the apps update with no trouble at all. I use it as a mini-laptop with a bluetooth keyboard and bluetooth mouse when I'm away, I can watch movies and read books and use Libre Office (because it's better than Microsoft Office plus it's free), play games, take pictures and videos and edit them and use Zoom or Skype. I can even make phone calls using VoIP technology. Mine came with 32gb internal storage and I could add a microSD card (which I use to store all my files).

I bought my Nexus in 2012 when it first came out. I got the Samsung S2 in 2016, a year after it came out. I've had it since and it's still working great. The battery is only supposed to last a couple of years but I haven't seen any slowdown on mine yet. They are theoretically not replaceable - but if you have the right tools they can be replaced.

[kathyspear]

I have a 2020 iPad Air which is a very nice tablet but there is no comparison to reading a book on an iPad vs a Kindle Paperwhite with the e-Ink display.

The point is that I prefer not to buy products (including ebooks) from Amazon these days if I can find comparable alternatives. (I would explain why but I think most people can figure out why and I don't want to annoy the moderators by going into that FORBIDDEN SUBJECT.)

I have software that can convert various formats of ebooks from [whatever] to Kindle (removing the DRM crap) so in theory I could buy books from B&N or Kobo or (???), convert them to Kindle format, and send them to my Kindle. I would prefer, though, to buy a new device and just download books straight to it without doing all that conversion nonsense.

So has anyone used an actual Kobo device? Thanks.

k.

[Dana1963]

I have a 2020 iPad Air which is a very nice tablet but there is no comparison to reading a book on an iPad vs a Kindle Paperwhite with the e-Ink display.

The point is that I prefer not to buy products (including ebooks) from Amazon these days if I can find comparable alternatives. (I would explain why but I think most people can figure out why and I don't want to annoy the moderators by going into that FORBIDDEN SUBJECT.)

I have software that can convert various formats of ebooks from [whatever] to Kindle (removing the DRM crap) so in theory I could buy books from B&N or Kobo or (???), convert them to Kindle format, and send them to my Kindle. I would prefer, though, to buy a new device and just download books straight to it without doing all that conversion nonsense.

So has anyone used an actual Kobo device? Thanks.

k.
There is an APP for your iPad in the App Store for Kobo Books iPad and create Kobo account.

[Scott O]

I have a 2020 iPad Air which is a very nice tablet but there is no comparison to reading a book on an iPad vs a Kindle Paperwhite with the e-Ink display.

The point is that I prefer not to buy products (including ebooks) from Amazon these days if I can find comparable alternatives. (I would explain why but I think most people can figure out why and I don't want to annoy the moderators by going into that FORBIDDEN SUBJECT.)

I have software that can convert various formats of ebooks from [whatever] to Kindle (removing the DRM crap) so in theory I could buy books from B&N or Kobo or (???), convert them to Kindle format, and send them to my Kindle. I would prefer, though, to buy a new device and just download books straight to it without doing all that conversion nonsense.

So has anyone used an actual Kobo device? Thanks.

k.
Good for you, we are kicking the Amazon to the curb as well, hopefully you find something enjoyable..

[Malsua]

You already have the Kindle, so that ship has sailed.

That said, you can often buy books directly from the publisher. Baen, one of my favorite publishers sells directly.

There are also millions of free ebooks available elsewhere and no, I'm not talking about pirated books, but those are out there too.

Just find the .mobi and copy it directly to your Kindle with a usb cable.

You can also email the mobi as your Kindle actually has an email address just for sending books. Many publishers that you buy books from will email them directly to your Kindle.

Emailing to your Kinda uses resources from Amazon, such a shame. While minute, there is a cost to bandwidth. If 10s of millions of people a day were all utilizing Amazon bandwidth for books not purchased from them, why, that'd be a darn shame.

[rhood]

iPad mini witch can read both mobi and epub formatted books with the proper app.

[elevatorman]

I try to buy American first. Rakuten, the seller of KOBO is referred to as the Amazon of Japan.

[Love2Swim]

I would hazard a guess that most electronic devices are either manufactured and assembled overseas, or their components are made there.

[RLWooly]

I am an independent publisher, so I can tell you that The Zon (Amazon) is about 80% of the book market. There are many titles that are only available on Amazon, particularly if they are on Kindle Unlimited. Kobo was an Australian service that was bought our a couple of years ago by Walmart. Personally I use an iPad with the Kindle app, but I do a lot of other book related work on it. I wish you all the best in your decision!

[Mikey1588]

One of my favorite possessions is my Kindle Paperwhite. I am, however, trying to wean myself away from Amazon and considering switching to something else. Kobo seems to be the next most popular system. Anyone use it and have any comments, pro or con?

Thanks.

kathy
I have not used Kindle so it is difficult to compare. I have used Kobo for years and can read a book on my Kobo, Laptop and Tablet. Good selection of authors, easy to use and pricing is ok.

[Love2Swim]

I'm just curious why you don't want to support Amazon? I don't see it as any different than other big monopolies in the country.

[mydavid]

I'm old school, I like going to the library and get a book to read.

[gregcharlesnelson@gmail]

I often check Amazon and then order from the library

[kendi]

Thanks for your post. I love my paper white as well. Haven’t considered switching but now I’m debating. So far I’ve only seen one reply that actually answered your question. Hoping more will come

[dhdallas]

Good for you, we are kicking the Amazon to the curb as well, hopefully you find something enjoyable..

Why?

[dhdallas]

One of my favorite possessions is my Kindle Paperwhite. I am, however, trying to wean myself away from Amazon and considering switching to something else. Kobo seems to be the next most popular system. Anyone use it and have any comments, pro or con?

Thanks.

kathy

What's wrong with Amazon?

[speedo8357]

I have been attempting to wean myself from Amazon as well. Doing so, makes me realize how much of a monopoly they really hold on our commerce.

That said — I try to use library loans as much as possible. Sometimes requires a bit of a wait on new releases.

[Eg_cruz]

I have been attempting to wean myself from Amazon as well. Doing so, makes me realize how much of a monopoly they really hold on our commerce.

That said — I try to use library loans as much as possible. Sometimes requires a bit of a wait on new releases.
Same here they are everywhere in everything

[Eg_cruz]

What's wrong with Amazon?
Everything........to Big for their britches

[Pedrocarrasco01@yahoo.com]

One of my favorite possessions is my Kindle Paperwhite. I am, however, trying to wean myself away from Amazon and considering switching to something else. Kobo seems to be the next most popular system. Anyone use it and have any comments, pro or con?

Thanks.

kathy

Kathy, used to have a kindle, got a a iPad mini and never looked back, I eliminated all my computers and use it solely, can do anything that I did with my computer on the IPad, you can get a 3rd or 4th generation IPad mini for around 150 to 200 depending on aesthetics on EBay, look at the description and always pay through PayPal and reread the description totally, purchase the one with the most memory too. Once you start using your iPad, you will never go back to any other.

[72lions]

I have a 2020 iPad Air which is a very nice tablet but there is no comparison to reading a book on an iPad vs a Kindle Paperwhite with the e-Ink display.

The point is that I prefer not to buy products (including ebooks) from Amazon these days if I can find comparable alternatives. (I would explain why but I think most people can figure out why and I don't want to annoy the moderators by going into that FORBIDDEN SUBJECT.)

I have software that can convert various formats of ebooks from [whatever] to Kindle (removing the DRM crap) so in theory I could buy books from B&N or Kobo or (???), convert them to Kindle format, and send them to my Kindle. I would prefer, though, to buy a new device and just download books straight to it without doing all that conversion nonsense.

So has anyone used an actual Kobo device? Thanks.

k.

Enjoy your life and the things available to you through technology.

[PugMom]

this may sound like i'm stuck in the era of 8-track tapes, but i still prefer actual books i can hold. i never had a kindle-thing, or ipad for that matter, & i can find plenty to read (mostly non-fiction. yeah, i'm a nerd.

[jnieman]

I think if you are used to the paperwhite you may have trouble switching to another device especially if it has a backlight. One of the nice parts about the paperwhite is that there is no backlight. I even find the kindle fire the light hurts my eyes.

[OhioBuckeye]

One of my favorite possessions is my Kindle Paperwhite. I am, however, trying to wean myself away from Amazon and considering switching to something else. Kobo seems to be the next most popular system. Anyone use it and have any comments, pro or con?

Thanks.

kathy
Sorry Kathy I never heard of Kobo but I don’t keep up with the times. I think Amazon is just slowly trying to wean us off of other suppliers by slowly raising their prices & some things have went up already. The only thing I don’t like about Amazon is they sell a lot of Chinese junk & most of it is junk. But I always try to buy MADE in the USA, but if I have to buy Made in China junk I’ll buy from Amazon because it is cheaper right now. You know our to be administration will be letting everything that comes into the U. S. will force us to buy it, or should I say U. S. of China. I really think Amazon is here to stay, they’re to big & do to much business here to think a hand full of people can force them to lose our business! But like you, I’ll buy else where as much as I can!

[Samfl]

Don’t blame you for trying to get away from Amazon. Pretty tough to do though. They are convenient. But I am trying to find ways to buy locally instead of them.

[Byte1]

I have owned Kobo ebook readers and found that there is little difference in those and any other Android reader. I now purchase only Android ebook readers and then put the FREE Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Kindle apps on it, as well as the epub reader that comes with the Android device. The most popular format for ereading is the Epub format which you can just about get any electronic book in. If I find a book on line that I wish to read that is any other format, I convert it to epub before reading or read it in the Kindle reader. Almost any book you wish to read, you can get the epub version.
I too am thinking of severing my use of Amazon. I no longer use Google either, using several other browsers instead.
But, if you are thinking of puchasing a Kobo ebook reader, you might consider getting a generic ebook reader and just installing the free Kobo app or one of the many other free reading apps available for download and install.

[Byte1]

I think if you are used to the paperwhite you may have trouble switching to another device especially if it has a backlight. One of the nice parts about the paperwhite is that there is no backlight. I even find the kindle fire the light hurts my eyes.

Use the "night" setting. The black background with white letters is very easy on the eyes.

[larrytx219]

Public e libraries are great and free. Sumter County and Lake both have good e-collections and are excellent to work with

[Polar Bear]

I think Amazon Prime membership is well worth the money. Shopping, shipping, video, reading, etc. I’m a supporter. I don’t think they are any better or worse than any large company. I just look for value for my money. And convenience has a high value to me. Amazon delivers...both literally and figuratively imo. :)

And a Kindle Paperwhite is going to be hard to match, especially if you like to read late in the day...very easy on the eyes.

[NAB20]

I have a Samsung Tablet and download books from the Library using Libby. Unfortunately, I just googled and found that Libby is not compatible with Kindle. You could use Libby on a smart phone, but the size might not be as easy to read.

[jojo]

I love my Kindle and the extraordinary convenience of downloading books. Wouldn't switch for the world.

[kathyspear]

You already have the Kindle, so that ship has sailed.

Yes, I spend thousands of dollars a year on Amazon.com and have for years. I would prefer not to give them any more money.

k.

[kathyspear]

There is an APP for your iPad in the App Store for Kobo Books iPad and create Kobo account.

Originally Posted by kathyspear View Post
I have a 2020 iPad Air which is a very nice tablet but there is no comparison to reading a book on an iPad vs a Kindle Paperwhite with the e-Ink display.

k.

[kathyspear]

I try to buy American first. Rakuten, the seller of KOBO is referred to as the Amazon of Japan.

I would prefer to "buy Japanese" than to "buy Jeff Bezos" but thanks.

k.

[kathyspear]

this may sound like i'm stuck in the era of 8-track tapes, but i still prefer actual books i can hold. i never had a kindle-thing, or ipad for that matter, & i can find plenty to read (mostly non-fiction. yeah, i'm a nerd.

I used to go on a cruise with a stack of books/magazines. Now I carry my little Kindle which has hundreds of books on it. I can adjust the size of the font and the brightness, based on the environment and lighting. I can read in bed without keeping the hubs awake. I can look up a definition by tapping a word. I can make annotations. I could go on and on.

Kindle is one of those truly amazing devices that can only be fully appreciated when you have one in your hands. Are there situations in which a printed book is preferable? Of course. A Kindle will never take the place of a coffee table photography book, for instance. But for most books, Kindle is the way to go.

Try it. You might like it.

k.

[Jima64]

One of my favorite possessions is my Kindle Paperwhite. I am, however, trying to wean myself away from Amazon and considering switching to something else. Kobo seems to be the next most popular system. Anyone use it and have any comments, pro or con?

Thanks.

kathy

I switched from a Kindle to the iPad with the kindle app to read my books.

[Nevermore]

I'm old school, I like going to the library and get a book to read.

How is that working out for you with COVID-19

[Malsua]

Yes, I spend thousands of dollars a year on Amazon.com and have for years. I would prefer not to give them any more money.

k.

My point was you already have the Kindle, continuing to use it won't give Amazon any more money.

As I listed above, you can still get all the new books on there you'd like, it's just how you obtain them that changes.

My wife and I both have Kindle paperwhites and we constantly are adding books that were sourced other than Amazon.

[kathyspear]

My point was you already have the Kindle, continuing to use it won't give Amazon any more money.

As I listed above, you can still get all the new books on there you'd like, it's just how you obtain them that changes.

My wife and I both have Kindle paperwhites and we constantly are adding books that were sourced other than Amazon.

I assume you are buying books on sites other than Amazon and then stripping the DRM out of the files before sending them to your Kindle? As I said, I do that now in order to share books with my husband. I would prefer not to have to go through all that. It is a simple matter for these companies to edit some code and throw a monkey wrench into things, creating a situation where the conversion tools no longer work. I just don't want to deal with stress. Trying to simplify my life.

Thx for the suggestions.

k.

[Malsua]

I assume you are buying books on sites other than Amazon and then stripping the DRM out of the files before sending them to your Kindle? As I said, I do that now in order to share books with my husband. I would prefer not to have to go through all that. It is a simple matter for these companies to edit some code and throw a monkey wrench into things, creating a situation where the conversion tools no longer work. I just don't want to deal with stress. Trying to simplify my life.

Thx for the suggestions.

k.

No, I haven't stripped out the DRM of anything. Baen books, for example are DRM free. All Books (https://www.baen.com/allbooks/category/index/id/1972)

I'm part of Storybundle and get books from there constantly. Often indie books. All DRM free.

I've gone to the great Imperial library of Trantor on the dark web and grabbed a bunch of ebooks that you can't find anywhere for any price. Been a while on that one though, not sure if it's still up. Those were usually epubs if I recall, had to Calibre those over to mobis.

My wife and I also own a LOT of books as we both worked for Publishers during our careers she being an Executive Editor for Bantam DoubleDay Dell and I worked for John Wiley and Sons for 5 years. I don't have any guilt getting the ebook for free of titles we own as physical books. Mostly older stuff there though.

[kathyspear]

No, I haven't stripped out the DRM of anything.
...
I've gone to the great Imperial library of Trantor on the dark web and grabbed a bunch of ebooks that you can't find anywhere for any price.
...
I don't have any guilt getting the ebook for free of titles we own as physical books. Mostly older stuff there though.

I have sometimes purchased digital versions of books that I own in hard cover just because it was convenient to have them in ebook form. I sort of think I shouldn't have to pay again but what can you do.

I certainly don't feel guilty about stripping DRM from books that I paid for. I feel like if I buy a physical book I can hand it to my husband or sister to read when I am finished. Why can I not do that with an ebook? I'm not selling the digital files on ebay or anything! And frequently I pay the same or more than I would for a physical book even though there is no cost-of-goods involved.

Never been on the dark web but I am intrigued. :)

And on the subject of Kobo devices (which was my question to begin with) there is an active Kobo group on reddit and they all LOVE their Kobos. I may buy one. We shall see.

Thx for the input.

k.

[Nell57]

A second vote for my iPad. My reading options are Applebooks, Kindle. and I check out library books through Sumter Co, library, my Ohio Library and my sons library in Colorado. I am out there enough they gave me a card. I use Axis360, Libby and Overdrive through the libraries. I can also check out movies and magazines using other Library apps.
So there are lots of options when you use an iPad.

[spatz111048]

Try FbReader, Apple Books, or Kobo. :)

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I am an independent publisher, so I can tell you that The Zon (Amazon) is about 80% of the book market. There are many titles that are only available on Amazon, particularly if they are on Kindle Unlimited. Kobo was an Australian service that was bought our a couple of years ago by Walmart. Personally I use an iPad with the Kindle app, but I do a lot of other book related work on it. I wish you all the best in your decision!

I don't know where you're getting your facts. Kobo is owned by Rakuten, which is a Japanese e-commerce corporation, and is known as the Amazon of Japan. Kobo originated in Canada, not Australia. And no one I know has ever referred to Amazon as "the Zon."

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I think Amazon Prime membership is well worth the money. Shopping, shipping, video, reading, etc. I’m a supporter. I don’t think they are any better or worse than any large company. I just look for value for my money. And convenience has a high value to me. Amazon delivers...both literally and figuratively imo. :)

And a Kindle Paperwhite is going to be hard to match, especially if you like to read late in the day...very easy on the eyes.

If I bought more stuff online on a regular basis, I would join Prime in a heartbeat for the reasons you've mentioned. I like the Android operating system though, which was why I started with Nexus and then "graduated" to the Samsung tablet. I had considered a Kindle but it seemed more limited, and I wanted a tablet that could double as a mini laptop, which the Kindle couldn't do, at the time.

I wouldn't ever buy a dedicated e-reader though. The price comparison just makes a full tablet the better bang for the buck.

I still buy from Amazon, but I use credits that I've earned via various shopping apps and therefore don't ever pay out of my own pocket for anything on there. Plus I only buy the minimum for free shipping, and don't ever pay for shipping even without Prime. Lastly, on the rare occasion they offer Prime to try (or re-try, in my case), I take advantage of it and cancel before the trial period expires.

I get a few things from Amazon - mostly books (especially love the $1.99 book of the month club), a certain cat toy that no one sells around here that my cat loves, and the filter for under the kitchen sink.

[retiredguy123]

One of the best bargains is the Amazon Fire 7 inch tablet. The normal price is $50, but they often go on sale for less than $40 and I have even seen them for $25. It is a good size to read books, and it can be used as a full service tablet computer. You can use them as an alarm and weather clock or radio and you can talk to them with Alexa.

[kathyspear]

Higher end e-readers use "e-ink" to display text. There is no comparison between reading on one of those vs reading on a tablet, be it an iPad or an Android or whatever. I appreciate all the suggestions re: apps that I can run on my iPad but I will either continue to use my Kindle Paperwhite OR buy a new (non-Amazon) e-reader that has an e-ink display (or maybe both).

If you read a lot and have never seen a Paperwhite in person, you might want to check one out. The e-ink displays are amazing.

k.

[kathyspear]

In case anyone is interested, I decided to buy a Kobo Libra H2O, which is comparable (but $100 less) than the Kindle Oasis. So far I really like it. It is lighter than my Kindle Paperwhite and since I have arthritis in my wrists the Kobo is easier to hold. It has some features the Oasis does not. It is missing one Kindle feature that I know of so far but which can be worked around.

I purchased a book from the Kobo site and was able to use Calibre to convert it to a plain EPUB for use on other devices. I have also been able to transfer Amazon ebooks to the Kobo via Calibre (with plugins installed). So I am a happy camper. Now if I can just find time to read all the books I have stored on these devices ...

k.