Kobo Libra Colour Walk-Through

I think I've found the perfect e-reader for me. The notebook usability depends on how well you can tolerate the not-great writing experience, but as a pure e-reader with DIRECT ACCESS to library books it gets two big thumbs up from me!
🙏🏻 Watch to the end for a question I have for viewers.
(Sorry for the air conditioner noise!)
In summary:
☑️ The good:
- Physical page turn buttons (plus ability to turn with swipes and taps)
- Full auto-rotation
- Crisp, bright screen
- Ability to highlight in color / color-code
- Ability to write directly on books (yep!)
- Lightweight and suitable for long stretches of reading
- Ability to connect with Dropbox and Google Drive
- Check out library books DIRECTLY from Overdrive though the Kobo store just like buying a book (I can die happy!!)
- Connect your Kobo account to your favorite local bookstore and they get some money when you buy books
- Advanced notebook features that Scribe will probably never give us
- See your bookshelf covers in color - pretty!
☑️ The not-so-good:
- The writing feel/experience/responsiveness. If you've never used any other write-on e-ink device, it might be okay, but if you're used to anything like the Supernote, Scribe, reMarkable, etc...it's a big downgrade.
- The device feels cheap, but OTOH it IS affordable and the light weight makes it very comfortable for reading in bed.
- Based on past experience with Kobos, I doubt it will last as long as my Kindles have and I bought the extended warranty just in case.
The pros outweigh the cons for me be a lot, as someone who is in love with libraries and appreciates a company that makes it easy for me to get my library books!
Yes, despite what I said about Amazon in this video, my store there with a bunch of other stuff I like helps support this channel: tinyurl.com/fz56zwb7

[@joycechiao0812]

Hi, I like your review about the Libra Colour. You very directly told us the things about it which not every reviewer would do so. And feel free to show yourself; I don’t have any opinion against it as long as the content is good.😊

[@quashy]

Don’t feel pressured to show your face. Showing and moving around the product is what I personally want to see in a tech review. It’s frustrating when many tech reviews are showing mostly their face as they talk or these fancy cool shots. I like more raw unedited reviews where someone is using the product naturally as if I’d be using it and seeing what those angles look like.

[@nicholas8081]

I'm perfectly fine with the visual focus on the device (& your hands)!

[@RavenWood495]

Came here from a Kobo Mini ( which is no longer support by Kobo software after a decade). Love seeing all the new things like colour, stylus and annotations. Thanks!

[@maureenb7399]

You make some really good points. Subscribed!

[@SazzzyNat89]

Stay anonymous. Protect your privacy.

[@morph__]

Watching for your insights, so you do whatever you feel is right for you, re face or not. I have a Kobo Libra Colour also and I have the same feeling about the stylus feel, particularly compared to Boox, Scribe or Nomad. It works but gives no joy!

[@MartinaPapi]

Hi! A lot of people comment about how plastic it feels, but if you look into it thats what amazing about it. It's made of 100% recycled plastic and 10% of that is made from plastic that washes up on the beach. So it's proudly plastic :) I allways have my kobo in a case and even have a screen protector. It's 11 years old now and still look great... which is frustrating because I would love the new colour one;) Thanks for a great video...😀

[@Change-1820]

I really enjoy your videos. I also agree with you that Amazon is taking over more and more and that the Kobo integration with Overdrive is phenomenal. One thing you might not be aware of is that, although not integrated, the Libby app does allow you to send borrowed books to Kindle in the US. As for showing your face on camera, I think it is completely your choice. I think the content is the most important thing. Just my two cents.

[@WritersLike]

I did know about that Libby feature and use it all the time. Libby is such a good app! But this direct integration is amazing.

[@enoliip]

I bought the Kindle Scribe and in less than a month, returned it. I didn't like it at all. Yes, to write, the feeling is great, and very functional, but it is way too heavy to use it as an ereader. Your hands will ache after a few minutes of holding it. Now I am getting the Kobo Libra Colour instead.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

the kindle scribe does in fact convert handwriting to text. It came with their last software update.

[@wrtucey]

If you do decide to show your face, you can always make it a one-off. Your current format is fine though, since you are primarily demonstrating hardware. I think most people are just looking to match a face to the voice, versus advocating for a permanent format change.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

can you side load PDFs? for those of us who don't know kobo, where do you get books and can you access any of your amazon books?

[@WritersLike]

Kobo has its own proprietary retail storefront just like Amazon or B&N. You can buy books from within the device, the app, or through their web site, or check them out from library if the library you have attached to your device has the book in their catalog. Sideloading is easy - there's a desktop sync option (help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017478174-Sync-your-Kobo-eReader-with-Kobo-Desktop), or you can connect your google drive or dropbox to the device and import things that way. BUT ya can't get your Kindle books on Kobo. That's true for every single reading device that isn't a Kindle, unless you break the DRM (digital rights management) through some hack, a thing I've never bothered with but lots of people do.

[@Strravigor]

What about the battery ? Is it strong enough ? Thanks

[@WritersLike]

That’s something I won’t know until I use it awhile, but so far very little depletion since first charge.

[@simplymerrion4823]

Kobo is underpriced? I wanted to see compared to scribe

[@jenniferdubay3769]

I think your videos are great without your face but whenever I see a KZbinrs face that I follow regularly...they become more like a friend. It would help you with building an emotional relationship or attachment from your fans. But your videos are amusing and provide value without it. I would say that whether you show your face or not maybe needs to be determined by your goals for your channel.

[@thewindrises]

it's a bit too small.

[@Strravigor]

Yes , I wait for a new kobo sage

[@WritersLike]

I agree it’s too small for the notebook feature to be very useful, but for reading it’s perfect for me (and same screen size as the kindle I’ve been using 7 yrs so I’m used to that and like it).

[@embracethebright1587]

Since this is a tech video, your face isn't important to me. In fact unless you are doing a makeup tutorial or cosmetic product review the face isn't necessary.