Kobo Libra Colour REVIEW: The King of E-Readers?!
Summary
TLDRThe video script discusses the Kobo Libra Color e-reader, highlighting its design, which is similar to the previous Libra models but with a lighter weight and improved ergonomics. The standout feature is the 7-inch E Ink Carta 3 screen with over 4,000 colors, offering a sharp and accurate color display, though not as saturated as other devices. The device is comfortable for one-handed use, has a strong magnet for the stylus, and is waterproof. The interface is intuitive, supporting various file formats, and includes a notebook feature for note-taking. The battery life is impressive, with the device lasting two weeks with heavy use. The Libra Color is praised for its value at $220, with the option to purchase a stylus separately for note-taking and drawing. The review also mentions the upcoming review of the Kobo Clara HD and encourages viewers to subscribe for more content.
Takeaways
- đ The Kobo Libra Color is a new e-reader from Kobo, featuring a color display which was highly anticipated by the narrator.
- đš It comes with a 7-inch E Ink Carta 3 screen that supports over 4,000 colors, offering a new level of color accuracy for e-reading devices.
- đ The color saturation on the Libra Color's screen is not as vibrant as on smartphones or tablets, but it is designed to be easy on the eyes for reading.
- đ The device is lightweight, weighing under 200g without a case, and has a larger battery capacity compared to its predecessor, the Libra 2.
- đ§ The Libra Color is waterproof, allowing for use in the bath or by the pool without worry.
- đ The e-reader has a user-friendly interface, with a focus on ease of use and ergonomic design for one-handed reading.
- âïž It supports note-taking and drawing with a strong magnetic attachment for the stylus, making it suitable for users who enjoy annotating or sketching.
- đ The device does not have a Micro SD card slot, but it does support various file formats and cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive for easy book transfers.
- đ The Comfort Light Pro feature adjusts the light from cool to warmer tones as the day progresses, reducing blue light exposure especially before bedtime.
- đ§ The performance of the Libra Color is improved with a doubled CPU speed, making page flips and writing/drawing experiences smoother.
- â±ïž Battery life is impressive, with the device lasting around two weeks of heavy use, which includes reading, writing, and listening to audiobooks.
- đ° Priced at $220, the Kobo Libra Color offers a premium reading experience with color display capabilities, and an additional $70 for the stylus if note-taking or drawing is desired.
Q & A
Which company has recently released two color e-readers?
-Kobo has recently released two color e-readers, the Kobo Libra Color and Kobo Clara Color.
What is the main design feature of the Kobo Libra Color that is designed for single-hand usage?
-The Kobo Libra Color has a thicker bezel with a slightly curved edge, upward, and two page turn buttons placed for a comfortable grip, making it ergonomic for single-hand usage.
What is the material composition of the Kobo Libra Color's casing?
-The casing of the Kobo Libra Color is made from 80% recycled materials, including ocean-bound plastics.
How much does the Kobo Libra Color weigh without a case?
-The Kobo Libra Color weighs just under 200 grams without a case.
Does the Kobo Libra Color have a Micro SD card slot?
-No, the Kobo Libra Color does not have a Micro SD card slot.
What is the screen technology used in the Kobo Libra Color?
-The Kobo Libra Color uses a 7-inch E Ink Carta 3 screen that supports over 4,000 colors.
How does the color saturation on the Kobo Libra Color compare to that on a smartphone or tablet?
-The colors on the Kobo Libra Color are not as saturated as those on a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. They appear a bit washed out in comparison due to the limitations of E Ink screen technology.
What is the pixel density of the Kobo Libra Color when reading in color and in black and white?
-The Kobo Libra Color has a pixel density of 150 pixels per inch when reading in color and 300 pixels per inch when reading in black and white.
What is the battery life of the Kobo Libra Color like after two weeks of rigorous testing?
-After two weeks of rigorous testing, which included writing, reading colorful graphic-heavy novels, and listening to audiobooks via Bluetooth with Wi-Fi on and the screen set at 40% brightness, the Kobo Libra Color went from 80% to 32% battery life.
How does the Kobo Libra Color support note-taking and drawing?
-The Kobo Libra Color has a strong magnetic edge to hold the stylus securely. It is also the first ever notetaking and reading e-reader, with a 'My Notebooks' tab in the navigation bar for easy access to notes.
What file formats does the Kobo Libra Color support?
-The Kobo Libra Color supports a variety of popular file formats including 10 document file types and 4 image file types. It also supports Kobo's own audio books.
How can users transfer books and notes to the Kobo Libra Color?
-Users can sign into cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive to transfer books and notes. They can also access their notebooks through the Kobo app on their phone.
Outlines
đ Introduction to Kobo Libra Color E-Reader
The video begins with an introduction to the Kobo Libra Color e-reader, a device that the presenter has been eagerly anticipating. The presenter discusses the release of not one, but two color e-readers by Kobo, following a previous video where they expressed their desire for such a device. A full unboxing video of both e-readers was previously posted, and this video promises a comprehensive review of the Kobo Libra Color. The design of the e-reader is highlighted as being unchanged since 2019, but praised for its ergonomics and single-handed use, featuring a textured back and a sunken display for reduced glare and fingerprints. The device is also noted for its use of recycled materials and its light weight, despite a larger battery. The video also mentions the strong magnet for the stylus, waterproof capabilities, and the importance of comfort during reading sessions.
đ„ Display and User Interface of the Kobo Libra Color
The presenter delves into the display technology of the Kobo Libra Color, which features a 7-inch E Ink Carta 3 screen capable of displaying over 4,000 colors. While the colors may not be as saturated as those on other devices like phones or tablets, the presenter notes that the screen is still quite sharp and the colors are accurate. They emphasize that the e-paper technology is designed for reading comfort and long battery life, comparing the experience to reading a newspaper with colorful images. The screen also includes Comfort Light Pro for better eye comfort during nighttime reading. The user interface is discussed as being intuitive and similar to other e-readers, with the addition of note-taking capabilities and the advantage of a color display, which enhances the visual appeal of the device. The presenter also mentions the support for various file formats and the convenience of cloud services for transferring books and notes.
đ Performance, Battery Life, and Conclusion
The video concludes with a discussion on the performance and battery life of the Kobo Libra Color. The presenter acknowledges that performance is not a major concern for e-readers, as the primary goal is to provide a smooth page-turning experience. The device is noted to have a faster page-flip speed due to an upgraded CPU. The battery life is praised as being quite good, with the presenter sharing their experience of using the device for two weeks with a significant amount of reading, writing, and audiobook listening before needing to recharge. The battery capacity is increased to 2500 mAh, which is a notable improvement over the previous model. The presenter concludes by reiterating the excellent value of the Kobo Libra Color at a price point of $220, even considering the need to purchase the stylus separately. They invite viewers to share their thoughts and questions in the comments and to stay tuned for a forthcoming review of the Kobo Clara Color.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄe-reader
đĄKobo Libra Color
đĄcolor e-ink display
đĄergonomic design
đĄrecycled materials
đĄwaterproof
đĄComfort Light Pro
đĄnote-taking
đĄfile format support
đĄperformance
đĄbattery life
Highlights
Kobo is releasing two new color e-readers: the Kobo Libra Color and Kobo Clara Color.
The design of the Kobo Libra Color is similar to the previous model, maintaining an ergonomic design for single-hand usage.
The device is made from 80% recycled materials, including ocean-bound plastics.
The Kobo Libra Color is lighter than its predecessor, the Libra 2, weighing just under 200g without a case.
The e-reader features a 7-inch E Ink Carta 3 screen with over 4,000 colors, currently the best color e-paper display on consumer devices.
The color display provides sharp text and fairly accurate colors, though not as saturated as on smartphones or tablets.
The Comfort Light Pro technology adjusts the light from cool to warmer tones as the day progresses, reducing blue light exposure.
The Kobo Libra Color supports note-taking and has a strong magnetic edge to secure the stylus.
The device is waterproof, allowing for up to an hour of submersion in water up to 2 meters deep.
The user interface is intuitive and easy to use, with a notable addition of a 'My Notebooks' tab for note-taking features.
The color display is utilized effectively in the interface, with color-matching elements and a pleasant visual experience.
The Kobo Libra Color supports a wide range of file formats, including 10 document file types and 4 image file types.
The e-reader offers integration with cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive for easy book and note transfer.
The device has a dark mode feature, although it inverts text colors with a persistent white background for the home screen and notebooks.
The Kobo Libra Color has a high brightness level and adjustable light temperature, suitable for comfortable night-time reading.
The performance of the e-reader is improved with a doubled CPU speed, providing smooth operation for reading and writing.
The battery life is impressive, with the capacity upgraded to 2500 mAh, offering weeks of usage on a single charge.
The Kobo Libra Color is priced at $220, offering good value with its premium features, though the stylus needs to be purchased separately.
Transcripts
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everyone this is FaZe and welcome to my
channel a couple years ago I did a video
about how I really wanted an e-reader
with a color display especially from a
company with a strong ecosystem like
Amazon or Kobo and finally Kobo is
coming out with not one but two color
e-readers the coob Libra color and Kobo
Clara color last week I did a full
unboxing video of both the e-readers
which you can click the link above or in
the description below to check that
video out and as promised I'm here with
my full review of the Cobo Libra color
and my review of the Coba cleric color
will drop in a few days so stay tuned
for that but first let's talk about
design now for those who have used the
previous Coba Libra e-readers you might
be a little disappointed that the design
has not changed much over the Libra too
it is pretty much the same design since
2019 but I don't actually mind that at
all the design is good and after all if
it ain't broke why fix it right it ands
down one of the most ergonomic designs
that I've used in an e reader the Cobra
Libra in general was designed for
single-hand usage with the edge of the
thicker bezel still slightly curved
upward with two page turn binds
perfectly placed to provide a
comfortable grip I really dig this
textured back as well and it adds a nice
grip and the power switch on the rear is
still the same round concave also
brought from the Liber 2 is the round
white indicator light that glows when
you start charging it or when you turn
it on the entire device is encased in
plastic which is now made from 80%
recycled materials including ocean bound
Plastics what I find quite impressive is
that Kobo has managed to keep the weight
of the device down despite using a
larger battery in the Libra color it
weighs just a hair under 200 g without a
case which is surprisingly lighter than
the Libra 2 that weighs at 215 G the
Libra color looks pretty much identical
to the Libra 2 yet it's lighter and that
is quite noticeable the moment you pick
it up also for those who don't like
displays in flush with the bezel you'll
really appreciate this sunken in display
which I personally like because I feel
like sunken in displays always remove a
little more glare and also unwanted
fingerprints now aside from the sunken
in display I also quite enjoy the page
term buttons because they're quite nice
and clicky and overall it's the device
is quite comfortable to hold and use in
one hand now a lot of you were asking if
there's a Micro SD card slot and the
answer is no now many of my subscribers
also asked me if the magnet is strong
for The Stylist on this all new Cobo
Libra and I'm happy to say that the
answer is yes so for those who like note
taking and drawing Kobo has made the
magnetic Edge quite strong so your
stylist would stay nice and secure and
to be honest if you use a case and you
don't even have to worry about that at
all also it's waterproof for up to an
hour and up to 2 m of water but at the
end of the day what's important for an
e-reader is if it's nice and comfortable
to hold during reading sessions which it
definitely is and the display which we
will discuss now because that is the
major attraction of this new Cobo
perhaps the most exciting feature of
this new Cobo Libra is a 7in Kido 3
screen that supports over 4,000 views
and is currently the best color eaper
display being used on consumer devices
now when I did the unboxing video a lot
of people were asking about the quality
of the display well I must say that the
text and images on this Libra color are
quite sharp and the colors are fairly
accurate however I must caution you
while this screen Tech can display over
4,000 colors the colors don't appear as
saturated as they would look on a phone
laptop or tablet they're a little washed
out in comparison and that's the
limitation of just eaper screen
technology in general and I also want to
add that this is not a bad thing the
color accuracy and saturation that we're
so used to seeing on our smartphones and
computers is not what we should be
expecting in the first place these are
not LCD displays when reading on this
for long periods of time with any e in
display it's easy on the eye I would
compare reading on this to like a
newspaper with colorful images some
might call it washed out but for ink on
paper that is meant for reading and
should be easy on the eye and gives
weeks of battery life this is quite
amazing you get 150 pixels per inch when
reading in color and 300 pixels per inch
when breeding in black and white which
is standard for most monochrome ebook
e-readers as with all premium Kobo
e-readers the Libra color screen is also
lit up with Comfort light Pro which
automatically changes the light view
from cool to warmer tones as the day
progresses this reduces the amount of
blue light hitting your eye closer to
bedtime overall the reading experience
is nice and those who like reading
graphic novels Manga comic books or
anything with color you're really going
to enjoy reading on this Cal Libra
however like with any new technology it
will improve over time pixels per inch
will go up the color saturation will be
better as the years progress however I
still want to say that an e in color
display is Major Innovation and Kobo has
done a fantastic job with the execution
of it on their device I do not feel like
the screen is dim or dull the lighting
on this e-reader is topnotch and I can
almost promise that reading on this it's
pure joy now let's talk about the user
interface look I've primarily always
been an Amazon Fanboy always reading on
Kindles but after using this Cobra for a
while I must say I quite enjoy it and
don't miss my Kindle at all the UI is
quite intuitive and very easy to use and
to be honest the UI for almost all e
readers nowadays are nearly identical
however there is one major difference to
the interface now the Libra is also a
not taking device so there is a my
notebooks tap right in the center of the
navigation bar at the bottom the first
ever notetaking read e-reader I ever
used was the Kindle scribe the writing
experience on there was pretty good but
I always wish there was a smaller
version of it now that I was writing on
a 7in screen I enjoyed it but they
almost started missing the bigger screen
Of The Scribe because the smaller screen
makes it feel a little more congested
but when you get used to it it feels a
lot more comfortable now the other
change to the interface is how Cobo is
really taking advantage of the color
display and I don't mean just the book
covers that are displayed on the home
screen or the content displayed in the
books themselves you see every time you
select the tab from the navigation bar
it changes color from black to Brown
also when you're downloading books the
status bar is also the same color to
match the application this is a very
nice touch also this coobo supports a
ton of popular file formats and there
are a total of 10 document file types
that coobo supports by default and this
includes text and comic formats there
are also four image files that are
supported and the only audio file
support though is for kobo's own audio
books that you can download from the
Cobo store or via a subscription to Cobo
plus so you can't import your own audio
unfortunately what I really like however
is that you can sign into Dropbox or
Google drive to help transfer books it's
it's very easy to use these cloud
services and it's also quite seamless to
transfer notes and notebooks you can
even access them through the Cobo app on
your phone also you do get dark mode but
I'm not sure if I like the
implementation here because it only
inverts the text colors for example the
home screen will still be displayed on a
white background as will all your
notebooks so it's only the text within
ebooks that can have white text on a
black background aside from that you
also have Amber LEDs that allow you to
change the white light you to warmer
tones to help you reduce the blue light
this makes a huge difference for reading
at night now for all those who worried
that color e readers seem dim then let
me just say that I am very impressed at
how bright the Libra color can get you
will not be disappointed with the
brightness levels that I can guarantee
you can easily adjust the light the
brightness and temperature by tapping on
the top of the screen to bring up the
quick controls like the previous Libra 2
and the newer models you can set the
light temperature to change
automatically at a specific time in the
evening or night and of course you can
change the brightness just by the
toggles now let's go over performance
this is what I hate to talk about with
e-readers because to be honest
performance on e-readers doesn't matter
too much the goal is to Simply flip your
pages of the books that you're reading
that's it so if you have used a Cobo or
a Kindle before I will say that this is
slightly faster with those page flips
because Kobo has double the CPU going
from 1 GHz to 2 GHz and after 2 weeks
with a new Libra color there's nothing
to complain about everything runs
smoothly even when it comes to writing
and drawing it all works flawlessly
lastly let's go over battery life all I
can say is that it's quite good Kobo has
upgraded the battery capacity in the
Libra color to 250 Milah hours compared
to 1500 in Libra 2 however I was
rigorously testing this Kobo for this
review don't forget that I was going
through all the new features and really
testing its limits I started using the
device straight out of the box at 80%
battery life and I was around 32% after
2 weeks I'd say that's pretty good
considering that I was writing reading
colorful graphic heavy novels and
listening to audiobooks via Bluetooth I
had Wi-Fi on all the time and the screen
was set at 40% brightness and a refresh
set to every five pages it's also
important to note that a page refresh
occurs more frequently when writing and
every erase triggers another refresh as
well so the bigger battery capacity in
this new Cobo is definitely working in
its favor in conclusion the Cobo Libra
color is a fantastic e-reader the color
screen the performance the battery life
and the writing capabilities are all
excellent this premium 7in e-reader
offers really good value at just
$220 yes you'll need to purchase this
$70 Cobo stus 2 separately if you're
into note taking or drawing but I still
think the whole package is a great great
deal and at the end of the day I want to
know your thoughts and questions
regarding this all new Cobo Libra color
so be sure to leave them down in the
comment section below also stay tuned to
my full review of the Cobo clear out
color as well that should be dropping
any day now and of course if you haven't
subscribed to my channel yet be sure to
subscribe to my channel and I'll see you
next time
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