Thorough Evaluation of Kobo Forma E-Reader: A Comprehensive Insight
Revamped Kobo Forma: A game changer in the e-reader market
The world of e-readers has always been a battleground for innovation, and Kobo, with its ravenous following of serious readers, has always been a pioneer in this sphere. The latest entrant in Kobo's arsenal of e-readers is the bold Kobo Forma, a device that's pushing the boundaries of e-reader design.
Design and Display
While Amazon has kept their product design simple for years, Kobo has perfected the art of innovation. The Kobo Forma, sporting an asymmetrical industrial design, is a testament to this. Unlike the Kindle Oasis, the Forma has a completely flat back, making it easy to hold with one hand. And speaking of handiness, the Forma's battery life beats the Kindle Oasis 2 by a substantial margin, boasting a 1,200 mAh battery compared to the Oasis' 1,000 mAh.
The Display is a whopping 8 inches with a resolution of 1440 × 1920 and 300 PPI. Unlike many e-readers, the Kobo Forma uses both Mobius and Carta HD display technologies. This unique approach involves the use of the Mobius technology for its thinner, lighter, and stronger plastic TFT backplane, enhancing the device's design, while the Carta technology determines the optical properties such as the contrast ratio for a crisp and clear display.
Under the Hood
Powering this behemoth is a Freescale/NXP IMX6 Solo Lite 1 GHz processor, backed by 512MB of RAM, and offering storage options of 8GB and 32GB. While the 32GB model is initially only available in Japan, it will likely reach other markets next year. The device also features a power button and a USB port for charging.
Night Reader and Orientation Features
The Kobo Forma employs a front-lit display and a Comfortlight color temperature system, allowing for nighttime reading. It projects light upwards from the bottom of the screen, with 17 lights for even light distribution. Plus, the Forma can be used at the beach, in the bathtub, or even completely submerged for up to 60 minutes due to its waterproof certification.
One of the Forma's little-known features is its gyroscope that automatically switches the screen orientation 360 degrees, making it perfect for both right and left-handed readers, or for digital manga, where purists prefer control on the left side.
Software Optimization
Kobo has always preferred Linux as their primary operating system, and the Forma is no exception. Their home screen has been revised for the first time in a decade, optimized for their complete line of e-readers which tend to have 300 PPI. This enhancement increased overall performance across every aspect, with shopping becoming quicker and more robust.
A Comprehensive E-reading Experience
The Kobo Forma offers a seamless, fluid, and immersive e-reading experience. It supports a variety of e-book formats such as EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, and more. Features like the ability to long-press on a word for instant definition, and the rapid page turn system for ebooks and manga, make the Forma a dream for serious readers. And with integrations like Overdrive and Pocket, the Kobo Forma truly offers an unparalleled e-reading experience.
Conclusion
If you're disillusioned with Barnes and Noble and the future direction of the Nook, the Kobo Forma is a solid choice. With its innovative design, intuitive software, and a comprehensive e-reading experience, the Kobo Forma is a game-changer in the e-reader market. Pre-orders start on October 16, and the device will be available in various countries by late October. So, gear up for a redefined e-reading experience with the Kobo Forma.
[1] Mobius Display Technology: https://www.e-ink.com/products/e-ink-mobius/[2] Carta HD Display Technology: https://www.scribd.com/document/374843833/E-Ink-Carta-HD
The Kobo Forma, with its unique blend of Mobius and Carta HD display technologies, offers a crisp and clear reading experience on its 8-inch touchscreen. This gadget, running on Linux firmware, is set to undergo software updates for a more seamless e-reading experience. With a longer battery life compared to the Kindle Oasis 2, the Kobo Forma is a gadget that serious readers, both right-handed and left-handed, might find appealing for note taking, reading apps, and e-books. The device's waterproof feature further extends its versatility, making it suitable for use even at the beach or in the bathtub.
