Hey gang, Valkor here. The month of July went by faster than I expected, but there's still some summer left to go out and enjoy. And if you're looking for something to keep you occupied, whether you're on vacation, on your daily commute, or just chillaxin at home, then you might wanna give newcomer to the cave, Kobo Aura HD eReader a try.
The Aura HD is the latest in the Kobo eReader lineup. Outside, the eReader measures in at 8.4 x 6.7 x 1.2, and a 6.8" Pearl E Ink Screen, with a resolution of 1440 x 1080 and a 256 dpi, which uses a touch interface. At the top of the device you have your power/standby button and Comfort light button. And at the bottom you have your micro USB port for charging/syncing and a micro SD port for additional storage (expandable up to 32GB). Internally the Aura HD uses an ARM 1 GHz processor and has 4GB flash storage capacity. The Aura HD connects to the Kobo servers via Wi-Fi 820.11 b/g/n to access millions of titles or you can connect to your PC to access your digital files through Micro USB.
Switching on the device takes you to a simple set up screen where you can either create a Kobo account or use one you might already have. Once completed, you're brought to a main screen where you can access recently read titles, check out recommended titles, purchase new books, or browse your own library. You can add your own titles by simply dragging and dropping the accepted files right onto the Aura HD which can be either PDF, JPG, GIF, TIFF, PNG, RTF, epub, cbz, and cbr. Finally the Aura HD comes in 3 colors: Onyx Black, Espresso Brown, and Ivory White.
Now, I used to be a cynical old man about these new technologies (especially eReaders), sneering at these new fangled gadgets trying to replace my tried and true traditions (get off my lawn!!). But then I began trying them out, first with reading comics on my Samsung Note 2 and now reading full novels on the Aura HD eReader. And I can admit, it's has truly changed my perspective, plus I can see the benefit of owning these gadgets as opposed to carrying the physical medium. Yes, I'm converted. But back to the Aura HD and the TOV Breakdown.
The Bang:
First up the Aura HD has a great design that's easy to hold, especially during long trips thanks to the angular grooves on the back; it's well balanced and doesn't feel too slippery. And given its measurements, the eReader fits perfectly in my messenger, so it's the perfect size for travel. The main event is the clarity of the screen and thanks to the high resolution of the device, images and words are sharp, crystal clear and very easy to read. Whenever I read a physical book, I normally have to keep it close as the wording is sometimes too tight, this is especially true when reading a paperback. Not so with the Aura HD as I can hold the device at a nice distance, never having to strain my eyes. And the 1GHz processor makes for smooth page transitions, though it lags a bit when loading, but it's nothing too noticeable. Another plus is the front lit Comfort Light, which is a very soft LED but bright enough you can easily make out what you're reading - night time is the right time... for reading with the Aura HD. Next is the touch sensitivity of the eReader and I have to say it's better than most touch screen interfaces I've handled, particularly when dealing with a Samsung touch interface. It's pretty accurate and spot on to the touch – when I press a letter that I want, I get that letter on screen. Finally the battery life Kobo touts for the Aura HD is 2 months, but I'm pretty sure that's only if you use the eReader sans Wi-Fi or comfort light. But I discovered that after a week of not having it plugged in, I was down only about 75%. So a clear display, easy to read, great battery life, the Aura HD has everything going for it and nothing against it, making it one, if not the best eReader on the market.
The Slack:
Once you're in a book there's no way back to the main menu that I can see save for powering down then powering up again. A physical or on-screen button would be nice.
Kobo's Aura HD eReader is an exceptional piece of technology that's great for on the go, offering up a crystal clear display and an amazing battery life that holds up for long distances, making this one of the best eReaders on the market. I highly recommend it and you can get yours from a host of retail shops today. And out of TOV 5 stars, I give the Aura HD a 4.5 and it's been Valkor tested, TOV Approved.
