Libra 2 Discontinued

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Why in the world would they discontinue (what appeared to be) their most popular reader? Do they think people are really that interested in the Colour version?

Cynically, perhaps to drive up demand for the Colour?

[Aleron Ives]

I'm definitely worried that if most people think the Colour is "good enough" that Kobo will discontinue BW readers above 6".

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Cynically, perhaps to drive up demand for the Colour?

If true, that will benefit PocketBook and their Era model. Unless PocketBook is planning on dropping their black and white version also.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

I'm definitely worried that if most people think the Colour is "good enough" that Kobo will discontinue BW readers above 6".

I hope that's not the case.

[rcentros]

BTW, on the U.S. Kobo site I'm still seeing the Libra 2 listed — but still sold out.

https://us.kobobooks.com/products/ko...39523827417158

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I hope that's not the case.

Me too. I definitely do not want a color ereader at the current tech level.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by graycyn

It is in stock again on Amazon USA, someone on Reddit mentioned it today, but supposedly at $10 more than manufacturer suggested retail. Only the black color though.

To me it seems silly for Kobo to discontinue it until there is another BW model to fill the slot, for those who don't want color, but Kobo seems to feel otherwise.

Up until recently, if I clicked on "all e-readers" on the Kobo site, Libra 2 was listed but out-of-stock. Now, it's not listed.

If someone is desperate to get a Libra 2, I'd do it before remaining stock disappears.

If you aren't desperate, then the Sage is a wonderful device. I absolutely love mine. Text looks like they printed the ink right on the screen!

Since you looked at Kobo US, I looked at Kobo UK and there is no Libra 2 listed.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by rcentros

That's Blue Proton, who seem to now be Kobo's unofficial "official" dealer in the United States. Now that Libra 2 has been discontinued, they'll probably jump the price more.

If you go to Blue Proton this is the first screen you'll see (attached).

The only Libra 2 Blue Proton is a open box, like new. They have no brand new Libra 2.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by rcentros

BTW, on the U.S. Kobo site I'm still seeing the Libra 2 listed — but still sold out.

https://us.kobobooks.com/products/ko...39523827417158

The UK link also shows sold out.

https://uk.kobobooks.com/products/ko...39523827417158[/QUOTE]

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

I'm definitely worried that if most people think the Colour is "good enough" that Kobo will discontinue BW readers above 6".

I hope not. I don't want a color eInk Reader as it's too dark for what I read.

Also, this is going to give a huge boost to Amazon. The PW5 (IMHO) will sell a lot better without a Libra 2 available.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Also, this is going to give a huge boost to Amazon. The PW5 (IMHO) will sell a lot better without a Libra 2 available.

I hardly think that's true. Most Kindle users are not MR members and don't deDRM their books - they buy from Amazon, download to their Kindle, read, rinse and repeat. They would never think of buying the Libra 2, as they're part of the Kindle ecosystem and have no idea how to read ebooks in any other way.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The only Libra 2 Blue Proton is a open box, like new. They have no brand new Libra 2.

Blue Proton is advertising new Libra 2s on Amazon in the U.S.

https://www.amazon.com/Kobo-Touchscr...02&sr=8-3&th=1

[Penny]

It's surprising how many people are criticizing Kobo despite their improvements and upgrades to the e-ink model. Why would they offer an inferior product and purposely suppress the advancement of their e-ink technology? Historically, companies have always had to force the adoption of new technology, much to the dismay of legacy users. Floppy disks were replaced by USB/CDs, wired headphones transitioned to Bluetooth, the list goes on and on. The commonality is that these advancements had to be forced onto the consumers until they were able to make sense of the long-term vision. It seems like everyone here wants to stick with antiquated Carta e-ink technology instead of adopting the far more versatile Kaleido e-ink. If Kobo remains tied to Carta technology, they risk losing market share to competitors using the next generation of Kaleido e-ink.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Penny

It seems like everyone here wants to stick with antiquated Carta e-ink technology instead of adopting the far more versatile Kaleido e-ink.

That's because currently Carta eink is better than Kaleido when reading straight black-and-white novels.

I don't mind switching to Kaleido WHEN it's at the same level or better than Carta for black and white. I don't read comics, web articles, PDF files on my Kobos; I read black and white novels. I don't need color, I need superb black and white experience. As long as Kaleido doesn't deliver it, I stick to Carta.

[Penny]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

That's because currently Carta eink is better than Kaleido when reading straight black-and-white novels.

I don't mind switching to Kaleido WHEN it's at the same level or better than Carta for black and white. I don't read comics, web articles, PDF files on my Kobos; I read black and white novels. I don't need color, I need superb black and white experience. As long as Kaleido doesn't deliver it, I stick to Carta.

Windows Vista had a poor launch and was an inferior product to XP in many regards. However, it paved the path that led to arguably the greatest OS of all time Windows 7. In fact, many people just skipped Vista and went directly from XP-->7.

Same situation here, no one is holding a gun to your head and forcing a purchase of the current model. I'm also not stating that the current version of Kaleido is better at displaying BW text then Carta. However, the fact that everyone is acting so surprised and disgusted that the Libra2 was discontinued is mind boggling. Three obvious down sides to having both models:
1. Logistical nightmare to produce both models,
2. Squeeze gross margins(think economies of scale)
3. Creating artificial competition between their own products for the same market share.

Clearly Kobo believes that the Kaleido technology is the better path into the future. As the technology continues to get better, it will outpace Carta capabilities at a wide margin.