First impressions of the Kobo Arc

RareBird · 11-18-2012, 10:31 PM

Today my wife presented me with a late birthday present in the form of a new Kobo Arc. I've been playing with it off and on for most of the day and I wanted to share some of my impressions. First off, the screen is amazing. Great color, very sharp, and great viewing angles. Sound is nice and clear through the two front facing speakers but using the SRS TruMedia enhancements makes it even better. Performance is great too. The Arc is nice and responsive with no lag loading apps or surfing the web. Build quality is great too. It feels nice and solid without being heavy (although it is noticeably heavier than a Touch or Glo). There is a bezel around the screen edge so it's not flush with the tablet edges. I like it personally. To me it seems to make for a sturdier device but that's just my opinion and have no intentions of performing drop tests. It came with two freebies, a photography book and Issue #1 of Star Trek from IDW Comics, and a selection of books you get to choose one from for 25%, 50%, or 90% off depending on the book you choose. I haven't had a chance to play with the tapestries yet but they look interesting and could make organizing things very simple and interesting. Overall, I'm pleased with and impressed by the Arc. I think the Arc is a worthy competitor to the Nexus 7 and should be given a serious look for those who are looking for a 7" android tablet.

paulsalter · 11-19-2012, 09:41 AM

looking forward to seeing how the tapestries work

If I didn't already have the N7, this would have been my choice

Kobo-Robin · 11-19-2012, 12:34 PM

I'm glad you like it. I am the UX Lead for the Arc. I am joining the site now to chat with our users.

PeterT · 11-19-2012, 12:37 PM

Welcome aboard Robin

Kobo-Robin · 11-19-2012, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

Welcome aboard Robin

Thanks. I started a new thread to introduce myself rather than highjack this one. I apologize to the thread starter.

RareBird · 11-19-2012, 12:42 PM

Welcome to the forums Robin. In my opinion, you guys have put out great piece of hardware with the Arc (as you can tell from my first post).

Kobo-Robin · 11-19-2012, 01:09 PM

Thanks again. Please update us on your experience sinceyour original post.

clarkent · 11-19-2012, 01:14 PM

Got my Arc a couple days ago. First impressions are that I'm a fan, lol. Great screen and speedy. So far I've been playing Temple Run and messing with the settings too much to actual rate it as a reading device. :P

RareBird · 11-19-2012, 03:52 PM

I should have mentioned before that this is the 16 GB version. Should be more than enough for my purposes. I've had a chance to play with the tapestries and it is definitely a great way to organize things. I have an android phone and previously had a iPod Touch and sometimes going through screen after screen of apps can get annoying and I've more than once missed what I was looking for. By grouping my content into a tapestry makes things easier. I haven't created any tapestries of my own yet but have added to the existing ones. Very intuitive and easy to use. It's nice to have access to the Play store. Angry Birds and Temple Run are now installed and I'm sure I'll add more apps over time. I'm planning on adding a movie or tv episode tonight to test out playing back of videos as well as some song files to test the audio. I'll update this with my experience on both fronts either tonight or tomorrow.

spikexp · 11-19-2012, 04:15 PM

So, do the arc support OTG to connect external input device?

Kobo-Robin · 11-19-2012, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spikexp

So, do the arc support OTG to connect external input device?

No. Unfortunately.

scrapking · 11-20-2012, 12:32 AM

My partner deleted the Star Trek graphic novel from her Arc before realising I would want to read it; is that re-downloadable? I'm guessing no, as it was tied to the device rather than to her account. I actually think I might have already bought it and it's in my TBR list anyway, though, but I'm just curious in case I'm wrong about that.

RareBird · 11-20-2012, 01:51 AM

I still haven't put any video content on yet but added some music and it sounds amazing. The front facing speakers and the SRS enhancements are amazing. I'm willing to bet that I'll be saying the same after watching some video. I loaded some family pictures and viewing them was amazing. The colors were vibrant and pictures crystal clear. I alosplayed Angry Birds and Flow Free (Temple Run is waiting in the wings) and both played smooth without a single lag. Finally, I read the bundled Star Trek comic and I have to say it was outstanding. Just like reading a paper comic. The text was easy to read and it displayed beautifully on the screen. For me the Arc keeps getting better. Good job Robin and everyone at Kobo involved with the Arc.

Kobo-Robin · 11-20-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrapking

My partner deleted the Star Trek graphic novel from her Arc before realising I would want to read it; is that re-downloadable? I'm guessing no, as it was tied to the device rather than to her account. I actually think I might have already bought it and it's in my TBR list anyway, though, but I'm just curious in case I'm wrong about that.

I'll ask around.

Kobo-Robin · 11-20-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RareBird

I still haven't put any video content on yet but added some music and it sounds amazing. The front facing speakers and the SRS enhancements are amazing. I'm willing to bet that I'll be saying the same after watching some video. I loaded some family pictures and viewing them was amazing. The colors were vibrant and pictures crystal clear. I alosplayed Angry Birds and Flow Free (Temple Run is waiting in the wings) and both played smooth without a single lag. Finally, I read the bundled Star Trek comic and I have to say it was outstanding. Just like reading a paper comic. The text was easy to read and it displayed beautifully on the screen. For me the Arc keeps getting better. Good job Robin and everyone at Kobo involved with the Arc.

Thanks!

11-19-2012, 01:14 PM	#8
clarkent Member Posts: 17 Karma: 4350 Join Date: Oct 2012 Device: Kobo Touch	Arc Got my Arc a couple days ago. First impressions are that I'm a fan, lol. Great screen and speedy. So far I've been playing Temple Run and messing with the settings too much to actual rate it as a reading device. :P

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11-18-2012, 10:31 PM	#1
RareBird Addict Posts: 377 Karma: 770002 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windsor, Nova Scotia Device: Kobo Aura	First impressions of the Kobo Arc Today my wife presented me with a late birthday present in the form of a new Kobo Arc. I've been playing with it off and on for most of the day and I wanted to share some of my impressions. First off, the screen is amazing. Great color, very sharp, and great viewing angles. Sound is nice and clear through the two front facing speakers but using the SRS TruMedia enhancements makes it even better. Performance is great too. The Arc is nice and responsive with no lag loading apps or surfing the web. Build quality is great too. It feels nice and solid without being heavy (although it is noticeably heavier than a Touch or Glo). There is a bezel around the screen edge so it's not flush with the tablet edges. I like it personally. To me it seems to make for a sturdier device but that's just my opinion and have no intentions of performing drop tests. It came with two freebies, a photography book and Issue #1 of Star Trek from IDW Comics, and a selection of books you get to choose one from for 25%, 50%, or 90% off depending on the book you choose. I haven't had a chance to play with the tapestries yet but they look interesting and could make organizing things very simple and interesting. Overall, I'm pleased with and impressed by the Arc. I think the Arc is a worthy competitor to the Nexus 7 and should be given a serious look for those who are looking for a 7" android tablet.

11-19-2012, 09:41 AM	#2
paulsalter Fanatic Posts: 579 Karma: 3243761 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Fire HD8	looking forward to seeing how the tapestries work If I didn't already have the N7, this would have been my choice

11-19-2012, 12:34 PM	#3
Kobo-Robin Kobo Arc - Ux Lead Posts: 118 Karma: 167554 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kobo Arc	I'm glad you like it. I am the UX Lead for the Arc. I am joining the site now to chat with our users.

11-19-2012, 12:37 PM	#4
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,785 Karma: 75641916 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Welcome aboard Robin

11-19-2012, 12:42 PM	#6
RareBird Addict Posts: 377 Karma: 770002 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windsor, Nova Scotia Device: Kobo Aura	Welcome to the forums Robin. In my opinion, you guys have put out great piece of hardware with the Arc (as you can tell from my first post).

11-19-2012, 01:09 PM	#7
Kobo-Robin Kobo Arc - Ux Lead Posts: 118 Karma: 167554 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kobo Arc	Thanks again. Please update us on your experience sinceyour original post.

11-19-2012, 03:52 PM	#9
RareBird Addict Posts: 377 Karma: 770002 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windsor, Nova Scotia Device: Kobo Aura	I should have mentioned before that this is the 16 GB version. Should be more than enough for my purposes. I've had a chance to play with the tapestries and it is definitely a great way to organize things. I have an android phone and previously had a iPod Touch and sometimes going through screen after screen of apps can get annoying and I've more than once missed what I was looking for. By grouping my content into a tapestry makes things easier. I haven't created any tapestries of my own yet but have added to the existing ones. Very intuitive and easy to use. It's nice to have access to the Play store. Angry Birds and Temple Run are now installed and I'm sure I'll add more apps over time. I'm planning on adding a movie or tv episode tonight to test out playing back of videos as well as some song files to test the audio. I'll update this with my experience on both fronts either tonight or tomorrow.

11-19-2012, 04:15 PM	#10
spikexp Connoisseur Posts: 88 Karma: 4132 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kobo Vox	So, do the arc support OTG to connect external input device?

11-20-2012, 12:32 AM	#12
scrapking Evangelist Posts: 467 Karma: 1073260 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Victoria, BC Device: Kobo Vox, Kobo Glo	My partner deleted the Star Trek graphic novel from her Arc before realising I would want to read it; is that re-downloadable? I'm guessing no, as it was tied to the device rather than to her account. I actually think I might have already bought it and it's in my TBR list anyway, though, but I'm just curious in case I'm wrong about that.

11-20-2012, 01:51 AM	#13
RareBird Addict Posts: 377 Karma: 770002 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windsor, Nova Scotia Device: Kobo Aura	I still haven't put any video content on yet but added some music and it sounds amazing. The front facing speakers and the SRS enhancements are amazing. I'm willing to bet that I'll be saying the same after watching some video. I loaded some family pictures and viewing them was amazing. The colors were vibrant and pictures crystal clear. I alosplayed Angry Birds and Flow Free (Temple Run is waiting in the wings) and both played smooth without a single lag. Finally, I read the bundled Star Trek comic and I have to say it was outstanding. Just like reading a paper comic. The text was easy to read and it displayed beautifully on the screen. For me the Arc keeps getting better. Good job Robin and everyone at Kobo involved with the Arc.

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