THEGAYUK WINTER 13 /14 Issue 1
TECH
BATTLE OF THE
E READER
THERE’S AN APP
FOR THAT
E-readers…..where do you
stand on them? Chris
Jones examines the new
Kobo Aura.
!
I’m more a tablet man myself
and prefer the variety of use
that they offer. I like that I
can watch a film, listen to
music or read/listen to a
book on my tablet. I can write
articles, draw images, edit
photos…..anything you can buy
an app for. I simply didn't see
the point in a device that has
few, and sometimes a single
use.
!
However, having been given
the chance to test drive the
new Kobo model, the Aura,
I’m almost a convert.
!
This compact e-reader is so
cute. The design is simple and
very elegant with intuitive,
almost Apple-esque controls.
It’s light, weighing in at only
174 grams, measuring a mere
15 cms by 11 1/2 cms - ideal for
reading in bed or on the daily
commute.
!
It comes with 4GB of internal
memory that will hold an
entire library, with a battery
life that will almost allow you
to read an entire library before
it needs a charge. The market
for e-readers has grown, with
electronic books being listed
on the bestsellers charts similar to how downloads are
now shown in music charts.
Times change and the much
declared death of paper based
books hasn't happened as
people seem to be happy to buy
both types of media.
!
The Kobo Aura has an
expandable memory, so a
micro-SD will give you up to
32GB. This is needed as you
are able to send Pocket articles
to your reader from a browser
or smartphone. It’s a little like
Pinterest for your reader.
!
You can go Beyond The Book
by linking you to the web
contact that explains key facts
in the text - think
Wikipedia in your reader. I
tried it out with The Hobbit all those dwarf names confused
me, so being able to click them
and see who is who was a
boon!
!
The other bonus of this reader
is that it isn't tied to a specific
retailer or format. This little
box of tricks supports ePub,
PDF, JPEG and DRM, amongst
others. Although mine was set
up ready for reviewing, it takes
no time to set up - another
Apple-esque feature.
!
Books can be retrieved and
read anywhere, bookmarks and
settings are synched
seamlessly and can be picked
up on your other devices.
!
I could be classed as a convert.
I can see me purchasing
something like this simply to
read on journeys, read in bed
at night or simply use to store
and retrieve documents on the
go. I still love my tablet and
laptop (both Apple, I’ll readily
admit) but this sleek little box
is ideal to just pop in a pocket
or bag and take with you.
!
!
!
No bulk, no fuss….just your
favourite reads. ∎
Available from WH Smith
OUTSAVVY is a
new digital
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of gay friendly
businesses offering
products and
services of interest
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partners to give
customers offers
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– putting gayfriendly small and
medium sized
businesses right
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multinationals. ∎
Nokia are back
with this rather
stunning smart
phone, the Nokia
Lumia 1020,
which promises to
put the picture
first, with an
incredible 41meg
camera which will
ensure that every
snap or selfie
you take
will be
high
quality,
you just
have to
make sure
you’ve got
something great
If you haven’t
joined the
NETFLIX
revolution yet,
remove yourself
from the rock from
where you are
hiding and get
yourself this
amazing little app,
which puts
thousands of boxsets, films and
documentaries
right on your
smartphone or
tablet. From just
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Includes Netflix
exclusives such as
Breaking Bad,
House Of Cards
and Orange Is
The New Black.
Oh gosh. Winter
nights here we
come. ∎
to take picture of! ∎
!
Available from Three,
02,Vodaphone, EE,
Phones 4U and
Carphone
Warehouse. From
£549
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