By Jamie Wiersma
Our family is an iPad family. I use it to do my everyday computer work and very rarely turn my computer on to do things. But, I oftentimes have to fight my three boys for the iPad because they love playing games on it and watching shows. When I was given the opportunity to try out the new Kobo Arc, a multifunctional eReader tablet, in exchange for my opinion, I was intrigued. It is advertised as being perfect for readers who want it all and the ultimate reading experience on a cutting-edge multimedia tablet. At a price point of $139.99 for 16 GB’s, I wondered how it would compare to a more expensive tablet. I was getting ready to go on a vacation. Would the tablet work to do my everyday activities and also be a device that I could watch movies on the plane and Skype with my family while I was gone?
Yes! I was able to do everything that I normally use my iPad for on the Kobo Arc as well as some things that I don’t normally do. I loved the 7″ size and the fact that it was light weight for travelling. I also felt like the touch screen was very responsive. Applications that I used and tried out were things such as Calendar, Camera, Chrome, Clock, Email, Facebook, Maps, Nook, OverDrive Media (borrowing e-books from your local library), Pinterest, Play Movies & TV, Skype and YouTube. Overall, it functioned wonderfully.
The Kobo Arc boasts:
- A powerful 1.5 GHz dual core processor
- Stunning 7” HD screen (1280×800 resolution)
- 1.5GHz Dual-core graphics processing, making videos play smoothly
- Built-in WiFi
- Powered by Android™ (version 4.1), with access to over 700,000 apps on Google Play™* a full multifunctional eReader & tablet
- Kobo bookstore has nearly 4 million titles
- An exclusive interface that learns what you like, and effortlessly delivers more eBooks, magazines, music, movies and web articles that fit your taste
- SRS TruMedia front-facing speakers for incredible sound
Introducing Tapestries
Kobo Arc keeps all of your content on the surface so you never have to search for it; everything’s right there on your home screen. Kobo’s exclusive interface, Tapestries, allows you to group items that are important to you and pin media you find interesting. As Tapestries figures out what you’re interested in, (based on what you’ve pinned and collected) it will suggest content that appeals to your personal interests such as books, movies, and articles.
Kobo Arc as an eReader
I used the Kobo for my reading and tried out as many different platforms as I could (including Nook, Overdrive Media, YouVersion Bible, and the actual Kobo app) to see how the different apps compared on this device. All the regular apps worked just as they do on other Android and Apple devices that I have used them on.
The app that I was unfamiliar with was the Kobo app that comes as part of this particular tablet. What is unique to this app is that you can choose from 3 font styles and 15 sizes. You can also choose your page color (even sepia tone!), switch to night mode, and adjust the screen’s brightness. While most apps have some of these options available, it seemed as though this app had more options than most. Kobo also gives you the ability to download a Kobo app on other devices so that you can read books purchased through Kobo on any of your devices. I did a little price comparing on the eBooks available through Kobo vs. the Nook. I did find that Kobo tended to have higher prices on eBooks than the Nook. In addition, I had a hard time finding much that you could download for free through Kobo.
Pros:
- Very responsive 7″ HD touch screen
- Battery life fantastic – I downloaded and watched 2 movies, checked email, Facebook and did quite a lot of reading and still had plenty of battery life left
- Great price point whether you are looking for an eReader or a tablet
- Tapestries and the ability to organize your tablet usage into groups
- Great size and weight
Cons:
- Kobo bookstore – not competitive price-wise with other platforms that you purchase books from
- The screen is hard to see in sunlight (outside)
- The camera is only a forward facing camera and does not take great pictures. It works just fine for things like Skype but is not suitable to take actual pictures with
The Kobo Arc is available through their website starting at $139.99. The site also does a great job giving detailed information of not only the Kobo Arc but also their other devices so that you can compare their products and find the one that is right for you.
Win It!
We are excited to announce a giveaway of the Kobo Arc tablet! Sign up below for your chance(s) to win your own Kobo Arc Android tablet, a $139 value (new low price, was recently listed at $199). You can keep it for yourself or give it to someone for Christmas. Contest ends 12/8/2013 at 12am. US Residents only. Must be 18 or over to win. a Rafflecopter giveaway
From a Mom’s Perspective
I think the Kobo Arc is as a multifunctional eReader is great. It worked perfectly on my trip and will be a great device to have for every day life. I already suggested to my mom that she consider looking into it as a replacement for her older Nook eReader. I like the smaller 7″ size. It fits perfect in my purse and is very light weight. While I am sure I could download games onto it, I think it is a great device to be just for mom (me), allowing me to check email and Facebook, use the internet and read without have to track down who has the tablet, where they left it and plug it in because someone used it until the battery was dead. Hands off boys! This is MY toy!
* I was given a Kobo Arc in exchange for my honest opinions, all of which are my own.
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Looks like a great tablet to replace my older nook. Love using an e-reader and need to get something a little newer.
I would probably give the Kobo ereader to my mother in law.
I’d give the Arc to my mom, she loves to read!
I would use the Kobo Arc as a replacement for my iPad as I have the same issue, always fighting my 4 year old for it so that he can watch movies and “color”! This ladies old eyes are getting sore and tired from reading on my phone! lol
Thank you for the opportunity! :o)
If I won the KOBO reader I would keep the present for myself 🙂
I would keep it myself thank you for the chance to.
Would give this as a gift.
I have been an Kobo reader for about 7 years now . I would really like to try their Kobo Arc tablet.
would love to win
I would use it for reading the books I review only!!!!
I would definitely give it as a gift, My grandmothers been wanting an ereader 🙂 thanks for the giveaway chance
I would use the Kobo arc for personal use, for reading and entering more giveaways 🙂
I would love to win one. I don’t have one.
I would give it to my daughter. She has been wanting her own ereader. She has a lot of trouble reading in school but she seems to like to use my kindle. I would love it if she became a book lover like her mom.
Oh, I would so keep it and use it to read all the books I get. And I read A LOT!! I wanna win!
I need a tablet and I am greedy. If I win, I will keep it for my own Christmas present 😉
I think my daughter would love this.
This would be a grate gift for my son. So excited.
I would keep it for myself,
This looks like a great tablet for my kids who have taken over our iPads.
i would give it to my mom
This would be a gift for my Hubz, I think he would love it!
I would probably gift it to my daughter.
This would be an awesome win! I think it’d be a perfect gift for my hubby to use when I’m working on our home computer 🙂
I would use this for bringing along with me so I can read at anytime.
Its a great size for a purse! It would be useful for when I don’t want lug the iPad around. Also, my OLD kindle reader is starting to act up on me!
I have always had the dream to write children’s books, and I have a few topics that I am working on now. The Kobo Arc would be perfect for researching, emailing and fulling my lifelong dream.
Wow, great, Lyndsey. We are meant to live out our passion. Seize the day, now is your time to begin writing!
Sounds like a great tablet! I would live to try it!
I would give it to my mom for Christmas.
I would give it to my daughter,she would love it !
This would be a gift for a special SIL
If I won, I would give this as a gift to my mom
I’d like to win it for my husband.
I would give it to my daughter who we just discovered is dyslexic. She reads much better on an ereader and does better with tablets than pen and paper.
I would keep it for myself
I would give it to my son he really would love a tablet!
I would give it to my daughter.
i would give it to my niece for her high school graduation
To my Mother !
present for my niece!
I would give it to my granddaughter.
I would love to give this to my mom!
I’d gift this to my sister
This would be a gift for one of my kids for Christmas
I’d give it to my neice
I would give this to my son for Christmas.
I would use it as a gift for my nephew!
I’d gift it to my mom for reading books and watching movies in her hammock
I would use the Kobo for travel and for passing time when I have to wait somewhere.
I would try using it myself. I have never had a tablet or laptop and would like one.
I would keep it for myself as my tablet is toast.
I would give it to my daughter. She loves to read.
I would give this to my sister, she wants one for Christmas 🙂
I would love this for myself. I love reading books so this would be perfect for that. I also like to use it listen to music and watch videos! 😀
I would give it to my daughter.
I would give it to my friend, she likes to read.
I would keep it, I have never had an e-reader, so would put all my books on it.
I would give it to my son for Christmas
I would use it as an e-reader & for social media sites.
Would give to our son. He would love it!
I would give this to my niece as a gift because I know she would love it and appreciate it!