Digital fatigue is real, but the Kobo Libra Colour helped...

Digital fatigue is real, but the Kobo Libra Colour helped me restore balance Kobo Libra Colour leaning on tree

By Timi Cantisano Published 19 minutes ago Timi is a news and deals writer who's been reporting on technology for over a decade. He loves breaking down complex subjects into easy-to-read pieces that keep you informed. But his recent passion comes from finding the best discounts on the internet on some of the best tech products out right now. Sign in to your Android Police account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

As a writer, I spend a good chunk of my day staring at a computer screen. I'm reading emails, writing articles, scrolling through websites, researching, proofreading, and the list goes on.

While my fingers get a pretty good workout typing, it's my eyes that take the real hit. And by the end of the day, I'm left depleted and unwilling to look at another screen until I start again the next morning.

I know I'm not alone with this problem, as many of us spend our working hours in the same way.

While the obvious solution is rest, we all know it's not that simple because sometimes you need additional screen time at home to unwind. For me, that's where the Kobo Libra Colour comes in.

Kobo Libra Colour open to 'Ghost Forest' book cover next to mixed flowers

Read our review Kobo Libra Colour: A new e-reader era in full bloom

Color is a cool feature, even if all you do is highlight text

Posts By Savannah Howe May 14, 2024

It's good for more than books

I'm probably the last person who should own an e-reader. While I enjoy reading, a book is not the first thing I look for if I'm trying to unwind and get my mind in a different space.

Still, there's always a time and a place, and if the content is right, you'll find me glued to the Libra Colour, wasting away hours before I realize it's time to call it a day.

So, what am I reading if I'm not reading books? I'm usually catching up on all the news I've missed throughout the day.

I used to finish work and stare at my computer screen for hours, but this started to become a problem for my eyes.

When you log so much screen time over so many days consistently, your body begins to give you signs that it's not enjoying the experience.

It was time for a change

As I've gotten older, even small changes have made a huge difference to the quality of my life. And consuming content using the Libra Colour is one of them.

While you might laugh, the paper-like display is truly easier on my eyes. The color display also adds a touch of flair that allows me to enjoy images if they're part of the experience.

Sure, it's not the same as an OLED screen, but it's better than not seeing the images at all or seeing them in black and white.

How does Libra Colour make this happen?

So, how do I get all the articles I want to read onto the Libra Colour? It's actually pretty simple.

I use a service called Instapaper, which is a native part of the experience on a Kobo device.

Instapaper can save articles from any source and allows you to pull them up to read later. In this case, I can read all the articles I save throughout the day on the Libra Colour.

Although I typically do this using my web browser, there's also an Instapaper app for mobile devices.

So if you see something on your phone or tablet, you can also save the articles so you can read them later. It's convenient and easy.

I have used more complicated setups like Calibre before, but this is what works for me now.

Is this really the answer?

To be honest, I don't know. But I've enjoyed my time with the Libra Colour so far.

The way it all comes together when I'm reading articles makes it feel like I'm just flipping through pages of a book, instead of scrolling through websites.

And for the most part, my eyes are doing better, too. They're not as tired when I get ready for bed, and they also feel more refreshed when I wake up.

It could all be a placebo effect, but the E Ink screen seems to be helping preserve whatever I have left of my eyes.

With that said, I can already feel that some of your eyes might be rolling, reading another story about how someone can't kick their addiction to technology.

It's a fool's errand to try to change the medium rather than change the habit. And I completely agree with you. But for now, it's a part of my life, and I love what I do every day. I'll continue looking at screens for the time being with caution.

Maybe when the weather gets better, I'll toss the Libra Colour in a drawer and get out there to take a stroll, or just lie on the grass and listen to music — pretty much anything that doesn't involve staring at a screen. Something to look forward to when spring arrives.

Kobo Libra Colour in black on white background

Source: Kobo Kobo Libra Colour $200 $230 Save $30 Resolution 1264x1680 Storage 32 GB Brand Kobo Screen Size 7 inches Audio Bluetooth only

The Libra Colour is Kobo's first color E ink tablet, featuring a 7-inch Kaleido three-color E ink screen.

$220 at Amazon $200 at kobo Expand Collapse

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