Would you be interested in a palm-sized eInk reader?

tomsem · 06-17-2010, 07:44 PM

Folks read on iPhones and Blackberries and iPod Touches. Would an e-Ink device of similar be form factor be of interest to you?

I'm picturing a device where the screen has a very thin bezel, with navigation controls along the edges, or along the short sides. A screen roughly 9x6.5cm, give or take.

tomsem · 06-17-2010, 07:50 PM

I meant to add another option like "my iPhone (or whatever) is good enough for that". Just vote 'No' if that's the case.

Lady Fitzgerald · 06-17-2010, 08:19 PM

It would depend but it's not likely. Even with tri-focals, I probably wouldn't be able to see anything.

Worldwalker · 06-17-2010, 08:22 PM

I'm with Lady Fitzgerald on visibility. But perhaps a little fold-out lens over the screen ....?

GlenBarrington · 06-17-2010, 08:25 PM

I used to read a lot with my Treo and before that on my Palm E2. I think with that sized device, you need a backlit screen. Why? Auto scroll!

Auto scroll makes reading on this sized device possible, reading a book one page at a time means many many MANY page advance button presses. Your finger will get very tired. With auto scroll, you set it up, and start to read.

Lady Fitzgerald · 06-17-2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlenBarrington

I used to read a lot with my Treo and before that on my Palm E2. I think with that sized device, you need a backlit screen. Why? Auto scroll!

Auto scroll makes reading on this sized device possible, reading a book one page at a time means many many MANY page advance button presses. Your finger will get very tired. With auto scroll, you set it up, and start to read.

I can't speak for anyone else but auto scroll would drive me up the wall! Interesting idea, though.

AnemicOak · 06-17-2010, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

I can't speak for anyone else but auto scroll would drive me up the wall! Interesting idea, though.

I agree. Personally I don't like scrolling to read for any decent length of time.

tomsem · 06-18-2010, 01:01 PM

Personally I'd just use a smartphone, iPod Touch or something.

But I think there's a little room at the bottom for a smaller eink device than exists now, maybe not shrinking the screen so much but the rest of it - so it would be comfortable to hold in one hand with thumb on one edge and fingers on the other. E.g. take the 5" screen of Sony Pocket edition and shrink the case down as much as possible (say a 1/4" bezel). 4 buttons along the edge your fingers rest on for navigation, configurable for left or right-handedness (matching current orientation or manually set). Sell it for $120 or so...

aagstn · 06-18-2010, 01:37 PM

I would. Even I had had to go a bit bigger than palm size I would like a nook that is the size of the Jetbook or Sony Pocket reader.

Marcy · 06-18-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

Personally I'd just use a smartphone, iPod Touch or something.

But I think there's a little room at the bottom for a smaller eink device than exists now, maybe not shrinking the screen so much but the rest of it - so it would be comfortable to hold in one hand with thumb on one edge and fingers on the other. E.g. take the 5" screen of Sony Pocket edition and shrink the case down as much as possible (say a 1/4" bezel). 4 buttons along the edge your fingers rest on for navigation, configurable for left or right-handedness (matching current orientation or manually set). Sell it for $120 or so...

Except for the $120 you're describing the PB360.

-Marcy

dmaul1114 · 06-18-2010, 01:51 PM

No. Kindle etc. are a fine size for novel reading for me. It only leaves the house for out of town trips, and it takes up little room in a backpack, briefcase etc.

My only additional e-reading interest is a big screen, LCD tablet for letter sized PDF reading and marking up etc.

wodin · 06-18-2010, 02:32 PM

I do a lot of reading on my phone. I just got a new HTC EVO with a 4.3" screen, and it is just about the perfect size for portable reading. Since I always have my phone with me, I can’t really see carrying another device unless I’m going to be out for longer than my phone battery will last. But then I’d prolly just carry a charger, and plug the EVO in.

Rich_D · 06-18-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlenBarrington

I used to read a lot with my Treo and before that on my Palm E2. I think with that sized device, you need a backlit screen. Why? Auto scroll!

Auto scroll makes reading on this sized device possible, reading a book one page at a time means many many MANY page advance button presses. Your finger will get very tired. With auto scroll, you set it up, and start to read.

I agree. I still read on my Palm T/X on occassion. Auto scroll is a great feature. It takes a little getting used to, but easier than turning the page.

Jadon · 06-18-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

Folks read on iPhones and Blackberries and iPod Touches.

The latest iPhone is glass on both sides. I immediately thought that, if it's glass anyway, why not make it a screen, which led to the notion of it being an e-paper mode one.

wodin · 06-18-2010, 07:31 PM

Opps, wrong thread! Sorry

View Poll Results: Would you be interested in a smartphone-sized eInk device?
No, that is a silly idea.	107	56.02%
It depends. I need to see more specifics.	52	27.23%
Yes, my Kindle/Sony/Nook/iPad is too bulky to take everywhere	20	10.47%
Yes, but I'd like a touch screen with that.	12	6.28%
Voters: 191. You may not vote on this poll

06-17-2010, 07:44 PM	#1
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,478 Karma: 26425959 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	Would you be interested in a palm-sized eInk reader? Folks read on iPhones and Blackberries and iPod Touches. Would an e-Ink device of similar be form factor be of interest to you? I'm picturing a device where the screen has a very thin bezel, with navigation controls along the edges, or along the short sides. A screen roughly 9x6.5cm, give or take.

06-17-2010, 08:25 PM	#5
GlenBarrington Cheese Whiz Posts: 1,986 Karma: 11677147 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Springfield, Illinois Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Tab A 10.1(2019), Pixel 6a.	A good idea, but not with eInk I used to read a lot with my Treo and before that on my Palm E2. I think with that sized device, you need a backlit screen. Why? Auto scroll! Auto scroll makes reading on this sized device possible, reading a book one page at a time means many many MANY page advance button presses. Your finger will get very tired. With auto scroll, you set it up, and start to read.

06-18-2010, 01:51 PM	#11
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	No. Kindle etc. are a fine size for novel reading for me. It only leaves the house for out of town trips, and it takes up little room in a backpack, briefcase etc. My only additional e-reading interest is a big screen, LCD tablet for letter sized PDF reading and marking up etc. Last edited by dmaul1114; 06-18-2010 at 02:35 PM.

06-18-2010, 07:31 PM	#15
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	Opps, wrong thread! Sorry Last edited by wodin; 06-22-2010 at 12:00 AM.

06-17-2010, 07:50 PM	#2
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,478 Karma: 26425959 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	I meant to add another option like "my iPhone (or whatever) is good enough for that". Just vote 'No' if that's the case.

06-17-2010, 08:19 PM	#3
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	It would depend but it's not likely. Even with tri-focals, I probably wouldn't be able to see anything.

06-17-2010, 08:22 PM	#4
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	I'm with Lady Fitzgerald on visibility. But perhaps a little fold-out lens over the screen ....?

06-18-2010, 01:01 PM	#8
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,478 Karma: 26425959 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	Personally I'd just use a smartphone, iPod Touch or something. But I think there's a little room at the bottom for a smaller eink device than exists now, maybe not shrinking the screen so much but the rest of it - so it would be comfortable to hold in one hand with thumb on one edge and fingers on the other. E.g. take the 5" screen of Sony Pocket edition and shrink the case down as much as possible (say a 1/4" bezel). 4 buttons along the edge your fingers rest on for navigation, configurable for left or right-handedness (matching current orientation or manually set). Sell it for $120 or so...

06-18-2010, 01:37 PM	#9
aagstn Evangelist Posts: 422 Karma: 1004351 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 3, iPad mini 2	I would. Even I had had to go a bit bigger than palm size I would like a nook that is the size of the Jetbook or Sony Pocket reader.

06-18-2010, 02:32 PM	#12
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	I do a lot of reading on my phone. I just got a new HTC EVO with a 4.3" screen, and it is just about the perfect size for portable reading. Since I always have my phone with me, I can’t really see carrying another device unless I’m going to be out for longer than my phone battery will last. But then I’d prolly just carry a charger, and plug the EVO in.

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