07-03-2015, 01:10 AM | #1 |
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Why have e-readers ditched page turn buttons?
For the most part (Kindle Voyage excepted) e-ink readers have abandoned page turn buttons. Why? I don't remember hearing people complain about page turn buttons.
Was it just a cost savings, or was there some sort pressure to make e-readers sleeker? Last edited by poohbear_nc; 07-03-2015 at 08:05 PM. |
07-03-2015, 01:28 AM | #2 |
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Cost savings I would assume. Less moving parts will always be cheaper.
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07-03-2015, 01:59 AM | #3 |
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Yep. Software is cheaper than hardware.
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07-03-2015, 02:25 AM | #4 |
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07-03-2015, 03:17 AM | #5 |
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I agree. I strongly prefer buttons.
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07-03-2015, 04:54 AM | #6 |
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My guess is that it is more because everything has lost buttons, it's a lot easier to add / change functions in software and people like more screen size for device size.
I always liked the controls for the Jetbook Lite, up/down slider, d-pad, 10 number buttons on the side, another 5 buttons around the d-pad, If they made one now with an improved screen and processor I'd get another I must admit that I actually have no problems switching between a Sony 650, Kobo Mini, Kobo HD, And Pyrus mini. Always use the page turn buttons on the 650 instead of swipe though. Then again, I can use most tech with no problems whatsoever, while the washing machine is a huge mystery. Why the hell do I need 30 settings and better temperature adjustment than my central heating to wash something??? |
07-03-2015, 05:13 AM | #7 |
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07-03-2015, 05:22 AM | #8 |
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I like pressing a button to turn the page. I liked it very much with my old Nook STR. I don't really care one bit about what is easier. I like them, I want them, I am sad I don't get them with my choice of reader, Kobo.
What is more to say? And to answer OP's question, I believe it was the cost that took them away from us. |
07-03-2015, 05:26 AM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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07-03-2015, 05:38 AM | #10 |
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If they wear out, I would buy a new reader. Buttons are more valuable than the cost to me. Now that Voyage got good typesetting, I am considering a switch just because of this. Only the sad state of sideloaded books hold me back.
I really like buttons, I don't how I can explain why I like them but I like pressing buttons in gadgets. |
07-03-2015, 05:54 AM | #11 |
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I dislike screen taps for page turning because the software does not always respond to the tap or swipe, and fingers leave an oily residue on the screen. The failure rate of buttons has been greatly exaggerated.
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07-03-2015, 06:00 AM | #12 |
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I have been playing with my NDS Lite for 9 years now, buttons are yet to fail.
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07-03-2015, 07:15 AM | #13 |
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Having buttons means I can eat potato chips or buttered popcorn while I read without leaving grease on the screen.
Could I do this with a paper book without leaving grease on the pages? No. Why am I complaining? Because technology should solve problems, and having page-turn buttons solves this one. |
07-03-2015, 07:26 AM | #14 | |
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07-03-2015, 07:27 AM | #15 |
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Manufacturers rely on "novelty" to sell new models. Touch was a novelty that enticed owners of older page-turn button models. Then Amazon introduced their pressure sensitive buttons on the Voyage as the next novelty.
Take my word for it, soon we'll come full circle and companies will release models with real page turn buttons again at some point. We'll have a generation of users used to only touch models who will consider physical page turn buttons a dramatic improvement and so buy those new models. |
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