With What Should I Replace Kindle Keyboard? - Page 2

SteveEisenberg · 08-05-2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandSurveyor

I was considering the keyboard model because I have found that I really dislike the onscreen keyboard on my tablet and since this model has 3g, I might use it occasionally, even if it is slow.

But primarily it will be a reading device.

I love the Kindle Keyboard 3G and do not foresee outgrowing it.

Actually, if the 3G sites you go to are almost pure text AKA for reading, it isn't slow. However, it is rather hard to find those web sites. I've thought myself of setting up a web site with links to them, but they often change (which is why existing directory sites like www.kinstant.com can be frustrating). Here's an example of a news site that is currently fast:

http://www.readingthenet.com/mob?ct=....jp%2Fdaily%2F

The 3G is terrible as a web browser, but if you realize it is a reader, there are good uses for 3G that can be discovered.

As for the screen being fragile, well, it can be broken, but there are other tech devices a lot more fragile. Oaf that I am, I ran one through the washing machine. One of the new ones with a super-fast spin. The Kindle screen cracked, but other than the bottom of the screen not working, after drying, the reader worked perfectly. I could have kept it as an MP3 player, except that I had to return it to get a reduced price replacement from Amazon.

Also, this unit had an Amazon-brand lighted cover. That came though the wash just a little cleaner and still working perfectly -- not that I suggest this as periodic maintenance

Quote:

I don't want to have to bother to root anything if I can help it.

I'm a rather technical person but have never seen the need to do this.

booklover6 · 08-05-2012, 07:03 PM

I'm getting a bit tired of my Kindle Keyboard (I have 2). Compared to my Sony T1 it's just so big! I am waiting for the next Kindle Touch announcement. I am leaning towards getting one and then selling one of the KK's. I think the processor is a little faster on the Kindle Touch. That's another thing, the Kindle is a LOT slower than the Sony. I only have 242 items on one KK and less than that on the other, so that isn't the cause of it being slow.

tm3 · 08-06-2012, 12:35 PM

i really like my K3 and see no need to consider upgrading. wireless transfer of ebooks is quite convenient, and i find the 3G nice to have even though there are drawbacks. i was out of the country last january and having the 3G was unexpectedly very handy.

but, the nook with the built in glow light is really, really slick. if i were buying my first ereader today i would give it a serious look.

JSWolf · 08-06-2012, 01:47 PM

Supposedly the glow light on the nook is scratch sensitive. My suggestion is to get a T1.

speakingtohe · 08-06-2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandSurveyor

May I intrude on this thread? I was looking at the 'which to buy' threads and this one stuck out because the model I'm most closely considering is the keyboard model. Since you are discussing dumping yours, it seemed prudent to find out why.

I have a tablet already and don't care for the short battery life so I have decided that whatever I get, it will be e-ink. I was considering the keyboard model because I have found that I really dislike the onscreen keyboard on my tablet and since this model has 3g, I might use it occasionally, even if it is slow.

But primarily it will be a reading device.

My second choice is the Nook Glowlight because it has said light and the Nooks seem to have a micro SD slot.

I don't want to have to bother to root anything if I can help it.

I'm pretty much confining myself to the Nook or Kindle universes but that's only because no other e-ink machines have stood out for me.

I hope this isn't too off-topic and I'd appreciate your thoughts.

The keyboard on the kindle 3 has small little buttons with a tendency for the paint to fade. It is usable, but not intuitive IMO. Many who have the patience to master the keystroke sequences to accomplish a seldom done task would disagree I am sure.

I imagine there are those who can type 9 or 10 WPM on a kindle keyboard but they must have little doll hands with very strong fingers.

Helen

LandSurveyor · 08-06-2012, 07:29 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. I looked up a test on the T1 and it does have features that I like, such as the ability to reflow text on PDFs and also has the HD slol. (I wonder why they bother with micro cards on devices this size?) . I also still like to use a stylus, a holdover from my Palm days. I still use a capacitive stylus on my smartphone because it has such a tiny keyboard, especially in portrait orientation.

To explain my desire for the 3g models, I expect to be able to carry my device to work to read during lunch hours. At my job, we are forbidden to use company computers or the network for any personal use so the habit with my co-workers (I haven't been there very long) is to whip out the phones during lunch to catch up on email, read, etc. so we all have to use wireless. At home, it doesn't make much difference.

Since it will have an advantage in screen size over my phone, I wonder how well (if at all) your average e-ink device will access a forum site such as this one?

LandSurveyor · 08-06-2012, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

The keyboard on the kindle 3 has small little buttons with a tendency for the paint to fade. It is usable, but not intuitive IMO. Many who have the patience to master the keystroke sequences to accomplish a seldom done task would disagree I am sure.

I imagine there are those who can type 9 or 10 WPM on a kindle keyboard but they must have little doll hands with very strong fingers.

Helen

The problem for me is that I can't find them in stock in any stores around here any more. Best Buy had Kindles but no keyboard models. I need to find one to see how it fits my fingers. If I don't like it, that will be one less thing to shop for.

tm3 · 08-06-2012, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandSurveyor

Since it will have an advantage in screen size over my phone, I wonder how well (if at all) your average e-ink device will access a forum site such as this one?

imo accessing this www site, and www browsing in general, is much better on the iPad, iPhone, Droid, and iPod touch than on the K3.

speakingtohe · 08-06-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandSurveyor

The problem for me is that I can't find them in stock in any stores around here any more. Best Buy had Kindles but no keyboard models. I need to find one to see how it fits my fingers. If I don't like it, that will be one less thing to shop for.

keys are very small and closely spaced together. You don't need a stylus to hit them, but you wouldn't be likely to want to use more than one finger at a time.

Helen

HarryT · 08-07-2012, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

keys are very small and closely spaced together. You don't need a stylus to hit them, but you wouldn't be likely to want to use more than one finger at a time.

Helen

I find that the onscreen soft keyboard on the Touch works pretty well. I prefer it to the physical keyboard of the K3.

jezebel · 08-08-2012, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandSurveyor

May I intrude on this thread? I was looking at the 'which to buy' threads and this one stuck out because the model I'm most closely considering is the keyboard model. Since you are discussing dumping yours, it seemed prudent to find out why.

As I said earlier, I'm on the 4th device of this model in less than 2 years. The first one had lines on the screen (not a broken screen), the second developed cracks in the case next to the screen & fading numbers on the buttons, the third had the same line problem as the first. The one I have now I got in February of this year, it has a broken screen and that's our fault.

The device is heavy and can be a little awkward to hold, but a lot of that is probably because of the heavy duty case I use to protect it.

I'm just reluctant to re-buy something that has not proven it can last a year of normal use. I'm watching for sales and still researching what I'll buy next. Now looking into Pocketbook 360+

LandSurveyor · 08-08-2012, 07:25 PM

Sorry for your bad experience but thanks for the heads-up. I might do better to consider the keyless 3g model instead. Just today I downloaded a selection from Amazon to my phone. It's readable, particularly in night mode, but not ideal. Still, it proved the practicality of 3g access, at least for book-buying.

I suppose a ruggedized reader would defeat its purpose by being too heavy but there have been some semi-rugged phones on the market in the past. You would think they could incorporate some of this tech into a reader that at least some portion of the market would find suitable.

Not familiar with that model you mentioned but I'm interested in everything.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

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08-05-2012, 07:03 PM	#17
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,533 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle	I'm getting a bit tired of my Kindle Keyboard (I have 2). Compared to my Sony T1 it's just so big! I am waiting for the next Kindle Touch announcement. I am leaning towards getting one and then selling one of the KK's. I think the processor is a little faster on the Kindle Touch. That's another thing, the Kindle is a LOT slower than the Sony. I only have 242 items on one KK and less than that on the other, so that isn't the cause of it being slow.

08-06-2012, 12:35 PM	#18
tm3 Groupie Posts: 174 Karma: 56678 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3	i really like my K3 and see no need to consider upgrading. wireless transfer of ebooks is quite convenient, and i find the 3G nice to have even though there are drawbacks. i was out of the country last january and having the 3G was unexpectedly very handy. but, the nook with the built in glow light is really, really slick. if i were buying my first ereader today i would give it a serious look.

08-06-2012, 01:47 PM	#19
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,998 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Supposedly the glow light on the nook is scratch sensitive. My suggestion is to get a T1.

08-06-2012, 07:29 PM	#21
LandSurveyor infrequent visitor Posts: 20 Karma: 502444 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southeastern USA Device: Samsung smartphone, HP Touchpad, searcing for the best e-ink device	Thanks for the suggestion. I looked up a test on the T1 and it does have features that I like, such as the ability to reflow text on PDFs and also has the HD slol. (I wonder why they bother with micro cards on devices this size?) . I also still like to use a stylus, a holdover from my Palm days. I still use a capacitive stylus on my smartphone because it has such a tiny keyboard, especially in portrait orientation. To explain my desire for the 3g models, I expect to be able to carry my device to work to read during lunch hours. At my job, we are forbidden to use company computers or the network for any personal use so the habit with my co-workers (I haven't been there very long) is to whip out the phones during lunch to catch up on email, read, etc. so we all have to use wireless. At home, it doesn't make much difference. Since it will have an advantage in screen size over my phone, I wonder how well (if at all) your average e-ink device will access a forum site such as this one?

08-08-2012, 07:25 PM	#27
LandSurveyor infrequent visitor Posts: 20 Karma: 502444 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southeastern USA Device: Samsung smartphone, HP Touchpad, searcing for the best e-ink device	Sorry for your bad experience but thanks for the heads-up. I might do better to consider the keyless 3g model instead. Just today I downloaded a selection from Amazon to my phone. It's readable, particularly in night mode, but not ideal. Still, it proved the practicality of 3g access, at least for book-buying. I suppose a ruggedized reader would defeat its purpose by being too heavy but there have been some semi-rugged phones on the market in the past. You would think they could incorporate some of this tech into a reader that at least some portion of the market would find suitable. Not familiar with that model you mentioned but I'm interested in everything. Good luck with whatever you choose.

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