A manufacturer wants your opinion on 9.7" device features - Page 3

mikebliv · 06-08-2010, 08:51 AM

I would have to say, I picked features that would be typical of a webpad. I just can't see a single-function device would be interesting unless it was cheap enough (less than $100). Anything costing more and I want webpad features, thus my ereader is a netbook until such time that my ideal webpad appears (hopefully by end of this year).

Hellmark · 06-08-2010, 08:52 AM

Really, for me, just document search and a dictionary would be wanted in a larger device. the rest of the stuff depends entirely on the type of display used.

The things I'd want absolutely the least though is video or music.

fishface · 06-08-2010, 08:56 AM

Also, if everything else is up for discussion, why is 9.7" set in stone? Where did this magic number come from? Who are the people who need a 9.7" screen?

I mean, I read the responses from people who want perfect text reflow which would make books read really nicely on a screen of any size. So, you have to think, why is 9.7" he way to go? What documents am I thinking of? Why not 10"? 9.5"?

franklekens · 06-08-2010, 08:58 AM

I should specify that by 'dictionary' I mean 1) the ability to add multiple dictionaries in different languages (i.e. not the single proprietary English dictionary the Sony 600 has) 2) preferrably a dictionary with a GUI that is as user friendly as that of the Sony 600!

guyanonymous · 06-08-2010, 08:58 AM

One of my most important options isn't there: Battery Life - I expect/want at least 16 hours out of a book reading device. All the rest is gravy.

Rich_D · 06-08-2010, 09:01 AM

Some things that are missing - Ability to change fonts and font size, compatible with multiple formats, ability to check out library books.

I don't want a reader to be a tablet pc, pda or any other multi-media device. I want it to be an e-reader.

ebioman · 06-08-2010, 09:04 AM

Most important feature for that size:

pdf support and annotations plus their export

oggelbe2007 · 06-08-2010, 09:05 AM

How bout a basic 9.7" eink reader with a release date in my lifetime.

(How's that for a feature?)

treetotree · 06-08-2010, 09:13 AM

I did not know what opds was,so I did not vote for it, but yes I want that and:
1. Adjustable text size
2. Long battery life
3. Must be e-ink

mtravellerh · 06-08-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oggelbe2007

How bout a basic 9.7" eink reader with a release date in my lifetime.

(How's that for a feature?)

What about August? Sounds good?

zelda_pinwheel · 06-08-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treetotree

I did not know what opds was,so I did not vote for it, but yes I want that and:
1. Adjustable text size
2. Long battery life
3. Must be e-ink

i added your vote for opds, treetotree. thanks for your answer.

David Munch · 06-08-2010, 09:31 AM

Document search, Dictionary. Everything else is not used for books.

Okay, over-the-air book shopping would be nice. Color screen is also nice for technical PDFs, but not a must.

pdurrant · 06-08-2010, 09:32 AM

While I voted for Search and Dictionary, the essential features I want aren't listed.

1. Robustness. The screen should not shatter if dropped or leaned on or twisted.
2. A good, standards-compliant, ePub renderer with user customisation of font size, font, justification, margins and number of columns.

AlbertaCowboy · 06-08-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

Most of the options are things that would be useful on a tablet computer, not an ebook reader. Nearly every feature on that list is one meant for doing something other than reading.

I'm with Mr. Ploppy. I want features for reading ebooks. I don't want color. I don't want video, audio, Web browsing, email, and all the rest; I have a netbook for that. I want features to make it a better ebook reader, not a half-assed computer. I want to read books. Oh, and I hate touch screens, and will not buy one.

What do I want?

a good, crisp e-ink screen
fast page turns
conveniently located, well-thought-out, and ergonomic controls
plenty of internal memory
SD card capability
fast library scanning/updating (I hate you Sony)
good PDF rendering (I don't need annotation)
multiple options for organizing my books
easy book browsing
a favorite book list (useful for often-used reference books, for instance)
the ability to get to any of my thousands of books in seconds
a text-based interface*
book status marking (unread/reading/read)
ability to read any common ebook format and many obscure ones
choice of text size and font, both default and per book
(bonus if the settings can be managed in calibre)
some means of easily attaching any book light (a fold-out bracket?)

In other words, I want features that improve my experience reading ebooks. That's what I'm buying the thing for. The ability to do things other than reading ebooks is meaningless to me. Having a video player on an ebook reader, for instance, makes as much sense as having a dishwasher in my refrigerator. I want the world's best ebook reader, not the world's most half-assed ebook reader/video player/Web browser/music player/cell phone/PDA/pickle jar.

* Were I an illiterate moron only capable of pointing at pictures, I wouldn't be buying an ebook reader, now, would I?

In a nutshell for myself too. I have absolutely no interest in a tablet. I want a SUPER-505!

JSWolf · 06-08-2010, 09:37 AM

Zelda, your poll has left out some of the most important features. That is proper typography. In order to make the reading experience better, we need to have proper kerning and hyphenation support. These are two things that are left out of every single reader. This would give a much better look and feel to the text on the screen. Plus we also need history, page goto, annotation, and software that's not full of bugs the first time out (i.e. Kobo).

May as well got for an easily replaceable battery with an easy to get battery.

View Poll Results: What features are required for a 9.7’’ e-reader ?
Wifi	378	64.40%
3G	121	20.61%
Touch screen	334	56.90%
Stylus	196	33.39%
Color screen	213	36.29%
Email	125	21.29%
Web Browser	231	39.35%
Document search	393	66.95%
Dictionary	413	70.36%
Music player	84	14.31%
Video player	58	9.88%
OPDS compatibility	104	17.72%
Just show me the results	28	4.77%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 587. You may not vote on this poll

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06-08-2010, 08:51 AM	#31
mikebliv Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Australia Device: Dell Slate	I would have to say, I picked features that would be typical of a webpad. I just can't see a single-function device would be interesting unless it was cheap enough (less than $100). Anything costing more and I want webpad features, thus my ereader is a netbook until such time that my ideal webpad appears (hopefully by end of this year).

06-08-2010, 08:52 AM	#32
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,549 Karma: 3799999 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: O'Fallon, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3	Really, for me, just document search and a dictionary would be wanted in a larger device. the rest of the stuff depends entirely on the type of display used. The things I'd want absolutely the least though is video or music.

06-08-2010, 08:56 AM	#33
fishface Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 56 Join Date: May 2010 Device: none	Also, if everything else is up for discussion, why is 9.7" set in stone? Where did this magic number come from? Who are the people who need a 9.7" screen? I mean, I read the responses from people who want perfect text reflow which would make books read really nicely on a screen of any size. So, you have to think, why is 9.7" he way to go? What documents am I thinking of? Why not 10"? 9.5"?

06-08-2010, 08:58 AM	#34
franklekens Addict Posts: 392 Karma: 3421956 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: Kobo Forma, Sage, Elipsa, Onyx Note2, Pocketbook 360, Kindle Keyboard	I should specify that by 'dictionary' I mean 1) the ability to add multiple dictionaries in different languages (i.e. not the single proprietary English dictionary the Sony 600 has) 2) preferrably a dictionary with a GUI that is as user friendly as that of the Sony 600!

06-08-2010, 08:58 AM	#35
guyanonymous Guru Posts: 692 Karma: 27532 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Ebookwise 1150 / 1200	One of my most important options isn't there: Battery Life - I expect/want at least 16 hours out of a book reading device. All the rest is gravy.

06-08-2010, 09:01 AM	#36
Rich_D Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1314896 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA Device: Android phone, Kobo Glo HD, nook ST with Glo (backup)	Some things that are missing - Ability to change fonts and font size, compatible with multiple formats, ability to check out library books. I don't want a reader to be a tablet pc, pda or any other multi-media device. I want it to be an e-reader.

06-08-2010, 09:04 AM	#37
ebioman Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Switzerland Device: Kindle 3	Most important feature for that size: pdf support and annotations plus their export

06-08-2010, 09:05 AM	#38
oggelbe2007 Limited Warranty Posts: 89 Karma: 576 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Georgia, USA Device: A sweet PRS-500, DXG	How bout a basic 9.7" eink reader with a release date in my lifetime. (How's that for a feature?)

06-08-2010, 09:13 AM	#39
treetotree Connoisseur Posts: 61 Karma: 346 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida Device: Jetbook Lite, Kindle DXG,prs-350, wife k3	I did not know what opds was,so I did not vote for it, but yes I want that and: 1. Adjustable text size 2. Long battery life 3. Must be e-ink

06-08-2010, 09:31 AM	#42
David Munch Scholar Posts: 1,008 Karma: 3999312 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kobo Libra H2O + iPad Air 4	Document search, Dictionary. Everything else is not used for books. Okay, over-the-air book shopping would be nice. Color screen is also nice for technical PDFs, but not a must.

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06-08-2010, 09:32 AM	#43
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 71,496 Karma: 306214458 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Voyage	While I voted for Search and Dictionary, the essential features I want aren't listed. 1. Robustness. The screen should not shatter if dropped or leaned on or twisted. 2. A good, standards-compliant, ePub renderer with user customisation of font size, font, justification, margins and number of columns.

06-08-2010, 09:37 AM	#45
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,897 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Zelda, your poll has left out some of the most important features. That is proper typography. In order to make the reading experience better, we need to have proper kerning and hyphenation support. These are two things that are left out of every single reader. This would give a much better look and feel to the text on the screen. Plus we also need history, page goto, annotation, and software that's not full of bugs the first time out (i.e. Kobo). May as well got for an easily replaceable battery with an easy to get battery.