Trouble with touch screens

[HarryT]

Sure, I agree. But mechanical switches are prone to failure. I've had several failures of the power switches on monitors, for example. And the Kindle's page-turn buttons are very cheap plastic switches.

[TimW]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sure, I agree. But mechanical switches are prone to failure. I've had several failures of the power switches on monitors, for example. And the Kindle's page-turn buttons are very cheap plastic switches.

Very true, mechanical switches are more more prone to break. I suspect if the touch screen fails to allow page turns, you likely have a bigger problem that won't allow page turns with the mechanical buttons either.

[spindlegirl]

While I can appreciate some of the conveniences that touchscreens offer, my reason for preferring physical buttons is not "oh my goodness I have to move my thumb, whatEVER shall I do?", it is similar to the reasons Piper stated above, I find myself having less "accidental" page turning or misapplied commands.

My hands aren't even particularly shaky, but traveling on Transit or being a passenger somewhere, (with portability being one of the selling points of e-readers), it differs from just lying on the couch still where I control the movements. I get a little bit better control.

I also like to read in bed, and many is the time that I've fallen asleep and woken up with my e-reader, having brushed against the blanket, turn it on from the sleep mode - open to books I didn't even select and "remembering" chapters I didn't read, but apparently the blanket or whatever it touched as I dropped it in the covers, did. Not so with my Kindle 4.

The fact that it is MORE work to turn a page is a bonus for me. Touch screens aren't for everyone, and I can appreciate that buttons aren't for everyone too.

[WS64]

my Kobo Touch did not convert me.
I want buttons for page turning.
For everything else the touch is ok, although it is still way easier to mark a word on my Kindle keyboard then it is to mark one on my Kobo Touch.
Funny enough it is easier to write something on the Kobo Touch then it is on the Kindle Keyboard.

All in all, Touch is not bad, but for page turning I want buttons.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by WS64

my Kobo Touch did not convert me.
I want buttons for page turning.
For everything else the touch is ok, although it is still way easier to mark a word on my Kindle keyboard then it is to mark one on my Kobo Touch.
Funny enough it is easier to write something on the Kobo Touch then it is on the Kindle Keyboard.

All in all, Touch is not bad, but for page turning I want buttons.

Sony it is for you then.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sony it is for you then.

The page turn buttons are very poorly positioned on the T1 and T2, to my mind. I wouldn't want to use them.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The page turn buttons are very poorly positioned on the T1 and T2, to my mind. I wouldn't want to use them.

Maybe so. I've only used then 2 or 3 times.

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The page turn buttons are very poorly positioned on the T1 and T2, to my mind. I wouldn't want to use them.

I like the position, find it comfortable for either hand with T1 and my 350. When I read one-handed, I use the buttons. I've been known to keep reading while unloading groceries at the checkout line.

The buttons are also great for flipping through pages fast. I very much like having both touch AND buttons.

Each to their own, however.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by graycyn

I like the position, find it comfortable for either hand with T1 and my 350. When I read one-handed, I use the buttons. I've been known to keep reading while unloading groceries at the checkout line.

The buttons are also great for flipping through pages fast. I very much like having both touch AND buttons.

Each to their own, however.

I like the buttons on my 350, but not on the T1. As you very rightly say though, this is an area where what works for you is what counts.

[graycyn]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I like the buttons on my 350, but not on the T1. As you very rightly say though, this is an area where what works for you is what counts.

Yeah, it's very much an individual thing, makes me glad there are different readers available to suit many people, that's for sure!

I do admit that I don't like to use the buttons for long periods, but that applies to ANY button on ANY device, including my computer keyboard. Old RSI injury. One of the reasons I started in with a touch e-reader in the first place (Nook) and then went to Sony.

[carpetmojo]

I started using the Sony buttons, 'cos I found the touch facility annoyingly unresponsive - until someone mentioned they thought I was using too much pressure.
Correct .....
I now rarely use the buttons - but I'd rather have them than not - and a very light swipe, or taps, etc.. have made me a touch fan.
So I'd now put up with not having the "comfort" factor of buttons, should they eventually get evolved out ...

[spindlegirl]

I'm adaptable. If in the future, physical buttons got completely obsolete, I'd either adapt, switch to calibre, or read the paper kind of books in bed.

[DaringNovelist]

Hmmmmm......

I like reading on my iPod Touch because it's convenient -- it fits in my purse.

I LOVE reading on my old-fashioned Kindle (the last model that came out before they started all the new lines). I don't really analyze why, but mainly it's because it has a low contrast e-ink screen that is easy on the eyes, and the buttons mean interaction is limited (good for immersive reading), and overall, it's really designed to be a BOOK, and not a million other things.

I HATE HATE HATE HATE reading on an iPad. It's too big, it's too bright, it's too interactive. I love it for other things (like watching Amazon Prime videos).

So, I guess I'd say that I am fine with touch screens for everything else, but for reading, I prefer old-fashioned buttons.

Camille

[hidari]

Originally Posted by spindlegirl

I'm adaptable. If in the future, physical buttons got completely obsolete, I'd either adapt, switch to calibre, or read the paper kind of books in bed.

...

Buy a Cybook Opus or Pocketbook 360 both have ergonomically designed buttons and are easy and light to carry.
I prefer page buttons too, but on my Sony 350, my only touch reader, I usually swipe....

[Rizla]

I use a 650. I use button and touch to turn pages, but I use buttons more. Sometimes using the touch-swipe is more conveniant. So ideally an ereader should have buttons and touch.

At this stage only sony and nook seem to keeping the buttons. Removing the buttons is to keep prices down. It worries me that in the future I will not be able to purchase an ereader with buttons as well as touch (i.e. if sony stops making them) because of market forces.