Do we need more or less features in ebook readers?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by rah68

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." A Einstien

On of my all time favorite quotes.

[BeccaPrice]

My perfect ereader would be a cross between my K3 and the Paperwhite - all the Paperwhite features, plus side buttons, plus text to speech. oh, and Calibre-modified collections. Other than that, I can pretty much make my k3 do what I want it to do, although I'm hoping for a PW for Christmas.

[xendula]

Originally Posted by rogue_librarian

Sounds like you're using the wrong device.

That's exactly what I thought when I read the OP. I have never ever EVER had a Kindle freeze or crash on me, but that post alone makes me wonder about Kobo reliability.

I am extremely satisfied with my Kindle Paperwhite, but I may still upgrade next year, because I expect them to come out with something else I will just need to get. Rollable color eink? Super thin flexible display? A Kindle that rubs my feet while I read? Dunno, but I will probably want it, even though I never asked for any of these improvements

[meeera]

Font/display choices and a browser are core reader features for me, not bells and whistles. I couldn't stand to stare at Cecaelia for hours. If you can, more power to you. A browser is needed to connect to Calibre content server, to Dropbox, and to Project Gutenberg.

The one feature I'd quite like is an old one that's disappearing, not a new and fancy one: page turn buttons.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by meeera

I couldn't stand to stare at Cecaelia for hours.

Seriously, then how did you manage in the paper era? Did you pick books based on the typeface?

[afv011]

Originally Posted by Apache

All I want in an ereader is the ability to easily read my books. Ti store as many books as I want and the ability to easily search for specific books. Oh, and a nice dictionary.
Apache

Agreed. Single use devices are better at their task, and ultimately more reliable and cheaper. I don't even use the few features I have at my disposal, like shelves or social integration, but the dictionary is a must.

[forsooth]

I am on my 4th iteration.
is the same as my first which had accident
a used keyboard kindle with wonderful page turn buttons and 3G if needed.

2nd and 3rd iteration lesser kindles given to family

[copyrite]

Originally Posted by BeccaPrice

My perfect ereader would be a cross between my K3 and the Paperwhite - all the Paperwhite features, plus side buttons, plus text to speech.

This.

Also the ability to copy and paste to the search function in the K3, and the ease at which you can turn the WiFi on / off.

I still am using my K3 for the commute for TTS & for reading at lunch. When home I use the PW. Whispersync is amazing.

Tomorrow I am opening my Kindle Fire 2 that's been sitting on my desk since Cyber Monday as it's my bday. I really doubt I'll be reading books on it, but hey that's always an option.

[spindlegirl]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Seriously, then how did you manage in the paper era? Did you pick books based on the typeface?

I often chose to not buy books based on not liking the font

[meeera]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Seriously, then how did you manage in the paper era? Did you pick books based on the typeface?

I've never seen a paper book set in Caecelia, have you?

Printed books tend to have very good typography, great attention to detail (kerning etc), and very readable if uninteresting fonts. And yes - I have from time to time had paper books that were an exception, that I've barely got through or even left unfinished because of bad typography.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by meeera

I've never seen a paper book set in Caecelia, have you?

Don't know, but I'll take your word about that font not being used for paper books.

My slight preference for book form factor is a large print hardback, but the library selection is pretty small.

My least favorite form factor is a library book where rebinding has reduced the inside page margins to almost zero, but since, relatively speaking, beggars can't be choosers, I'll read it anyway.

I have to admit that I do have a font preference when it comes to writing a business email -- Georgia 12.

[Tacty]

Originally Posted by xendula

That's exactly what I thought when I read the OP. I have never ever EVER had a Kindle freeze or crash on me, but that post alone makes me wonder about Kobo reliability.

fair enough. i have never have any first hand experience with anything else but kobo and it makes me thinking...kobo reliability and stability of software looks amateurish compared to other ebook readers? but, reading some other threds no ebr is free of its own problems including various software bugs...

[HarryT]

The Kindle is extremely stable and bug-free, but the Kobo does have more options to allow you to tweak the appearance of your book.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by rah68

On my Kindle Paperwhite, i simply touch and hold the word and the definition appears.
Nothing could be simpler

I actually think it is faster and as simple to use the buttons on my Kindle non-touch (WiFi) or whatever its name is. At least I like that method much better than the dictionary lookup method on my Bookeen touch reader.

So I really hope that non-touch readers will continue to be available since they fit me better (I make less pageturns by mistake with non-touch readers).

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by tompe

I actually think it is faster and as simple to use the buttons on my Kindle non-touch (WiFi) or whatever its name is. At least I like that method much better than the dictionary lookup method on my Bookeen touch reader.

Having used both touch and non-touch Kindles, dictionary lookup is MUCH easier on the touch models. Just tap and hold the word for about half a second, lift your finger, and the definition appears at the bottom or top of the screen. Of course there are other reasons to choose the non-touch Kindle if you prefer to use physical buttons to turn the page!