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Old 10-16-2010, 01:48 PM   #86
mbrown3
Junior Member
mbrown3 began at the beginning.
 
Posts: 8
Karma: 10
Join Date: Sep 2010
Device: Kindle
I would like things like touchscreen, color (as long as it remains e-ink), etc, but since the thread is specifically asking about what I would change about the Kindle 3 (not future models), I'll limit my comments to that:
  • Move page turn buttons higher (preferably) or lower, as the current location is RIGHT where I tend to place my fingers when picking up the device.
  • Add page turn buttons along the top edge (actually could do away with side buttons altogether if they would do this). I tend to hold the device along the top (like I do with a paperback), so page-turn buttons along the top would be much preferred.
  • Have "hinge" attachment slots on BOTH sides...this would allow attaching the Kindle to the LEFT-hand side of a cover (which would be better for right-handed folks, to allow note-taking and such. Over 90% of the world's population is right-handed, so this is a glaring oversight.
  • Print numbers on relevant keys. This is a huge and inexcusable oversight.
  • Rocker still could be better. Too thin and too easy to hit the wrong direction or other buttons.
  • Allow epub or other formats. I don't really care about having epub support, I just don't like the excessive restrictions that Amazon places on formats for the Kindle.
  • Better categorization. Current system is terrible. Should have a much easier way to categorize (both in terms of actual categorization and in adding/removing items from categories...should be able to manage this with PC-side software too). Should be able to have password-protected "collections" (folders), etc. Just a terrible implementation currently.
  • Better pdf handling. Zoom options are ridiculously restricted at the moment. Conversion with Calibre is spotty, at best, adding in random line breaks and weird formatting. Just no reason the Kindle shouldn't be able to better handle pdf files natively. Especially, should be able to "zoom" without having to scroll (i.e., change the actual font size). I know this defeats some of the purpose of the pdf format (consistency of printing) but this is an ereader. There is a way to resize text in pdf documents, and the original text got in there in the first place. The Kindle should be able to extract and re-size text without having to zoom with scroll-ing.

My other concerns have more to do with the Kindle service rather than the device itself...like, the need for a lending ability, and MUCH cheaper ebook prices (won't go into the reasoning here, as it's been discussed ad nauseum, but digital versions should be SIGNIFICANTLY less expensive than printed versions, not just a couple of $ less). They also need to come up with a re-sale capability, a gifting option, and a printed book trade-in/discount option.
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