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viviena · 12-26-2010, 06:03 AM

I have to say that I was one of those people who used to scorn the idea of using a touchscreen-capable ereader. What about fingerprints?, I scoffed to myself. After all, my mobile phone, iPod, and Nintendo DS* collect prints easily enough, and fingerprints still greatly noticeable for me if the backlighting isn't bright enough. When I bought my 350, the touchscreen in itself wasn't an attractive enough reason alone to justify me getting one.

* (yeah, I know you're supposed to use the stylus)

I have to say though, the touchscreen technology that the new Sony Readers use though are great. The screens aren't glossy LCDs that show fingerprints easily, but some sort of matte surface, in which fingerprints aren't visible at all when the device is held at a natural angle for reading. Using the touchscreen is very natural for navigating menus, for annotating, and accessing the dictionary. I do use the buttons more than finger glides to turn pages though, and there's nothing wrong with that.

For a basic ereader, such as the niche that my Kobo currently fills, I might pay extra if the difference between the two models is minimal. For something more full-featured, such as my 350, I would definitely pay the extra, and I'm pretty sure the next device I get to replace the 350 will be touchscreen capable also. I expect that upcoming models from many different companies in the next decade or so will eventually have both wifi and touchscreens.

ItalianReader, I don't know what type of touchscreen technology the 90* use, but depending on how you use it, I'd think a touchscreen capable 903 is definitely worth it. Since you're getting a 9.7" PocketBook, I assume you're getting a larger-size ereader for specific reasons beyond 'just reading', and a touchscreen might or might not help for some of those reasons.

12-26-2010, 06:03 AM	#22
viviena Evangelist Posts: 412 Karma: 520610 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canberra, Australia Device: Currently Kobo Clara HD and Aura One, iPad	I have to say that I was one of those people who used to scorn the idea of using a touchscreen-capable ereader. What about fingerprints?, I scoffed to myself. After all, my mobile phone, iPod, and Nintendo DS* collect prints easily enough, and fingerprints still greatly noticeable for me if the backlighting isn't bright enough. When I bought my 350, the touchscreen in itself wasn't an attractive enough reason alone to justify me getting one. * (yeah, I know you're supposed to use the stylus) I have to say though, the touchscreen technology that the new Sony Readers use though are great. The screens aren't glossy LCDs that show fingerprints easily, but some sort of matte surface, in which fingerprints aren't visible at all when the device is held at a natural angle for reading. Using the touchscreen is very natural for navigating menus, for annotating, and accessing the dictionary. I do use the buttons more than finger glides to turn pages though, and there's nothing wrong with that. For a basic ereader, such as the niche that my Kobo currently fills, I might pay extra if the difference between the two models is minimal. For something more full-featured, such as my 350, I would definitely pay the extra, and I'm pretty sure the next device I get to replace the 350 will be touchscreen capable also. I expect that upcoming models from many different companies in the next decade or so will eventually have both wifi and touchscreens. ItalianReader, I don't know what type of touchscreen technology the 90* use, but depending on how you use it, I'd think a touchscreen capable 903 is definitely worth it. Since you're getting a 9.7" PocketBook, I assume you're getting a larger-size ereader for specific reasons beyond 'just reading', and a touchscreen might or might not help for some of those reasons.