Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenMonkey
I like touch navigation - the classic Nook's method is kind of slow.
But I prefer page turn buttons by far over a page swipe motion.
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Your mention of touch navigation brings up a great point that I don't think anyone has mentioned:
Touch can open up the device for more functionality and ease of use. Personal preferences aside I can't imagine anyone asserting that it is easier to use the clicky buttons to visit a footnote link halfway down the page than simply touching the little superscript number with your finger.
A touch interface could also free the Kindle to use better menus. Anything that involves the buttons on the Kindle is truly tedious (besides page turns). Give me a view of my book covers in a grid where I can touch the book I want to open. This is possible without touch, but less elegant.
I agree that I'd rather type on a physical keyboard, but I find I rarely type more than a single word for a search or a book/author title, and I only do that one in a blue moon. For me personally I can handle the compromise of an on-screen keyboard.
I think I mentioned before that I often don't bother looking up a word definition or reading a footnote because it is too tedious. With touch the Kindle pop up a definition or footnote right above my finger if I hold a touch down for a second. Elegant and useful.
Ever tried zooming a PDF on the Kindle? Or a webpage? The horror! What about pinch-zoom on a smartphone or tablet? Intuitive and effective.
As for fingerprints, I think the Kindle screen handles them well, but I can certainly see why many people don't like the idea of touching the surface they read. I personally can live with it for better functionality.