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mcooke66 · 06-18-2011, 10:13 AM

I have had the NST for about a week and it is a great reader.
I have played extensively with K3 and it is a great reader.

The review just edged the Nook ahead of Kindle mostly because of the touch interface. Touch interfaces are better because they simplify the input control and actually improve the users understanding of the interface (what the device can do) at the same time. Once you know its a touch interface most people start touching things and discover the capabilities of the device organically.

There are 2 main reasons a touch interface is usually better.
1. You have a simpler form factor smaller device less input options to use. This almost always tests better for usability. However removing all buttons (but one) like Nook Color can backfire on usability, NST did not repeat this mistake.

2. It is much simpler from a cognitive perspective to touch what you want the device to do e.g. open the book by touching the cover, selecting the word by touching the word. Using a pointer to first identify the option then select the option is slower on the brain. I think the reason it is so minor to everyone is all the years of mouse and keyboard practice, the kindle input fits our current mental model so even though it is slower on the brain it is familiar and comfortable. Touching what you want to do will always test better for usability.

Personal preference is always the winner for an individual. I work with many blackberry addicts that cannot get past the device that first made their business communications soooo much better, regardless of the enhanced capabilities of the iPhone and Android devices. Touch is the future of all small tech devices because the overall experience is improved by it.

I would expect Kindle4 to be touch because they will improve the device by making it touch. I also expect that defenders of what they have in their hands will continue to do so.

06-18-2011, 10:13 AM	#72
mcooke66 Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 19504 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Colorado US Device: Nook ST - Nook 1st Gen	I have had the NST for about a week and it is a great reader. I have played extensively with K3 and it is a great reader. The review just edged the Nook ahead of Kindle mostly because of the touch interface. Touch interfaces are better because they simplify the input control and actually improve the users understanding of the interface (what the device can do) at the same time. Once you know its a touch interface most people start touching things and discover the capabilities of the device organically. There are 2 main reasons a touch interface is usually better. 1. You have a simpler form factor smaller device less input options to use. This almost always tests better for usability. However removing all buttons (but one) like Nook Color can backfire on usability, NST did not repeat this mistake. 2. It is much simpler from a cognitive perspective to touch what you want the device to do e.g. open the book by touching the cover, selecting the word by touching the word. Using a pointer to first identify the option then select the option is slower on the brain. I think the reason it is so minor to everyone is all the years of mouse and keyboard practice, the kindle input fits our current mental model so even though it is slower on the brain it is familiar and comfortable. Touching what you want to do will always test better for usability. Personal preference is always the winner for an individual. I work with many blackberry addicts that cannot get past the device that first made their business communications soooo much better, regardless of the enhanced capabilities of the iPhone and Android devices. Touch is the future of all small tech devices because the overall experience is improved by it. I would expect Kindle4 to be touch because they will improve the device by making it touch. I also expect that defenders of what they have in their hands will continue to do so.