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Old 02-28-2009, 08:27 PM   #61
emellaich
Wizard
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Posts: 1,101
Karma: 4388403
Join Date: Oct 2007
Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis
Some comments on previous items:

AutoPage Turns
You can do that with the K1 and K2 but it works differently. On the K1 there was some sort of hidden feature documented by Igor on his web site. This doesn't work on the K2, but there is an easier feature. If you use the Text-to-Speech (TTS) it automatically turns pages as it reads. You can adjust the speed by adjusting the speaking speed. I haven't tested if you can turn the volume completely down. However it would be pretty easy to build a "mute". Get a broken set of headphones (or buy a cheap pair at the dollar store). Clip off the wires. Now when you plug it in it will deaden the sound and the pages will auto-turn. You could also use the alt-0 through alt-9 to adjust how much text is on each page and how often it refreshes.

Color Screen
I agree that we don't need color screens for e-reading. Its funny, I'm reminded of my early days owning Mac's. We had the little 9inch b/w screens and PCs had 12" color. I remember having to explain why my b/w was just fine.

However, I could really use a faster refresh. E-ink is fine for basic reading, but it really limits menus, editing and annotations, auto-scrolling, etcetera.

I currently have my eye on pixel qi. If you don't know about it, you can read their press page here: http://www.pixelqi.com/press . Seems to promise LCD speed refresh, e-ink or better contrast, color screens, much longer battery life than LCD (but not better than e-ink) and prices much less than e-ink. They promise to begin volume production in about six months.

DS and DSi If the DS sounds interesting, you may want to wait until early April. The new DSi promises two screens that are larger than the DS (3.5 inches each instead of 3 inches) and an SD slot. There is talk of an ebook application and the DSi only costs $169. If it had whispersync it would be a nice portable/backlit companion to the Kindle .

Page Turn Buttons The next page button is on both sides. Previous page is on only one side.

Finally, a comment for those who are reading this and wondering about getting a K2. If you aren't a regular reader stick with a laptop or netbook. If you mainly read academic pdf's wait until there is a reader with a bigger screen. However, if you are a regular reader stop waiting around. It's ready for prime time now. These things are similar to laptops -- there is always going to be a better device just a few months from now. If you wait, you will always be waiting for the next thing. Your biggest worry will be if you buy a bunch of books that have DRM and won't transfer when you upgrade later.

Michael
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