Quote:
Originally Posted by Robertb
Dear Kenny and all:
I think sometimes people do not fully understand Firmware Upgrades. They are not really correction only. They also improve the device. Yes, we do monitor the Astak threads and send emails to the factory to make corrections where needed. But, we also use Firmware Upgrades to add features that were never advertised (such as Hyperlinks and the Search Function). I try very hard to make the device better from the info on MobileRead Forum. To me, that is a good way to do things. I DO need to update the FAQ sheet again to expalin HOW to utilize the Hyperlinks and the Search Function.
Kenny... nobody I know has ever had the slightest problem with the Music Zone. It plays really well and plays WHILE you read music. We are now trying to build in better control of the volume while you read thru the scroll wheel. I am hoping we can get it to do more with the Music Zone.
Yes, when you have an SD card in the slot it becomes the primary. Most people seem to like that as they load on their books and music onto the card and not the internal memory.
The menu font sizing improvement was done in the November 5 Firmware Upgrade.
Agreed, "Music Is Playing" is a poor choice of wording. This happens when the factory is in China. It should say "Music Zone is available or ready" or something like that. It is somewhat useless info that is confusing.
The bookmarking was improved in a September Firmware Upgrade. All I have heard on here is that the bookmarking is now fine. Kenny, let me know what you encounter with Bookmark after you do the Firmware Upgrades (if you have not yet) and I will have the factory rework again. I am always open to your help.
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Oh I absolutely understand Robert. I've been in the software business for going on 30 years. I've worked virtually all areas from backend to UI to QA at various times. I think I have a very good perspective on what works and what doesn't in a UI both from a technical perspective and as a user. I also understand the difficulty of creating an easy to use UI when you trying to include many options.
The issues I've had with the PP I've listed (above) and a couple of times elsewhere.
I believe my firmware is current and I've seen no change in the menu font size -- of course many people don't have an issue with it in any case.
As far as the bookmarks, it is just not clear/simple/easy. On the Sony there is a single bookmark key. You press it a bookmark is set or removed. Simple easy to use and understand. The bookmarking on the PP is difficult to understand and use in comparison there are multiple bookmarks and they must be added/deleted separately etc. It is confusing.
Same thing with the mp3 player -- so put me down as number one on the list that has had problems in using it.
It is confusing to have to remember to press button # 7 for this or button #5 for that. On the Sony there is a dedicated menu (or appropriate size!) that allows playing or stopping the music. The volume controls are dedicated buttons (as they are on the Kindle2) to change the volume without interfering with reading (I honestly don't remember if this is true or not on the pp). And certainly both play music while reading.
The internal memory (or the location of the last book read) should be the primary location. This is just simply wrong to me. I think if proper UI design along with user testing of this and the other functions I've mentioned had been done they may have been implemented differently. I get the feeling -- particularly with your mentioning of the enhancements you are asking the factory for that true and proper usability studies have not been done, nor were they done by Jinke which is at the core of many of the usability issues.
Just my thoughts. Thank you for listening.