MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - A manufacturer wants your opinion on 9.7" device features

Xenophon · 06-09-2010, 10:34 AM

I'm with WorldWalker on the feature list -- he hit most of my top desired features. I also agree with JSWolf (and whoever-else it was) on the subject of fonts, typography, kerning, auto-ligature support, etc.

A couple of things that I haven't seen mentioned yet:

I want more pixel density. For a gray-scale reflective device like this, I want at least 300 DPI; 600-ish would be better. But I realize that they're at the mercy of the display manufacturers on this front.
Tell them to check out the REB-1100 (a.k.a. eBookwise 1150) for good ergonomic ideas, especially with respect to support for any of the 4 sides being the "top", remappable buttons, and other issues of physical ergonomics. That ancient design is STILL superior to everything that has come since in the area of ergonomics.
OPDS support should specifically include support for an OPDS catalog ON THE DEVICE. That is, I should be able to create and download on OPDS catalog that provides access to the books on the device -- with MY choices of how to group and display them, and MY choices of how to navigate through the catalog. In this mode, it should be possible to select a book from the catalog and immediately start reading in the appropriate reader program. This is currently supported on soft-rooted Nooks, and is the single feature that is making me want a Nook RIGHT NOW.

Also, the only reason I voted for a Web Browser was as an alternate way to get access to my own eBooks from my own server. OPDS support alone would be fine, as long as I can point it at any of (1) my library on my server, (2) my books currently on the device, or (3) the OPDS catalog provided by the eBook store of my choice.

Overall, my priority order for features would be:

Screen quality (DPI, contrast, etc.)
Size (I prefer 6" to 9.7" because my primary use is for fiction, not reference works)
format support (at least ePub, or it's right out)
physical ergonomics
Reader software (typographic issues, ease-of-use, etc.)
Organization issues (like OPDS support)
Other features as listed by other folks.

Xenophon

06-09-2010, 10:34 AM	#99
Xenophon curmudgeon Posts: 1,487 Karma: 5748190 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA USA Device: Kobo Aura HD, (ex)nook, (ex)PRS-700, (ex)PRS-500	I'm with WorldWalker on the feature list -- he hit most of my top desired features. I also agree with JSWolf (and whoever-else it was) on the subject of fonts, typography, kerning, auto-ligature support, etc. A couple of things that I haven't seen mentioned yet: I want more pixel density. For a gray-scale reflective device like this, I want at least 300 DPI; 600-ish would be better. But I realize that they're at the mercy of the display manufacturers on this front. Tell them to check out the REB-1100 (a.k.a. eBookwise 1150) for good ergonomic ideas, especially with respect to support for any of the 4 sides being the "top", remappable buttons, and other issues of physical ergonomics. That ancient design is STILL superior to everything that has come since in the area of ergonomics. OPDS support should specifically include support for an OPDS catalog ON THE DEVICE. That is, I should be able to create and download on OPDS catalog that provides access to the books on the device -- with MY choices of how to group and display them, and MY choices of how to navigate through the catalog. In this mode, it should be possible to select a book from the catalog and immediately start reading in the appropriate reader program. This is currently supported on soft-rooted Nooks, and is the single feature that is making me want a Nook RIGHT NOW. Also, the only reason I voted for a Web Browser was as an alternate way to get access to my own eBooks from my own server. OPDS support alone would be fine, as long as I can point it at any of (1) my library on my server, (2) my books currently on the device, or (3) the OPDS catalog provided by the eBook store of my choice. Overall, my priority order for features would be: Screen quality (DPI, contrast, etc.) Size (I prefer 6" to 9.7" because my primary use is for fiction, not reference works) format support (at least ePub, or it's right out) physical ergonomics Reader software (typographic issues, ease-of-use, etc.) Organization issues (like OPDS support) Other features as listed by other folks. Xenophon