Does an ereader need to be cool (ie, color)?

L.J. Sellers · 04-27-2011, 10:14 AM

This was an interesting feature story about ebooks, which eventually stated that B&N's Nook was hipper than the Kindle. Then went on to say that it probably didn't matter to most readers.

http://blogs.forbes.com/michaelhumph...r-than-amazon/

L.J.

Hellmark · 04-27-2011, 10:19 AM

To the public at large, yeah it probably matters, but for people who actually use the devices a lot, probably not.

tubemonkey · 04-27-2011, 10:20 AM

I have both. That makes me super cool.

DiapDealer · 04-27-2011, 10:22 AM

I don't read anything that would look better in color.

Solitaire1 · 04-27-2011, 10:29 AM

For my needs, e-ink serves me well. I basically look for the same reading experience that I have when reading on paper. While it isn't as fancy as some of the newer ereaders, my Sony EReader does the job well.

siraks · 04-27-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitaire1

For my needs, e-ink serves me well. I basically look for the same reading experience that I have when reading on paper. While it isn't as fancy as some of the newer ereaders, my Sony EReader does the job well.

exactly, for me the kobo does what i need it to do. let me read books and lots of them! with easier access to books and amount that i can have with me at any given time.

the only thing i'd need color for would be my popular photography subscriptions but i just read those on my pc anyway, easier to read a pdf and zoom in and out on a pc than the device.

Serena · 04-27-2011, 10:38 AM

I'm embarassed to admit it, but I love pretty electronics, and it does factor somewhat into my purchase decision. As long as it has all the features I want, if it's in a color I like, I'll probably even pay a little more for it.

patrickt · 04-27-2011, 10:40 AM

Let's face it but if you're the kind of geek who really sweats looking cool you'll have Apple everything. With Apple, you buy your cool off the shelf.

I'm so old I thought cool was what you are and not what you bought.

benham · 04-27-2011, 10:41 AM

Functionality beats cool, hands down. Now if you can get functionality and cool in the same device, go for it.

AnemicOak · 04-27-2011, 10:49 AM

Kindle for reading, but the NC is fun to play around and tinker with.

RainingLemur · 04-27-2011, 11:45 AM

I wouldn't think that it matters to readers. If someone's getting an e-reader for the purpose of reading, they aren't trying to "look cool." If someone gets a device just to look hip and with it, they should just give me their money instead. That'll make them infinitely cooler in my eyes.

Sydney's Mom · 04-27-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serena

I'm embarassed to admit it, but I love pretty electronics, and it does factor somewhat into my purchase decision. As long as it has all the features I want, if it's in a color I like, I'll probably even pay a little more for it.

I agree. I think my graphite, thin Kindle is pretty cool, and it has a pretty cool cover, so there. I actually find I read more with less distractions. I recently wanted to try some books by an author I loved as a teenager. I found the covers, the info on the flaps, and the pages, needing a bookmark, to be kind of a distraction. You know, I might be talking myself into buying ebooks that are the same price as pbooks!

Worldwalker · 04-27-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solitaire1

For my needs, e-ink serves me well. I basically look for the same reading experience that I have when reading on paper. While it isn't as fancy as some of the newer ereaders, my Sony EReader does the job well.

QFT.

I use my 505 to read novels, just as I always have with paper books. It no more requires color than a MM paperback requires color. And I like my long battery life.

If I want to read something in color, the odds are that it's going to be something that wouldn't work on a 6" screen no matter what. A coffee table book that fits in one's pocket is kind of a contradiction.

tubemonkey · 04-27-2011, 12:54 PM

Nothing says uber cool than a monkey dreaming of his first Kindle

CWatkinsNash · 04-27-2011, 01:09 PM

I don't think so, at least not for me. Besides, that's what covers are for.

I actually don't want my Kindle to look any more "interesting" because its current appearance allows it to disappear while I'm reading. I've been wanting a skin for it (the kind that also goes over the keys) but it's hard to find one that's not obtrusive.

04-27-2011, 10:14 AM	#1
L.J. Sellers Novelist Posts: 287 Karma: 387979 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eugene, Oregon Device: Kindle	Does an ereader need to be cool (ie, color)? This was an interesting feature story about ebooks, which eventually stated that B&N's Nook was hipper than the Kindle. Then went on to say that it probably didn't matter to most readers. http://blogs.forbes.com/michaelhumph...r-than-amazon/ L.J.

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04-27-2011, 10:19 AM	#2
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	To the public at large, yeah it probably matters, but for people who actually use the devices a lot, probably not.

04-27-2011, 10:20 AM	#3
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,746 Karma: 158575914 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	I have both. That makes me super cool.

04-27-2011, 10:22 AM	#4
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,517 Karma: 204127028 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I don't read anything that would look better in color.

04-27-2011, 10:29 AM	#5
Solitaire1 Samurai Lizard Posts: 14,893 Karma: 69500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: NookColor, Nook Glowlight 4	For my needs, e-ink serves me well. I basically look for the same reading experience that I have when reading on paper. While it isn't as fancy as some of the newer ereaders, my Sony EReader does the job well.

04-27-2011, 10:38 AM	#7
Serena Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 554408 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kansas City, KS USA Device: Kobo Aura One	I'm embarassed to admit it, but I love pretty electronics, and it does factor somewhat into my purchase decision. As long as it has all the features I want, if it's in a color I like, I'll probably even pay a little more for it.

04-27-2011, 10:40 AM	#8
patrickt Wizard Posts: 1,221 Karma: 8381518 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2	Let's face it but if you're the kind of geek who really sweats looking cool you'll have Apple everything. With Apple, you buy your cool off the shelf. I'm so old I thought cool was what you are and not what you bought.

04-27-2011, 10:41 AM	#9
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	Functionality beats cool, hands down. Now if you can get functionality and cool in the same device, go for it.

04-27-2011, 10:49 AM	#10
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Kindle for reading, but the NC is fun to play around and tinker with.

04-27-2011, 11:45 AM	#11
RainingLemur Spork Connoisseur Posts: 2,355 Karma: 16780603 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Color	I wouldn't think that it matters to readers. If someone's getting an e-reader for the purpose of reading, they aren't trying to "look cool." If someone gets a device just to look hip and with it, they should just give me their money instead. That'll make them infinitely cooler in my eyes.

04-27-2011, 12:54 PM	#14
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,746 Karma: 158575914 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	Nothing says uber cool than a monkey dreaming of his first Kindle

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04-27-2011, 01:09 PM	#15
CWatkinsNash IOC Chief Archivist Posts: 3,950 Karma: 53868218 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL, USA Device: Meebook M7, Paperwhite 2021, Fire HD 8+, Fire HD 10+, Lenovo Tab P12	I don't think so, at least not for me. Besides, that's what covers are for. I actually don't want my Kindle to look any more "interesting" because its current appearance allows it to disappear while I'm reading. I've been wanting a skin for it (the kind that also goes over the keys) but it's hard to find one that's not obtrusive.