X Ray feature usage

mewmartigan · 10-05-2011, 01:45 PM

I know it isn't here yet so we don't know exactly how it works but when I first saw it advertised, I thought it probably mostly applied to non-fiction books. You could click on a city in the book and it would bring up an article telling you about the city.

So i am currently reading the Wheel of Time series and there are a ridiculous amount of secondary characters with similar names that pop in and out of books. I thought to myself, wouldn't it be neat if I could use x-ray to click on a name have it open a wikipedia article... "So and So is a fictional character from the Wheel of Time series of books that..."

It would almost be like a character glossary and yes, I know they would actually have to have a wikipedia entry for it to work, etc.

You would also have to worry about spoilers if you are reading a character bio.

My point is, it will be interesting to see what kind of features X Ray can bring in addition to the short blurb listed on Amazon's site.

shinew · 10-05-2011, 03:36 PM

X-Ray seems to be a really useful feature. I hope Amazon will decide to put it on the Kindle.

@2:00: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlO3r2IndlQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbzOLua2baw

RainingLemur · 10-06-2011, 10:21 AM

That would be really great for some of those books with tons of characters, or series that have characters popping in and out at various times and you need a refresher.

ucfgrad93 · 10-06-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinew

X-Ray seems to be a really useful feature. I hope Amazon will decide to put it on the Kindle.

I wouldn't count on seeing X-Ray on the Kindle (non-touch) or any of the previous Kindles.

Nyssa · 10-06-2011, 10:52 AM

According to a Amazon promo posted on YouTube, thats exactly what the x-ray is for. It not only links you to definitions, but also tells you how many occurrences there are in the book, including characters. It also gives you a blurb about said characters.

I'll link the video this evening when I get home if someone else doesn't beat me to it first.

Blossom · 10-06-2011, 12:40 PM

I wonder how many books will have it. Mostly I am guessing classics and very popular series but majority of the books I buy it probably wouldn't have that feature on.

shinew · 10-06-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

I wouldn't count on seeing X-Ray on the Kindle (non-touch) or any of the previous Kindles.

hmm... why is that? are you thinking about the price difference?

@19:50 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QXXTdG94xI

I'm optimistic that Amazon will at least add the X-Ray to the current generation of K4, it's just a matter of when. From I've seen in the keynote video above at 19:50, the reason they released the non-touch version is not a monetary decision, but mainly for people who don't want a touch screen. And because of that, I don't see any technical challenge why they couldn't add the feature to the non-touch version later on after the initial release.

ucfgrad93 · 10-06-2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinew

hmm... why is that? are you thinking about the price difference?

If it was going to be on the non-touch Kindle 4, I think they would have announced it. I also think that Amazon is trying to use this feature as a reason to buy the Touch versions.

Nyssa · 10-06-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

If it was going to be on the non-touch Kindle 4, I think they would have announced it. I also think that Amazon is trying to use this feature as a reason to buy the Touch versions.

If that is the case, then it's working as the x- ray feature is one of the reasons that I would like to buy a Touch.

ucfgrad93 · 10-06-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

If that is the case, then it's working as the x- ray feature is one of the reasons that I would like to buy a Touch.

I agree, it looks like a compelling feature. Can't wait to see some real life reviews of it.

Nyssa · 10-06-2011, 05:10 PM

Here is a demo about the Kindle Touch overall:

Here is a X-Ray Specific demo (audio was a bit low for me, so you may have to turn your speakers up):

A saw a longer version of this video somewhere, but I can not seem to find it.

Hope its helpful.

10-05-2011, 01:45 PM	#1
mewmartigan Guru Posts: 852 Karma: 8242060 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kindle Oasis (2019)	X Ray feature usage I know it isn't here yet so we don't know exactly how it works but when I first saw it advertised, I thought it probably mostly applied to non-fiction books. You could click on a city in the book and it would bring up an article telling you about the city. So i am currently reading the Wheel of Time series and there are a ridiculous amount of secondary characters with similar names that pop in and out of books. I thought to myself, wouldn't it be neat if I could use x-ray to click on a name have it open a wikipedia article... "So and So is a fictional character from the Wheel of Time series of books that..." It would almost be like a character glossary and yes, I know they would actually have to have a wikipedia entry for it to work, etc. You would also have to worry about spoilers if you are reading a character bio. My point is, it will be interesting to see what kind of features X Ray can bring in addition to the short blurb listed on Amazon's site.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Feature Request: Touch Screen Usage	ghostyjack	EPUBReader	3	08-03-2010 07:29 AM
Battery Usage -V2 S/W	jethro10	Bookeen	36	06-24-2010 06:33 PM
DX outdoors usage	alexxx	Amazon Kindle	17	06-19-2010 12:06 PM
iPad 3G Usage so far?	kjk	Apple Devices	13	05-24-2010 06:06 PM

10-05-2011, 03:36 PM	#2
shinew Addict Posts: 309 Karma: 1008082 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NYC Device: Kindle PW, K4 Touch, iPad2, Samsung Galaxy S II	X-Ray seems to be a really useful feature. I hope Amazon will decide to put it on the Kindle. @2:00: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlO3r2IndlQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbzOLua2baw

10-06-2011, 10:21 AM	#3
RainingLemur Spork Connoisseur Posts: 2,355 Karma: 16780603 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Color	That would be really great for some of those books with tons of characters, or series that have characters popping in and out at various times and you need a refresher.

10-06-2011, 10:52 AM	#5
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	According to a Amazon promo posted on YouTube, thats exactly what the x-ray is for. It not only links you to definitions, but also tells you how many occurrences there are in the book, including characters. It also gives you a blurb about said characters. I'll link the video this evening when I get home if someone else doesn't beat me to it first.

10-06-2011, 12:40 PM	#6
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	I wonder how many books will have it. Mostly I am guessing classics and very popular series but majority of the books I buy it probably wouldn't have that feature on.

10-06-2011, 05:10 PM	#11
Nyssa Series Addict Posts: 6,180 Karma: 167189477 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite (2nd Gen)	Here is a demo about the Kindle Touch overall: Here is a X-Ray Specific demo (audio was a bit low for me, so you may have to turn your speakers up): A saw a longer version of this video somewhere, but I can not seem to find it. Hope its helpful.