Fantasies on ereaders of the future

ghero · 05-06-2013, 07:02 PM

Here is one of mine:

E-ink, at least 9 inch or larger, high res (retina lvl or higher), fast processor, front lit, long battery life, thin and light, WITH PEN SUPPORT.

I think this kind of e reader will be perfect to read pdfs, comics, research papers. And with pen support (which allows your hand to rest comfortably on the touch screen while using the pen to write), people can also use it to take notes from lectures, to replace massive note papers and heavy binders (common, it is so eco-friendly

). Also, can you imagine, a device that not only allows you to read like on a real paper, but also allows you to write like on a real paper? I think if the cost can be managed properly, this kind of ereaders can be easily marketed to students. Lower cost, high battery life, light and thin, and paper reading experience shall give it an advantage over LCD tablet notes. Also, having an open ecosystem on this kind of ereader is going to be great, since you can have other 3rd parties to develop amazing note taking apps on this.

So what's yours?

Elfwreck · 05-06-2013, 07:17 PM

Covered in another thread:

More file format support; specifically, doc/rtf/html: easily-editable formats. It's a nuisance to edit epubs.
Buttons, not touchscreens. Or in addition to touchscreens. I don't like having to smear the reading surface.
Multiple types of bookmarks, even if they're just checkmark/dot/star--the equivalent of color-coded post-it flags.
Better annotation/highlight support. Exportable as csv file.
Ability to flag 2 (or more) books as "open right now" to switch back and forth between them easily.
Side-by-side view of those two books, even if that means landscaped and only a few lines at a time.
Better image zoom, including auto-captioning with the image filename and dimensions. (so when you hit zoom, it'd add "map01.jpg, 450x235" underneath it. You'd know whether it was worth trying to zoom.)
Easy access to the book's metadata while reading it. (Quality of metadata depends on the publisher.)
User-Replaceable battery.
Solar charger.
Tags/groups/folders editable from within the device itself
Ability to see lists of both "all ebooks on this device," sorted various ways (title, author, date added, date last accessed, word count, filesize, possibly user-created rating), and subgroups--folders or tags.

I don't want a 9" screen. I prefer a 5" screen; although I can easily see the use for a larger screen, I'd much prefer better image/zoom support. I like a pocket reader; bigger than a 6" screen is a real nuisance for me.

If they ever figure out how to have a two-screen display that folds in half, that'd be great. Until then, I want small screens.

elemenoP · 05-06-2013, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I don't want a 9" screen. I prefer a 5" screen; although I can easily see the use for a larger screen, I'd much prefer better image/zoom support. I like a pocket reader; bigger than a 6" screen is a real nuisance for me.

If they ever figure out how to have a two-screen display that folds in half, that'd be great. Until then, I want small screens.

Why choose screen size? Why fold it? I want it to fit in my pocket, and then I pull it out and stretch it until it's just the size I want for what I'm reading at the time.

ghero · 05-06-2013, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

Why choose screen size? Why fold it? I want it to fit in my pocket, and then I pull it out and stretch it until it's just the size I want for what I'm reading at the time.

Why stretch it? maybe let them build a 5 inch model but attach a projector lense on back, so you can read off from some random wall if you suddenly decide that you want to read on a larger screen.

elemenoP · 05-06-2013, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghero

Why stretch it? maybe let them build a 5 inch model but attach a projector lense on back, so you can read off from some random wall if you suddenly decide that you want to read on a larger screen.

Why project it? I would like an implant that goes directly to my optic nerve.

jersysman · 05-07-2013, 12:58 PM

Sounds like an episode of The Twilight Zone.

If I hear Rod Serling, I'm outta here!

ilovejedd · 05-07-2013, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jersysman

Sounds like an episode of The Twilight Zone.

Or Futurama. Check out the eyePhone.

Solitaire1 · 05-07-2013, 03:06 PM

Actually, it sounds more like something from "The Outer Limits." Episodes tend to show the downsides of incredible technological advances (see the episode "The New Breed" for an example of an advance that at first looks terrific, but becomes a horrifying nightmare).

BeccaPrice · 05-07-2013, 03:19 PM

My current fantasy about an ereader involves having the time and attention to be able to read for more than half an hour at a time, usually just before bed.

but I don't suppose that Amazon could sell me a couple more hours in each day? (and if they could, would it be covered under my Prime membership?)

alanHd · 05-07-2013, 03:53 PM

What about an ereader like the pull out communicators from Earth Final conflict.

crossi · 05-07-2013, 03:54 PM

[QUOTE=Elfwreck;2505827]Covered in another thread:

More file format support; specifically, doc/rtf/html: easily-editable formats. It's a nuisance to edit epubs.
Buttons, not touchscreens. Or in addition to touchscreens. I don't like having to smear the reading surface.
Multiple types of bookmarks, even if they're just checkmark/dot/star--the equivalent of color-coded post-it flags.
Better annotation/highlight support. Exportable as csv file.
Ability to flag 2 (or more) books as "open right now" to switch back and forth between them easily.
Side-by-side view of those two books, even if that means landscaped and only a few lines at a time.
Better image zoom, including auto-captioning with the image filename and dimensions. (so when you hit zoom, it'd add "map01.jpg, 450x235" underneath it. You'd know whether it was worth trying to zoom.)
Easy access to the book's metadata while reading it. (Quality of metadata depends on the publisher.)
Tags/groups/folders editable from within the device itself
Ability to see lists of both "all ebooks on this device," sorted various ways (title, author, date added, date last accessed, word count, filesize, possibly user-created rating), and subgroups--folders or tags.

I don't want a 9" screen. I prefer a 5" screen; although I can easily see the use for a larger screen, I'd much prefer better image/zoom support. I like a pocket reader; bigger than a 6" screen is a real nuisance for me.

Most of these.

I really want better ways of searching and sorting by various metadata fields

Being able to use the touch screen to take freehand notes with a stylus, saved as a picture not converted to text, for doodles, diagrams and to do lists.

Much better large library management

More memory and a sd slot. I hate and don't trust the cloud. I want all my books with me not off in someone elses control and potentially out of my reach.

For the PC and Mac apps I want Speech Recognition to be able to select, open, and page through the book. I was hospitalized once with IVs in both arms. I couldn't bend my arms without alarms going off so no reading. Very frustrating. A voice controlled app would have been so nice. Even more so for those with permanent motor control problems.

elemenoP · 05-07-2013, 05:04 PM

>>Being able to use the touch screen to take freehand notes with a stylus, saved as a picture not converted to text, for doodles, diagrams and to do lists.<<

My Sony Reader can do this, and it even has a slot for the stylus so you don't lose it.

eP

cromag · 05-07-2013, 05:56 PM

Fits in my shirt pocket when not in use. Unfolds, or scrolls out, to three times its size for reading.

And for the shirt of the future: more pockets!

Barty · 05-07-2013, 10:36 PM

If you could go ahead and beam it straight into my brain, that'll be great.

Rbneader · 05-08-2013, 08:54 AM

Better contrast. All ereaders I've seen look muddy.
Screens at least as big as a standard paperback.
Nice and solid feeling. I don't like flimsy-feeling things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

>>Being able to use the touch screen to take freehand notes with a stylus, saved as a picture not converted to text, for doodles, diagrams and to do lists.<<

My Sony Reader can do this, and it even has a slot for the stylus so you don't lose it.

eP

The T2 reader? If so, I am much more interested in one. I've been trying to find a good electronic note-taking scheme for ages.

05-06-2013, 07:02 PM	#1
ghero Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 602280 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Currently owned: Nook HD+, pyrus mini. Previously owned: Sony prs-t2.	Fantasies on ereaders of the future Here is one of mine: E-ink, at least 9 inch or larger, high res (retina lvl or higher), fast processor, front lit, long battery life, thin and light, WITH PEN SUPPORT. I think this kind of e reader will be perfect to read pdfs, comics, research papers. And with pen support (which allows your hand to rest comfortably on the touch screen while using the pen to write), people can also use it to take notes from lectures, to replace massive note papers and heavy binders (common, it is so eco-friendly ). Also, can you imagine, a device that not only allows you to read like on a real paper, but also allows you to write like on a real paper? I think if the cost can be managed properly, this kind of ereaders can be easily marketed to students. Lower cost, high battery life, light and thin, and paper reading experience shall give it an advantage over LCD tablet notes. Also, having an open ecosystem on this kind of ereader is going to be great, since you can have other 3rd parties to develop amazing note taking apps on this. So what's yours?

05-06-2013, 07:17 PM	#2
Elfwreck Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,187 Karma: 25133758 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)	Covered in another thread: More file format support; specifically, doc/rtf/html: easily-editable formats. It's a nuisance to edit epubs. Buttons, not touchscreens. Or in addition to touchscreens. I don't like having to smear the reading surface. Multiple types of bookmarks, even if they're just checkmark/dot/star--the equivalent of color-coded post-it flags. Better annotation/highlight support. Exportable as csv file. Ability to flag 2 (or more) books as "open right now" to switch back and forth between them easily. Side-by-side view of those two books, even if that means landscaped and only a few lines at a time. Better image zoom, including auto-captioning with the image filename and dimensions. (so when you hit zoom, it'd add "map01.jpg, 450x235" underneath it. You'd know whether it was worth trying to zoom.) Easy access to the book's metadata while reading it. (Quality of metadata depends on the publisher.) User-Replaceable battery. Solar charger. Tags/groups/folders editable from within the device itself Ability to see lists of both "all ebooks on this device," sorted various ways (title, author, date added, date last accessed, word count, filesize, possibly user-created rating), and subgroups--folders or tags. I don't want a 9" screen. I prefer a 5" screen; although I can easily see the use for a larger screen, I'd much prefer better image/zoom support. I like a pocket reader; bigger than a 6" screen is a real nuisance for me. If they ever figure out how to have a two-screen display that folds in half, that'd be great. Until then, I want small screens.

05-07-2013, 03:54 PM	#11
crossi Guru Posts: 997 Karma: 12000001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Wahington U.S. Device: kindle	[QUOTE=Elfwreck;2505827]Covered in another thread: More file format support; specifically, doc/rtf/html: easily-editable formats. It's a nuisance to edit epubs. Buttons, not touchscreens. Or in addition to touchscreens. I don't like having to smear the reading surface. Multiple types of bookmarks, even if they're just checkmark/dot/star--the equivalent of color-coded post-it flags. Better annotation/highlight support. Exportable as csv file. Ability to flag 2 (or more) books as "open right now" to switch back and forth between them easily. Side-by-side view of those two books, even if that means landscaped and only a few lines at a time. Better image zoom, including auto-captioning with the image filename and dimensions. (so when you hit zoom, it'd add "map01.jpg, 450x235" underneath it. You'd know whether it was worth trying to zoom.) Easy access to the book's metadata while reading it. (Quality of metadata depends on the publisher.) Tags/groups/folders editable from within the device itself Ability to see lists of both "all ebooks on this device," sorted various ways (title, author, date added, date last accessed, word count, filesize, possibly user-created rating), and subgroups--folders or tags. I don't want a 9" screen. I prefer a 5" screen; although I can easily see the use for a larger screen, I'd much prefer better image/zoom support. I like a pocket reader; bigger than a 6" screen is a real nuisance for me. Most of these. I really want better ways of searching and sorting by various metadata fields Being able to use the touch screen to take freehand notes with a stylus, saved as a picture not converted to text, for doodles, diagrams and to do lists. Much better large library management More memory and a sd slot. I hate and don't trust the cloud. I want all my books with me not off in someone elses control and potentially out of my reach. For the PC and Mac apps I want Speech Recognition to be able to select, open, and page through the book. I was hospitalized once with IVs in both arms. I couldn't bend my arms without alarms going off so no reading. Very frustrating. A voice controlled app would have been so nice. Even more so for those with permanent motor control problems. Last edited by crossi; 05-07-2013 at 04:00 PM.

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05-07-2013, 12:58 PM	#6
jersysman Wizard Posts: 1,747 Karma: 3761220 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Device: T1 Red, Kindle Fire, Kindle PW, PW2, Nook HD+, Kobo Mini, Aura HD	Sounds like an episode of The Twilight Zone. If I hear Rod Serling, I'm outta here!

05-07-2013, 03:06 PM	#8
Solitaire1 Samurai Lizard Posts: 15,014 Karma: 70029956 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: NookColor, Nook Glowlight 4	Actually, it sounds more like something from "The Outer Limits." Episodes tend to show the downsides of incredible technological advances (see the episode "The New Breed" for an example of an advance that at first looks terrific, but becomes a horrifying nightmare).

05-07-2013, 03:19 PM	#9
BeccaPrice Wizard Posts: 2,146 Karma: 11174187 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Sony 350, K3-3G, K4SO, KPW	My current fantasy about an ereader involves having the time and attention to be able to read for more than half an hour at a time, usually just before bed. but I don't suppose that Amazon could sell me a couple more hours in each day? (and if they could, would it be covered under my Prime membership?)

05-07-2013, 03:53 PM	#10
alanHd Addict Posts: 374 Karma: 1408579 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle Touch, Ipod Touch, Ipad Air	What about an ereader like the pull out communicators from Earth Final conflict.

05-07-2013, 05:04 PM	#12
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	>>Being able to use the touch screen to take freehand notes with a stylus, saved as a picture not converted to text, for doodles, diagrams and to do lists.<< My Sony Reader can do this, and it even has a slot for the stylus so you don't lose it. eP

05-07-2013, 05:56 PM	#13
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,745 Karma: 459765791 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	Fits in my shirt pocket when not in use. Unfolds, or scrolls out, to three times its size for reading. And for the shirt of the future: more pockets!

05-07-2013, 10:36 PM	#14
Barty doofus Posts: 2,555 Karma: 13089041 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Voyage	If you could go ahead and beam it straight into my brain, that'll be great.