Will Kindle ever do a touch-screen - Page 2

boxcorner · 11-23-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastlondonboy

I'm hoping if I keep touching my Kindle it'll develop artificial intelligence and become touch screen.

Try rubbing it, like the genie's lamp.

GlenBarrington · 11-23-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastlondonboy

I'm hoping if I keep touching my Kindle it'll develop artificial intelligence and become touch screen.

I think you can go blind doing that.

DiapDealer · 11-23-2010, 03:52 PM

As far as touch screens go... I hope that:
1) the Kindle never goes this route.
(and if they do)
2) they make it in addition to the existing manual buttons.

If #1 or #2 don't work out, then I hope that my current Kindle lasts forever.

TallMomof2 · 11-24-2010, 11:29 AM

Touchscreens are okay as long as I have an option to turn pages with a button.

boxcorner · 11-24-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

Touchscreens are okay as long as I have an option to turn pages with a button.

The Sony PRS-650 has both.

Andrew H. · 11-24-2010, 01:59 PM

I think that this is an interesting and complicated question.

On the one hand, at least for me, a touch screen without an additional layer (but with actual buttons to turn pages) (like on the new Sonys, for example), is clearly the most intuitive interface.

On the other hand, 95% of the time I'm using my reader, I'm just reading and turning pages, so the touch interface would just sit there unused: an e-reader isn't a computer and so I'm not constantly inputting data or switching tasks. If this added $100 to the cost of the Kindle - or even $50 - I'm not sure that this would be really worthwhile. (It's hard for me to imagine something like Sony's new touch screen implementation costing less than $50 right now).

I think it's fair to say that Amazon would like for Kindles to be even cheaper; I would imagine that $99 might be an eventual target price. And it seems like the Kindle has been very successful at the $139 price point. So it doesn't seem like Amazon would want to add anything that would increase the cost of the Kindle.

Of course, they could add a new top end Kindle for, say $239 or $289, and call it the Kindle 3G Touch or something similar. I suppose the biggest issue in doing this would be that you would now have different operating systems for the touch vs. the nontouch Kindles - and maintaining two different infrastructures might end up adding additional costs.

So I'll be curious about how this plays out.

Penforhire · 11-24-2010, 04:00 PM

I expect they will eventually. Something like the newest Sony technique so it doesn't affect screen clarity. It is a more intuitive interface, reduces overall device size, and is very desirable to me.

Crowl · 11-24-2010, 07:23 PM

I finally saw those new sony reader models in a shop the other day and was very impressed with both the size of them and the clarity of the new screens.

I am not completely convinced that a touchscreen automatically makes things more intuitive since that comes down to how well they are implemented and the whole fingerprint issue is an annoying one, but you can't fault the potential to reduce device size.

tomsem · 11-24-2010, 08:05 PM

Another reason to go with touch screen is to make an internationalized device, instead of one that needs different key labels for different regions.

Madam Broshkina · 11-24-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowl

I finally saw those new sony reader models in a shop the other day and was very impressed with both the size of them and the clarity of the new screens.

I am not completely convinced that a touchscreen automatically makes things more intuitive since that comes down to how well they are implemented and the whole fingerprint issue is an annoying one, but you can't fault the potential to reduce device size.

Having owned a Sony 350 for only a few hours now I am no expert but so far I can see no issues with finger prints on the screen.

Viseguy · 11-24-2010, 09:23 PM

I certainly hope not. One of the main reasons I chose the Kindle is its wonderfully inert screen. I'll take buttons, a real keyboard, and a fingerprint-free "page", thank you very much.

dorino · 11-24-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcy

The new Sony's don't have 2 layers. The touch "screen" is actually a series of IR beams that are sent from the side and top of the screen. You are supposed to be able to use a feather and have it work, because the amount of pressure is irrelevant, only breaking the beam matters.

As a result there is only one layer and no effect on readability. My PRS-650 has a beautiful clear screen with no glare. The screen's mildly rough texture even seems to prevent most fingerprints. I can see a few if I angle the screen just right into a light source, but otherwise they aren't visible, not like the tons on my iPad.

I find a touch screen intuitive, not counter-intuitive. For me they're the easiest way to turn the page and nothing beats double tapping on a word to look it up in the dictionary.

-Marcy

At the time I commented, I had yet to use a 650, or really look them up. They're very nice. I seriously /hope/ there are still two layers, though. Something to protect the e-ink screen; I don't want to pop microcapsules with my nails.

Quote:

I expect they will eventually. Something like the newest Sony technique so it doesn't affect screen clarity.

Given the ingenius IR array technique, I'd hope so. It's pretty nifty; But I'm still curious.

ardeegee · 11-25-2010, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madam Broshkina

Having owned a Sony 350 for only a few hours now I am no expert but so far I can see no issues with finger prints on the screen.

The pad of your finger never needs to even touch the screen. If your nails are long enough to extend past the tip of your finger at all, you can simply tap the screen with the tip of your nail. If not, no big deal to curl your finger slightly to touch it with the upper surface of a nail.

Sonny Blount · 11-25-2010, 12:54 AM

Only if

1. Screen quality is not compromised at all.

2. Buttons remain. Touch is a 2-handed operation IMO, buttons work 1-handed.

3. It is able to be disabled. Don't want it accidently triggered.

Figlilly · 11-25-2010, 01:35 AM

Touch screens are cool. I love the touch screen on my IPad but, eek! the finger prints. I ended up getting a skin to protect the surface but now my IPad is dull and matte instead of being nice and shiny

I agree with Andrew H. I imagine incorporating a touch screen would lead to an increase in the cost of the Kindle. Maybe in a few years when components are cheaper (if they are) it will be different. I have two work colleagues who have touch screen Sonys. One says she never uses the touch screen because it is not convenient. She finds it easier to flip the pages with the buttons. The other user prefers to use the stylus for much of the time to prevent smudging the screen.

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11-23-2010, 03:52 PM	#18
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,577 Karma: 204127028 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	As far as touch screens go... I hope that: 1) the Kindle never goes this route. (and if they do) 2) they make it in addition to the existing manual buttons. If #1 or #2 don't work out, then I hope that my current Kindle lasts forever.

11-24-2010, 11:29 AM	#19
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	Touchscreens are okay as long as I have an option to turn pages with a button.

11-24-2010, 01:59 PM	#21
Andrew H. Grand Master of Flowers Posts: 2,201 Karma: 8389072 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naptown Device: Kindle PW, Kindle 3 (aka Keyboard), iPhone, iPad 3 (not for reading)	I think that this is an interesting and complicated question. On the one hand, at least for me, a touch screen without an additional layer (but with actual buttons to turn pages) (like on the new Sonys, for example), is clearly the most intuitive interface. On the other hand, 95% of the time I'm using my reader, I'm just reading and turning pages, so the touch interface would just sit there unused: an e-reader isn't a computer and so I'm not constantly inputting data or switching tasks. If this added $100 to the cost of the Kindle - or even $50 - I'm not sure that this would be really worthwhile. (It's hard for me to imagine something like Sony's new touch screen implementation costing less than $50 right now). I think it's fair to say that Amazon would like for Kindles to be even cheaper; I would imagine that $99 might be an eventual target price. And it seems like the Kindle has been very successful at the $139 price point. So it doesn't seem like Amazon would want to add anything that would increase the cost of the Kindle. Of course, they could add a new top end Kindle for, say $239 or $289, and call it the Kindle 3G Touch or something similar. I suppose the biggest issue in doing this would be that you would now have different operating systems for the touch vs. the nontouch Kindles - and maintaining two different infrastructures might end up adding additional costs. So I'll be curious about how this plays out.

11-24-2010, 04:00 PM	#22
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	I expect they will eventually. Something like the newest Sony technique so it doesn't affect screen clarity. It is a more intuitive interface, reduces overall device size, and is very desirable to me.

11-24-2010, 07:23 PM	#23
Crowl Wizard Posts: 1,340 Karma: 1160346 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Southport, GB Device: Kindle Voyage, PW Signature edition	I finally saw those new sony reader models in a shop the other day and was very impressed with both the size of them and the clarity of the new screens. I am not completely convinced that a touchscreen automatically makes things more intuitive since that comes down to how well they are implemented and the whole fingerprint issue is an annoying one, but you can't fault the potential to reduce device size.

11-24-2010, 08:05 PM	#24
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,939 Karma: 27060151 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	Another reason to go with touch screen is to make an internationalized device, instead of one that needs different key labels for different regions.

11-24-2010, 09:23 PM	#26
Viseguy Just a kid from Bklyn Posts: 135 Karma: 4448 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle 3 Wi-Fi; Samsung Galaxy Tab 7	I certainly hope not. One of the main reasons I chose the Kindle is its wonderfully inert screen. I'll take buttons, a real keyboard, and a fingerprint-free "page", thank you very much.

11-25-2010, 12:54 AM	#29
Sonny Blount Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 102 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: Kindle 3, Kobo. iPad, iPhone	Only if 1. Screen quality is not compromised at all. 2. Buttons remain. Touch is a 2-handed operation IMO, buttons work 1-handed. 3. It is able to be disabled. Don't want it accidently triggered.

11-25-2010, 01:35 AM	#30
Figlilly Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 2514066 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kindle Oasis 2&3, Paperwhites, Kindle Touch, Kobo Clara, IPad Air2	Touch screens are cool. I love the touch screen on my IPad but, eek! the finger prints. I ended up getting a skin to protect the surface but now my IPad is dull and matte instead of being nice and shiny I agree with Andrew H. I imagine incorporating a touch screen would lead to an increase in the cost of the Kindle. Maybe in a few years when components are cheaper (if they are) it will be different. I have two work colleagues who have touch screen Sonys. One says she never uses the touch screen because it is not convenient. She finds it easier to flip the pages with the buttons. The other user prefers to use the stylus for much of the time to prevent smudging the screen.