does the keyboard irritate you?

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I make extensive use of the annotation capabilities of the K3 when I'm proof-reading books, and find the keyboard to be very good. The only thing about it that annoys me is that the 5-way nav control is a little too small for my fingers. If they could make that one control 50% larger it would be a lot easier to use.

Overall, though, the keyboard is a definite "plus" for the Kindle.

I've heard many people make that complaint. I have no problem with the navigation button, but I suppose being a lifelong piano player helps.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Thanks - that's a new one on me! I see from the dictionary that "haptic" means "related to the sense of touch". I hadn't come across that word before.

I had to do a search on it myself. Wikipedia says, "Although haptic devices are capable of measuring bulk or reactive forces that are applied by the user, it should not be confused with touch or tactile sensors that measure the pressure or force exerted by the user to the interface."

[loopeylisie]

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

I agree to the trial since Amazon gives you 30 days to try. But you're being a big bossy telling her specifially what to buy in it's place. There are many readers out there and I would suggest taking her to a store like Best Buy so she can get hands on and decide for herself what she likes.

unfortunately the problem in the uk is that no stores stock the kindle so you can't see it, play with it etc. And we seem to have a limited amount of ereaders in stores, so you can't see as many as there are available. :( which makes it that much harder to decide!

[loopeylisie]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I don't notice the keyboard. Really one is concentrated on the screen while reading. And the way you hold the ereader, especially with a cover, is biased towards the page turn and navigation buttons so the keyboard doesn't really get in the way awkwardly. Amazon has a great return policy so I would encourage your mom to try it and see if she likes it.

The next most popular option in the UK is probably Sony. They are more expensive, however. I don't think there is anywhere that you can see a Kindle on display. However, Waterstones and WH Smith have Sony demo units. Is your mom in Southampton too? I'm pretty sure I saw a display at Waterstones at WestQuay Shopping Centre last time I was there. Otherwise, maybe there is an electronics store in Southampton or Portsmouth that has ereader brands on display? I would probably telephone someplace like Currys or Argos and ask.

I helped a friend in Cowes research ereaders. The Hampshire County Library has an excellent selection of ebooks. You might want to check out their website. Library ebooks work with the Sony but not the Kindle. It would however require some technical knowledge to download the books and transfer them to the ereader. Just something else to consider. My friend ultimately went with the Kindle because it was the lowest price and most trouble-free experience.

If your mom really isn't tech savvy at all, then I think the Kindle is the best choice. But if you are willing to help her and she learns easily and she just can't stop obsessing on the keyboard, then at least you know that there are other options. Good luck!

you are remarkably well versed in southampton info for an american! I decided not to get a kindle partially because of the hampshire library being one of the few in the uk to loan ebooks. It has a good selection of books and quite short waiting times... I don't think that many people use it. She doesn't live in southampton though, she lives in the country not far from milton keynes and we have a telephone relationship so I have to be diplomatic. The real trouble is ereaders seem to be a niche market in the uk and not that many stores stock them... I went into a high street electrical chain store (can't remember which) and asked if they had any and the staff were completely bemused... "a what? do you mean an ipad?"

[speedlever]

Originally Posted by leaston

I'll bet you've never used an Android device then. I can comfortably type 30 words per minute, reasonably accurately on my HTC Desire. Along with on-screen indicators, you receive haptic feedback with each keypress. I much prefer touch screen on a mobile device than physical keyboard.

I have, but not extensively. I base this on my own usage of TS devices like the LG Dare, EnvTouch, and various other devices. I generally turn it off to save battery life.

The ipad TS is the best I've ever used. The Nook TS is very much like the TS on the aforementioned LG devices, based on my efforts to self-educate. I don't think it features haptic feedback. Do any TS EBRs have that right now? Sony?

[loopeylisie]

just wanted to thank everyone for all the help. I wasn't expecting so many responses! It's good to know that most people don't find the keyboard an irritation - I thought it couldn't be that bad as its such a popular device. But at least now I can tell my mum that I've asked a group of dedicated kindle users about this and the general opinion seems to be that there are some niggles with the keyboard and the kindle in general but these are minor and the pros outweigh the cons!

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by loopeylisie

you are remarkably well versed in southampton info for an american! I decided not to get a kindle partially because of the hampshire library being one of the few in the uk to loan ebooks. It has a good selection of books and quite short waiting times... I don't think that many people use it. She doesn't live in southampton though, she lives in the country not far from milton keynes and we have a telephone relationship so I have to be diplomatic. The real trouble is ereaders seem to be a niche market in the uk and not that many stores stock them... I went into a high street electrical chain store (can't remember which) and asked if they had any and the staff were completely bemused... "a what? do you mean an ipad?"

I can understand the difficulty that your mom is not local and you have to communicate by phone. The other good thing about Amazon is they have excellent customer support if she needs help. My Cowes friend was having trouble with book downloads and was impressed how quickly they solved his problems. Also I have a relative here in the US who is not tech-savvy at all and was also impressed with how patient and nice they were to answer her questions.

I was surprised how great the selection is at your county library. I have tried to convert my English friends to ereaders but most of them moan about the price. Too bad they aren't as economical in the UK as they are here.

I have been to your area many, many times! Getting ready to book my next trip there very soon and looking forward to it! However, somehow my travels never seem to coincide with the warmer weather and Cowes Week. So if you see a girl on the RedJet with an ereader you never know it just might be me! Actually I am wondering if I'm more likely see any ereaders out in the wild on my next trip. Since Amazon UK has started selling Kindles, I imagine it has increased ereader popularity there.

[leaston]

Originally Posted by NoWorthWhile

@HarryT, "haptic feedback" implies that each time you press the screen, the device vibrates slightly to let you know that you've pressed a key.

Pipped to the post

[leaston]

Originally Posted by loopeylisie

unfortunately the problem in the uk is that no stores stock the kindle so you can't see it, play with it etc. And we seem to have a limited amount of ereaders in stores, so you can't see as many as there are available. which makes it that much harder to decide!

That's exactly why I spent so much time here reading posts from owners and asking questions. I spent weeks and weeks checking out online reviews of every ereader I could find available in the UK. I'm glad I chose Kindle in the end.

[screwballl]

I use the K3 to read, not type... but on the rare occasion I do type, even with my big hands it is not a problem since I am used to texting with the small keys on my Samsung Intensity.

[bhartman36]

I'm a little late to the discussion, but I'll just say that I have mixed feelings about the keyboard on the K3. I enjoy the fact that it's there, but I generally don't like the keys themselves. They feel too small and round, like cell phone keys, to me. It feels inappropriate for something the size of the K3. I would've appreciated keys that were a bit more oval-shaped.

I make use of the keyboard to enter in my Wifi password and to shop on the Kindle store. I also sometimes take notes on it. It's the note-taking that's the most challenging, obviously.

[Taya]

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

I don't particularly like the presence of a keyboard, but it's just necessary enough to be there. I thought it would bug me, but I don't notice it while reading at all.

I have the Nook and that's what I thought too. But then it just fades out and I'm reading and don't notice it. The Nook's virtual keyboard is terrible though IMO. It takes me like 5 min to type one word! I use a Blackberry in real life so I think either I'm real keyboard type of girl, or the Nook's virtual keyboard is just utter crap.

Either way, a keyboard is necessary, but I don't think she will care about the keyboard after she starts reading a book and realizing how cool the e-reader is! I can't put mine down!

~Taya

[tao]

Once put on the Amazon Leather cover, typing on the keyboard becomes quite uncomfortable. The left hand is seriously hampered. You can still type, but not comfortable at all.

[speedlever]

Hmm. I just tried out my daughter's Blue lighted case and find it completely unhampered and easy to type on. Which Amazon leather case do you mean?

[tao]

I was afraid of breaking the spine of the cover. Obviously I am being too gingerly.