Sony PRS-T3 leaks in various Internet stores / coming on Sep 19?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

This ereader isn't even released yet, and it's already last year's model.

They copied a page from Samsung's playbook. The new Galaxy Tab 3 is essentially is re-skinned Galaxy Tab 2. Nothing like progress.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Why do you prefer capacitive to IR touch? I have both and find that they work equally well.

Devices with capacitive touchscreens can be thinner. They also can be (but don't have to be) more accurate and have a faster response time, although these two perks are less noticable / necessary on ereaders.

[Lyn2012]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Why do you prefer capacitive to IR touch? I have both and find that they work equally well.

As Katsunami said, they are more accurate when selecting small areas e.g. text.

[HarryT]

I have a Kindle Touch (IR touchscreen) and a Kindle PW (capacitive touchscreen) and find both to be highly (and equally) accurate when it comes to selecting text. Which device have you had problems with?

[tomsem]

I can understand Sony's position on front lighting. They were the first to experiment with touch screens and front lighting and these were not always successful. The early touch screens required a layer on top of the e-ink image and that affected clarity and captured more glare, and reviews too notice. IR touch screens solved this problem because they don't require a layer.

All of the current front lit screens require a layer to distribute the light. But as with any layer, it is not completely transparent, adds at least one surface that can refract light, and this scatters both incoming and outgoing light to some extent. So the text clarity and contrast suffers. This degradation can be minimized, but not eliminated.

I noticed this right away when I started transitioning from my Kindle Touch to the Paperwhite. And it still bothers me somewhat. I keep the light level at 2 and lower in all conditions, if I turn up the light it seems to me the b/w contrast diminishes (the white gets whiter but the black gets grayer in equal proportion). Mostly the reason I have stuck with the Paperwhite in spite of this, is because it is lighter and easier to hold than KT with its lighted cover (and yes, I was tired of Caecilia). Not so much because the screen is better, or that it is more convenient for night reading.

We aren't currently offered an apples to apples choice in the matter: you either get 1024x758 screen with front light, or an 800x600 screen without one. The Nook Glowlight is a good case study, since it is virtually identical to the earlier Nook Simple Touch. I have not compared them side by side myself, but from all reports I've seen, there is some perceptible diminishment of contrast and clarity. Clearly that has not deterred people from spending more for a Glowlight and having the convenience of having a light source built in. But others opt for the NST, either to save money or because they don't think they need a built in light source, or because they prefer the clearer screen.

So I have to admire Sony for offering something different, and we will have to see how they do with this. I can't see myself getting another e-ink device unless something happens to my Paperwhite. The new devices aren't going to be dramatically better, and I think I'm ready to transition to a tablet as my primary reading device going forward, when there are a few more devices of 'new Nexus 7 class' to choose from. So I'm saving up for one of those.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I have a Kindle Touch (IR touchscreen) and a Kindle PW (capacitive touchscreen) and find both to be highly (and equally) accurate when it comes to selecting text. Which device have you had problems with?

I agree accuracy is about the same.

However, I find capacitative slightly more responsive to intentional touches, while being insensitive to a lot of unintentional touches (clothing, paper etc.). Also, the gap that's required for the IR around the edges of the screen catches crud, hair etc. which can be annoying. So for me capacitive is the clear winner.

There's some question about how much 'clarity' is sacrificed for the additional capacitative layer, but I suspect it is slight in comparison to the light guide layer (then too some have implicated this layer as responsible for the 'color blotches' that some people have experienced, including myself).

[Ripplinger]

And for me, it's just the opposite. Capacitive doesn't work well with my skin for some odd reason. I have a cover over my readers always so crud in the tiny gap isn't an issue. I have occasionally used canned air to blow around the perimeter while I had it out for another reason just as a preventative measure, never have needed to actually do it though.

And how do you read outdoors in the winter? No gloves for me isn't an option, nor is paying $30+ for special gloves that aren't warm enough.

I'm getting aggravated enough over the Kobo annoyances that I'd consider a Paperwhite if it weren't for the capacitive touch.

[marshap]

I'm disappointed. I was holding out for something similar to the T1, but with a built-in light, good resolution and capacitive touchscreen. If I can't get it from Sony, Kobo here I come.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

And how do you read outdoors in the winter? No gloves for me isn't an option, nor is paying $30+ for special gloves that aren't warm enough.

I can say in all honesty that I've never felt the urge to read outdoors in winter . If I did, those wooly gloves with no fingertips would probably work well.

[Lyn2012]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I have a Kindle Touch (IR touchscreen) and a Kindle PW (capacitive touchscreen) and find both to be highly (and equally) accurate when it comes to selecting text. Which device have you had problems with?

Not exactly problems with but just found them less responsive and accurate - Sony 350 & 650, Kobo Touch & Glo and Kindle Touch & current Paperwhite.

[MickiTee]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I can say in all honesty that I've never felt the urge to read outdoors in winter . If I did, those wooly gloves with no fingertips would probably work well.

You don't have to be outdoors, just using public transport where the doors are opening & closing regularly letting in blasts of cold air. So IR or page turn buttons are a necessity.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by tomsem

...I think I'm ready to transition to a tablet as my primary reading device going forward, when there are a few more devices of 'new Nexus 7 class' to choose from. So I'm saving up for one of those.

Nah. You won't see me do this. I have a tablet (and an Android phone), and on a bright day, they're practically unreadable except when the lighting is at full strength. In that case, the battery goes ssssjjjlllllrrrrppp, and the device dies.

[Ravensknight]

No built in light? I'm disappointed. I recently used my dad's PW and it was AWESOME in the evening. Made me want a reader with builtin light.

Maybe I'll go for a PW2 when it comes out...

[alvina]

Looks fantastic. Can't wait to get mine. And the new cover with light has a new design, looks much nicer now. I think it's easier to hold now. Let's hope the red Ereader isn't glossy this time.

[Ripplinger]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I can say in all honesty that I've never felt the urge to read outdoors in winter . If I did, those wooly gloves with no fingertips would probably work well.

Originally Posted by MickiTee

You don't have to be outdoors, just using public transport where the doors are opening & closing regularly letting in blasts of cold air. So IR or page turn buttons are a necessity.

Definitely cold enough where you have to keep on gloves even on buses and trains. Nor would I be willing to give up that one finger with the tip of the glove cut off to frostbite. I do go for walks even in the snowy winter and I often stop at various times just to sit and read. There's no chance for interruptions then.