Are you keen on specific-purpose devices?

[Mivo]

Overall, I prefer multi-purpose devices, and the Nexus 7 is pretty close to what I envision, but as others have said: it is a compromise, though I feel that the sacrifices keep getting smaller. While I love gadgets, I am in the slightly from midlife crisis tainted period where I want as little clutter as possible in my life. Fewer devices meets that desire.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by calvin-c

Why? I read on my phone (Samsung Note II) 8-10 hrs some days. No problems with battery life-because I always carry a spare battery or 2. Lots, lots easier than carrying a second device plus it doesn't matter whether I'm reading or talking for that 8-10 hrs, the batteries support both.

If you have to carry a couple of extra batteries, that validates the point that battery life is indeed an issue.

[shanghaichica]

No I think they still have a propose. I prefer reading on an eink device than on any LCD/amoled display. I guess for listening to music a capable smartphone/tablet will suffice. I do have an ipod touch in addition to my smartphone and tablets, but that in itself is not a dedicated music listening device.

Ironically, when I first got an iPhone years ago, one of the reasons I bought it was because I wanted an all in one device for music, reading, making calls, Web browsing etc. Now I've moved away from that, having a few eink devices, a few tablets and an ipod touch in addition to my smartphone. Then there is my chromebook that I bought because my laptop wasn't portable enough. Not sure what happened lol

Originally Posted by calvin-c

Why? I read on my phone (Samsung Note II) 8-10 hrs some days. No problems with battery life-because I always carry a spare battery or 2. Lots, lots easier than carrying a second device plus it doesn't matter whether I'm reading or talking for that 8-10 hrs, the batteries support both.

It depends upon the device that you're talking about. Many dedicated devices have more than 8 to 10 hours of battery life on their own, simply because low power components are selected. Low power components can be selected since the task that the device is conducting is well understood (e.g. ereaders, music players, even dedicated phones). So instead of charging a single device every day, you may be charging two or three devices once a week.

[Yolina]

I like very much the idea of a multi-purpose device that could do everything very well (does not exist yet though) but I do tend to go for dedicated devices. Obviously some things do overlap but I buy them more for a single purpose.

The other problem with a single device for everything is that if it packs up, you are utterly stuffed.

[tubemonkey]

My favorite multipurpose device is my Sansa Clip Zip (8GB + 32GB mSD). Because of its tiny size, it's always with me (fits perfectly in the coin pocket of a pair of jeans). And its versatility - music, audiobooks, FM radio, podcasts, voice recorder - means I always have a wide selection of media available to me.

[crich70]

I think specific purpose devices are better. They are smaller, don't run down batteries as soon and less buttons make for less confusion on what to press to do what. The Paperwhite is a good example of that functionability.

[calvin-c]

Originally Posted by Catlady

If you have to carry a couple of extra batteries, that validates the point that battery life is indeed an issue.

???? As opposed to carrying an entire extra device????

[calvin-c]

Originally Posted by BWinmill

It depends upon the device that you're talking about. Many dedicated devices have more than 8 to 10 hours of battery life on their own, simply because low power components are selected. Low power components can be selected since the task that the device is conducting is well understood (e.g. ereaders, music players, even dedicated phones). So instead of charging a single device every day, you may be charging two or three devices once a week.

Is charging a problem? I know that needing to carry 2 or 3 devices everywhere I go is but charging? Particularly when all I charge is the battery, not the device. I guess I just don't see the problem-are you sure it exists?

[cromag]

One tool for one job.

When my phone dies or no longer serves my phone needs, I can replace it -- and my ereader, MP3 player, tablet, etc., will all still serve their purposes.

[SleepyBob]

Originally Posted by calvin-c

???? As opposed to carrying an entire extra device????

It's often not a question of carrying an extra device around.

I have a phone with me during the day, and that's it. I (used to) keep my nook in a drawer in my desk, so I can read during my lunch. Then maybe when I get home, I grab the 3DS and play some games.

I'm not dragging around a backpack full of devices, I'm using a single-purpose device at an appropriate place and time, and generally speaking, it's available when I want to use it. They each charge independently, so I don't have to worry about playing games running down my battery so the phone doesn't have a charge when I need to make a call.

[patrickt]

I've always dreamed of a cell phone that won't fit in a pocket or on my belt and an ereader that can't be read in sunlight. I don't have an many gadgets as some and I don't mind combining features when it makes sense but an ereader and a cellphone...I don't think so.

[applesauce]

No I like my paperwhite, and would never consider a smaller screen for reading, nor a larger phone.

applesauce

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by SleepyBob

It's often not a question of carrying an extra device around.

I have a phone with me during the day, and that's it. I (used to) keep my nook in a drawer in my desk, so I can read during my lunch. Then maybe when I get home, I grab the 3DS and play some games.

I'm not dragging around a backpack full of devices, I'm using a single-purpose device at an appropriate place and time, and generally speaking, it's available when I want to use it. They each charge independently, so I don't have to worry about playing games running down my battery so the phone doesn't have a charge when I need to make a call.

Thanks. This is it exactly.

[NickyWithNook]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I've always dreamed of a cell phone that won't fit in a pocket or on my belt and an ereader that can't be read in sunlight. I don't have an many gadgets as some and I don't mind combining features when it makes sense but an ereader and a cellphone...I don't think so.

This is where I'm at too. I want a small phone. Having a phone large enough to make reading comfortable would make it less useful for me as a phone. I want to be able to put it into a small pocket on the outside of my purse, or in a pocket on one piece of clothing or another. I don't want one that requires too much real estate. And the backlit issue is true too. I want to be able to read outside if I want to.