Regarding specific features and usability

marioho · 04-02-2014, 08:52 AM

There are a lot of information I'm eager to gather before buying my first ereader but I really don't want to bump reddit with another topic.
I've read a plethora of reviews on the net but none could really nail the matter for me.

Along with the quality of the screen and the ability to read on low-light - or no light at all - environments, there are three crucial features I require on a ereader:

reading statistics (e.g. time spent reading, time left on the chapter/book, %, reading speed and stuff alike). I'm really a data enthusiast from what I see, I guess this would rule out the Nook family, right?
be able to add dictionaries in other languages (and easy access to them, must I add). It's kind of stupid to be stuck with english if you want a quality and vocabulary-enriching readind these days
be able to add my own previously downloaded books (sideloading, right?). I've got quite a ton of them around here!

Beside those, I appoint a few tie breakers:

responsiveness (OS as a whole but typing specially). I would really like not to be disheartened by a possible sluggishness if a interesting side note ever cross my mind
speed when looking up definitions on the dictionary. There are just a few things more boring then waiting to a definition pop up before turning that already-twice-read page
epub and pdf compatibilites. I'm not into images, pictures and stuff, but most of the random academic essays I gather on the net are on pdf format. Besides that, my whole ebook colection is in .epub and, though converting via calibre is always an open route, I really cling to my so thoroughly sought perfect ebooks!
reading position sync-up via dropbox for the ability to continue reading on different devices. I don't even know if there is such a thing, but Moon Reader+ (android) has such a feature and I. LIKE. IT.

The X-Ray feature on Kindle and the Reading Life on... Kobo (I think) are pretty interesting, but I see it as a simple bonus.

So, what you guys think?

susan_cassidy · 04-02-2014, 11:29 AM

You were perfectly describing a Kindle paperwhite until you got to the ePub bit. Also, pdf is not going to be very good on any 6" reader, since pdf is usually formatted for an 8.5 x 11 page. Tablets (larger ones, usually) are best for pdfs, without question.

Kindle does not automatically sync to Dropbox, but you might be able to do that on your own, or with Calibre.

By the way, what the heck does "bump reddit" mean?

marioho · 04-02-2014, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

You were perfectly describing a Kindle paperwhite until you got to the ePub bit. Also, pdf is not going to be very good on any 6" reader, since pdf is usually formatted for an 8.5 x 11 page. Tablets (larger ones, usually) are best for pdfs, without question.

Kindle does not automatically sync to Dropbox, but you might be able to do that on your own, or with Calibre.

By the way, what the heck does "bump reddit" mean?

I'm quite positive on buying the Kindle PW now. If nobody else sheds a new light on the subject, the issue will probably fall through a matter of when should buy the it. I'd be a bit frustrated if Amazon launches a new kindle version addressing the same points I value here and now just a few weeks after buying KPW 2013

On the reddit thing, haha I'm sorry! I asked the same question on reddit before thinking about Mobile Read. Unfortunately I missed the reference.

susan_cassidy · 04-02-2014, 12:46 PM

Don't know what you mean by "addressing the same points I value here and now j". They're not going to add ePub support, for sure, and pdf processing could be improved a bit, but it will still never be as good as on a larger tablet. Those were the only points I could see where the Paperwhite was missing your criteria. Although come to think of it, as far as statistics, they only give you things like time left in chapter, % read, time left in book

marioho · 04-02-2014, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

Don't know what you mean by "addressing the same points I value here and now j". They're not going to add ePub support, for sure, and pdf processing could be improved a bit, but it will still never be as good as on a larger tablet. Those were the only points I could see where the Paperwhite was missing your criteria. Although come to think of it, as far as statistics, they only give you things like time left in chapter, % read, time left in book

But I guess there is always some room for improvement in overall responsiveness, speed, storage space - I heard the dictionaries use up a lot of space - and even some new features for better organizing and managing my library on the fly, right?

Even if kindle fit pretty nice on my criteria, I wouldn't be a lie to say that it's far from being a definitive ereader for the ages.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still inclined to buy it as soon as possible, but I"ll have an open eye for any solid news regarding PW3

eschwartz · 04-02-2014, 02:48 PM

And chances are, any firmware improvements will reach at least the single previous model as well.

THe problem is, if you try waiting for the next model to take advantage of the new features, then once the next model comes out, you may want to hold off till the next -- for the same reason.
Where does it end?

marioho · 04-02-2014, 03:14 PM

haha I'm aware of this novelty-eternal-loop or so to say. But I've got things under control, mate! When I bought my cell phone some time ago, I chosed an old model from LG (P990) instead of getting a new device because I knew that it had what it takes to be a damn good smartphone back then

However it's a long and winding road until you see me buying an ereader - specially because I haven't heard of kobo users yet. If the path leading to PW3 gets brighter, I'll go through it; otherwise, I'll stick with the current PW2 and be pleased as well

If we had this conversation six months ago, I could just as well have bought PW1 without a trace of regret over the brand new PW3, since it looks like there wasn't a lot of improvements from one to the other.

eschwartz · 04-02-2014, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marioho

haha I'm aware of this novelty-eternal-loop or so to say. But I've got things under control, mate!

Phew!

<sigh-of-relief>

markom · 04-03-2014, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

Don't know what you mean by "addressing the same points I value here and now j". They're not going to add ePub support, for sure, and pdf processing could be improved a bit, but it will still never be as good as on a larger tablet. Those were the only points I could see where the Paperwhite was missing your criteria. Although come to think of it, as far as statistics, they only give you things like time left in chapter, % read, time left in book

It takes five minutes to add a epub reader and better (than native one) pdf reader to e-ink Kindles if we are willing to install KOReader or Duokan or standalone epub reader.

04-02-2014, 08:52 AM	#1
marioho Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2014 Device: Kindle Paperwhite (PW4)	Regarding specific features and usability There are a lot of information I'm eager to gather before buying my first ereader but I really don't want to bump reddit with another topic. I've read a plethora of reviews on the net but none could really nail the matter for me. Along with the quality of the screen and the ability to read on low-light - or no light at all - environments, *there are three crucial* features I require on a ereader: reading statistics (e.g. time spent reading, time left on the chapter/book, %, reading speed and stuff alike). I'm really a data enthusiast from what I see, I guess this would rule out the Nook family, right? be able to add dictionaries in other languages (and easy access to them, must I add). It's kind of stupid to be stuck with english if you want a quality and vocabulary-enriching readind these days be able to add my own previously downloaded books (sideloading, right?). I've got quite a ton of them around here! Beside those, I appoint a few tie breakers**: responsiveness (OS as a whole but typing specially). I would really like not to be disheartened by a possible sluggishness if a interesting side note ever cross my mind speed when looking up definitions on the dictionary. There are just a few things more boring then waiting to a definition pop up before turning that already-twice-read page epub and pdf compatibilites. I'm not into images, pictures and stuff, but most of the random academic essays I gather on the net are on pdf format. Besides that, my whole ebook colection is in .epub and, though converting via calibre is always an open route, I really cling to my so thoroughly sought perfect ebooks! reading position sync-up via dropbox for the ability to continue reading on different devices. I don't even know if there is such a thing, but Moon Reader+ (android) has such a feature and I. LIKE. IT. The X-Ray feature on Kindle and the Reading Life on... Kobo (I think) are pretty interesting, but I see it as a simple bonus. So, what you guys think?

04-02-2014, 11:29 AM	#2
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	You were perfectly describing a Kindle paperwhite until you got to the ePub bit. Also, pdf is not going to be very good on any 6" reader, since pdf is usually formatted for an 8.5 x 11 page. Tablets (larger ones, usually) are best for pdfs, without question. Kindle does not automatically sync to Dropbox, but you might be able to do that on your own, or with Calibre. By the way, what the heck does "bump reddit" mean? Last edited by susan_cassidy; 04-02-2014 at 11:32 AM.

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04-02-2014, 12:46 PM	#4
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	Don't know what you mean by "addressing the same points I value here and now j". They're not going to add ePub support, for sure, and pdf processing could be improved a bit, but it will still never be as good as on a larger tablet. Those were the only points I could see where the Paperwhite was missing your criteria. Although come to think of it, as far as statistics, they only give you things like time left in chapter, % read, time left in book

04-02-2014, 02:48 PM	#6
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	And chances are, any firmware improvements will reach at least the single previous model as well. THe problem is, if you try waiting for the next model to take advantage of the new features, then once the next model comes out, you may want to hold off till the next -- for the same reason. Where does it end?

04-02-2014, 03:14 PM	#7
marioho Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2014 Device: Kindle Paperwhite (PW4)	haha I'm aware of this novelty-eternal-loop or so to say. But I've got things under control, mate! When I bought my cell phone some time ago, I chosed an old model from LG (P990) instead of getting a new device because I knew that it had what it takes to be a damn good smartphone back then However it's a long and winding road until you see me buying an ereader - specially because I haven't heard of kobo users yet. If the path leading to PW3 gets brighter, I'll go through it; otherwise, I'll stick with the current PW2 and be pleased as well If we had this conversation six months ago, I could just as well have bought PW1 without a trace of regret over the brand new PW3, since it looks like there wasn't a lot of improvements from one to the other.