Anyone else dislikes tablets - all tablets?

[rcuadro]

I know I am late to the party but what the heck... I replaced my ipad with and iPad mini and will not go back to an eink device. I can fit the iPad mini in my back pocket, I can read eBooks from amazon, B&N, and any other source that has an app. I can download and read my local newspaper, and I have my Men's Health and Bicycling magazines with me.
Sure, it is tough to read in the sun! I get that... And I have a kindle touch for those occasions when I will be outside, like the pool or beach, but most of the time I am reading indoors or in the shade and the ipad screen is just fine.

[Tarana]

I actually like the Book HD+. The large screen makes reading off files a breeze. It worked pretty well surfing my limited web addresses on the net when away from home. The nice speaker made listening to my audio books very enjoyable.

I am currently using the HDX and have many of the same complaints that you do. However, the TTS, which I need is almost seamless. That totally makes up for many of the foibles. The larger version probably would eliminate your need to make everything bigger, much like the HD+.

I would really like to get an iPad because the TTS voice available for Apple products is even better, but have to wait until other, more necessary purchases have been saved for.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Tarana

I actually like the Book HD+. The large screen makes reading off files a breeze. It worked pretty well surfing my limited web addresses on the net when away from home. The nice speaker made listening to my audio books very enjoyable.

I am currently using the HDX and have many of the same complaints that you do. However, the TTS, which I need is almost seamless. That totally makes up for many of the foibles. The larger version probably would eliminate your need to make everything bigger, much like the HD+.

I would really like to get an iPad because the TTS voice available for Apple products is even better, but have to wait until other, more necessary purchases have been saved for.

Ivona TTS (which the Fire uses) is, as you say, excellent, and is available for any Android tablet.

[exachillus]

Tablets are good for pdf mostly. On the otherhand I find tablets to be a terrible choice for reading ebooks. I spend more time reading ebooks than pdfs so I generally use my ereader for that. I have nexus 7, it is nice for browsing pdfs, checking email etc. Anything bigger is not mobile for me. I personally like packing very litely when I am around and about.

Anyway I definetely recommend nexus7+ereader. Using a single tablet for all reading needs is generally bad choice in my view due to the tablet`s screen/battery/weight considerations.

[Tarana]

The autocorrect on my HDX changed part of my reply. Instead of off files, I MEANT PDF files!

The biggest disadvantage of tablets is that you have to spend extra to buy a non-glare covering for your unit. That can be anywhere from $7-$22 plus shipping/taxes. I gave up setting up collections and just keep about 20 books plus an entire series on there. The Nook HD had ONE. There seems to be about 20 3rd party Kindle HDX coverings - I have no idea what to pick.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Tarana

The biggest disadvantage of tablets is that you have to spend extra to buy a non-glare covering for your unit. That can be anywhere from $7-$22 plus shipping/taxes.

I've never felt the need for such a covering for a tablet, but I only use them indoors. I use eInk devices outdoors.

I gave up setting up collections and just keep about 20 books plus an entire series on there. The Nook HD had ONE.

Collections are really obsolete on an Android tablet. Use Calibre Companion and you can easily manage your entire library on the tablet, and quickly browse it by whatever criteria you wish to, or do more complex searches. Infinitely better than any system of bookshelves or collections.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by Tarana

The biggest disadvantage of tablets is that you have to spend extra to buy a non-glare covering for your unit.

The better quality tablets (like Samsung) use gorilla glass don't require a protective cover. As for a non-glare cover, I've never felt the need for one, but then I'd never use an LCD screen in bright sunlight if possible.

[exachillus]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've never felt the need for such a covering for a tablet, but I only use them indoors. I use eInk devices outdoors.



Collections are really obsolete on an Android tablet. Use Calibre Companion and you can easily manage your entire library on the tablet, and quickly browse it by whatever criteria you wish to, or do more complex searches. Infinitely better than any system of bookshelves or collections.

There is a feature request for OPDS support for Koreader(on github). If that goes forward, browsing Calibre libraries on Koreader supported Eink devices will be a dream setup.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by exachillus

There is a feature request for OPDS support for Koreader(on github). If that goes forward, browsing Calibre libraries on Koreader supported Eink devices will be a dream setup.

That's a rather different thing. I was referring to having a large library actually on the tablet.

[exachillus]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's a rather different thing. I was referring to having a large library actually on the tablet.

Sure. I was just saying that Ereaders can become much nicer (vs tablets) if we could access our personal libraries directly. It is much easier to access personal Calibre libs via net, offline control etc on tablets due to variety of apps. But that is not the case for Ereaders due to limited processing and interface elements.

I tried using web based interface for my Cops server on my Eink device and it is not so easy.

Anyway I will try Calibre companion on my tablet. I generally use web based Cops for my Calibre libs

[crossi]

The biggest drawback for me is the interface. I don't really mind the shiny screen though I wonder why some don't go for a matte screen like my monitor. They have less trouble with reflections.

[jersysman]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've never felt the need for such a covering for a tablet, but I only use them indoors. I use eInk devices outdoors.



Collections are really obsolete on an Android tablet. Use Calibre Companion and you can easily manage your entire library on the tablet, and quickly browse it by whatever criteria you wish to, or do more complex searches. Infinitely better than any system of bookshelves or collections.

Harry, so glad to see you as a Calibre Companion user now. It's great!! I have it on my Nook+ and Fire HDX tablets. Wouldn't be without it.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've never felt the need for such a covering for a tablet, but I only use them indoors. I use eInk devices outdoors.

I only use my LCD devices indoors. But I always will get an anti-glare protector for every single touch device I have. I hate touching the bare glass, it's too slippery. And all fingerprints will show a rainbow of colours no matter where the light is. And every single light fixture will show...

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by FacebookVirus

Not dislike, more like meh. With the exception of a larger screen and larger battery, I just haven't found it to have any advantages over a smartphone.

That's pretty much how I look at it. I've got a tablet, but about the only "use" it gets is being charged up once a month. They just don't seem to fit any purpose for me. My nephew (and his wife) on the other hand, almost exclusively use tablets. They recently moved over from several models of iPads (still get occasional use) to a Samsung Note Pro, which they love. At 12.2" I'm guessing it's too big to be used as a Reader.

[HarryT]

An earlier poster said that with the exception of a larger screen, he sees no benefit over Smartphones, but the larger screen is the key difference. I struggle to read on a phone screen; the larger screen of the tablet is what makes it feasible to read on.