Why have e-readers ditched page turn buttons?

ZodWallop · 07-03-2015, 01:10 AM

For the most part (Kindle Voyage excepted) e-ink readers have abandoned page turn buttons. Why? I don't remember hearing people complain about page turn buttons.

Was it just a cost savings, or was there some sort pressure to make e-readers sleeker?

eschwartz · 07-03-2015, 01:28 AM

Cost savings I would assume. Less moving parts will always be cheaper.

Pulpmeister · 07-03-2015, 01:59 AM

Yep. Software is cheaper than hardware.

ZodWallop · 07-03-2015, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pulpmeister

Yep. Software is cheaper than hardware.

Less user friendly though

cromag · 07-03-2015, 03:17 AM

I agree. I strongly prefer buttons.

MikeB1972 · 07-03-2015, 04:54 AM

My guess is that it is more because everything has lost buttons, it's a lot easier to add / change functions in software and people like more screen size for device size.

I always liked the controls for the Jetbook Lite, up/down slider, d-pad, 10 number buttons on the side, another 5 buttons around the d-pad, If they made one now with an improved screen and processor I'd get another

I must admit that I actually have no problems switching between a Sony 650, Kobo Mini, Kobo HD, And Pyrus mini. Always use the page turn buttons on the 650 instead of swipe though.

Then again, I can use most tech with no problems whatsoever, while the washing machine is a huge mystery. Why the hell do I need 30 settings and better temperature adjustment than my central heating to wash something???

JSWolf · 07-03-2015, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Less user friendly though

Actually, the touch screen is much easier to use than the buttons for page turns. Swiping to turn the page is more like turning the page of a pBook.

Question...When you read pBooks, did you complain about the page turn method?

GERGE · 07-03-2015, 05:22 AM

I like pressing a button to turn the page. I liked it very much with my old Nook STR. I don't really care one bit about what is easier. I like them, I want them, I am sad I don't get them with my choice of reader, Kobo.

What is more to say?

And to answer OP's question, I believe it was the cost that took them away from us.

JSWolf · 07-03-2015, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GERGE

I like pressing a button to turn the page. I liked it very much with my old Nook STR. I don't really care one bit about what is easier. I like them, I want them, I am sad I don't get them with my choice of reader, Kobo.

What is more to say?

And to answer OP's question, I believe it was the cost that took them away from us.

Also, page turns via a touch screen is overall more reliable than page turn via physical buttons. The buttons eill wear out long before the touch screen does.

GERGE · 07-03-2015, 05:38 AM

If they wear out, I would buy a new reader. Buttons are more valuable than the cost to me. Now that Voyage got good typesetting, I am considering a switch just because of this. Only the sad state of sideloaded books hold me back.

I really like buttons, I don't how I can explain why I like them but I like pressing buttons in gadgets.

Fat Abe · 07-03-2015, 05:54 AM

I dislike screen taps for page turning because the software does not always respond to the tap or swipe, and fingers leave an oily residue on the screen. The failure rate of buttons has been greatly exaggerated.

GERGE · 07-03-2015, 06:00 AM

I have been playing with my NDS Lite for 9 years now, buttons are yet to fail.

cromag · 07-03-2015, 07:15 AM

Having buttons means I can eat potato chips or buttered popcorn while I read without leaving grease on the screen.

Could I do this with a paper book without leaving grease on the pages? No.

Why am I complaining? Because technology should solve problems, and having page-turn buttons solves this one.

Apache · 07-03-2015, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cromag

Having buttons means I can eat potato chips or buttered popcorn while I read without leaving grease on the screen.

Could I do this with a paper book without leaving grease on the pages? No.

Why am I complaining? Because technology should solve problems, and having page-turn buttons solves this one.

One hand for eating one hand for reading.

This is what I do when I eat at Popeye's.

Apache

howyoudoin · 07-03-2015, 07:27 AM

Manufacturers rely on "novelty" to sell new models. Touch was a novelty that enticed owners of older page-turn button models. Then Amazon introduced their pressure sensitive buttons on the Voyage as the next novelty.

Take my word for it, soon we'll come full circle and companies will release models with real page turn buttons again at some point. We'll have a generation of users used to only touch models who will consider physical page turn buttons a dramatic improvement and so buy those new models.

07-03-2015, 01:10 AM	#1
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,499 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	Why have e-readers ditched page turn buttons? For the most part (Kindle Voyage excepted) e-ink readers have abandoned page turn buttons. Why? I don't remember hearing people complain about page turn buttons. Was it just a cost savings, or was there some sort pressure to make e-readers sleeker? Last edited by poohbear_nc; 07-03-2015 at 08:05 PM.

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07-03-2015, 01:28 AM	#2
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)	Cost savings I would assume. Less moving parts will always be cheaper.

07-03-2015, 01:59 AM	#3
Pulpmeister Wizard Posts: 2,879 Karma: 29145056 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Device: kindle	Yep. Software is cheaper than hardware.

07-03-2015, 03:17 AM	#5
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,745 Karma: 459765791 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	I agree. I strongly prefer buttons.

07-03-2015, 04:54 AM	#6
MikeB1972 Gnu Posts: 1,222 Karma: 15625359 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Device: BeBook,JetBook Lite,PRS-300-350-505-650,+ran out of space to type	My guess is that it is more because everything has lost buttons, it's a lot easier to add / change functions in software and people like more screen size for device size. I always liked the controls for the Jetbook Lite, up/down slider, d-pad, 10 number buttons on the side, another 5 buttons around the d-pad, If they made one now with an improved screen and processor I'd get another I must admit that I actually have no problems switching between a Sony 650, Kobo Mini, Kobo HD, And Pyrus mini. Always use the page turn buttons on the 650 instead of swipe though. Then again, I can use most tech with no problems whatsoever, while the washing machine is a huge mystery. Why the hell do I need 30 settings and better temperature adjustment than my central heating to wash something???

07-03-2015, 05:22 AM	#8
GERGE Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 5797160 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Istanbul Device: Kobo Libra	I like pressing a button to turn the page. I liked it very much with my old Nook STR. I don't really care one bit about what is easier. I like them, I want them, I am sad I don't get them with my choice of reader, Kobo. What is more to say? And to answer OP's question, I believe it was the cost that took them away from us.

07-03-2015, 05:38 AM	#10
GERGE Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 5797160 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Istanbul Device: Kobo Libra	If they wear out, I would buy a new reader. Buttons are more valuable than the cost to me. Now that Voyage got good typesetting, I am considering a switch just because of this. Only the sad state of sideloaded books hold me back. I really like buttons, I don't how I can explain why I like them but I like pressing buttons in gadgets.

07-03-2015, 05:54 AM	#11
Fat Abe Man Who Stares at Books Posts: 1,826 Karma: 10606722 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: 50th State, USA. Also, PA, NY, CA, and elsewhere. Device: All of the Above	I dislike screen taps for page turning because the software does not always respond to the tap or swipe, and fingers leave an oily residue on the screen. The failure rate of buttons has been greatly exaggerated.

07-03-2015, 06:00 AM	#12
GERGE Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 5797160 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Istanbul Device: Kobo Libra	I have been playing with my NDS Lite for 9 years now, buttons are yet to fail.

07-03-2015, 07:15 AM	#13
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,745 Karma: 459765791 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	Having buttons means I can eat potato chips or buttered popcorn while I read without leaving grease on the screen. Could I do this with a paper book without leaving grease on the pages? No. Why am I complaining? Because technology should solve problems, and having page-turn buttons solves this one.

07-03-2015, 07:27 AM	#15
howyoudoin how YOU doin? Posts: 1,100 Karma: 7371047 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: India Device: Kindle Keyboard, iPad Pro 10.5”, Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Libra 2	Manufacturers rely on "novelty" to sell new models. Touch was a novelty that enticed owners of older page-turn button models. Then Amazon introduced their pressure sensitive buttons on the Voyage as the next novelty. Take my word for it, soon we'll come full circle and companies will release models with real page turn buttons again at some point. We'll have a generation of users used to only touch models who will consider physical page turn buttons a dramatic improvement and so buy those new models.