Why have e-readers ditched page turn buttons?

[shalym]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

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

Yes.

Shari

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

No more than I complained about not being able to change the font, increase the text size or fit several thousand titles between the same covers. Maybe those should go next to make e-readers a more analog experience?

Sheesh

[crich70]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

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

And there is less to break down as well. Page turn buttons mean more moving parts that can break. Also I think swiping your finger right or left is more natural in a way as it simulates the flipping motion when you turn a page.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Apache

One hand for eating one hand for reading.
This is what I do when I eat at Popeye's.
Apache

Or hold a stylus in one hand to flip the pages.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by howyoudoin

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.

But the interesting thing is they will consider it "innovative".

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by crich70

And there is less to break down as well. Page turn buttons mean more moving parts that can break.

You could use the same argument to say e-readers should have a replaceable battery (which became a stupidly ridiculous deal in a different thread).

Page turn buttons could break. Batteries could wear out. My Nook Simple Touch hasn't given me problems with either and I've had it since 2013. When one or the other fails, it'll be time for a new e-reader and I'll feel like whatever their shortcomings, B&N gave me value on the device.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

You could use the same argument to say e-readers should have a replaceable battery (which became a stupidly ridiculous deal in a different thread).

Page turn buttons could break. Batteries could wear out. My Nook Simple Touch hasn't given me problems with either and I've had it since 2013. When one or the other fails, it'll be time for a new e-reader and I'll feel like whatever their shortcomings, B&N gave me value on the device.

If you have a device you like, do you really want to ditch it because of a battery?

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

But the interesting thing is they will consider it "innovative".

Wouldn't matter, IMO The companies laughing all the way to the bank probably couldn't care less about us arguing over it on an internet forum.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you have a device you like, do you really want to ditch it because of a battery?

Since the Nook Simple Touch doesn't have a replaceable battery, it is just something I have to resign myself to. Just like the ditching of the page turn buttons

[AnemicOak]

No battery door or anything, but not overly hard to replace...

[bullet]

Originally Posted by MikeB1972

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???

I have the tame problem with vacuum cleaners. My wife claims I don't even know how to plug it in. They run on electricity?

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by crich70

And there is less to break down as well. Page turn buttons mean more moving parts that can break. Also I think swiping your finger right or left is more natural in a way as it simulates the flipping motion when you turn a page.

It's interesting that, in a thread where people are hinting that wanting buttons is holding on to out-dated thinking, this is the second time someone's referred to swiping by "more natural" or more like turning pages.

That's not to say it's not a valid point for you. But it's a bit of doublethink.

I started reading ebooks on my PDA back around 2002 (which although had a touch screen, required a stylus for screen activity, so I mostly used the buttons). I no longer think of having to lift my hand up to "turn the page" as natural any more than I miss having to reach up and and press a manual lever to move to the next line and back to the left-hand margin when typing on keyboard (I can't remember the name of the lever or the paper roller thingy on a manual typewriter )

I can read happily on either - readers with buttons or with touchscreens. If the buttons are well-designed, I prefer buttons.

I liked the infrared touchscreen on my Sony 650. I bought a soft-bristled makeup brush to gently swipe to turn the page. It solved two problems in one - it didn't leave fingerprints and it could be used to brush away the dust specks that seemed to gravitate to that screen and the bezel.

I've thought about buying a Voyager because I think I'd like the placement of those "buttons" (they're like my very first official ereader, and I'm drawing a blank on the name of it - got it from Fictionwise, used to be Rocketbook). I'm just not sure I want them to the tune of an extra $100 bucks or so.

Anyway, I say all this to say that page-turn buttons vs. touchscreen is a preference. I really don't understand why these kinds of threads always turn so bloody combative.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by FizzyWater

I really don't understand why these kinds of threads always turn so bloody combative.

Have you spent ten minutes on any message board on any subject?

[FizzyWater]

Yeah, yeah. Sorry, that was my 10 minutes of being little Mary Sunshine. I'll go back to being a cynical grumpy old-timer now.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Whatever dude I don't know you personally, but it's nice to know there's ONE person on the internet who's never used it to complain since every single new technological change is a major improvement over the last.

Please tell me you installed Windows 8 without a touchscreen on day one and it was nothing but smiles

No, I waited for Windows 8.1. Now, tell me you're still using DOS 2.1 because you hate having to use a mouse.