Any new Kobos coming out this year?

[Yapyap]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I would love to buy a Kobo Sage 2, if one ever came out. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on a Pocketbook Inkpad 4 ?

I’ve considered it, but buttons on the bottom seem very uncomfortable for the way I hold my devices (I hold them by both sides, and I don’t think my thumbs would comfortably reach the buttons, and the 8’’ size looks a bit too awkward to use in landscape all the time). The Oasis and Boox Go 7 form factor is pretty close to ideal, I’d just like something a little bigger.

Also, since I’m in no big hurry, especially now, I think I’d want to wait for something with Carta 1300.

I actually really like the idea of the new PocketBook Era Lite - I gather PocketBooks are slow in action, but the few user images I’ve seen on reddit look good & crisp (recessed screen probably helps too) and the Era form factor looks more comfortable.

If I thought I could hold the Inkpad comfortably, I might have considered it more seriously - I’ve come back to it several times over the last year as it does look tempting but every time I’ve realised it would probably be a bad fit for me. I’ve seen people very happy with theirs though.

[Geese1]

Originally Posted by Yapyap

I’ve considered it, but buttons on the bottom seem very uncomfortable for the way I hold my devices (I hold them by both sides, and I don’t think my thumbs would comfortably reach the buttons, and the 8’’ size looks a bit too awkward to use in landscape all the time). The Oasis and Boox Go 7 form factor is pretty close to ideal, I’d just like something a little bigger.

Also, since I’m in no big hurry, especially now, I think I’d want to wait for something with Carta 1300.

I actually really like the idea of the new PocketBook Era Lite - I gather PocketBooks are slow in action, but the few user images I’ve seen on reddit look good & crisp (recessed screen probably helps too) and the Era form factor looks more comfortable.

If I thought I could hold the Inkpad comfortably, I might have considered it more seriously - I’ve come back to it several times over the last year as it does look tempting but every time I’ve realised it would probably be a bad fit for me. I’ve seen people very happy with theirs though.

I'm really interested in the PocketBook Era Lite as well. I moved back to my Kobo Clara BW as I've been getting a lot of glare in the screen when using my Nook Glowlight 4+ at work (sit in front of a window), and I'm finding myself really impressed by not only how much better the screen on the Kobo is compared to the Nook, but how much snappier everything feels when moving through any of the menus. I don't even mind the smaller size as much as I thought I would.

That being said, I still think I would like a slightly larger screen though, which makes me really intrigued by the Era Lite. 7 inch screen that is supposed to be glare-free (and a Carta 1300 screen at that), and a form factor like the Kindle Oasis readers I've had. It's a really interesting proposition to me. Never had a reader from PocketBook before, but people seem to like them so I'll be taking a good look at it when it finally releases.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Not at all. I'm advocating for a more secure (aka tighter) grip. If you have buttons where you hold the Reader, you won't have as tight a grip so you won't press any button when you don't want to. If the buttons are not under your fingers, you will have a tighter (aka more secure) grip as you have no buttons to accidentality press.

Wrong, the current buttons require force beyond a standard or even tight grip. Further putting excessive material between the crook of your thumb and pointer adds more weight to your other fingers leading to a less secure grip. The buttons add texture with purpose which enhances your grip versus the otherwise smooth surface of the wedge.

Since the buttons do not the tightness of your grip, and enhance your ability to firmly hold the device designing the wedge so your thumb naturally rests on them has multiple benefits

1) less likely to drop and damage the device
2) more compact design without sacrificing features
3) lower material cost which would result in lower price to customers

Since, as you have insisted for years, ereaders are fragile devices it’s clearly better to design for this better grip than the current design which spreads out the weight unevenly and has the major point of pressure resting on a smooth surface.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

Wrong, the current buttons require force beyond a standard or even tight grip. Further putting excessive material between the crook of your thumb and pointer adds more weight to your other fingers leading to a less secure grip. The buttons add texture with purpose which enhances your grip versus the otherwise smooth surface of the wedge.

Since the buttons do not the tightness of your grip, and enhance your ability to firmly hold the device designing the wedge so your thumb naturally rests on them has multiple benefits

1) less likely to drop and damage the device
2) more compact design without sacrificing features
3) lower material cost which would result in lower price to customers

Since, as you have insisted for years, ereaders are fragile devices it’s clearly better to design for this better grip than the current design which spreads out the weight unevenly and has the major point of pressure resting on a smooth surface.

People don't hold their ereaders all in the same way. I have no problems with holding my Sage and Libra with their wide side bezels. I've always found devices with relatively narrow bezels much more difficult to hold, and symmetrical devices harder to hold than the current asymmetrical design. I'm sure others feel differently - obviously people hold their ereaders in many different ways.

[nana77]

Originally Posted by Yapyap

Also, since I’m in no big hurry, especially now, I think I’d want to wait for something with Carta 1300.

I actually really like the idea of the new PocketBook Era Lite - I gather PocketBooks are slow in action, but the few user images I’ve seen on reddit look good & crisp (recessed screen probably helps too) and the Era form factor looks more comfortable.

One thing I like from Pocketbook is the fact that they usually grants quite several firmware upgrades, after the device release (them doesn't just forget the device after having sold it).

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

People don't hold their ereaders all in the same way. I have no problems with holding my Sage and Libra with their wide side bezels. I've always found devices with relatively narrow bezels much more difficult to hold, and symmetrical devices harder to hold than the current asymmetrical design. I'm sure others feel differently - obviously people hold their ereaders in many different ways.

I should probably clarify I’m really just giving Jon his own general approach to anyone who disagrees with him. That’s to say total and utter rejection of their stated premise with assertions of my own preferences as absolute fact.

I don’t have an issue holding my Libra 2 or my Sage though I’ve come to prefer the Libra 2. I’d also agree that going too thin on the bezel would negatively impact the device. I just think the Libra 2 has excess width. Though stand by that even if the buttons were under someone’s thumb (or whatever finger they opt to use) it can’t be in the way since it’s essentially flush with the overall surface area and as I’ve said requires force in excess of what folks use to hold the Libra 2.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

I should probably clarify I’m really just giving Jon his own general approach to anyone who disagrees with him. That’s to say total and utter rejection of their stated premise with assertions of my own preferences as absolute fact.

I don’t have an issue holding my Libra 2 or my Sage though I’ve come to prefer the Libra 2. I’d also agree that going too thin on the bezel would negatively impact the device. I just think the Libra 2 has excess width. Though stand by that even if the buttons were under someone’s thumb (or whatever finger they opt to use) it can’t be in the way since it’s essentially flush with the overall surface area and as I’ve said requires force in excess of what folks use to hold the Libra 2.

I will disagree. Buttons should not be where you hold the Reader. You should not have to put up with buttons under your fingers. If that's the case, the design is incorrect as nobody should be forc ed to have hold the Reader by the buttons ever. I don't use buttons. So having them under my fingers would be a really poor design.

[Apollyon202]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I will disagree. Buttons should not be where you hold the Reader. You should not have to put up with buttons under your fingers. If that's the case, the design is incorrect as nobody should be forc ed to have hold the Reader by the buttons ever. I don't use buttons. So having them under my fingers would be a really poor design.

The Libra 2 has fairly firm buttons, so it's not that easy to push them accidentally.

Objectively: if you don't like buttons but still want a 7" screen, a Kindle PW could be perfect for you. Jailbroken and KOReader installed of course, with the new UI. You'd set it up once and never bother with it again, while getting even more freedom compared to Nickel. Of course, you'd have to de-DRM all books you purchase from Kobo to sideload them.
Not sure though what e-bookstores you have in NA (outside of Amazon, Kobo and B&N). Here in my European country I can buy soft-DRM'd books, whatever that means, although I don't see any restrictions when copying and reading them on my Libra.

At the end of the day, it's the reading experience that matters most. Which means the device itself should get out of the way when you're enjoying a book, whether it's a Kindle or a Kobo.

[Yapyap]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I will disagree. Buttons should not be where you hold the Reader. You should not have to put up with buttons under your fingers. If that’s the case, the design is incorrect as nobody should be forc ed to have hold the Reader by the buttons ever. I don’t use buttons. So having them under my fingers would be a really poor design.

For me, buttons should absolutely be where I hold the reader - that way, I don’t need to move my thumb all the time to turn the page but just press down a bit more (on every device like that which I’ve owned and used, that press needs to be quite intentional, it’s difficult to do accidentally by just resting your thumb on it) and voila, there’s the next page.

I would think it a bad design where I need to just move my thumb every time I want to change the page. It’s the main reason why I don’t want a smaller screen no-button device to start with.

Having the next page button under my thumb is the best design.

[Sirtel]

I don't mind moving my entire hand to press a button. For me, the main reason for using buttons is not comfort, but avoiding fingerprints on the screen. I don't have particularly dry skin and I can always see the fingerprints, and it distracts me so much I can't focus.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Apollyon202

The Libra 2 has fairly firm buttons, so it's not that easy to push them accidentally.

Objectively: if you don't like buttons but still want a 7" screen, a Kindle PW could be perfect for you. Jailbroken and KOReader installed of course, with the new UI. You'd set it up once and never bother with it again, while getting even more freedom compared to Nickel. Of course, you'd have to de-DRM all books you purchase from Kobo to sideload them.
Not sure though what e-bookstores you have in NA (outside of Amazon, Kobo and B&N). Here in my European country I can buy soft-DRM'd books, whatever that means, although I don't see any restrictions when copying and reading them on my Libra.

At the end of the day, it's the reading experience that matters most. Which means the device itself should get out of the way when you're enjoying a book, whether it's a Kindle or a Kobo.

Do you know what you are saying? A Kindle perfect? No way!

[John F]

I'm undecided about page turn buttons locations, but ereaders should have them.

Cases are useless.

[nana77]

If it's still possible to say personal preferences, I'll - still - like those kind ones: soft rubbery.

JCB joystick buttons tend to give out after several thousand hours of thumb action. Replacements are cheap and worthwhile to keep dust out of sensitive switchgear.

... and just as to say wondering suggestions, do you think back levers/triggers, as used in some modern gaming devices, can do the job, either?
Them just have to be rubber or silicone covered, as for preventing the device slipping.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

I'm undecided about page turn buttons locations, but ereaders should have them.

Cases are useless.

Just the opposite. Page buttons are useless and cases are useful.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by John F

I'm undecided about page turn buttons locations, but ereaders should have them.

Cases are useless.

What he said!