Any new Kobos coming out this year?

[MGlitch]

I’ve never used a case long term aside from a silicone shell for the old Nooks. None of my ereaders have broken in a way that a case would have prevented. One of my Nooks battery went wonky (well under the expected lifetime of the battery I might add, the Nook model was still the current one being sold by BN), and the USB port on one of my Kobos started acting up.

Cases might serve a point, especially if you’re clumsy or have a disability that makes it hard for you to hold things, but they are absolutely objectively not a mandatory accessory for ereaders.

Buttons on the other hand reduce your need to touch the screen which reduces the need to clean the screen potentially preventing issues. Thus buttons are universally more advantageous than cases.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by John F

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

Double page-turn buttons, both on the right and on the left. And at the bottom too (I still need to think about the top ). The old-fashioned way. The more page-turn buttons, the better. But no asymmetrical design, please.

[Sirtel]

The asymmetrical design is The One True Way!

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

The asymmetrical design is The One True Way!

There are days I miss using my Kobo H2O (I still feel like we should get SD cards back). But I think the Forma/Sage/Libra form factor are superior even if they have room for improvement.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

The asymmetrical design is The One True Way!

That way leads to the dark side.

[John F]

So we have decided: buttons yes, cases no.

[cgsmom]

This thread makes it abundantly clear as to why there is no perfect ereader. No two people want the same thing. I have just been laughing and shaking my head at all the polar opposite opinions.

I might as well put my two cents in. I like a six inch screen. But the reason for that is because most of the time I have a macaw on my lap while reading. It is much easier to keep a smaller reader away from him. As such, I am holding the reader in one hand and constantly changing hands. The asymmetrical shape means I have to rotate the reader which is very annoying. I find that if I have to move my thumb to change pages, I usually lose my grip on the reader and drop it. Therefore, page turn buttons are a must. I do hold my Nook with my thumb on the page forward button. Just a slight increase in pressure turns the page.

The nook is by far the most comfortable reader I have to hold and use. It’s just the software that drives me crazy. If Calypso is not sitting on my lap while reading, I can read fine with my other readers. I just prefer the feel of the Nook. I like my color readers and I don’t see enough difference in screen quality to bother me. The Colorsoft is just large enough that I am not comfortable unless I use both hands.

I guess it’s a given that whatever readers are released in the future, some will love them and some will hate them.

[Sirtel]

I too read holding an ereader in one hand (whether or not a cat is in my lap), but I don't change hands constantly. Occasionally, yes, but not often enough that flipping the device would annoy me. So the ergonomics and comfort of the asymmetrical shape outweighs the slight bother of having to rotate it, for me.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by cellaris

Double page-turn buttons, both on the right and on the left. And at the bottom too (I still need to think about the top ). The old-fashioned way. The more page-turn buttons, the better. But no asymmetrical design, please.

That is a terrible design. There's no place to hold it without a button getting in the way.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

So we have decided: buttons yes, cases no.

We have not. We have decided that if there are buttons, they go under the screen only. And a case is mandatory.

[nana77]

Thought that if there is a panel that could be removed, like on the Pocketbook Color Note, the users might custom it whenever they want, e.g. if it has internal pins, it can be added a cover, or buttons, etc...
The idea of something officially customizable won't look bad, too - imho.

[Apollyon202]

I require both a case and buttons on an ereader with an asymmetrical design. The case should have a detachable cover. Or I could let go of the cover if the ereader is durable enough to survive some pressure, bending, or an accidental drop. Mobius screen says hello. Oh and wake up feature on page turn buttons. Thanks.))

[Desertway]

Originally Posted by 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.

Then the Paperwhite is definitely NOT for you (not that you would ever consider it). That thing is a fingerprint nightmare - screen, bezels, back. Truly awful.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Desertway

Then the Paperwhite is definitely NOT for you (not that you would ever consider it). That thing is a fingerprint nightmare - screen, bezels, back. Truly awful.

Good to know, thanks.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

We have not. We have decided that if there are buttons, they go under the screen only. And a case is mandatory.

No. We definitely decided covers are optional buttons are mandatory.

You like covers which can be added or not to an ereader. Thus optional.

Others like buttons which can not be added later and are thus mandatory. You don’t use them so your opinion of where they should go is going to weigh considerably less than the opinion of those who do. Especially since the horse of the buttons don’t activate without explicit and intentional actions of the user just died and the doctors asked us to stop beating it to death in front of you.