Any new Kobos coming out this year?

[PHughes]

Originally Posted by severe.syllabi

Why all the hate against buttons? I prefer my Kobo with physical buttons. I think the KLC is perfect for me. Easy to hold and easy to move around with. The lip is perfect when reading while commuting.

I get people have preferences and dislike buttons but can we stop being aggressive to everything we simply dislike?

Because in the case of the Libra, the placement of the buttons makes the reader wider than it needs to be. I have had Sonys with buttons, but the buttons were at the bottom and out of the way, and did not make it wider, nor did it add much to the overall size, not so the Libra.

If you want buttons, fine, put them at the bottom so the reader isn't wider. I see no reason for buttons myself, and was very happy once touch screens came into being so I didn't have to use them. A light touch on the screen is all it takes, no need to swipe, just touch lightly. The buttons on the Sony were easy to use though, and were placed where they were easy to use, I could keep my thumb on it as I was holding the reader, and could depress it when needed.

[DNSB]

For me, I found the wide bezel on my Kobo Forma to be comfortable to hold one-handed and the space between the buttons gave a resting spot for my thumb. Since then I have owned multiple Kobo ereaders with that wide bezel design and they are all easy to hold without worrying about touching the screen. My thumb being between the buttons made it very easy to page forward/page back. I prefer my Sage to my Libra Colour simply due to the larger screen being better for my old eyes. One friend of mine holds their Libra 2 with a thumb on the page forward button and finds it comfortable. The button has enough resistance that it takes a bit of effort to depress.

Sometimes I wonder about some of the complaints about asymmetric case design since there was quite of bit of time and effort put into studying and testing various designs going back to when Amazon was designing the Kindle Oasis. Oddly, the asymmetric design was the only one where reaching either button was convenient while holding the ereader one-handed which seems to have been of importance to the testers. Not to mention that it made accessing the buttons easy no matter which hand you held the ereader in.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by PHughes

I see no reason for buttons myself, and was very happy once touch screens came into being so I didn't have to use them. A light touch on the screen is all it takes, no need to swipe, just touch lightly.

For me the main reason for using buttons is fingerprints. I can't stand them, they distract me and keep me from focusing on the book. And yes, I can always see them.

As to the wide bezel, not all of us carry our ereaders in our pockets, so the width doesn't matter and the wide bezel makes the device more comfortable to hold.

[jmurphy]

Hey, here's a question...
Are there any new Kobos coming out this year?

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by PHughes

Because in the case of the Libra, the placement of the buttons makes the reader wider than it needs to be. I have had Sonys with buttons, but the buttons were at the bottom and out of the way, and did not make it wider, nor did it add much to the overall size, not so the Libra.

If you want buttons, fine, put them at the bottom so the reader isn't wider. I see no reason for buttons myself, and was very happy once touch screens came into being so I didn't have to use them. A light touch on the screen is all it takes, no need to swipe, just touch lightly. The buttons on the Sony were easy to use though, and were placed where they were easy to use, I could keep my thumb on it as I was holding the reader, and could depress it when needed.

I’m with you on the needless width, which is why I suggested the change to the Libra I did. It’d still be an asymmetrical design though not to the degree it is currently. I’ve been thinking on it and I think they could make the wider side just slightly over double what the “slim” bezel is and still get the buttons on it comfortably and make it comfortable to hold.

It’s not going to satisfy the absolutely no buttons crowd. But I do think it’d get the Libra down to a better footprint.

And to be clear I don’t think the Libra 2 is uncomfortable to hold. This is just a tweak to the design that I think would improve it.

I agree with DNSB that top or bottom buttons puts one of the buttons in an uncomfortable spot to reach with the asymmetrical design.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by jmurphy

Hey, here's a question...
Are there any new Kobos coming out this year?

No one here knows.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by PHughes

Because in the case of the Libra, the placement of the buttons makes the reader wider than it needs to be. I have had Sonys with buttons, but the buttons were at the bottom and out of the way, and did not make it wider, nor did it add much to the overall size, not so the Libra.

If you want buttons, fine, put them at the bottom so the reader isn't wider. I see no reason for buttons myself, and was very happy once touch screens came into being so I didn't have to use them. A light touch on the screen is all it takes, no need to swipe, just touch lightly. The buttons on the Sony were easy to use though, and were placed where they were easy to use, I could keep my thumb on it as I was holding the reader, and could depress it when needed.

If you want to make the Libra 2 less wide and kee buttons on the side, then you ruin it. You end up putting the button in the way of where you'd hold it. So the only way to make it less wide and keep the buttons out of the way is to put the buttons under the screen like Sony did.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jmurphy

Hey, here's a question...
Are there any new Kobos coming out this year?

There are no announcements or rumors at the current time.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you want to make the Libra 2 less wide and kee buttons on the side, then you ruin it. You end up putting the button in the way of where you'd hold it. So the only way to make it less wide and keep the buttons out of the way is to put the buttons under the screen like Sony did.

Jon you really need to start actually reading what people are posting. You’re going after someone who said to put the buttons at the bottom.

Anyway you’re still wrong because the buttons don’t detract from the usability of the ereader even if they are under your finger for the following (repeated) reasons: 1) you can’t accidentally press them 2) they are designed in such a way as to be barely perceptible when you’re holding the device with your finger on them 3) they don’t make holding the device harder if anything they add friction making it less likely for the device to slip from your hand.

You can dislike buttons all you like. But your continued claim of them being in the way is patently false. Much like your previous USB C vs USB A etc cable fears (which have borne no fruit even after Kobo switched to USB C on all their ereaders), or your claim of cases being mandatory for the protection of the ereader (and your refusal to accept a case that covers the buttons on the Libra further proves you lack the courage of your convictions).

[PHughes]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

I’m with you on the needless width, which is why I suggested the change to the Libra I did. It’d still be an asymmetrical design though not to the degree it is currently. I’ve been thinking on it and I think they could make the wider side just slightly over double what the “slim” bezel is and still get the buttons on it comfortably and make it comfortable to hold.

It’s not going to satisfy the absolutely no buttons crowd. But I do think it’d get the Libra down to a better footprint.

And to be clear I don’t think the Libra 2 is uncomfortable to hold. This is just a tweak to the design that I think would improve it.

I agree with DNSB that top or bottom buttons puts one of the buttons in an uncomfortable spot to reach with the asymmetrical design.

Yeah, I don't care if a reader has buttons, I just value a compact design, and the Libra isn't that, leaving only the Clara.

[PHughes]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

For me the main reason for using buttons is fingerprints. I can't stand them, they distract me and keep me from focusing on the book. And yes, I can always see them.

As to the wide bezel, not all of us carry our ereaders in our pockets, so the width doesn't matter and the wide bezel makes the device more comfortable to hold.

I understand the fingerprint concern, but you really don't need to put your fingers all over the screen in order to turn a page. I hold the reader in such a way that all I have to do is move my thumb over to the side of the screen and lightly touch it. I see no fingerprints from that touch. There is no need to touch hard enough to smear or leave noticeable prints, and being on the very side, in the margin, if a fingerprint were there, it wouldn't be where I am looking.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

Jon you really need to start actually reading what people are posting. You’re going after someone who said to put the buttons at the bottom.

Anyway you’re still wrong because the buttons don’t detract from the usability of the ereader even if they are under your finger for the following (repeated) reasons: 1) you can’t accidentally press them 2) they are designed in such a way as to be barely perceptible when you’re holding the device with your finger on them 3) they don’t make holding the device harder if anything they add friction making it less likely for the device to slip from your hand.

You can dislike buttons all you like. But your continued claim of them being in the way is patently false. Much like your previous USB C vs USB A etc cable fears (which have borne no fruit even after Kobo switched to USB C on all their ereaders), or your claim of cases being mandatory for the protection of the ereader (and your refusal to accept a case that covers the buttons on the Libra further proves you lack the courage of your convictions).

You don't get it. If the buttons are under your fingers, you can accidentality press one. It's not comfortable to hold. You can't hold as tight as you want because if might press one of the buttons. So if buttons are in a place where you'd hold the Reader, then the buttons are not in a good place.

If you look at the Libra 2, the right edge has a slight lip. So when the case is closed, you won't be holding the case in any way that will press either button. Also, the buttons are at the right edge and have a big enough gap between then. So with the Libra 2, you can hold it without having to hold onto the buttons. But if you want a smaller bezel, then you'll get stuck having to either hold on the buttons or the buttons have to be moved and under the screen is the only place the buttons could then go.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You don't get it. If the buttons are under your fingers, you can accidentality press one. It's not comfortable to hold. You can't hold as tight as you want because if might press one of the buttons. So if buttons are in a place where you'd hold the Reader, then the buttons are not in a good place.

If you look at the Libra 2, the right edge has a slight lip. So when the case is closed, you won't be holding the case in any way that will press either button. Also, the buttons are at the right edge and have a big enough gap between then. So with the Libra 2, you can hold it without having to hold onto the buttons. But if you want a smaller bezel, then you'll get stuck having to either hold on the buttons or the buttons have to be moved and under the screen is the only place the buttons could then go.

If your ereader is in a case it might explode. Using a case is therefore harmful to your ereader.

See Jon, the problem with your argument here is multiple people have explicitly said the buttons on the Libra require intentional effort to press. And that you can easily hold the Libra 2 securely without accidentally activating the buttons.

So again you’re welcome to not like the buttons. But the laws of physics are in stark opposition to everything you’re claiming here. And as curmudgeony as you may be, physics will always beat the old man yelling at clouds.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by PHughes

I understand the fingerprint concern, but you really don't need to put your fingers all over the screen in order to turn a page. I hold the reader in such a way that all I have to do is move my thumb over to the side of the screen and lightly touch it. I see no fingerprints from that touch. There is no need to touch hard enough to smear or leave noticeable prints, and being on the very side, in the margin, if a fingerprint were there, it wouldn't be where I am looking.

The fingerprint would still be there and yeah, I would see it. I don't have particularly dry skin and no matter how many times I wash my hands during the day, I always leave fingerprints on screens. That's the part many people don't seem to understand. OTOH, I've seen really dirty phone and ereader screens which don't seem to bother their users at all, while I'm bothered by a single fingerprint on the margin of my ereader screen. People are different. Most are perfectly happy with touchscreens, but I've never really liked them, even though they've been ubiquitous for a long time.