So, what would your PERFECT eBook device be like? - Page 3

Ubikzz · 01-13-2010, 04:03 PM

Besides all the obvious things already mentioned:

a tethered remote control with a 50-60 cm (2ft) cord. Sort of like there are on slide projectors (rocker switch), here to be used for turning pages.

When I am reading in my bed (often switching sides), operating the next/back buttons is really awkward, in fact using any button on the device is a nuisance in bed.

Ubikzz

Steven Lyle Jordan · 01-13-2010, 04:48 PM

My PDA is already my "perfect" device for reading. The problem is, the content isn't suited for it!

I mean, e-books are great. But I'm still waiting for all magazines and news sources to be fully converted to customizable digital content, not static pictures that demand a large screen to be able to read them (like Zinio and Texterity, etc). Once they do that, my reading device never needs to be larger than pocket-sized.

mrscoach · 01-13-2010, 05:46 PM

Hey, if we are talking about a hypothetical perfect reader I would have to say it should have an adjustable screen. I need to be able to read my large pdf's, but I don't want a screen that size to read novels. As long as I am in the realm of scifi I might as well have it linked to my mind so I don't have to move to turn pages, I agree that reading in bed would be easier that way. If it was linked to my mind I could just think about annotations and have them pop up, too. This would also negate the need for touch screens, too. I know I would like wifi, but I'm not sure about 3g.

And it need to always be perfect lit, and consume little power. (Maybe powered by the electrical impulses from my mind???)

A girl can dream, can't she?

kjk · 01-13-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrscoach

Hey, if we are talking about a hypothetical perfect reader I would have to say it should have an adjustable screen. I need to be able to read my large pdf's, but I don't want a screen that size to read novels.

Those flexible eInk screens are just what you need

In a few years you will be able to scroll out/unfold whatever size you feel is comfortable to hold.

CyGuy · 01-13-2010, 05:57 PM

I like the idea of having a small wireless (probably Bluetooth) device with a single button that could be used just for page turns. I think you might be on to something there! This would be great for a Win7 tablet. You could just prop the tablet up into a comfortable reading position, and just have the little wireless button in your hand to turn pages. I like, I want!

Would also be mappable of course so you could use it to pause/play movies, pause/play music, go the next picture in a slide show, etc.

jonesc42 · 01-13-2010, 06:09 PM

The essentials are:
-Highlighting and annotating .rtf or .doc files (I'm a law student and I read a lot of documents in these formats that I need to refer back to in the future)
-Dictionaries. I'd settle for a solid English dictionary, but I'd also love a bevy of Foreign-English dictionaries (or access to Google Translate) to translate the random passages in foreign languages that force me to stop, get up and go to the computer to translate.
-wifi/3G-if-it-were-free. I predominately use my computer for e-mail and news; if I could accomplish these things effectively on an e-book, I'd probably stop carrying a laptop around everywhere.
-non-proprietary. I have nothing against DRM, but it seems like a lot of readers (especially the Kindle and the Nook) have gone out of their way to make it difficult to use their device with anything you didn't buy from the dedicated store. If a reader's going to have internet access, why can't I use it to download books straight from my library?
-Battery life. At least a week of normal use without charging.
- It works. Not just manages to accomplish tasks, but is designed to be intuitive and easy to use (not to sound like a fanboy, but I'm never going back to PCs).

There is a longer list of things I'd love (magical screen technology that could play video, yet was as easy on the eye as paper; built-in book light; touch-screen or hand-writing recognition[that works], NYTimes Crossword application, etc...), but these are the features I'm waiting for before I buy an e-reader.

I had (and still have) a lot of hopes for the Nook, the Alex or the Pocketbook 302, but it looks like the Nook prevent one from actually using it to its full potential. As for the others, there just isn't any real information on them yet. I'm also cheap, so I'd like it for under $200, but I'll just keep waiting until the day the e-reader I want actually comes out, and I'll hopefully have enough saved up for it by then.

BigWaffles · 01-13-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

I find it funny how people can have such low standards for a perfect device, taking modesty of demands to such a ludicrous extreme.

Since it's my perfect device what gives you the right to call my standards low or ludicrous? My requirements are just that, mine. Not everyone needs this basic of a device, but it's all I need/want. Your attitude is usually from someone who thinks that their standard should be accepted by everyone.

C.P.T.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 01-13-2010, 08:08 PM

"Perfect" is always subjective. Not everyone needs a thousand-dollar, 24-carat, 406-uses, glows-in-the-dark, speaks 117 languages (including Klingon, Romulan and Breen), does your laundry and figures out the change you need at the laundromat uber-device. There's nothing wrong with simple needs.

mrscoach · 01-13-2010, 08:28 PM

Wait, I can get it to do laundry, too? If it would clean the bathroom it really would be perfect. (I don't need Klingon, but Elvish and dwarvish would be helpful)

Marseille · 01-13-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

"Perfect" is always subjective. Not everyone needs a thousand-dollar, 24-carat, 406-uses, glows-in-the-dark, speaks 117 languages (including Klingon, Romulan and Breen), does your laundry and figures out the change you need at the laundromat uber-device. There's nothing wrong with simple needs.

That's very hobbesian of you.

LDBoblo · 01-14-2010, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigWaffles

Since it's my perfect device what gives you the right to call my standards low or ludicrous? My requirements are just that, mine. Not everyone needs this basic of a device, but it's all I need/want. Your attitude is usually from someone who thinks that their standard should be accepted by everyone.

C.P.T.

I wasn't referring to your post. I was more referring to the posts that basically did nothing but vindicate their own device purchases.

If you read my post, it was intentionally very vague. I'd be happy with lots of different things that could meet the vague criteria I posted, so I didn't claim any objective "perfect" either. Being modest in demands is not wrong, and most folks here have exercised that. Taken to an extreme though, it's amusing.

WT Sharpe · 01-14-2010, 09:45 AM

My perfect reader for most books would be a Kindle with a better keyboard, color eInk, and a button layout like the Nook (a set of Forward and Back buttons on each side).

For reading PDF's, graphic novels, and text books, the screen would fold out up to 400% of it's original size.

BigWaffles · 01-14-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

I wasn't referring to your post. I was more referring to the posts that basically did nothing but vindicate their own device purchases.

If you read my post, it was intentionally very vague. I'd be happy with lots of different things that could meet the vague criteria I posted, so I didn't claim any objective "perfect" either. Being modest in demands is not wrong, and most folks here have exercised that. Taken to an extreme though, it's amusing.

Fair enough. And I agree, most posts in this type of thread will be used to vindicate an individual's purchase. Most people tend to purchase a device as close to their ideal as possible and then learn to like it despite it not being perfect.

C.P.T.

emonti8384 · 01-14-2010, 01:50 PM

My perfect device would be my 600 with a little money slot on the bottom. That way (since I keep track of my reader better than my debit card) when I need money it just pops on out! Don't ask how the money's supposed to get in there or where it's going to come from, I don't like thinking about the specifics.

While we're dreaming why doesn't the slot pop out one of my favorite characters too?!

Oh wait, was this supposed to be realistic? Hmmm...I guess it's back to the drawing board for me!

01-13-2010, 05:57 PM	#35
CyGuy Avid Reader Posts: 769 Karma: 7777778 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: PocketBook 902, Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, ASUS TF700, and Cybook Gen III	I like the idea of having a small wireless (probably Bluetooth) device with a single button that could be used just for page turns. I think you might be on to something there! This would be great for a Win7 tablet. You could just prop the tablet up into a comfortable reading position, and just have the little wireless button in your hand to turn pages. I like, I want! Would also be mappable of course so you could use it to pause/play movies, pause/play music, go the next picture in a slide show, etc. Last edited by CyGuy; 01-13-2010 at 06:10 PM.

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01-13-2010, 04:03 PM	#31
Ubikzz Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 116 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: N516	Besides all the obvious things already mentioned: a tethered remote control with a 50-60 cm (2ft) cord. Sort of like there are on slide projectors (rocker switch), here to be used for turning pages. When I am reading in my bed (often switching sides), operating the next/back buttons is really awkward, in fact using any button on the device is a nuisance in bed. Ubikzz

01-13-2010, 04:48 PM	#32
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	My PDA is already my "perfect" device for reading. The problem is, the content isn't suited for it! I mean, e-books are great. But I'm still waiting for all magazines and news sources to be fully converted to customizable digital content, not static pictures that demand a large screen to be able to read them (like Zinio and Texterity, etc). Once they do that, my reading device never needs to be larger than pocket-sized.

01-13-2010, 05:46 PM	#33
mrscoach Guru Posts: 767 Karma: 4837659 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Angelo Texas Device: Samsung Galaxy tab	Hey, if we are talking about a hypothetical perfect reader I would have to say it should have an adjustable screen. I need to be able to read my large pdf's, but I don't want a screen that size to read novels. As long as I am in the realm of scifi I might as well have it linked to my mind so I don't have to move to turn pages, I agree that reading in bed would be easier that way. If it was linked to my mind I could just think about annotations and have them pop up, too. This would also negate the need for touch screens, too. I know I would like wifi, but I'm not sure about 3g. And it need to always be perfect lit, and consume little power. (Maybe powered by the electrical impulses from my mind???) A girl can dream, can't she?

01-13-2010, 06:09 PM	#36
jonesc42 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Massachusetts Device: nook	The essentials are: -Highlighting and annotating .rtf or .doc files (I'm a law student and I read a lot of documents in these formats that I need to refer back to in the future) -Dictionaries. I'd settle for a solid English dictionary, but I'd also love a bevy of Foreign-English dictionaries (or access to Google Translate) to translate the random passages in foreign languages that force me to stop, get up and go to the computer to translate. -wifi/3G-if-it-were-free. I predominately use my computer for e-mail and news; if I could accomplish these things effectively on an e-book, I'd probably stop carrying a laptop around everywhere. -non-proprietary. I have nothing against DRM, but it seems like a lot of readers (especially the Kindle and the Nook) have gone out of their way to make it difficult to use their device with anything you didn't buy from the dedicated store. If a reader's going to have internet access, why can't I use it to download books straight from my library? -Battery life. At least a week of normal use without charging. - It works. Not just manages to accomplish tasks, but is designed to be intuitive and easy to use (not to sound like a fanboy, but I'm never going back to PCs). There is a longer list of things I'd love (magical screen technology that could play video, yet was as easy on the eye as paper; built-in book light; touch-screen or hand-writing recognition[that works], NYTimes Crossword application, etc...), but these are the features I'm waiting for before I buy an e-reader. I had (and still have) a lot of hopes for the Nook, the Alex or the Pocketbook 302, but it looks like the Nook prevent one from actually using it to its full potential. As for the others, there just isn't any real information on them yet. I'm also cheap, so I'd like it for under $200, but I'll just keep waiting until the day the e-reader I want actually comes out, and I'll hopefully have enough saved up for it by then.

01-13-2010, 08:08 PM	#38
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	"Perfect" is always subjective. Not everyone needs a thousand-dollar, 24-carat, 406-uses, glows-in-the-dark, speaks 117 languages (including Klingon, Romulan and Breen), does your laundry and figures out the change you need at the laundromat uber-device. There's nothing wrong with simple needs.

01-13-2010, 08:28 PM	#39
mrscoach Guru Posts: 767 Karma: 4837659 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Angelo Texas Device: Samsung Galaxy tab	Wait, I can get it to do laundry, too? If it would clean the bathroom it really would be perfect. (I don't need Klingon, but Elvish and dwarvish would be helpful)

01-14-2010, 09:45 AM	#42
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,072 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	My perfect reader for most books would be a Kindle with a better keyboard, color eInk, and a button layout like the Nook (a set of Forward and Back buttons on each side). For reading PDF's, graphic novels, and text books, the screen would fold out up to 400% of it's original size.

01-14-2010, 01:50 PM	#44
emonti8384 browneyedgurl Posts: 523 Karma: 356470 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Warren, OH Device: PRS-505/950x2, PRS-600 silver, Galaxy III purple, T2 black	My perfect device would be my 600 with a little money slot on the bottom. That way (since I keep track of my reader better than my debit card) when I need money it just pops on out! Don't ask how the money's supposed to get in there or where it's going to come from, I don't like thinking about the specifics. While we're dreaming why doesn't the slot pop out one of my favorite characters too?! Oh wait, was this supposed to be realistic? Hmmm...I guess it's back to the drawing board for me!