Does an ereader need to be cool (ie, color)?

[AlbertaCowboy]

An ereader, by it's very nature is cool.

[Asawi]

Function is priority one, but looks does matter as well.
Color LCD is not cool for me. Eink is much cooler.

[kindlekitten]

color? as in the appearance of the device? or being able to read images containing color?

as for the appearance, that is what skins and covers are for. I think those may say more about "coolness" than the device itself

[Lemurion]

I read both prose novels and comics.

EInk is superior for prose, LCD is superior for comics: I have both because different screens fit different needs.

[alecE]

For my reading habits, black& white eink is perfectly OK. Anything really needing colour probably shouldn't be read on an e-reader anyway. As for cool, I get that from having a red Sony 650 liseuse.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by Serena

I'm embarassed to admit it, but I love pretty electronics, and it does factor somewhat into my purchase decision. As long as it has all the features I want, if it's in a color I like, I'll probably even pay a little more for it.

This was my "argument' when I was trying to decide between the Nook & the Kindle.
When it came down to what mattered, the Kindle won, hands down. There will always be a place in my heart for pretty - I would love to see all of my book covers in color - but I am very happy that I chose the Kindle.

[jpkkld]

Color LCD has been around for AGES. E-ink - now that's cool!

[crich70]

I agree. The graphite color of the unit helps it look good (lite colors show dirt more) even if it has a smudge of dirt on it or something. And like Jeff Bezos said Hemingway isn't going to pop any better in color than it does in B&W. And reading books is what a Kindle is for first and foremost. And as for being cool I think the fact that I can hold up to 3,500 books right in the palm of my hand is plenty cool enough. I'm always struck by how the Kindle reminds me of the P.A.D.D. from STTNG when I hold it.

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

I agree. I think my graphite, thin Kindle is pretty cool, and it has a pretty cool cover, so there. I actually find I read more with less distractions. I recently wanted to try some books by an author I loved as a teenager. I found the covers, the info on the flaps, and the pages, needing a bookmark, to be kind of a distraction. You know, I might be talking myself into buying ebooks that are the same price as pbooks!

[captkjaneway]

Hmmm did people also only buy cool looking books?

iSheep may like cool, I like functionality

[astra]

Originally Posted by Solitaire1

For my needs, e-ink serves me well. I basically look for the same reading experience that I have when reading on paper. While it isn't as fancy as some of the newer ereaders, my Sony EReader does the job well.

Bingo!

So, probably yes, the look and the feel of the ebook reader does matter to me. All of three Sony ebook readers I had/have were/are black. They are very comfortable to hold in their stock covers and remind me very much of holding a thin hardback edition of a printed book.

[astra]

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

An ereader, by it's very nature is cool.

Originally Posted by jpkkld

Color LCD has been around for AGES. E-ink - now that's cool!

Hark! Hark! Hark!
Words of wisdom uttered

[queentess]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

I don't think so, at least not for me. Besides, that's what covers are for. I actually don't want my Kindle to look any more "interesting" because its current appearance allows it to disappear while I'm reading. I've been wanting a skin for it (the kind that also goes over the keys) but it's hard to find one that's not obtrusive.

I'm using this one now. It's pretty. It has some design, but it's not overwhelming and doesn't distract (or blind) me when I'm reading. And it's more of a classic design, not something I'm going to tire of within 2 weeks.

So yes, color matters to me (on the device housing, not the screen). But since I can buy a skin and swap out my color whenever I want, it doesn't affect my device purchase. I buy the device I want first, then select the skin I want.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by captkjaneway

Hmmm did people also only buy cool looking books?

iSheep may like cool, I like functionality

Originally Posted by queentess

I'm using this one now. It's pretty. It has some design, but it's not overwhelming and doesn't distract (or blind) me when I'm reading. And it's more of a classic design, not something I'm going to tire of within 2 weeks.

So yes, color matters to me (on the device housing, not the screen). But since I can buy a skin and swap out my color whenever I want, it doesn't affect my device purchase. I buy the device I want first, then select the skin I want.

I almost got that one but was worried that the colors might end up being garish

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by queentess

I'm using this one now. It's pretty. It has some design, but it's not overwhelming and doesn't distract (or blind) me when I'm reading. And it's more of a classic design, not something I'm going to tire of within 2 weeks.

So yes, color matters to me (on the device housing, not the screen). But since I can buy a skin and swap out my color whenever I want, it doesn't affect my device purchase. I buy the device I want first, then select the skin I want.

That is beautiful! Almost makes me want to cover my graphite with a skin.

[Ea]

Is colour cool? I'd say it's more about the newness of the technology in general, and how desirable it is thought to be.