Why no hands-free feature?

[crossi]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I use a remote (bluetooth) shutter/media device to turn the pages in my reading apps on my tablet. It seems to work for any app that allows the device's volume buttons to be assigned to turn pages. I got it specifically for reading while on the treadmill. Works great for the Kindle app and the Mantano/Bookari app on Android. It's not exactly "hands-free," but it beats reaching out to touch/swipe the screen all the time.

I don't really think I'd like a voice-activated solution. Saying a word or phrase out loud all the time would bug me worse than reaching to touch the screen would.

For the most part I also wouldn't like a voice controlled app, but there are times when it is needed. I was hospitalized for a time and unable to bend my arms. No way to open books or turn pages. I really wanted to read on my laptop but while I could open programs, including kindle PC, I couldn't open a book without having someone come click the mouse for me.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by crossi

For the most part I also wouldn't like a voice controlled app, but there are times when it is needed. I was hospitalized for a time and unable to bend my arms. No way to open books or turn pages. I really wanted to read on my laptop but while I could open programs, including kindle PC, I couldn't open a book without having someone come click the mouse for me.

Oh, I don't doubt it could be useful to some, or even many. As long as my bluetooth-remote solution continues to work for me, I won't begrudge anyone a voice-activated solution that works for them.

[LadyKate]

Originally Posted by Tarana

I use Moonreader Plus for that, but that is android specific. It just scrolls pages. Worked great when I was laid up in bed for 3 weeks after surgery.

I don't particularly like the scrolling pages but MoonReader+ lets me configure for a left tap to the screen to go to next page and the upper right hand corner to go back. That lets me read pretty well one handed using one thumb or finger to tap for the next page.

For those looking for ways to page ahead easily on a laptop screen or sitting back from a computer screen, I have to recommend a trackman. I sit back from my computer screen with one occasionally and with the trackman can page ahead with virtually no movement other than one finger to click.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by LadyKate

I don't particularly like the scrolling pages but MoonReader+ lets me configure for a left tap to the screen to go to next page and the upper right hand corner to go back. That lets me read pretty well one handed using one thumb or finger to tap for the next page.

You can configure Kobo Readers (with touchscreens) to be able to tap left and tap the upper right to turn the pages just like you have MoonReader+ configured.

[Poppaea]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I don't really think I'd like a voice-activated solution. Saying a word or phrase out loud all the time would bug me worse than reaching to touch the screen would.

I'd love to have it! I knit a lot and can do so without looking at it. A voice activated pageturn would enable me to read instead of always having to watch boring TV or listening to audiobooks with annoying voices.

[Penforhire]

JS, there happen to be a variety of battery-operated wifi webcams that can run 24/7 for months (not recording but motion sensing and then recording) using a relatively small battery. I used an early model years ago. Quite lightweight as well.

It would not be a huge technical challenge to integrate something like that that looks for a hand gesture or maybe a long eye wink. The issue is probably more about cost than technical feasibility, as those battery operated wifi cams tend to cost north of $100 for the simplest of them.

On the other hand, there are a variety of simpler proximity sensors (sonic, radar, laser, etcetera) that might be configured to detect a hand wave or something.