Paperwhite Second Gen: First Impressions

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by sparklemotion

Do you know which features they are adding to the KPW1, by chance? Was it mentioned somewhere?

I've read in several threads and reviews that Amazon stated that they would be backporting all the features that do not require the new hardware.

As far as I can see, these features will not be backported:
1. 14-page refresh (depends on the new screen)
2. faster page turns (depends on faster CPU)
3. more accurate touch (depends on new touch grid)
4. new/better front-light (hehe... like... d'oh!)

All the rest is just software: Goodreads integration, page flip, foot-note popup, showing pages as an extra option apart from TimeToRead, Vocabulary Builder/Flip cards; and maybe some stuff I'm forgetting.

It's impossible to know what Amazon will and will not backport, but apart from the first 4 features, they could backport the entire KPW2 if they wanted to.

I'm thinking about re-enabling USE_ALT_FONTS again, and if the new firmware disables it and I determine that I like my own font more than the new features, I'll reflash the old firmware. (Only to maybe find out that Amazon may prevent that too.)

My own DejaVu Serif Fat is so much better than anything Amzon provides; they only have 6 fonts, and all of them have "something" amiss with them.

- Baskerville: too small and thin.
- Caecilia: Too fat and ugly.
- Caecilia: Too fat and ugly, squished into a narrower space.
- Futura: Bad readability with regard to a, o, p, q, b, d, etc (for me)
- Helvetica: It's just... so.... HUGE... and fat
- Palatino: A bit too much line height, somewhat thin, but best of the lot, ATM.

[stickybuns]

I've now had a chance to read a book (Murakami's Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World) and I'd put my satisfaction at close to 100%.

Lighting: Very even lighting. The ambient light seems to make a difference because in some rooms the light is slightly pink and in other rooms it is slightly blue. My color perception is pretty average, so there is the possibility that someone who is able to see more colors would find my screen to be a horrific rainbow, but to me, it is 99% even with just a hint of shadow at the bottom.

Contrast: The background is a pale grey and text is a charcoal black when the light is at the minimum setting. At the highest setting, the background warms to a pale cream. Stark white hurts my eyes, so I'm quite happy with the color.

User Interface: I am a habitual highlighter and note taker, so I am loving how easy these things are to do. I'm now reading Luis Alberto Urrea's Hummingbird's Daughter, and the translation feature has been invaluable. I love the "time left in chapter" feature as I find myself wanting to read "just a little bit more."

Minor disappointments: I would love to take advantage of Audible integration without needing to own a Kindle Fire.
The very minor screen imperfection (teeny pinhole in one corner) will probably affect the resale value when the time comes to upgrade.
Reading to my daughter is slightly problematic as I usually use my forefinger to help her follow along with the text as I read, but now I end up turning the page by accident!

Bottom line is that I've been able to read for much longer stretches on this device in comparison to my Kindle Keyboard (lighted cover would wake up my husband, so no reading in bed) and my iPad mini (too many distractions). I tend to be a slow reader, so completing a 300+ page book in a week is pretty big for me.

[Chi Cygni]

Originally Posted by GoSharks

Your screen looks great!
BTW- have you played with adding different fonts (since you have a PW1)? There are several fonts created by JSWolf in the old 'What font are you using' thread that are quite good.

Thanks and of course I did, like 30 minutes after I took it out of the box. That actually IS Jon's font, Charis modified. Can't stand Caecilia. And I think I will keep wifi off for good, won't trade fonts for (maybe) vocabulary builder methinks.

Thanks sparklemotion too !

and btw I tried again to take pictures but no way, 1 out of 50 perhaps looks like something. Too tiring.

[Yolina]

Originally Posted by stickybuns

I've now had a chance to read a book (Murakami's Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World) and I'd put my satisfaction at close to 100%. snip

Excellent

Glad you got a good one.

[wlsinwi]

Has someone considered modifying the old 5.3.8 file? something like changing a version string and see if it loads?

[stickybuns]

Originally Posted by wlsinwi

Has someone considered modifying the old 5.3.8 file? something like changing a version string and see if it loads?

See the thread titled "looking for a brave paperwhite 2 owner."

[Wholesalestunna]

I'll be happy with my original Paperwhite if I can just get Goodreads integration and the page numbers on the bottom of the page. That's all I ask for I'm not picky!

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

I've read in several threads and reviews that Amazon stated that they would be backporting all the features that do not require the new hardware.

As far as I can see, these features will not be backported:
1. 14-page refresh (depends on the new screen)
2. faster page turns (depends on faster CPU)
3. more accurate touch (depends on new touch grid)
4. new/better front-light (hehe... like... d'oh!)

All the rest is just software: Goodreads integration, page flip, foot-note popup, showing pages as an extra option apart from TimeToRead, Vocabulary Builder/Flip cards; and maybe some stuff I'm forgetting.

It's impossible to know what Amazon will and will not backport, but apart from the first 4 features, they could backport the entire KPW2 if they wanted to.

I'm thinking about re-enabling USE_ALT_FONTS again, and if the new firmware disables it and I determine that I like my own font more than the new features, I'll reflash the old firmware. (Only to maybe find out that Amazon may prevent that too.)

My own DejaVu Serif Fat is so much better than anything Amzon provides; they only have 6 fonts, and all of them have "something" amiss with them.

- Baskerville: too small and thin.
- Caecilia: Too fat and ugly.
- Caecilia: Too fat and ugly, squished into a narrower space.
- Futura: Bad readability with regard to a, o, p, q, b, d, etc (for me)
- Helvetica: It's just... so.... HUGE... and fat
- Palatino: A bit too much line height, somewhat thin, but best of the lot, ATM.

Agreed on the defaults fonts. I don't find them too bad but the size is a big issue. I am sticking with my heavy version of Trebuchet I customized for myself. It's perfect for me.
Besides you don't have to update the firmware unless you really want to.

[xendula]

Originally Posted by Helgetus

I am not a native speaker - obviously - but I was a little annoyed when I did not get a reply to my first post.

Yes, I am aware of the fact that the PW will not be available in Germany before 9 Oct. Nevertheless I expect hyphenation to work as well in English text however less frequent.

I missed this post. I don't know that anyone would miss it in English. I don't recall seeing much hyphenation even in paper books, back when I was still reading the, though I could be wrong.
In a language like German, and from Katsunami says, Dutch, it is definitely bad not to have it.


Katsunami, BTW, what you described as happening in Dutch is also happening in German. More annoying than the separation of words that should be compound words, tough, is the crazy proliferation of the apostrophe. Many Germans are going apostrophe crazy, adding an apostrophe before the possessive "s" (in German we just add it to the name - no apostrophe) ... guess it looks cool... Drives me insane...

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

I've read in several threads and reviews that Amazon stated that they would be backporting all the features that do not require the new hardware.

As far as I can see, these features will not be backported:
1. 14-page refresh (depends on the new screen)
2. faster page turns (depends on faster CPU)
3. more accurate touch (depends on new touch grid)
4. new/better front-light (hehe... like... d'oh!)

All the rest is just software: Goodreads integration, page flip, foot-note popup, showing pages as an extra option apart from TimeToRead, Vocabulary Builder/Flip cards; and maybe some stuff I'm forgetting.

It's impossible to know what Amazon will and will not backport, but apart from the first 4 features, they could backport the entire KPW2 if they wanted to.

I'm thinking about re-enabling USE_ALT_FONTS again, and if the new firmware disables it and I determine that I like my own font more than the new features, I'll reflash the old firmware. (Only to maybe find out that Amazon may prevent that too.)

My own DejaVu Serif Fat is so much better than anything Amzon provides; they only have 6 fonts, and all of them have "something" amiss with them.

- Baskerville: too small and thin.
- Caecilia: Too fat and ugly.
- Caecilia: Too fat and ugly, squished into a narrower space.
- Futura: Bad readability with regard to a, o, p, q, b, d, etc (for me)
- Helvetica: It's just... so.... HUGE... and fat
- Palatino: A bit too much line height, somewhat thin, but best of the lot, ATM.

Thanks for the reply. I'd be thrilled if they brought those features to the PW1 in the next update. Here's hoping!

[Gameboy70]

Has anyone besides the OP been able to get real page numbers? All I get is the Loc #.

[stickybuns]

Page numbers work for me. Are you sure the publisher included the option for the book you're reading?

[Barty]

Originally Posted by Gameboy70

Has anyone besides the OP been able to get real page numbers? All I get is the Loc #.

Tap on the bottom left to cycle through loc, page no, and mins left.

However, your book need to include that info for the feature to work. Older books and side loaded books may not have this. If you add books through calibre, it will add the info for you.

[sparklemotion]

Originally Posted by Gameboy70

Has anyone besides the OP been able to get real page numbers? All I get is the Loc #.

It worked for me when I had the PW2.

[GoSharks]

Is it different in the PW2? In the PW1, page numbers only display when you tap the top to bring-up the top menu bar (then page numbers display on the bottom of the screen).