Speculation thread: How will Amazon react to new Nook and Kobo?

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by kranu

I think a good compromise would be to only include these buttons:

• Turn Page Forward/Backward
• Home, Back, Menu
• Five Way Controller

The menu that opens could be modified to have options to choose the font style and open the keyboard (navigated similar to how the Sym button works now). I hope that Amazon keeps the slider because it's much nicer than the 'modern' lock button that many devices use..

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Absolutely. That's a beautiful compromise. Buying the book isn't an issue as my father finds it much easier to purchase books on his desktop computer and then send them to his Kindle. I tend to do the same thing. I think I bought one book from my Kindle to make sure it was possible.

There's just no reason that it needs to be an either or situation (unless someone really wants to fight over the keyboard).

I agree, I could live with that compromise as outlined. I don't use the keyboard frequently, so I think I could live with a touch version of the keyboard if I had those other buttons in place for everything else.

[OtterBooks]

I agree compromising the keyboard while keeping other navigation buttons would be fine. I could just use the touch keyboard for registering and naming the odd collection, and be done with it.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by kranu

I think a good compromise would be to only include these buttons:

• Turn Page Forward/Backward
• Home, Back, Menu
• Five Way Controller

Just a quick photoshop, but here you go...

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Just a quick photoshop, but here you go...

Ugly as hell! hahaha...

but yeah, I guess that should work for some people (the concept I mean) I think that the most used button is the back and forward buttons. If the manufacturer is able to provide those, besides a touchscreen screen, it won't be seen as a "forced" change. Still there are a lot of folks who prefer physical keyboard instead of touchscreen, but because this is an ereader not a cellphone or tablet where writing is more common, would be a good compromise.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Just a quick photoshop, but here you go...

Looks sharp. Now lose those buttons on the bottom and make it a touch screen.

[DiapDealer]

I think that the most used button is the back and forward buttons. If the manufacturer is able to provide those, besides a touchscreen screen, it won't be seen as a "forced" change.

It will be seen as a "forced" change. If I can't click on the "Home" button, navigate with the 5-way joystick (or pad) and select the book I want, I'll be unhappy because I'm being forced to change my habits. That's what people don't seem to understand. Just having the forward and back buttons (and the rest rely on Touch) is not a compromise. And it's not enough.

Getting rid of the keyboard, but keeping the other buttons and adding touch-technology is a compromise that will still allow the device to get smaller/lighter while not forcing users to use Touch for normal navigation. Those who like it can still touch the hell out of the screen.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

It will be seen as a "forced" change. If I can't click on the "Home" button, navigate with the 5-way joystick (or pad) and select the book I want, I'll be unhappy because I'm being forced to change my habits. That's what people don't seem to understand. Just having the forward and back buttons (and the rest rely on Touch) is not a compromise. And it's not enough.

Getting rid of the keyboard, but keeping the other buttons and adding touch-technology is a compromise that will still allow the device to get smaller/lighter while not forcing users to use Touch for normal navigation. Those who like it can still touch the hell out of the screen.

I notice anger on your "voice" ... ...

I actually quite happy with the keyboard and don't need or mind touchscreen, that's just me. But because marketing reasons, I see a Kindle touch very likely.

Depending of what other touchscreen readers are providing or not, they will also remove those "home" buttons too. And I see a high chance of keeping the back and forward buttons than keeping the others, but that's just mere speculation at this point.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by jocampo

And I see a high chance of keeping the back and forward buttons than keeping the others, but that's just mere speculation at this point.

Yep, which is why I'd like my opinion on the matter "heard"--a lot--before any of these changes become carved in stone.

I'd like to stay with Amazon for my next e-reader, but if they move to a design that's basically a screen with forward and back buttons, I'm out. I hope that doesn't happen. I hope they actually "listen" instead of simply "keeping up with the Joneses."

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'd like to stay with Amazon for my next e-reader, but if they move to a design that's basically a screen with forward and back buttons, I'm out. I

Interesting.

I am kind of "stuck" with Amazon but not because the format or ereader, but because the awesome online bookstore and available titles. That's probably the reason why I don't have a Sony (kind of expensive but not a bad reader) or why I'm reluctant to get a Nook touch.

I like the Kindle 3, even after most recent B&N and Kobo news I think it is a good piece of hardware, but I buy, read and need, computer books. So on my case, it would be more difficult to abandon Amazon altogether.

I prefer to see ereaders as a tool. Of course, the user needs to be happy with the purchase. But with the stupid DRM protection (notice I did not say format) moving across vendors can be a pain, not without mentioning that I will loss whispersync which is kind of nice for my Amazon books and reading experience.

I want a nice ereader too, one that fits my needs, but I also want to keep enjoying Amazon's buying experience and its electronic book's collection.

[DiapDealer]

I buy wherever I want and format shift when needed. So it's all about the nice ereader in my case. Everything else is.... easily surmountable.

For my money, the K2 was perfect. The K3 will work if my arm was twisted, but I'd rather not (I have access and experience with the K3)... so I'm hoping the K4(?) is a step back in my direction, but I'm not holding my breath.

One can always hope, though.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Just a quick photoshop, but here you go...

please, please, don't bring back the joystick style 5-way.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by alansplace

please, please, don't bring back the joystick style 5-way.

:Shrugs: To each his own. I liked it better than I like the 5-way on the K3.

[AkumaTakeshi]

Originally Posted by alansplace

please, please, don't bring back the joystick style 5-way.

I also think it's more useful than the current directional buttons.
But everyone likes different things, so hard to please everybody.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

:Shrugs: To each his own. I liked it better than I like the 5-way on the K3.

Same here. The joystick is a million times easier for my fat thumbs.

[johnnyb]

but some type of navigational thing is absolutely necessary in order to be able to highlight over page boundaries... If the new Kindle should abandon this, Im going back to paper books...