Why have e-readers ditched page turn buttons? - Page 9

Sweetpea · 07-09-2015, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

But there's no reason (apart from additional hardware and software development costs) why there cannot be multiple, complementary ways of turning pages. Evidently these costs are prohibitive.

I don't think it's the cost. But rather the design. It looks sleeker without buttons. Buttons generally stick out and that's not as esthetically nice as a perfectly flat design. They generally are also more susceptible to dirt and dust (the same reason people prefer a screen that is flush with the bezel).

I'm not fond of Kindles, but I do like the Voyage (except the price). It has buttons, it has a flush screen and it has touch.

dorotea · 07-09-2015, 08:34 AM

I think you're absolutely right, sweetpea!

ZodWallop · 07-09-2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howyoudoin

The Tolino e-reader has the ability to change pages by tapping the backside with a finger.

In addition, it has a flush bezel and is water-proof.

I don't get why it isn't a lot more popular.

Probably because there's nowhere in the U.S. to get hands on experience with it. You can go to B&N or Target (at least you could at one point) to play with a Nook and you can go to Best Buy to check out a Kindle. Once upon a time you could go to Borders to check out a Kobo device. Since Borders closed, Kobos "in the wild" have become increasingly rare. At least I never see them.

You have to go out of your way to know there's such a thing as a Tolino e-reader. I have some interest in these devices and this is the first I've heard of it.

ZodWallop · 07-09-2015, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I don't think it's the cost. But rather the design. It looks sleeker without buttons. Buttons generally stick out and that's not as esthetically nice as a perfectly flat design. They generally are also more susceptible to dirt and dust (the same reason people prefer a screen that is flush with the bezel).

I'm not fond of Kindles, but I do like the Voyage (except the price). It has buttons, it has a flush screen and it has touch.

Do the page turn buttons on the on the Nook Simple touch detract from the esthetics of the device? I don't think they do. (You could argue about the 'n' home button. I like it personally.)

They are not susceptible to dirt and dust. If anything, the ridge of the raised bezel is more of a concern when it comes to that, yet that has not become the de facto design.

howyoudoin · 07-09-2015, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Probably because there's nowhere in the U.S. to get hands on experience with it. You can go to B&N or Target (at least you could at one point) to play with a Nook and you can go to Best Buy to check out a Kindle. Once upon a time you could go to Borders to check out a Kobo device. Since Borders closed, Kobos "in the wild" have become increasingly rare. At least I never see them.

You have to go out of your way to know there's such a thing as a Tolino e-reader. I have some interest in these devices and this is the first I've heard of it.

Yeah, I agree. I think this is a direct consequence of Amazon's utter dominance in the US (before someone jumps on this, let me say that this is an observation, not a criticism of Amazon). Most companies don't even bother trying to crack the US market with their products because they figure it's a waste of resources competing with the behemoth. Kobo is right across the border and even they don't bother.

eschwartz · 07-09-2015, 04:15 PM

Although keep in mind that there is considerably more competition where it counts -- ebooks not ereaders -- although it could still be better.

I mention this only because it is the current topic argument in another thread!

Barbara1955 · 07-09-2015, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I don't think it's the cost. But rather the design. It looks sleeker without buttons. Buttons generally stick out and that's not as esthetically nice as a perfectly flat design. They generally are also more susceptible to dirt and dust (the same reason people prefer a screen that is flush with the bezel).

I'm not fond of Kindles, but I do like the Voyage (except the price). It has buttons, it has a flush screen and it has touch.

Bring the cost down I would buy 1.... Except it still missing TTS

murg · 07-09-2015, 06:11 PM

I'd like to see an inertia sensor chip in an ereader.

That way, you just have to shake (flip?) the device to change the page.

jhowell · 07-09-2015, 07:04 PM

For me the ultimate would be a front facing camera interface. Wink to turn the page. Long wink to page backward. No need to move a finger. Too bad that it would kill the battery.

FizzyWater · 07-09-2015, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murg

I'd like to see an inertia sensor chip in an ereader.

That way, you just have to shake (flip?) the device to change the page.

I don't know....a good sneeze could send you 50 pages into the next chapter! On a more serious note, it would have to be able to be turned off for folks with a bit of palsy.

eschwartz · 07-10-2015, 12:40 AM

Shaking it is too much work. I'm still a big fan of the idea of a stream-of-consciousness ereader.

Sweetpea · 07-10-2015, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Do the page turn buttons on the on the Nook Simple touch detract from the esthetics of the device? I don't think they do. (You could argue about the 'n' home button. I like it personally.)

I wouldn't know, that one was never for sale in the Netherlands thus I've never seen it nor searched for it. But it's something you see everywhere, from phones to TV's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Shaking it is too much work. I'm still a big fan of the idea of a stream-of-consciousness ereader.

Shaking would be bad when in bed! I usually have my reader propped up (either using a cover that allows it, or the pillow of my partner, or one of the stuffed animals I also have in bed). So I'd never be able to get to the next page (unless there's an earthquake...)

I'd say a reader that follows your eyes could work

eschwartz · 07-10-2015, 03:13 AM

Well, moving your eyes is too much work too!

Apache · 07-10-2015, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhowell

For me the ultimate would be a front facing camera interface. Wink to turn the page. Long wink to page backward. No need to move a finger. Too bad that it would kill the battery.

What happens when you blink?

Apache

patrickt · 07-10-2015, 05:56 AM

So, back to the original question. Why have physical, mechanical page-turn buttons been abandoned?

Not enough people want them to make it worthwhile. The haptic button compromise is as close as it will get.

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07-09-2015, 08:34 AM	#122
dorotea Member Posts: 10 Karma: 1000010 Join Date: Jul 2015 Device: none	I think you're absolutely right, sweetpea!

07-09-2015, 04:15 PM	#126
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Although keep in mind that there is considerably more competition where it counts -- ebooks not ereaders -- although it could still be better. I mention this only because it is the current topic argument in another thread!

07-09-2015, 06:11 PM	#128
murg No Comment Posts: 3,240 Karma: 23878043 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Australia Device: Kobo: Not just an eReader, it's an adventure!	I'd like to see an inertia sensor chip in an ereader. That way, you just have to shake (flip?) the device to change the page.

07-09-2015, 07:04 PM	#129
jhowell Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,075 Karma: 91577715 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Charlottesville, VA Device: Kindles	For me the ultimate would be a front facing camera interface. Wink to turn the page. Long wink to page backward. No need to move a finger. Too bad that it would kill the battery.

07-10-2015, 12:40 AM	#131
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Shaking it is too much work. I'm still a big fan of the idea of a stream-of-consciousness ereader.

07-10-2015, 03:13 AM	#133
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Well, moving your eyes is too much work too!

07-10-2015, 05:56 AM	#135
patrickt Wizard Posts: 1,221 Karma: 8381518 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2	So, back to the original question. Why have physical, mechanical page-turn buttons been abandoned? Not enough people want them to make it worthwhile. The haptic button compromise is as close as it will get.

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