Transparent cases for ereaders

[MarkoRamius]

Hi,

I'm wondering why nobody had the idea (from what I know ...) to sell transparent cases for ereaders.

The first thing I do when I get a new areader (Kindle Paperwhite at first, and currently kobo H2o) is to find a way to display the current book cover when in sleep mode. But sleep mode is activated when the case is closed, so you don't really see the cover, unless you manually activate sleep mode with the powerbutton when the case is open.

So, why doesn't exist a transparent case (just a transparent window on the front part) ... so that when it's closed, you still can see the cover of the book you're reading ... ? Looks like a not-so-bad idea, don't you think ?

[Barbara1955]

Because the Case is to Protect & a Thin plastic is Not that much protection, just so you can See the cover. I would Never buy one. JMO

[MarkoRamius]

Well, I'm not chemist, but there are plenty of options regarding the question of suitable materials.

silicon gels (like for smartphone cases) for example seem to be a good option...

[Deskisamess]

It has never mattered to me if the cover of a book I was reading would show on the sleep screen. It’s a feature that my Kobo Glo has, but just not something I really care about. When I’m not reading, the covers are closed, and I don’t need the book cover to show.

I pick device covers for their protection and how they feel when holding the device. I also happen to like bright colors. Most see-through material that is protective ends up scratched and hazy looking that would look terrible in no time.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by MarkoRamius

Hi,

I'm wondering why nobody had the idea (from what I know ...) to sell transparent cases for ereaders.

The first thing I do when I get a new areader (Kindle Paperwhite at first, and currently kobo H2o) is to find a way to display the current book cover when in sleep mode. But sleep mode is activated when the case is closed, so you don't really see the cover, unless you manually activate sleep mode with the powerbutton when the case is open.

So, why doesn't exist a transparent case (just a transparent window on the front part) ... so that when it's closed, you still can see the cover of the book you're reading ... ? Looks like a not-so-bad idea, don't you think ?

Maybe because there are many people that don't want to announce to the world what they are reading.

[Lady Stardust]

Originally Posted by MarkoRamius

The first thing I do when I get a new areader (Kindle Paperwhite at first, and currently kobo H2o) is to find a way to display the current book cover when in sleep mode. But sleep mode is activated when the case is closed, so you don't really see the cover, unless you manually activate sleep mode with the powerbutton when the case is open.

On my Kobos and Kindles screen covers (on Kobo books covers, on Kindle Amazon covers) get activated without closing the case and pressing the power button, simply by leaving both the reader and it's case open for a certain amount of time (I have no idea how long)

[Barbara1955]

Originally Posted by MarkoRamius

Well, I'm not chemist, but there are plenty of options regarding the question of suitable materials.

silicon gels (like for smartphone cases) for example seem to be a good option...

Gee Here I thought you were asking about an invention NOT Currently on the market....

[Dazrin]

I don't mind a clear case for my phone but for an ereader, I like one that feels better in my had when reading for a long time. I don't think a clear plastic/rubber cover would be all that comfortable compared to the microfiber or other cloth interiors that most cases (with covers) seem to have. Plus many ereaders need a magnet embedded in the cover to activate the automatic on/off switching so clear would be somewhat defeated by that.

[Hemmi]

The one thing I dislike about the Paperwhite is that I can't not display anything on the sleep screen. All of the Sonys allow me to choose if I want a screensaver up or nothing at all. I always choose nothing at all.

[Tarana]

I think you just have to choose whether you want a sleep screen or a cover, but do consider contacting a manufacturer about it. I use sleeves since I don't like reading with the cover attached with the exception of the tremendously thin wake/sleep cover on my Voyage. Since those sleep/wake covers only provide protection for your screen, I see no reason why they couldn't make a transparent one as well.

[MarkoRamius]

Wow, I couldn't expect such sort of replys. Matter of taste !

Well, as I feel I have to justify myself, let's go ! :-)

I like reading. I love my ereader because it's very convenient. But I still do love more the feeling of the real book (you know, that thing made of paper and a cardboard cover). I like when I take my ereader in my hands to have that feeling. I like to view the cover of the book I'm reading, because it starts immersing me. Because sometimes I don't even remember what book I was reading last time I read, too.

Other thing I love from real books, it's the social dimension. Have you never had a talk with a friend, a relative, a neighbour in a train or plane, just because he saw you were currently reading THAT book he loved (or hated - that happens too) ? I like talking and sharing about readings. When I go to someone's house, I like to see the books he has on the shelves of his library. To compare what we have read in common, discover others books he loved, and so on. All sort of things e-readers currently prevent, and that I - personnaly - regret. And I'm here talking about real discussions, face to face, not forum or social network talks.

Originally Posted by Barbara1955

Gee Here I thought you were asking about an invention NOT Currently on the market....

Thank you for your sarcam ( :-) ) but no, I'm not asking about an invention already in the market (from what I know). You wrote soonner that thin plastic is not a protection, the example of silicon gel is just to show there are materials that are transparent, thick enough, and quite effective as a protection. In a classic case for ereader (leather ou simili-leather like we all have), you could have a sort of window on the front part of the case that would be filled with, for example, such a silicon gel sheet. That would have the protection level we all expect, plus the transparency I'm looking for. Just to say that it's possible to have both those features.

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Maybe because there are many people that don't want to announce to the world what they are reading.

Ok, no problem with that, every one can live the way he wants. At the opposite I'm pretty sure there are many people that do want to announce it (for the above mentionned reasons !).

Originally Posted by Dazrin

I don't mind a clear case for my phone but for an ereader, I like one that feels better in my had when reading for a long time. I don't think a clear plastic/rubber cover would be all that comfortable compared to the microfiber or other cloth interiors that most cases (with covers) seem to have. Plus many ereaders need a magnet embedded in the cover to activate the automatic on/off switching so clear would be somewhat defeated by that.

I agree with that, that's why I'm talking about a standard case, with just a transparent window on the front part !

I just hope I made myself clear - english is not my mother tongue, as you may have noticed !

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by MarkoRamius

Other thing I love from real books, it's the social dimension. Have you never had a talk with a friend, a relative, a neighbour in a train or plane, just because he saw you were currently reading THAT book he loved (or hated - that happens too) ? I like talking and sharing about readings. When I go to someone's house, I like to see the books he has on the shelves of his library. To compare what we have read in common, discover others books he loved, and so on. All sort of things e-readers currently prevent, and that I - personnaly - regret. And I'm here talking about real discussions, face to face, not forum or social network talks.

I think you don't read a lot of romance novels And, after this, I say I like your idea.

[binaryhermit]

I could see something like that being viable, if the front was made from something clear but fairly rigid like plexiglass.
Though there is the issue that the Kindle, which is the most popular eReader, doesn't support using the current bookcover as the screensaver, at least without a jailbreak.

[doubleshuffle]

I would buy one. Finally a proper use for Chuck Tingle covers.

[MarkoRamius]

Originally Posted by doubleshuffle

I would buy one. Finally a proper use for Chuck Tingle covers.

Wee, I had never heard of Chuck Tingle. I just googled it and ... Well, I don't know if I really have to thank you... At least I can understand the reluctance about visble covers :-)