Sony PRS-T Series button design. Do you like?

linereader · 10-08-2014, 09:11 PM

I like buttons.

What are your thoughts on the look and feel of the button design on the T series readers (PRS-T1, PRS-T2 and PRS-T3)?
http://hq.update.sony.net.edgesuite....0001008205.jpg

Sony kept the button design basically the same on no less than 3 generations of units as far as I can tell. Was it the right decision?

My dislikes
* silver paint on the buttons (paint coatings on plastics that are used frequently wear away eventually). As a general rule, I dislike silver paint and think it always cheapens a product. The idea of making plastics look like metal is a silly one to me.
* the fact that the buttons are shaped according to their function instead of being all the same (with their function printed above or below the button instead)
* the feel of the buttons under my finger has never felt as good as it should be. Rough. 'Stabby'. Inconsistent. My ideal would be a finger-friendly circular concave or convex button with perhaps one main button (home?) being a different tactile feel (raised dot on it or perhaps concave where others are convex).

What are your thoughts on the button design of the T-Series?
I am aware Sony won't be making any more 'consumer' e-reader units, but I'm just curious about your thoughts on their design here. If you never thought about the buttons and think I'm insane, well that wouldn't surprise me since I tend to have aversions to the smallest design elements that I think could be improved.

Most of all I'm surprised Sony kept the button design the same over 3 years, because I never felt it was right from the beginning. Your thoughts?

Ghitulescu · 10-09-2014, 03:10 AM

The button design changed from T1 to T3.
I like the T2/T3 design, T1's not that much (I had to learn them or to read their labels, whereas the buttons of T2/T3 are immediately identified in their function).

One has to put the things in their correct frame - which other gear offer metal/aluminium/titanium/spacecraft-alloy for the buttons? Not even the snob-meterring device, ipHone has them.

PS: the function of the buttons are doubled by the touch screen. If one wants to reduce their wear, he could use the TS instead. problematic would be only those that do not have an alternative.

linereader · 10-09-2014, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghitulescu

The button design changed from T1 to T3.
I like the T2/T3 design, T1's not that much (I had to learn them or to read their labels, whereas the buttons of T2/T3 are immediately identified in their function).

You're right about the change. Not sure why I thought the T1 was the same (getting old

. I prefer the T1 approach but I'd go for circular concave buttons that are more distinctly separated from each other, not those thin strips. I'd also raise the Sony logo and the icons so your finger doesn't cover the icon for each button so easily. I'd also dispense with what I'm assuming is silver paint on the buttons.
http://hq.update.sony.net.edgesuite....0001004891.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghitulescu

One has to put the things in their correct frame - which other gear offer metal/aluminium/titanium/spacecraft-alloy for the buttons? Not even the snob-meterring device, ipHone has them.

I don't care for metal, but I have aversions to making plastic look like it. For wear reasons as well as ruining the aesthetics. I'd much rather they offered uncoated plastics than make a faux metal look. Just my personal issues with silver paint. A plastic device I have nothing against; and wi-fi devices are more easily designed with a plastic case, unlike Sony's earlier metal units.

filmo · 10-10-2014, 05:14 PM

Like you I never liked the button design with metal paint. They show wear on my reader much like wear on old well used furniture or hand tool. But this doesn't really bother me. I am always been glad they kept the buttons. Often I use buttons to turn pages instead of touch screen. Back button is easiest way get out of accidentally zoomed in screen.

Absolute worst control on ereader was Kobo 5 way switch with stiff cover that made page turns difficult and came unglued with no easy fix.

MULTIVAC · 10-12-2014, 12:28 PM

I have the PRS-T2. I find the arrow-shaped buttons hurt my fingertips after a while.

radius · 10-14-2014, 10:03 AM

I thought I would hate the T3 button design but over time I have come to accept them (better than having no buttons at all). I'm starting to think that the shape of the next page button actually makes it a bit easier to press because of the corner.

What I wish though was that click feel was better. I mostly prefer the feel of the buttons on my 505 (except that the navigation buttons were really stiff). And those buttons were actually in aluminium IIRC. I miss that level of reader build quality. If I could put the guts of my T3 into a 505 I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Cesca · 11-10-2014, 10:10 AM

I find the button placement pretty natural on the T2 as I hold it with my left hand at the bottom of the reader & press the page turn buttons with my thumb. But when using the T3 with the cover, it feels unbalanced this way, and I end up holding it with two hands and swiping the screen to turn pages, making the buttons kind of redundant. I think I've worn down the buttons on the T2 because they feel much smoother than on the T3. The paint hasn't worn off, though.

Sneakyweasel · 11-10-2014, 12:49 PM

Having bought a PRS-T3 a few days ago, replacing the Kobo touch I've had for a number of years, I find the T3 worlds better as an e-reader (Kobo slow and firmware too buggy and the last update essentially trashed it) and, even though I really like having the buttons, they're uncomfortable to use with sharp edges that 'catch' on my fingertips. Would have been better, looks and feel, if the buttons were round and rounded. ..Willy.

Salgueiros · 11-10-2014, 06:58 PM

I love the buttons. I felt that the silver colour would go away with the use, but, after 2+ years of use my T2 it is still in excellent shape. I don't use it intensively, because of the page turn using a screen swipe, but i still use it regularly to change the page.

carpetmojo · 11-11-2014, 04:38 AM

Hurt your fingertips ?
Sharp edges ?
Silver paint that might wear off?
Want more of a click ?

Oh please .... you all need to get out more ....

( For what it's worth, I think the T3 was the best reader they ever made - with the possible exception of the delightful 350 !

)

Ghitulescu · 11-11-2014, 01:04 PM

I read a lot but I never thought my fingers will be hurt by the buttons.

carpetmojo · 11-11-2014, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghitulescu

I read a lot but I never thought my fingers will be hurt by the buttons.

Yeah, got to watch out for those pesky killer buttons ....

Ripplinger · 11-11-2014, 08:42 PM

I don't own any T-series, but I can see the buttons starting to hurt after awhile. Some people just have more sensitive fingers tips than others. While others can carry a bowl filled with hot soup that just feels hot to them, it will burn me and I'll drop it unless I hold the bowl with something. What is a nice hot shower to some actually burns me, and my showers are too cold to them. I can feel roughness to some reader screens, whereas most others think I'm nuts and don't feel it at all.

So I can see it starting to hurt after awhile if they're made of hard plastic. Making them a soft rubbery material would have probably avoided it, only if they used a material that's a solid color throughout and not a surface-coated color that will wear off in time (like Logitech remotes for instance for me). Yes, I'm also picky enough that I would hate to see buttons with half worn-off coloring to them.

10-08-2014, 09:11 PM	#1
linereader Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 74200 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: none	Sony PRS-T Series button design. Do you like? I like buttons. What are your thoughts on the look and feel of the button design on the T series readers (PRS-T1, PRS-T2 and PRS-T3)? http://hq.update.sony.net.edgesuite....0001008205.jpg Sony kept the button design basically the same on no less than 3 generations of units as far as I can tell. Was it the right decision? My dislikes * silver paint on the buttons (paint coatings on plastics that are used frequently wear away eventually). As a general rule, I dislike silver paint and think it always cheapens a product. The idea of making plastics look like metal is a silly one to me. * the fact that the buttons are shaped according to their function instead of being all the same (with their function printed above or below the button instead) * the feel of the buttons under my finger has never felt as good as it should be. Rough. 'Stabby'. Inconsistent. My ideal would be a finger-friendly circular concave or convex button with perhaps one main button (home?) being a different tactile feel (raised dot on it or perhaps concave where others are convex). What are your thoughts on the button design of the T-Series? I am aware Sony won't be making any more 'consumer' e-reader units, but I'm just curious about your thoughts on their design here. If you never thought about the buttons and think I'm insane, well that wouldn't surprise me since I tend to have aversions to the smallest design elements that I think could be improved. Most of all I'm surprised Sony kept the button design the same over 3 years, because I never felt it was right from the beginning. Your thoughts?

11-11-2014, 08:42 PM	#13
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I don't own any T-series, but I can see the buttons starting to hurt after awhile. Some people just have more sensitive fingers tips than others. While others can carry a bowl filled with hot soup that just feels hot to them, it will burn me and I'll drop it unless I hold the bowl with something. What is a nice hot shower to some actually burns me, and my showers are too cold to them. I can feel roughness to some reader screens, whereas most others think I'm nuts and don't feel it at all. So I can see it starting to hurt after awhile if they're made of hard plastic. Making them a soft rubbery material would have probably avoided it, only if they used a material that's a solid color throughout and not a surface-coated color that will wear off in time (like Logitech remotes for instance for me). Yes, I'm also picky enough that I would hate to see buttons with half worn-off coloring to them. Last edited by Ripplinger; 11-12-2014 at 12:41 AM.

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10-09-2014, 03:10 AM	#2
Ghitulescu Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 403106 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: PRS-T1	The button design changed from T1 to T3. I like the T2/T3 design, T1's not that much (I had to learn them or to read their labels, whereas the buttons of T2/T3 are immediately identified in their function). One has to put the things in their correct frame - which other gear offer metal/aluminium/titanium/spacecraft-alloy for the buttons? Not even the snob-meterring device, ipHone has them. PS: the function of the buttons are doubled by the touch screen. If one wants to reduce their wear, he could use the TS instead. problematic would be only those that do not have an alternative.

10-10-2014, 05:14 PM	#4
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	Like you I never liked the button design with metal paint. They show wear on my reader much like wear on old well used furniture or hand tool. But this doesn't really bother me. I am always been glad they kept the buttons. Often I use buttons to turn pages instead of touch screen. Back button is easiest way get out of accidentally zoomed in screen. Absolute worst control on ereader was Kobo 5 way switch with stiff cover that made page turns difficult and came unglued with no easy fix.

10-12-2014, 12:28 PM	#5
MULTIVAC Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2014 Device: Sony PRS-T2	I have the PRS-T2. I find the arrow-shaped buttons hurt my fingertips after a while.

10-14-2014, 10:03 AM	#6
radius Lector minore Posts: 660 Karma: 1738720 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Aura One, Paperwhite Signature	I thought I would hate the T3 button design but over time I have come to accept them (better than having no buttons at all). I'm starting to think that the shape of the next page button actually makes it a bit easier to press because of the corner. What I wish though was that click feel was better. I mostly prefer the feel of the buttons on my 505 (except that the navigation buttons were really stiff). And those buttons were actually in aluminium IIRC. I miss that level of reader build quality. If I could put the guts of my T3 into a 505 I'd do it in a heartbeat.

11-10-2014, 10:10 AM	#7
Cesca Groupie Posts: 155 Karma: 1106620 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Home of the Maple Leaf Device: Kobos, iPads, Sonys	I find the button placement pretty natural on the T2 as I hold it with my left hand at the bottom of the reader & press the page turn buttons with my thumb. But when using the T3 with the cover, it feels unbalanced this way, and I end up holding it with two hands and swiping the screen to turn pages, making the buttons kind of redundant. I think I've worn down the buttons on the T2 because they feel much smoother than on the T3. The paint hasn't worn off, though.

11-10-2014, 12:49 PM	#8
Sneakyweasel Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2014 Device: Sony e-reader	Having bought a PRS-T3 a few days ago, replacing the Kobo touch I've had for a number of years, I find the T3 worlds better as an e-reader (Kobo slow and firmware too buggy and the last update essentially trashed it) and, even though I really like having the buttons, they're uncomfortable to use with sharp edges that 'catch' on my fingertips. Would have been better, looks and feel, if the buttons were round and rounded. ..Willy.

11-10-2014, 06:58 PM	#9
Salgueiros Eudaimonia Posts: 898 Karma: 9164418 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Vancouver, Canada Device: Sony PRS T2, Sony PRS T3, Sony DPT-RP1	I love the buttons. I felt that the silver colour would go away with the use, but, after 2+ years of use my T2 it is still in excellent shape. I don't use it intensively, because of the page turn using a screen swipe, but i still use it regularly to change the page.

11-11-2014, 04:38 AM	#10
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	Hurt your fingertips ? Sharp edges ? Silver paint that might wear off? Want more of a click ? Oh please .... you all need to get out more .... ( For what it's worth, I think the T3 was the best reader they ever made - with the possible exception of the delightful 350 ! )

11-11-2014, 01:04 PM	#11
Ghitulescu Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 403106 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: PRS-T1	I read a lot but I never thought my fingers will be hurt by the buttons.

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