5 ms·

I'm surprised people value physical page turn buttons so much. I've had a kobo Clara HD for years now, running KOReader (one of my most loved pieces of softwar

by jcul 2y ago

I'm surprised people value physical page turn buttons so much. I've had a kobo Clara HD for years now, running KOReader (one of my most loved pieces of software). I can turn the page one handed by just curling a finger around from behind and tapping the screen, or by touching the reader to my nose :) I tend to read a lot in a situation where I can only use one hand!

mrgoldenbrown 2y ago
I'm the opposite, I don't understand the steady march towards fewer buttons. I miss my iPod wheel that I could operate without looking. My screen would be covered in sunblock, sweat and oils if I used my nose to swipe.
- normie3000 2y ago
  > I could operate without looking Possibly not a common use case for e-readers.
  - WolfeReader 2y ago
    You're basically right, but some e-readers have support for audiobooks and music. Physical buttons would be a benefit for those uses.
- fuzztester 2y ago
  >, I don't understand the steady march towards fewer buttons cost cutting by the manufacturers, probably. seen the trend even in laptops over the last decade or two - the parts are getting thinner and lighter.
toast0 2y ago
Having real buttons means never needing to have my hand obscure the screen. And not touching the screen means not having to clean it as often either.
mmcclure 2y ago
My partner makes fun of me for always turning the page with my nose and it makes me very happy to hear I’m not alone. I use the physical buttons if I’m reading on a plane or otherwise sitting down, but I much prefer holding the kindle from the back if I’m reading lying down. I assumed that must be rare given how little attention any of the e-reader form factors have given to it.
skydhash 2y ago
The way I hold my Kobo lets my thumb rest exactly on the forward page button. No need to move anything. And if I want the previous page, it's easy to jut move my thumbs up a bit. That's my two most used action. Anytime I used the touch screen is mostly related to switching books. I also have a DAP [1] which has a wheel. After launching an album to play, I can pause-play, skip forward and change the volume by using the wheel. All of these can be done while the device is in my pocket. Same with my old feature phones. Buttons are nice. [1]: https://en.shanling.com/product/222 https://en.shanling.com/product/222
adammarples 2y ago
Even on the paper white it is finicky and you never know if a touch has registered because there is a delay. I can easily lose my place. Also, I used to highlight words to get a definition but half the time I now accidentally change page instead so I have stopped doing that.

by jcul 2y ago

mrgoldenbrown 2y ago

I'm the opposite, I don't understand the steady march towards fewer buttons. I miss my iPod wheel that I could operate without looking. My screen would be covered in sunblock, sweat and oils if I used my nose to swipe.

normie3000 2y ago
> I could operate without looking Possibly not a common use case for e-readers.
- WolfeReader 2y ago
  You're basically right, but some e-readers have support for audiobooks and music. Physical buttons would be a benefit for those uses.
fuzztester 2y ago
>, I don't understand the steady march towards fewer buttons cost cutting by the manufacturers, probably. seen the trend even in laptops over the last decade or two - the parts are getting thinner and lighter.

toast0 2y ago

Having real buttons means never needing to have my hand obscure the screen. And not touching the screen means not having to clean it as often either.

mmcclure 2y ago

My partner makes fun of me for always turning the page with my nose and it makes me very happy to hear I’m not alone. I use the physical buttons if I’m reading on a plane or otherwise sitting down, but I much prefer holding the kindle from the back if I’m reading lying down. I assumed that must be rare given how little attention any of the e-reader form factors have given to it.

skydhash 2y ago

The way I hold my Kobo lets my thumb rest exactly on the forward page button. No need to move anything. And if I want the previous page, it's easy to jut move my thumbs up a bit. That's my two most used action. Anytime I used the touch screen is mostly related to switching books. I also have a DAP [1] which has a wheel. After launching an album to play, I can pause-play, skip forward and change the volume by using the wheel. All of these can be done while the device is in my pocket. Same with my old feature phones. Buttons are nice. [1]: https://en.shanling.com/product/222 https://en.shanling.com/product/222

adammarples 2y ago

Even on the paper white it is finicky and you never know if a touch has registered because there is a delay. I can easily lose my place. Also, I used to highlight words to get a definition but half the time I now accidentally change page instead so I have stopped doing that.