Did the Kindle Touch kill left-handed reading? :-(

[WilliamG]

The Kindle Touch has a touch-screen, obviously, which requires a press on the RIGHT side to move ahead a page, and the LEFT side to move back a page. Well, if you're holding the Kindle with your left hand, that makes turning the page rather tricky.

What to do?  

[LAstoryweaver]

During the press conference he said that you can rezone the Kindle to personalize it for your preferences.

[WilliamG]

During the press conference he said that you can rezone the Kindle to personalize it for your preferences.

Fantastic. Count me in for a preorder.

Also, from the Kindle Touch's page:

"New Touch Experience - EasyReach
Amazon invented a new type of touch experience that eliminates the fatigue caused by continuously swiping to turn the page, and that allows readers to hold Kindle with either hand while still turning pages comfortably. With EasyReach, Kindle Touch users can effortlessly page forward in a book or a periodical while holding the device with either hand. Tapping on most of the screen area will page forward, the most common action done when reading; tapping in a narrow area near the left edge of the device turns to the previous page; and tapping on the top part of the screen brings up the toolbars for further options. This is another way that Kindle helps readers get lost in the author's world. "

[tlrowley]

Here's a picture (from thisismynext.com)

[4Katie]

I don't quite understand wanting a touch screen that's gonna get all dirty and full of fingerprints.

With EasyReach, Kindle Touch users can effortlessly page forward in a book or a periodical while holding the device with either hand.

I do that now, without having to move my hand. I just wiggle the thumb of the hand holding the Kindle.

[Ann in Arlington]

I don't quite understand wanting a touch screen that's gonna get all dirty and full of fingerprints.

If it's anything like the nook's touch screen, the fingerprints are nearly invisible.  I played with one and I pressed hard and smeared and could hardly see them.

I do that now, without having to move my hand. I just wiggle the thumb of the hand holding the Kindle.

But the point is that there is a level of customization available for the touch controls.

[RichardDR]

No it won't kill "left-handed reading" but why would I want a device that requires another hand to turn a page? The clearest practical advantage my K2 has over reading DTBs is that I can hold it in one hand and use my thumb on that same hand to turn the page! Why take this step backwards?

[history_lover]

But the point is that there is a level of customization available for the touch controls.

I'm just not sure it's good enough - like I said in the other topic, I have very small hands and I'm not sure I can reach across that far while holding it even with the "rezone" option. Maybe if I can rezone it so tapping anywhere along the bottom turns the page forward, the top turns back and the middle brings up the menu... that would work. But is that an option?

[The Hooded Claw]

I put up with touch screen for reading on my Android phone and iPad, but I've never understood why anyone would voluntarily subject themselves to it when a nice button was available!     But I'm glad those who want it can get it, and that Lefties aren't left out.

[Samantha]

No it won't kill "left-handed reading" but why would I want a device that requires another hand to turn a page? The clearest practical advantage my K2 has over reading DTBs is that I can hold it in one hand and use my thumb on that same hand to turn the page! Why take this step backwards?

I'm sure it won't bother some people. I know when the Kobo Touch came out people loved it.

personally I like the Kindle 3 with the buttons. I find it really easy to hold the K3 and read it and move my thumb slightly to turn the page. I'm not sure I'd want a Touch. But then I don't have to buy one!  I'm glad that Amazon is still offering the K3.

[Ann in Arlington]

It seems to me Amazon has a HUGE number of choices now:  touch or not, keyboard or not, 3G or not, SO's or not . . . and then the Fire. . . . .I won't say something for everyone but certainly something for the vast majority of folks!

[SusanCassidy]

It seems weird that the Touch version and the Fire are the only ones I've found without a User's Guide currently available.

[krm0789]

I have small hands & don't think I could hold it in my left hand and reach to turn the page, even with EasyReach. No bueno.

[Ann in Arlington]

It seems weird that the Touch version and the Fire are the only ones I've found without a User's Guide currently available.

Well. . . .they're not available yet. . . . . .all the others listed -- the Kindle, Kindle Keyboard, and Kindle DX -- available for purchase.  The Kindle Touch and Kindle Fire are still just available for pre-order.

[Seamonkey]

I'm thinking one advantage would be that the touch keyboard wouldn't take up permanent real estate on the device, thus allowing for a smaller overall device with the same size screen (or, theoretically, same size device, larger screen.. well not theoretical since the fire tablet is basically the same size as a current K3 but with no physical keyboard.)

[DD]

I don't quite understand wanting a touch screen that's gonna get all dirty and full of fingerprints.


I do that now, without having to move my hand. I just wiggle the thumb of the hand holding the Kindle.

I have screen protectors on all my touch screen devices.  I wouldn't own a touch screen without one.  I don't even realize the screen protector is on my iPad and DroidX anymore.  Of course, one has to buy the right product.  I think the Boxwave product is the best screen protector ever.

[WilliamG]

I have screen protectors on all my touch screen devices.  I wouldn't own a touch screen without one.  I don't even realize the screen protector is on my iPad and DroidX anymore.  Of course, one has to buy the right product.  I think the Boxwave product is the best screen protector ever.

Screen protectors on a Kindle is just... outrageous. Defeats the purpose of the e-ink screen to a large degree.

[CrystalStarr]

Take your current kindle and hold it in your left hand.  Now act like it's a Touch and pretend to turn pages.  I'm 5ft nothing and 100lbs soaking wet.  My hands are so small I have to buy children's sized gloves or else they are so big as to be ridiculous.  I do not have any fear I won't be able to turn the pages on this thing when it is in my left hand.

[Andra]

I'm just not sure it's good enough - like I said in the other topic, I have very small hands and I'm not sure I can reach across that far while holding it even with the "rezone" option. Maybe if I can rezone it so tapping anywhere along the bottom turns the page forward, the top turns back and the middle brings up the menu... that would work. But is that an option?

Remember that you have 30 days to return it if you find that it doesn't work for you.  That's my plan

[history_lover]

Take your current kindle and hold it in your left hand.  Now act like it's a Touch and pretend to turn pages.  I'm 5ft nothing and 100lbs soaking wet.  My hands are so small I have to buy children's sized gloves or else they are so big as to be ridiculous.  I do not have any fear I won't be able to turn the pages on this thing when it is in my left hand.

Without a cover it's fine... with the cover on, which mine always is, I'm still unsure. It's still a big stretch for me to reach what looks like the point where I need to click. Even if possible, I don't think it will be comfortable.

Remember that you have 30 days to return it if you find that it doesn't work for you.  That's my plan

Unfortunately, being in the UK, the Touch is not available to me until I'll be in the US for a week during Christmas. So returning it might be difficult - I don't know if I'll have time to order it, receive it, test it and return it if I don't like it. If it's available to test in stores like Target, I could check it out there first. Trouble is, if my parents know I want it, they'll get it for me for Christmas if I don't like it, I don't want to return a Christmas gift.

[Lambert]

I'm left handed and have the DX, so I hold it with two hands. I have no problem using my right hant to turn pages, so I don't think the touch would be a problem.

Hmmmm...  I need to make sure my books look OK on these new ereaders. Can I use them as a business expense? 

[Luvmy4brats]

I'm only 4'10" and have really small hands.. I expect that if I'm able to use the Touch one handed, just about anyone will.

[history_lover]

I'm left handed and have the DX, so I hold it with two hands. I have no problem using my right hant to turn pages, so I don't think the touch would be a problem.

Yes, it's not a problem if you don't mind using both hands... it's just that some of us who don't have the larger and heavier DX like to hold and turn pages with one hand and if that's now going to be restricted to right-hand only...well, it's disappointing. It's especially frustrating that it could be easily resolved by having a different EasyReach option where the next page turn is along the bottom, back page is along the top and menu is in the middle. That way it doesn't matter what hand you hold it or turn pages with. It's so simple... yet apparently not an option!

[Lambert]

You can also touch a word to bring up a definition. I wonder how that will not interfere with page turning.

[history_lover]

You can also touch a word to bring up a definition. I wonder how that will not interfere with page turning.

Probably works the same way it does on the apps for smartphones and tablets - you have to touch and hold to select a word, rather than a quick touch and release to turn pages.