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A $150 Buttonless, Open Hardware Answer to Kindle is being crowdfunded by Open Book Touch (itsfoss.com)
submitted 3 months ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
134 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/49429587

URL for the crowdfunding: https://www.crowdsupply.com/oddly-specific-objects/open-book-touch

Specs:

  • Display: 4.26" e-paper touchscreen, 480 × 800 px, warm + cool frontlight
  • Processor: ESP32-S3 dual-core, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth LE
  • Memory: 16 MB flash, 8 MB PSRAM
  • Formats: EPUB and plain text, no DRM
  • Storage: microSD card slot
  • Interface: USB-C with integrated LiPo charging
  • Dimension: 78 × 120 × 10 mm, about 85 g
  • Open source: MIT-licensed firmware, open hardware (to be released at shipping)

It also has a replaceable 800 mAh battery, I found it cool :)

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[–] 176 points 3 months ago* (16 children)

Why buttonless? I like buttons.

Heck, a scroll wheel would be a killer feature so I don't smudge the screen with my disgusting oils

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  • [–] 55 points 3 months ago (5 children)

    Buttons and scroll wheels cost more than touchscreens at this point… 90s me wanted touchscreens on everything, and me since maybe 2015? has been firmly “bring back buttons”

    …whenever they started replacing useful things that SHOILD be buttons always (car) with touch things. Absolutely not bueno.

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  • [–] 10 points 3 months ago (2 children)

    Buttons and scroll wheels cost more than touchscreens at this point…

    It's not that they cost MORE, they can be sub-cent per unit if you buy enough of them:

    https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/filter/tactile-switches/197?s=N4IgbCBcoJYCZRAWgIwAYUgDQgA4BdFsR8BPXAU0QEMBnAYxAF8mg

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  • [–] 31 points 3 months ago

    Of course they cost MORE than putting all their functions on a tiny touch screen that’s already gonna be on the device!

    Beyond manufacturing the device to be able to use separate physical moving pieces, you’ve also got costs supporting pieces that break in warranty, units damaged in shipping due to moving parts being tossed around, etc.

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  • [–] 0 points 3 months ago (9 children)

    My Kobo only has a power button and it’s perfect for my needs.

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  • [–] 17 points 3 months ago (8 children)

    My kobo has a power button, and two page turn buttons and its perfect for my needs.

    Seriously, I have 4 (5 if you count the ancient kindle DX) ereaders, and the kobo is the only one I use. Will never again buy one without buttons

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  • [+] -10 points 3 months ago (7 children)

    It’s not that hard to tap the screen to turn a page lmao

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  • [–] 12 points 3 months ago* (6 children)

    Hard, no. Uncomfortable, yes.

    I'm really not looking to move my fingers much when I read. What am I supposed to do, rest my finger on the display so I can turn the page and skip 15 words per page?

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  • [–] 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

    I prefer physical media, but I appreciate the utility of ereaders. I, too, would prefer buttons if I used an ereader with any frequency; I still lament the disappearance of them from my phone!

    However, in case this is a problem you really need fixed: my wife is an avid ereader user. She didn't like the page turning for many of the reasons you listed, so she bought a ring that has Bluetooth and a singular button. The ring connects to your reader, then when you press the button, simulates a click or screen tap. You get the page turning experience it sounds like you want and, after setup, the only thing you need to physically exert at all is your thumb.

    edit: Fixed an embarrassing number of typos.

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  • [+] 0 points 3 months ago* (1 child)
    [deleted]
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  • [–] 3 points 3 months ago

    No, I didn't say exhausting, I said uncomfortable. I bought my first ereader in 2009, and a lot of then in the meantime, I had devices with only buttons, only toucscreen, and both.

    Using buttons for page turns is the most comfortable for me. I do appreciate a touchscreen to configure the device, select books, etc.

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  • [+] -6 points 3 months ago (2 children)

    You’ve never read a real book in your life?? You do that every time you turn a real page. Quit being a baby.

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  • [–] 4 points 3 months ago*

    At that point, why not just read a real book??

    My whole reason for using an ereader is to eliminate the parts of reading physical books that annoys me, why would I buy a subpar reader that makes me do or simulates doing the actions I want to avoid?

    Quit being a baby.

    Quit acting like a child that thinks everyone should think the way you do.

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