E-Readers Should Scroll Smoothly

I predict that e-book readers of the future will use smooth scrolling instead of page turning.

Page turning requires you to reach the end of a text area, decide you have to perform a UI gesture, perform that gesture, wait for the device to respond, and then find the beginning of the new text.  Smooth scrolling uses a continuous interaction style that helps you keep your place on the page, and doesn't require you to move your eyes around as much.  It encourages flow.

In fair disclosure, page turning allows the user to feel a sense of accomplishment and completion when turning the page.  These advantages, however, are outweighed by the importance of flow for consuming large amounts of text.  Consider reading articles on the web with smooth scrolling versus page up/page down, for example.  Flow is really important.

The Kindle E-ink readers can't do smooth scrolling because their screens take a long time to update their contents, but normal display readers like Kindle PC, Kindle iPad, and iBook should all default to smooth scrolling.

I think Kindle on the PC and iPad mess this up because of legacy thinking from their earlier Kindle devices.  Apple doesn't do this because they're taking skeuomorphism too far.  But eventually e-book readers have to come around, and it can't be too soon.

 

Comments

[Trip]

I never thought about the psychology of "page turning" nor whether or not if I find a sense of accomplishment at the end of a page. I know I feel like it gives me a sense of "measurement", like okay I just finished the 5th page and now I deserve a break - okay perhaps this "is" a sense of accomplishment! But teachers will say for example, "read through page 27", type of thing. How would automatic scrolling ever measure where you are at, or allow you to set goals? Cheers, RJ Trip

[Trip]

Adam I thnk you arer closing your comments down too soon. I mean wow...just finished 2 of perhaps the best life changing posts I think I have evr read on any blog > the one about Seeing Death and the other one about really loving what you do as a catalyst to higher achievment. Not sure if you said anything new or earth-shattering but you said it in such a new perspective I really would love to reprint both articles on my articles directory site, of course with links getting back here. Especially got a lot out of those little boxes and doing the exercise of imaging each square as an experience in life. From that unique perspective I never want to squander any more time away on anything trivial~ All the best...RJ Trip

[Abner]

When I first saw the title Kindle dx | Doohub Blog , I hardly knew what to make of it! Now, after rdeiang, I can definitely say that I've talked about this kind of thing in the past. It's really enthralling. Sincerely, Margart Kintigh