I’ve been setting up my mom’s new Samsung Galaxy S2 pad. She selected the 32GB and 9.7" screen. Her main interest is reading the New York Times and Washington Post. I installed both Apps and she paid for a years subscription. I also installed the Kindle App to try. Its supposed to sync the book between devices. So you can resume reading the book on either the Kindle or pad.
It works well. But I can’t find a comfortable way to hold the thing. It’s got this skinny 1/4" edge to grab onto Even worse the touch screen is responsive all the way to the edge. I’m constantly pulling down the shade or hitting the page scroll.
Compared to a Kindle this is a terrible design. The Kindle gives you 3/4" frame to grab onto. https://goo.gl/images/fhZPMx
I was trying to read a Kindle book on my pad last night. It was just miserable trying to hold it without touching the screen. I finally lay on my back and let the pad rest on my chest. Even then trying to hold an edge and turn the page was awkward.
I don’t have this problem with my Moto X phone. The back rests securely in the palm of my hand. My fingers naturally grip the edges.
I know these pads are extremely popular.
How do you hold it comfortably and not activate the touch screen?
I’m really worried mom won’t use it. She’s got arthritis and I’m afraid she’s wasted a lot of money.
The iPad has “guided access” (under accessibility) that allows you (among other things) to disable touch across parts of the screen that you choose. So you can set up a reader app so that nothing happens when you touch most of the screen, but you can still turn the page by touching in one place that you choose. I’m not familiar with the Samsung, but there’s probably something similar.
All of our tablets havefolio type caseswhich prop up nicely and give us something extra to hold onto. Even then there are accidental links and swipes. Part of life with a touch screen I suppose.
I just about wrecked my left thumb holding my iPad, so I very much avoid holding it. I think it would be a nightmare for someone with arthritis. I prop it on cushions. I have one specifically made for that, and I rest this cushion on top of a pillow on my lap when I’m sitting on the couch. Here’s an example of the one specific for this use:
ETA: it works well on a tabletop too, e.g, to read while eating.
I ordered a Otter Case and stylus for the Samsung Pad.
I had a Otter Case on my phone for several months. I remember it was much easier to hold. I removed it because the phone didnt fit into my jeans pocket without snagging. I had trouble holding the phone without a case for a few days.
Mom’s fingers are sore. The stylus may be easier to use. A stylus may be more accurate pressing letters too.
I would also suggest a case of some sort. For use while lying down, I have a kind of a bean bag pillow that you can prop it up with. It even has elastic straps that you can tuck the corners of your pad in. Works great!