BendFlip: Examining Input Techniques for Electronic Book Readers with Flexible Form Factors

We present recommendations for the design of flexible electronic book readers, based on an empirical evaluation of form factors and input techniques in a page navigation task. We compared capacitive touch, pressure, and bend sensors between rigid and flexible form factors using a prototype electronic book reader. Results suggest that the time required to perform bend techniques is comparable to button techniques for page navigation on flexible form factors. We also found that a bend technique had fewer errors on flexible form factors. We discuss the physical affordances of flexible e-book form factors, and why they might be preferable to rigid designs. We conclude by presenting recommendations for the design of future flexible e-book readers.