Another blog post really got me thinking about this topic. Too many ebook readers are trying to cover the ground in between an eInk display and a tablet PC--giving users too many options that not only can turn off potential older consumers, but also drive prices up, turning off most consumers. If a manufacturer would just make something simple, cheap, and as truly low end as a paperback book is, then they will truly succeed in "replacing" the paperback book.
A reader and commenter of the blog Gizmodo, Pope John Peeps II, has this unbelievably insightful comment to contribute (and I completely agree, if only manufacturers would listen...):
"E-ink reader for pure book replication.
-Portable -Basic -Durable -Simple
The more people say they want to read on tablet computers, the further and further we get from a genuine electronic reader. Something small and flexible like that screen shot. No wifi. No browsing. Just plug into your computer and download. 60 bucks for an endlessly reusable sheet of paper. Maybe someone can create an 80 dollar colour version. Maybe it's expandable. If you do a lot of reference work and you need a keyboard, or a stylus and touchpad, then you buy a 20 dollar peripheral that plugs in to the screen. But get the price low and ebooks will find a market. The Kindle and the Sony readers are actually TOO polished, and TOO complicated. There is too much happening with them to be widely popular. If you're trying to replace paperback books, make something that can really replace paperback books - don't fuck around with high end gadgetry. Paperbacks aren't high end to begin with."
Cheers,
Zach
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I'd definitely buy it, if only for the sci-fi novelty factor. That is, if it was relatively inexpensive.
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