Register Guidelines E-Books Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   MobileRead Forums > E-Book General > News

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 01-28-2010, 05:11 AM   #1
osama_jamal
"eBook Addict!"
osama_jamal began at the beginning.
 
osama_jamal's Avatar
 
Posts: 51
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Jordan
Device: Sony Reader PRS-505
What does the iPad mean to the eReader market?

In my opinion, the iPad will kill most eBook readers with a price tag of more than $500, especially that it supports a 10" screen and has all the functionality a normal person can ask for.

But I think that eReaders are gonna also grow from the iPad in two ways:
1. their prices will need to be pushed down to justify the difference.
2. They are gonna need to improve very quickly, meaning that soon we will have highly developed devices for reading that can wrestle with the iPad and justify the difference for book lovers.

So share your opinion: what does the iPad mean for eReaders?
osama_jamal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2010, 05:14 AM   #2
Krystian Galaj
Guru
Krystian Galaj can tame squirrels without the assistance of a chair or a whip.Krystian Galaj can tame squirrels without the assistance of a chair or a whip.Krystian Galaj can tame squirrels without the assistance of a chair or a whip.Krystian Galaj can tame squirrels without the assistance of a chair or a whip.Krystian Galaj can tame squirrels without the assistance of a chair or a whip.Krystian Galaj can tame squirrels without the assistance of a chair or a whip.Krystian Galaj can tame squirrels without the assistance of a chair or a whip.Krystian Galaj can tame squirrels without the assistance of a chair or a whip.Krystian Galaj can tame squirrels without the assistance of a chair or a whip.Krystian Galaj can tame squirrels without the assistance of a chair or a whip.Krystian Galaj can tame squirrels without the assistance of a chair or a whip.
 
Posts: 820
Karma: 11012
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Device: Bookeen Cybook
Did you notice those threads before making a new one?

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71470
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71485
Krystian Galaj is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 01-28-2010, 09:41 PM   #3
carlobee
Fanatic
carlobee has learned how to read e-bookscarlobee has learned how to read e-bookscarlobee has learned how to read e-bookscarlobee has learned how to read e-bookscarlobee has learned how to read e-bookscarlobee has learned how to read e-bookscarlobee has learned how to read e-bookscarlobee has learned how to read e-books
 
Posts: 535
Karma: 972
Join Date: Jul 2009
Device: The new iPad
Don't know what happens next . All I know is that Steve Jobs really does know how to play the game in the market.

carlobee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 06:38 AM   #4
astra
The Introvert
astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
astra's Avatar
 
Posts: 8,307
Karma: 1000077497
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500
Q:
Quote:
What does the iPad mean to the ebook Reader market?
A:
Quote:
Zilch
astra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 08:45 AM   #5
Barcey
Wizard
Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Barcey's Avatar
 
Posts: 1,531
Karma: 8059866
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3
I disagree. I think it's going to be huge to the ebook reader market.

The Kindle used to be the measuring stick that any new reader was compared to, but even before the iPad was announced the news sites were comparing it to what they thought Apple would announce. The iPad is going to be the new measuring stick.

The gadget sites will never understand dedicated ebook readers. They don't understand why we would pay $500 for something that just reads books. They understand features (screen resolution, camera pixels, processing power, memory capacity, wireless speeds and feeds). They are all about the 5 minute demo of flashy features. They don't care about which is more comfortable to read for 2 hours and neither do most consumers.

The potential market for dedicated ebook readers just got a lot smaller and I agree the eink prices will need to drop.
Barcey is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 01-29-2010, 09:12 AM   #6
Rootman
Groupie
Rootman has a complete set of Star Wars action figures.Rootman has a complete set of Star Wars action figures.Rootman has a complete set of Star Wars action figures.Rootman has a complete set of Star Wars action figures.Rootman has a complete set of Star Wars action figures.
 
Rootman's Avatar
 
Posts: 181
Karma: 478
Join Date: Oct 2009
Device: Android & FBReader
I believe this is the natural progression of the PC and we will see more and more tablets hit the market. MANY will resist the temptation to buy an Ipad just because of Apples closed standards and the fact that this isn't a true PC, just a giant iTouch with 3g & GPS (if you buy that option).

As far as the eReader market it can do nothing but HELP the market. The more people that buy ebooks the more that become available and the more the publishing industry will realize that this is going to be THE market for books. pBooks will always have their place but for a majority of distribution eBooks will eventually become the standard - and if Apple can help make that happen then I'm happy with that.

Apple produces first rate products with outstanding interfaces. It's been, what, 2 years now and there still isn't a real contender to beat the iPhone? Plenty of "almost theres" but nothing an "iPhone killer". Apple has really revitalized and opened the cellular phone industries to new heights and made a nominal device a piece of leading technology.

I say more power to Apple, go for it! BUT, I won't probably buy one. I don't like the closed architecture and application platform, the lack of multitasking, the lack of a camera and the fact that a GPS isn't available without a data plan investment. Apple should make the GPS available in ALL phones and either offer an application to make maps available or rely on WiFi to download the maps you need for a particular trip (not very handy either). Maybe in the iPad II.
Rootman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 09:36 AM   #7
TallMomof2
Kindlephilia
TallMomof2 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.TallMomof2 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.TallMomof2 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.TallMomof2 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.TallMomof2 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.TallMomof2 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.TallMomof2 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.TallMomof2 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.TallMomof2 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.TallMomof2 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.TallMomof2 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
TallMomof2's Avatar
 
Posts: 2,017
Karma: 1139255
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Snowpacolypse 2010
Device: Too many to count
Until I see the iPad screen for myself I can only make assumptions but with my Kindle I can read outside and if I use my Touch I have to turn the brightness all the way up and remove my sunglasses in order to read. This is sitting in the shade. Do I read a lot outside? Yes, I like to read outside in warm weather. Last summer I liked to sit out on my deck in the evenings with a Mojito and my Kindle. I wonder how well the iPad screen will read outside.
TallMomof2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 10:23 AM   #8
astra
The Introvert
astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.astra ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
astra's Avatar
 
Posts: 8,307
Karma: 1000077497
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barcey View Post
I disagree. I think it's going to be huge to the ebook reader market.

The Kindle used to be the measuring stick that any new reader was compared to, but even before the iPad was announced the news sites were comparing it to what they thought Apple would announce. The iPad is going to be the new measuring stick.

The gadget sites will never understand dedicated ebook readers. They don't understand why we would pay $500 for something that just reads books. They understand features (screen resolution, camera pixels, processing power, memory capacity, wireless speeds and feeds). They are all about the 5 minute demo of flashy features. They don't care about which is more comfortable to read for 2 hours and neither do most consumers.

The potential market for dedicated ebook readers just got a lot smaller and I agree the eink prices will need to drop.
How can it affect eBook reader world any more than a new CPU from Intel, or a new netbook, or a new laptop, as long as they use conventional type of screens and energy source? In a theory it might affect laptop/netbook world (although I doubt because of its single task feature and non-Mac OS X).

Quote:
The gadget sites will never understand dedicated eBook readers.
What does it have to do with eBook reader’s world? When people, who wanted to buy eBook readers, actually listened to them? Those who did listen, they didn't want eBook readers, but wanted cool gadgets. I mean people who need eBook readers will look for eBook readers. It has nothing to do with iPad. iPad is as much an eBook reader as laptop or netbook, so why should iPad affect, or have any more impact than previously mentioned gadget. It is just another gadget that has many different features along with eBook reading application (so do my netbook and laptop although they are multitasking!). So what? It has the same sucked screen as any other gadget that strain your eyes, the same shitty battery life for eBook reading for hours and hours and hours.
Any potential book reader who would be interested in iPad would not be interested in eInk in the first place So, how could iPad affect eInk based eBook reader world?
astra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 10:49 AM   #9
Talldog
Addict
Talldog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Talldog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Talldog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Talldog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Talldog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Talldog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Talldog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Talldog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Talldog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Talldog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Talldog ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Talldog's Avatar
 
Posts: 293
Karma: 1431716
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Connecticut
Device: Kindle Paperwhite, KDX Graphite, Surface Pro
I really don't understand why so many people think the iPad is going to kill dedicated ereaders. It seems like a great idea for someone who wants a multifunction device that, oh by the way, they can read books on, but I'm having a hard time seeing this as a device for serious readers, what with the eyestrain issues, reading difficulty in sunlight, extra weight (my DX is already pushing it) and poor battery life.

And there are a couple of things I haven't even seen mentioned. Since this is a real computer with a hard drive and a backlit display, I have to believe it's going to throw some amount of heat. When I'm not reading on my DX, I usually have my notebook in my lap surfing the web, and the heat from that really gets bothersome. I wonder how the iPad will do in that regard.

The other thing is the touchscreen/no keyboard. I can't imagine sitting down to read a book with fingerprint grease all over the screen. Maybe it's just me, but I'm holding out for a color DX with WiFi. That's all I need.
Talldog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 11:13 AM   #10
Moejoe
Banned
Moejoe did not drink the Kool Aid.Moejoe did not drink the Kool Aid.Moejoe did not drink the Kool Aid.Moejoe did not drink the Kool Aid.Moejoe did not drink the Kool Aid.Moejoe did not drink the Kool Aid.Moejoe did not drink the Kool Aid.Moejoe did not drink the Kool Aid.Moejoe did not drink the Kool Aid.Moejoe did not drink the Kool Aid.Moejoe did not drink the Kool Aid.
 
Posts: 5,100
Karma: 72193
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: South of the Border
Device: Coffin
Well the iPad means even less when you realise the central 'paper' demonstration of the NYTimes is not that exclusive, and you can get a NYTimes application that is cross platform and runs on Adobe Air



http://timesreader.nytimes.com/times...mpaignId=366RU
Moejoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 11:36 AM   #11
dmaul1114
Wizard
dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 2,300
Karma: 1121709
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Amazon Kindle 1
It won't kill dedicated e-readers.

I do think it will shrink the market for the expensive, large screen e-ink devices though--and that's what the OP mentioned with the $500+ price.

The main reason for those large screen readers is for A4 PFDs, text books etc. And I just can't see many paying the high price for those if they can get a tablet to read those on for $500 and do a ton of other stuff. For most people, they're not going to read that kind of stuff for hours on end like they do novels.

Now some will still buy the large readers for sure, including those here who prefer reading even novels on say a Kindle DX vs. a smaller screen.

But I'd say tablets killed the chance of large screen e-ink devices really taking off.

Smaller 5" and 6" readers I think will stay around as there's a sizable niche of avid readers who want e-ink or some other reflective screen.
dmaul1114 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 11:51 AM   #12
Not_A_Crook
Which way is up?
Not_A_Crook has learned how to buy an e-book online
 
Not_A_Crook's Avatar
 
Posts: 217
Karma: 94
Join Date: Dec 2009
Device: Nook, Alphasmart Neo (word processor, Viable document reader.)
It means it's a tablet. It also means Ebooks are read on the PC/Mac....
Not_A_Crook is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 11:57 AM   #13
ac4lt
Connoisseur
ac4lt began at the beginning.
 
ac4lt's Avatar
 
Posts: 61
Karma: 36
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Reston, Virginia, US
Device: ipad
Quote:
Originally Posted by Talldog View Post
The other thing is the touchscreen/no keyboard. I can't imagine sitting down to read a book with fingerprint grease all over the screen.
Although I can see fingerprints on my iphone when the display is off, I can't when the display is on. That's one advantage the backlit display has over a reflective touch screen. It usually does a good job of hiding the fingerprints when lit up.
ac4lt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 12:24 PM   #14
dmaul1114
Wizard
dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dmaul1114 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 2,300
Karma: 1121709
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Amazon Kindle 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by ac4lt View Post
Although I can see fingerprints on my iphone when the display is off, I can't when the display is on. That's one advantage the backlit display has over a reflective touch screen. It usually does a good job of hiding the fingerprints when lit up.
Yep, it's only an issue for the OCD crowd that can't stand seeing the fingerprints when the screen is off in standby etc.
dmaul1114 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-29-2010, 12:26 PM   #15
Barcey
Wizard
Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Barcey ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Barcey's Avatar
 
Posts: 1,531
Karma: 8059866
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Canada
Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3
Quote:
Originally Posted by astra View Post
How can it affect eBook reader world any more than a new CPU from Intel, or a new netbook, or a new laptop, as long as they use conventional type of screens and energy source? In a theory it might affect laptop/netbook world (although I doubt because of its single task feature and non-Mac OS X).


What does it have to do with eBook reader’s world? When people, who wanted to buy eBook readers, actually listened to them? Those who did listen, they didn't want eBook readers, but wanted cool gadgets. I mean people who need eBook readers will look for eBook readers. It has nothing to do with iPad. iPad is as much an eBook reader as laptop or netbook, so why should iPad affect, or have any more impact than previously mentioned gadget. It is just another gadget that has many different features along with eBook reading application (so do my netbook and laptop although they are multitasking!). So what? It has the same sucked screen as any other gadget that strain your eyes, the same shitty battery life for eBook reading for hours and hours and hours.
Any potential book reader who would be interested in iPad would not be interested in eInk in the first place So, how could iPad affect eInk based eBook reader world?
Do you really believe that anyone that is a potential customer for the Kindle DX, Sony PRS-900, Que, I-Rex etc... are not going to consider the iPad as an alternative?

Do you really believe that someone that is about to spend $300 on a device that can only read ebooks is not going to look at the additional capabilities of the iPad and consider if they would get better value for their needs?

I'm not saying that the e-ink market is going to disappear. I just think the potential market got a whole lot smaller.
Barcey is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Amazon has 76% of ebook market, helped by iPad L.J. Sellers News 19 10-13-2010 08:51 AM
New OLED iPads To Target eReader Market? Neil Apple Devices 4 07-14-2010 06:44 PM
LG Display the Global #1 in eReader Market by 2012? BenLee News 8 06-16-2010 10:53 PM
Will iPad as ereader work for me? BookJunkieLI Apple Devices 20 04-24-2010 10:57 PM
iPads impact on the Ereader Market iPad Man Apple Devices 0 03-31-2010 09:36 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:17 AM.


MobileRead.com is a privately owned, operated and funded community.