No one under 30 would buy an ebook reader

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by astra_lestat

There are a few issues. They are fans of certain writers/series. They buy books in the series ASAP when one is published and discuss it and re-read it. They would be deprived of this if they move to ebook reader.

I think it has more to do with the kind of readers they are, rather than their age. It's not an uncommon attitude among voracious genre readers. That's part of why Harlequin went e early on. Heck, Baen even makes ARCs available in digital form.

Since fantasy is huge right now, maybe the fantasy publishers are more reluctant to try something new. ("But it ain't broke!")

[Fallen angel]

I'm half way down 30 and I got a Sony Reader during last August, but I don't consider myself being part of an odd group. I think the reason there aren't many young people with such devices is that they either don't know anything about ebook readers or the don't know about the eink technology and consider they'll getting eye strain. Otherwise, when people see my reader (after explaining what this "thing" is), they usually get excited about it. Of course I'm also getting the "it's a waste of money" reactions, but these usually come from people that seldom read even paperbacks, let alone ebooks.

[IceHand]

I'm 23 and I just ordered a Cybook. Most people I know don't know about e-readers let alone e-ink, but I'm sure there are a lot of people who would be interested. I don't remember how I came across the e-ink technology, but as soon as I had read about it, I knew I'd want one of those devices.

It's a pity though that there are so few German e-books ...

[NatCh]

I've been thinking about the original premise of this thread, and the more I do, the more astonished I am that anyone would suggest that only people over 30 would be interested in any "new-fangled, e-lec-tron-ic de-vice" -- the irony of the claim is really thick.

Or maybe the gal thinks that "Under 30" is the new "Over 60."

[mflood]

I'm 21, and recently bought an e-reader. I bought it after seeing a friend of mine (who's currently 19) with one, about six months ago. First gen Sony.

You guys have covered the arguments pretty well already, but as one of the younger ones in the crowd (seemingly, judging by the other ages in this thread) I thought I'd throw my weight into the mix.

[McDoof]

Just so you know, I'm a 36-year-old fossil myself...

But I have to question the validity of the original statement (apart from the obvious response: "Who cares what under 30's are doing. What's that got to do with me?").

Anyway, is the super-tech-savvy young woman REALLY a good representative of the market she's supposed to represent?

And what's her reasoning anyway (just curious)? Why WON'T the youngsters want ebook readers? Because we have 'em?

I'm sure that by the time the kiddies get a little older they won't need ebook readers as we know them. There'll be something even cooler (and I'll be the oldest guy in line to get it).

[Loopy65]

I'm thinking that most people don't 'want' a reader because they know nothing bout them! .. or even that they exist in a lot of cases ..
My 6 year old LOVES hubby's iRex! .. She always wanted to read mine when I had it and has strongly expressed a desire to have one! lol .. by the time she's 'all grown up' I can't even begin to imagine where we'll be at with the whole 'e-reader experience' ..
Think someone voiced it really well when they suggested that there's not much reading of any kind goes on with most people! .. my brother only ever reads a magazine or a newspaper .. nothing where you stop, sit and read for any length of time ..
Loopy

[kezza]

Originally Posted by McDoof

Anyway, is the super-tech-savvy young woman REALLY a good representative of the market she's supposed to represent?

I think you might be on to something here. I'm of that category, and I know my tastes aren't representative of an entire category of the human race. I've been an ebook nerd since I was 22, and the only reason I waited until I was nearly 29 to buy a dedicated device is that I wanted the e-ink technology to mature a bit before diving in. I have a friend who is also a pretty heavy reader, and also quite a nerd, but I suspect she would never want a dedicated reader when she can use her tablet PC to read anything she wants. Another geeky girlfriend of mine loves reading ebooks on her PDA. To each her own, I say!

[Anthuzad]

I'm 20 an I bought mine for about 300 Euros (225 without the taxes). Guess what that says about how much I like the device? Very

[McDoof]

oops.

[McDoof]

While I think that the original statement from the young woman is an unfair generalization about her generation, I also think it's unfair to say that under-30's only read mangas and shampoo bottles.

Personally, I'm over 30 and I can't get enough shampoo-bottle content for my Sony Reader.

If you're like me, check out:

www.shampoo-labels.com/Head&ShouldersVol1.lrf




SPOILER: The last line is "Repeat"

[Boris]

I'm 25 and love the Iliad. My laptop is great, but even with 2 batteries it's limited to 7 hours away from a plug socket. With the Iliad I can read for 15hours without straining my eyes or burning my lap. I don't disturb other people with fan noise every few minutes and I can read in peace (except for people wanting to have a look at it) I have the choice of hundreds of books, my notes, manuals and reasearch with me at all times. If I worked in an office with mains power and rarely travelled to visit friends, relatives etc then maybe I wouldn't see the point, perhaps this is the case with this young lady?

[joblack]

The problem is that a lot of young people don´t care about written stuff (=books) at all.

As long as their mobile phone or ipod works it´s all right ...

But this hasn´t changed the last centuries. There was always a reading minority ...

btw: @McDoof: Whats interesting about shampoo bottles?

[joblack]

And I have to admit, I´m 31.

BUT ... ... I´m waiting for a good e-book reader for almost all my life. It´s not my fault that the technological development sucks =)

[HarryT]

I don't think we should take her statement too literally. Saying NOBODY does <whatever> is just a figure of speech; it doesn't literally mean that not one single person does whatever the thing is, merely that the majority of people (in the speaker's experience) don't. When it comes to buying e-Book readers, this is very definitely true - the majority of people in any population sample would probably not buy one at current prices.