Detroit Newspapers to test Plastic Logic Readers this year

wallcraft · 03-31-2009, 11:51 AM

As seen on teleread: Detroit newspaper to show up on Kindles and Plastic Logic Readers: E-books to benefit?. The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News have stopped home delivery except on Thursday and Friday. They are promising availability on the Kindle by the third quarter of 2009, and:

Quote:

As part of the initiative, the Plastic Logic Reader will be offered for purchase or lease to subscribers of the Detroit dailies as an alternative to paper delivery. The Detroit newspapers will also be among the first publications to test the new eReader later this year.

The Plastic Logic Reader isn't scheduled for general availability until next year, so it isn't clear how many devices will be in the "test". Still, a subscription to these newspapers may be a way for Detroit residents to get early access to a Plastic Logic Reader.

If only EInk technology was a year or two further advanced. This is probably too little (or too expensive) too late for the US newspaper industry.

zelda_pinwheel · 03-31-2009, 12:49 PM

thanks for the info wallcraft !

This is not the first time that print media has partnered with reading devices and i think we'll see more of that soon (see the various tests by telecom operators lately in Europe such as the Orange "Read and Go" project). There actually was a mention in an article on The Business Insider that it would cost less to give each subscriber of the New York Times a free Kindle than it would to print and deliver the corresponding papers, so even at current prices it could turn out to be very interesting for the newspaper / periodical industry (particularly with the arrival of colour devices).

Daithi · 03-31-2009, 01:09 PM

I live in Rhode Island but I'd be willing to subscribe to The Detroit News in order to get one of those things. I'm actually serious, so keep us posted on progress of this delivery plan.

rhadin · 03-31-2009, 01:48 PM

I'm hoping the test is very successful and that the New York Times rapidly follows suit. I'd gladly agree to a 2-year 7-day subscription on the PlasticLogic.

6charlong · 03-31-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News have stopped home delivery except on Thursday and Friday. They are promising availability on the Kindle by the third quarter of 2009, and: The Plastic Logic Reader isn't scheduled for general availability until next year, so it isn't clear how many devices will be in the "test". Still, a subscription to these newspapers may be a way for Detroit residents to get early access to a Plastic Logic Reader.

If only EInk technology was a year or two further advanced. This is probably too little (or too expensive) too late for the US newspaper industry.

I understand that print news is in trouble right now but I can't understand the delay in moving to eBook readers. They don't need the big screen. Surely the layout editors know they have TOC and hyperlinks in 6-inch readers. So why the delay?

RWood · 03-31-2009, 04:09 PM

My main question about the plan is: "Will the News and Free Press last long enough to even try the e-ink readers?"

ProDigit · 03-31-2009, 06:22 PM

Plastic logics seems like a great and much desired device!
It's only a bit late.
Do you think it'll support 2 x '800x600' screens built in one? (1200x800 res)?

Since it's the only device with an e-ink display this large!

I wonder when cheaper TFT screen devices will start to appear (with white background, non backlit).

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Plastic Logic kills QUE	carld	News	7	08-12-2010 10:17 AM
Plastic Logic - Thoughts?	chaznsc	News	2	07-17-2009 12:47 AM
Plastic Logic’s eReader	miztiik	Plastic Logic Que	1	09-13-2008 11:06 AM
Plastic Logic	Pinkelman	Plastic Logic Que	1	09-11-2008 01:41 AM
Plastic Logic 'well on schedule to begin with production in the middle of next year'	Wizard-mag	News	12	11-12-2007 11:30 AM

03-31-2009, 12:49 PM	#2
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	thanks for the info wallcraft ! This is not the first time that print media has partnered with reading devices and i think we'll see more of that soon (see the various tests by telecom operators lately in Europe such as the Orange "Read and Go" project). There actually was a mention in an article on The Business Insider that it would cost less to give each subscriber of the New York Times a free Kindle than it would to print and deliver the corresponding papers, so even at current prices it could turn out to be very interesting for the newspaper / periodical industry (particularly with the arrival of colour devices).

03-31-2009, 01:09 PM	#3
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	I live in Rhode Island but I'd be willing to subscribe to The Detroit News in order to get one of those things. I'm actually serious, so keep us posted on progress of this delivery plan.

03-31-2009, 01:48 PM	#4
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	I'm hoping the test is very successful and that the New York Times rapidly follows suit. I'd gladly agree to a 2-year 7-day subscription on the PlasticLogic.

03-31-2009, 04:09 PM	#6
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	My main question about the plan is: "Will the News and Free Press last long enough to even try the e-ink readers?"

03-31-2009, 06:22 PM	#7
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	Plastic logics seems like a great and much desired device! It's only a bit late. Do you think it'll support 2 x '800x600' screens built in one? (1200x800 res)? Since it's the only device with an e-ink display this large! I wonder when cheaper TFT screen devices will start to appear (with white background, non backlit).

Advert

Advert