01-04-2010, 02:46 PM | #151 | |
Wizard
Posts: 2,300
Karma: 1121709
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Amazon Kindle 1
|
Quote:
For novel reading, I was happy to early adopt as even the K1 fit my needs perfectly, and at $200 for a used one at the K2 launch the price was right. But for my academic reading, it's just best for me personally to wait a bit for things like price, speed of page turning (I flip through academic documents much more often than I actually read them) and stylus writing (less lag) to be resolved if I'm going to get an e-ink device for that purpose. And to wait and see what happens with tablets, and LCD solves the speed and writing issues, as well as gives me a device I'd get a lot more use out of--and thus be willing to pay more for--vs. an e-ink device I'd use 5-10 hours a month tops for academic reading. But that's just me. The DR 1000 is a solid device, and if it fits people's needs and budget they should go for it. Though I would currently say to at least wait a bit currently with details on the Que coming, the Sony Daily edition etc. since there will soon be some more options on the large screen, stylus supported e-ink device. Don't want to wait forever if you want one, but worth waiting a week for the CES announcements, some early reviews/impressions etc. so you can be sure you get the best bang for your book. |
|
01-05-2010, 12:58 PM | #152 |
Enthusiast
Posts: 28
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Edison, NJ
Device: Kindle 2, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Voyage, Kindle 8th Gen
|
Here's the thing with tablets, they are potentially too complicated to target most current e-ink eReader users. One of main reasons something like the Kindle is popular is because of how simple it is. You don't even need a computer to get more books. That is one of many advantages of it over a tablet.
eReaders are dedicated devices and for many more years they will probably be the preference for many readers. My mother is 56 years old and she called me up just to ask how to turn the wireless off on her Kindle to conserve battery life and then to boast how she downloaded a book all by herself. She just wants to read books, and I would easily assume that she is a good representative of the demographic these devices target. Also, I really don't think battery life can be overstated as a major positive of E-Ink over LCD displays. Considering how long people have to spend in airports traveling, 8 hours won't cut it. Especially on a tablet where one is going to want to do more than read. Watching video, listening to music, and surfing the web will all drain the battery faster. Not to mention the size of a tablet compared to an eReader. There's a reason you don't see as many people anymore lugging around laptops. Most people just want to do one type of thing on their device. Some want to read, some want music, some want movies. For the average person something like and iPod Touch or iPhone will suffice. Tablets have their place of course, and will eventually became the the thing we all have, but it won't be for years, and it won't be with LCD displays. Tablets need the advantage of battery life and a picture that is easy on the eyes. And when we do get that, don't expect it to be affordable for most people. The best combo for me is an iPod touch and eReader. They are both small and are really better off separated. The media access of the Touch will get my attention for an hour or two, but I'll spend most of my time on the Kindle and not even have to think about anything other than reading. |
01-05-2010, 01:31 PM | #153 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,300
Karma: 1121709
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Amazon Kindle 1
|
Agree, and that's why people who like dedicated e-ink readers shouldn't be worried about tablets, and why people shouldn't start threads about the death of e-ink.
Tablets and dedicated readers target very different markets. I bought a Kindle to read novels before sleeping as I hated hassling with paper books I'd only read once. And because I like having the latest tech gadget--honestly compared to most here I probably don't read enough to warrant owning one. I'm interested in a tablet for reading and marking up academic PDFs, net surfing, video watching etc. I'd probably never read a novel on it. E-ink is here to stay. Tablets have their own niche to fill. Some will read novels on them just like people read novels on their PCs, laptops, PDAs, smartphones etc. But it's no threat to e-ink, just like those existing alternatives are no threat to e-ink. |
01-05-2010, 01:57 PM | #154 |
Connoisseur
Posts: 88
Karma: 750010
Join Date: Nov 2009
Device: PRS-300/Kindle 4 basic/iPad/iPod Touch/iPhone/Nexus 7
|
Probably not
The only way the Apple tablet comes remotely close to being a Kindle killer is if somehow the screen can switch to e-ink mode and the battery lasts as long as a Kindle in reading mode and it is not overpriced.
Even then with the form factor reputed at 10", 11", it might kill the Kindle DX but not the regular Kindle/Nook/Sony. I can get past having to charge the thing every night or two, but the easy on the eyes e-ink - that's the big distinguisher. A backlit screen you can read with no light though. Perfect for reading in bed with the spousal unit asleep. You can't do that with a Kindle but a light contraption might work, but it has to be seamless. |
01-05-2010, 02:00 PM | #155 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,385
Karma: 16056
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Asia
Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505
|
Well, e-paper is probably here to stay. E-ink may well get completely replaced.
|
01-05-2010, 02:06 PM | #156 | |
Wizard
Posts: 2,300
Karma: 1121709
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Amazon Kindle 1
|
Quote:
There's a sizable niche of people who want devices that are simple to use, have no purpose other than being readers, and thus are completely designed and optimized around reading. |
|
01-05-2010, 02:23 PM | #157 | |
Wizard
Posts: 1,385
Karma: 16056
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Asia
Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505
|
Quote:
|
|
01-05-2010, 03:00 PM | #158 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,300
Karma: 1121709
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Amazon Kindle 1
|
I don't share your ire for the screens. I thin they're fantastic for reading novels, which is all I use my Kindle for.
I want a different type of screen that's faster, can do color and video etc. in some larger screen tablet device ideally. But for my novel reading, I like having a portable device with an e-ink (or some future e-paper) technology as it's easy on the eyes, leads to great battery life etc., which are key features in novel reader which needs to emulate the experience of reading a paper novel as closely as possible IMO. |
01-05-2010, 04:00 PM | #159 |
Junior Member
Posts: 5
Karma: 10
Join Date: Dec 2008
Device: prs-505
|
Why not "death of non-E-ink" display?
So far as I am aware, e-ink is the only refreshable display that doesn't require constant refreshing. Give it color and a faster refresh-rate, and it will replace current display technology is most mobile devices. Acceptable color display + much longer battery-life = Win. (e-Ink probably won't be used in portable gaming devices, but I believe those will remain separate from smartphones, anyway.)
|
01-05-2010, 04:02 PM | #160 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,300
Karma: 1121709
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Amazon Kindle 1
|
Those probably couldn't do video though. Which is a big thing on smart phones, netbooks, laptops etc.
Again, nothing needs to die. There's plenty of room for all kinds of devices with various types of screens, so everyone can find the device(s) that suit their needs. I want e-ink (or something similar) in my portable novel reader, but want LCD (or something similar) on my phones, tablets, laptops etc. as I spend a lot of time with video (movies, sports, TV) and video games. |
01-05-2010, 11:12 PM | #161 | |
Wizard
Posts: 1,385
Karma: 16056
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Asia
Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505
|
Quote:
|
|
01-06-2010, 10:52 AM | #162 | |
FT Parent PT Reader
Posts: 322
Karma: 187838
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: South Alabama
Device: Shocked by how much I've read on an iPod Touch received as a gift!
|
Quote:
LED backlit LCDs are excellent displays for reading and produce no flicker and thus none of the 'eyestrain' so frequently mentioned in this forum. LED backlit LCDs would produce less eyestrain than e-ink readers because they produce their own uniform, optimized (and adjustable) lighting level where e-ink readers rely on on uneven external lighting or force reading in sub-optimum lighting conditions. LED backlit LCDs (like the iPod Touch, iPhone, Blackberry Storm, etc.) still do not have the battery endurance of an e-ink display and that should be the primary discriminator when evaluating which technology will meet a consumer's needs as an ereader. But of course saying anything less than 'e-ink is as precious as gold' is frowned upon in this forum, so no doubt my plea to let consumers make an informed decision will be flamed because it doesn't pay homage to the investment e-ink device owners demand. All this said, I'm seriously looking at the Sony PRS-300 to supplement my iPod Touch, but I'm waiting until after the Apple news conference because depending on the configuration of the Apple tablet to be announced, I may choose it over a new laptop and PRS-300 purchase. Different consumers have different needs and desires. Evlauate the options based on facts, not myths, and more power to you when you find the devices that meet YOUR needs. Last edited by pking36330; 01-06-2010 at 11:16 AM. |
|
01-06-2010, 11:11 AM | #163 |
FT Parent PT Reader
Posts: 322
Karma: 187838
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: South Alabama
Device: Shocked by how much I've read on an iPod Touch received as a gift!
|
I'll take that bet! I think soon ebooks will become just one more tab in iTunes, like Music, Podcasts, Movies, TV Shows, Audiobooks, and UTunes.
|
01-06-2010, 11:14 AM | #164 | |
Wizard
Posts: 1,790
Karma: 507333
Join Date: May 2009
Device: none
|
Quote:
Being able to use a dictionary on a device with poor contrast, poor refresh rate, and degenerate formatting capabilities ... well ... it doesn't render the poor contrast, poo refresh rate, and degenerate formatting capabilities non-existent. - Ahi |
|
01-06-2010, 11:18 AM | #165 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Didn't Mr. Jobs publicly state somewhere recently that nobody reads books these days, and therefore Apple had no interest in eBooks?
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Anybody knows the cost of E-Ink Display | jeffreylamster | OpenInkpot | 7 | 04-24-2009 01:49 PM |
Firefox on e-ink display! | Penforhire | News | 17 | 01-24-2009 05:06 PM |
SD card with E ink Display | SoCal Bob | Sony Reader | 1 | 11-15-2006 01:44 AM |
Is e-ink really a better display than my Treo? | Bob Russell | iRex | 7 | 07-27-2006 08:08 PM |
E Ink-Paper like display | cbarnett | News | 0 | 06-27-2004 11:46 PM |