Acer Ebook Reader in Europe this summer

[wallcraft]

From Bloomberg - Acer to Join Apple, Amazon in Apps, E-Book Markets

By the end of June, Acer will announce its first electronic book reader featuring a 6-inch monochrome screen, and distributed initially in up to five European countries, Wong said. The device would compete with Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes & Noble Inc.’s Nook and Sony Corp.’s Reader.

“Amazon, Barnes & Noble; they are U.S.-centric. In Western Europe and Asia-Pacific we have publishers to work with, and most of them are content owners,” Wong said. Acer is talking to magazine, newspaper and book publishers to provide content for its device, he said without naming them.

The emphasis on Europe is interesting.

I don't know if Acer and Asus, for example, can make a splash in the ebook reader market but they must think the worldwide market for the devices is potentially large enough to try.

[angelad]

They probalby see an opportunity to capitalize on European market since the ereaders are just starting to gain ground there.

[astra]

No eInk, 6"....out of fashion.

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by astra

No eInk, 6"....out of fashion.

Sorry but how do you know it's not E-Ink? I wish it were not so, but other than Microcup and Vizplex, I can't see Acer whipping out any other kind of black and white screen this summer. Better alternatives aren't scheduled until later.

[astra]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

Sorry but how do you know it's not E-Ink? I wish it were not so, but other than Microcup and Vizplex, I can't see Acer whipping out any other kind of black and white screen this summer. Better alternatives aren't scheduled until later.

6-inch monochrome screen

It is the same as jet book?

[EowynCarter]

Acer will enter markets dominated by Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc.

Since when is apple dominating the ebook market ? They aren't even in it !

Amazon, well, They have a good market share in the US, but I wouldn't call that "dominating" either.

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by astra

It is the same as jet book?

jetBook's screen is a 5" monochrome LCD, which is decent, but it doesn't seem that Acer would buy a 6" version for an ebook reader that they want to be marketable. By monochrome screen, they are almost certainly referring to another EPD, like SiPix Microcup and E-Ink Vizplex.

[m-reader]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Since when is apple dominating the ebook market ? They aren't even in it !

I don't know the stats, but there a fair few people out there reading on iPhones and iPod Touch screens. This is probably what they are referring to, plus the imminent release of the best thing since sliced bread (apple tablet).