[MR. Pockets]

Originally Posted by cmdahler

That's by your definition.

That's exactly what I claimed it to be.

Originally Posted by MR. Pockets

While the terms "ereader", "ebook reader" etc, are still not clearly defined, that definition (the complete wikipedia definition is a little narrow) is what I consider an ereader to be.

Originally Posted by cmdahler

Wikipedia is by no means an authoritative source for any data set, but when defining ambiguous terms like "ereader", the truth is in the eye of the user.

e-book reader - A handheld device specialized for reading electronic books http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictiona...-book%20reader
ebook reader - A device designed to read digital books http://www.trueknowledge.com/q/ebook_reader
e-book reader - An e-book reader, also called an e-book device or e-reader, is an electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital books and periodicals and uses e-ink technology to display content to readers. http://dbpedia.org/page/Comparison_of_e-book_readers
How about those? (I didn't find ereader on any of them.) While you may not agree that those are authoritative either, the general consensus is that an ereader/ebook reader is a specifically designed for reading device/dedicated device.

Originally Posted by cmdahler

If you want to narrow your definition down to electronic devices that are only used for reading books, then you've just knocked the Kindle right out of your ereader definition, since it provides basic web browsing in addition to reading.

First, if you read my definition, you'll see that I said "...is an electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital books and periodicals..." not "used only for". Second, the Kindle would fit quite nicely in my definition as it is "designed primarily for reading digital books and publications". The browser, music player, etc. are secondary to the reading function.

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

There are some that could fall into more than class.

Usage in this case is evolving. Particular terms will catch on and be adopted by the marketplace, even if you think (and arguably are correct) the term is wrong.

I sympathize with your concern, but I think most folks will use "ereader" as a generic term to mean whatever they happen to use to read ebooks, and it could be in any (or all) of your categories.

We'll simply have to rely on context to figure out which category of device they use, and perhaps ask if it matters and it isn't clear from context.

For practical purposes, it probably doesn't matter. And people will inevitably choose the smallest contraction that they think conveys the meaning.

I rather like "multi-reader", but might call it "multi-viewer" instead, as I see things like the iPad being used to display to display content that isn't books, like YouTube video. A friend who has one thinks of the iPad as a "media consumption device". He's quite right, but media covers sounds, pictures, and video, as well as words on a virtual page.
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Dennis

I probably am too "fanatical" in defending the definition of ereader, but I just can't stand it when someone calls something an ereader when it (arguably I know) is not.

BTW, what will happen to the dedicated device when low power, color, fast refresh rate screens are available? Will they morph into small tablets? Or will they simply disappear? Or maybe something else?