MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Microsoft Home E-Reader will be launch on the first week of November

Powdertoast · 10-30-2007, 11:32 AM

I don't think there's enough data on this device to make many judgments about it. We don't know size, cost, connectivity (other than may require Windows); even the release date of early November seems too vague. I think Microsoft's web site would have more about it as prelaunch hype generation if it were coming that soon. Then again, maybe it's a side device that MS isn't planning to put much cash into, sort of a dipping of a toe in the waters, so to speak.

I'm not skeptical that it's going to come out at all, just not sure what we're looking at here.

I run Ubuntu, so a Windows-only reader turns me off right away. I agree with what was posted above about a Windows-only device: this being only Windows-friendly doesn't piss me off, just disinterests me. But I already have an iLiad and lurves it, so really this has little impact on me personally.

However, I do like that this device may be yet another competitor in the ereader space that will drive some prices down and perhaps further "legitimize" ereaders and ebooks. MS throwing some of its weight into the ebook biz may go a long way toward pushing ereading toward consumer acceptance critical mass. That'd be good for everyone, except if MS's Borg-like business practices become popular ebook availability practice.

10-30-2007, 11:32 AM	#21
Powdertoast Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Behind you! Device: iRex iLiad v2	I don't think there's enough data on this device to make many judgments about it. We don't know size, cost, connectivity (other than may require Windows); even the release date of early November seems too vague. I think Microsoft's web site would have more about it as prelaunch hype generation if it were coming that soon. Then again, maybe it's a side device that MS isn't planning to put much cash into, sort of a dipping of a toe in the waters, so to speak. I'm not skeptical that it's going to come out at all, just not sure what we're looking at here. I run Ubuntu, so a Windows-only reader turns me off right away. I agree with what was posted above about a Windows-only device: this being only Windows-friendly doesn't piss me off, just disinterests me. But I already have an iLiad and lurves it, so really this has little impact on me personally. However, I do like that this device may be yet another competitor in the ereader space that will drive some prices down and perhaps further "legitimize" ereaders and ebooks. MS throwing some of its weight into the ebook biz may go a long way toward pushing ereading toward consumer acceptance critical mass. That'd be good for everyone, except if MS's Borg-like business practices become popular ebook availability practice.