Quote:
Originally Posted by pdurrant
Technology:
The screens still aren't as reflective as paper.
The screens are lower resolution than paper.
The screens are more fragile than paper.
The screens aren't a quick to turn (or flick through) as paper.
Economics:
Ebooks aren't as cheap as they should be.
Ebook readers aren't cheap (although they're getting there.)
Business Practises:
Ebooks are encumbered with DRM.
Ebooks aren't as widely available as they should be.
Mostly though, I suspect it's the usual inertia. Most people see no need to change, or may not have noticed that ebook readers are now a practical proposition (despite the drawbacks listed above).
Practical ebook readers really haven't been around for very long. I ordered my first E-Ink ebook reader, a Bookeen CyBook through NAEB on 1st January 2008, and receive it in late February/Early March 2008.
In other words, even an early adopter, like me, has only had what we'd today recognise as a proper ebook reader (paper-like screen, long battery life) for nearly three years. (And the CyBook cost me just over $400 — about three times the cost of the Kindle 3!)
New technology, increases in volume, and competition, will all work over the next five years to make ebook readers really mainstream and more affordable.
But it's simply the time for people to now become aware of them that I think will make the most difference.
|
Thats true that they aren't as reflective as paper, but my Kobo compared to most paperbacks has better contrast. And I can turn a page faster on my Kobo and with less work than a P-book, But that is true that you can't go through the book as fast as you can't turn more than one page at a time. But then with a Kindle has way faster page turns so you can flip through a book really fast on those and they have go to page.