Quote:
Originally Posted by joepie
Tablets are the cause of my question, I'm not going to the discussion ereaders vs tablet. Though I agree that they are different types of beasts and can be used for different activities. People will read on either.
I'm wondering what's down the line for ereaders, a couple of months from now, and 'nothing new' is as good an answer as any. I'd just rather hear about something new  , if there's anything to be expected. |
Barring "expected" surprises from Amazon and Sony, what you see is what you get. SiPix hype fading, eink slowly ramping up Pearl beyond the high-volume Four, generic LCD readers all over.
There are hints of generic eink android readers (Asus was looking into it, Panasonic just announced one) and higher-res 6in screens (iRiver HD) but nothing earth-shattering.
The thing is, the current tech is more than adequate for the core recreational reading market so it makes more sense (money-wise) for vendors to ride the price curve down to higher volumes, and we will sooner see a US$99 list price on a Sony than anything in volume with color eink.
Any real tech improvement will have to wait on epub3 to see if it can jumpstart the potential for academic readers, and that is more a 2013-15 thing anyway.
At most we might see a Kindle price drop to $99 or a Sony 655 with XGA Pearl at $299 being announced in Aug-sept. Maybe a pearl refresh on the Pocketbook line next spring. Nothing to get excited over, really.