Quote:
Originally Posted by kartu
Touch screen still makes it unique.
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Uh, no...
At last count there were something like a dozen ebook vendors signed up for the same NeoNode IR touch screens Sony uses. Starting with, yes; Nook and Kobo. (It's not as if Sony invented it or own it, they just buy the tech like everybody else.)
In case I wasn't clear, I think it is foolish to focus on any single "Unique Feature" as the justification for buying a product.
If Sony is to survive as a volume ebook reader vendor they need to deliver a quality product at a competitive price. And if reaching that price requires ditching a "unique feature" or three that 90-plus percent of buyers don't care about, Sony would be well adviced to do the ditching as fast as possible.
When it comes to ebook readers, the track record so far makes it clear the bulk of the device's value to mainstream buyers comes just from providing access to ebooks and the second largest value-add is in usability. Uniqueness only matters to marketers and niche buyers.
To use a car metaphor: Sony can be a Lotus or a Honda. Lotuses are unique but rare, whereas Hondas are everywhere.