[andrewed]

Hi,

I just learned that writing hardware code to access the USB host in the Nook Touch would only cost $2000. My source is looking further into it for me. Making software seems easier than making hardware. Any thoughts on this from programmers?

I'm really happy about your response to the poll. In less than a week, 28 people on this website alone said they would collectively spend as much as $6200 on typable e-paper machines. This looks more and more like a viable project.

Here are my responses to recent replies:

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25. @ HarryT
Screen refreshing and pixel response (recoloration) are separate processes of LCD. You simply haven't done your homework, Mr T.
[EDIT: It turns out HarryT was correct. See post #44]

26. @Kumabjorn
Glad you like the basic idea. I also like making things as compact as possible. However, compact USB keyboards exist, and I do not wish to build wireless technology into this device due to battery, connectivity, regulatory, and health issues.

Given the device's multiple USB host ports and Android and Linux OSs, it ought to be configurable for a USB bluetooth adaptor (and who knows, maybe even voice recognition) without any hacking, jailbreaking, rooting, soldering, etc.

I definitely do not want to build a device whose hardware is needlessly limited in basic ways like this.

29. @Hellmark
Thank you.

What you say reminds me of the math involved in this niche. 1000 users represents 1/7 millionth of the world's population, or .000014%. Others may have bigger expectations, but that is the broad side of a barn I can hit.

30. @Baldrake
Even if I agreed that e-ink is awful for anything but the most basic text entry, I don't want to do anything but the most basic text entry.

I grew up with an IBM Selectric II typewriter. I couldn't exactly toss it in my backpack, but it was an elegant and reliable machine. It hummed. It banged reassuringly when the ingenius character globe struck the paper. It lasted decades. So I actually like the slight input flicker and delay on the Kindle 3. Its more-than-sufficient smoothness and speed has only encouraged my wish for the device I am proposing.

Basing a judgment of how well e-ink can perform upon the Kindle "experience" is unjust. After using the device myself for six months, I find Amazon's treatment of input--how shall I put it?--vastly improvable. How does a device in 2011 run more slowly than a Palm V from 2002? The Kindle is crippled by bizarre design features and probably security programs, both arising from its single purpose: to sell more books. Type a few lines of a note and then try to edit it and the thing freezes. It's pitiful. I thought, if this is the market leader, if the market can be so pleased with so little, then an e-paper tablet will do fine in the market.

31. @Kumabjorn
I completely agree that the biggest drawback of the Kindle and all other e-paper devices today is the lack of keyboard connectivity. Why did the computer and cellphone go viral? Because they can create their own content and share it with non-users.

I like your idea for a half-screen size notation window a lot. It is exactly the kind of honest, simple, useful functionality that e-paper ought to have. The reading application in the proposed device would have the best available notation functionality. Presumably, you would be able to resize the notation window, which itself will simply be your preferred text editor. The device would also likely inspire improvements in all its software because it could be coded directly on the device. (Viva programmers!) Also, see #30 above.

32. @madmaxmedia:
Boy, what a great reminder. The continued existence of such limited, clunky technology as the AlphaSmart and Dana digital typewriters is proof positive of the market viability of a color- and video-free e-paper tablet.

A few devices have had USB hosts. The Iliad. The PocketBook 302. The Nuut. A few others I tracked down and forgot about due to other limitations (Vizplex after Pearl was available). None had software to take advantage of the USB host.

33. @Filark
I have mixed feelings about the Edge. LCD's are nice to have for certain purposes. But I didn't want it there all the time; the Edge was too much money; and its makers didn't have the sense to channel keyboard input to the e-paper display out of the box. Another great chance lost.

Anyway, in principle, the device I am proposing will be connectable to an LCD monitor.

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Ok, that's all I know. Keep those votes and comments coming.