Quote:
Originally Posted by Robertb
Dear Walk Broad:
Trying to get the best features for the consumer AND the best price AND the most free books takes endless conference calls.
Trying to add all of the features that people from this forum have stated means changes in hardware and that takes time.
Robert B.
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RobertB, I for one really appreciate someone taking the time to be an active member of any forum, it is greatly appreciated and helps build "brand loyalty" early on.
However, you must be aware about "feature creep", the point when you take the kernel of a good idea and start throwing in everything but the kitchen sink. Pretty soon your device will be able to do everything but never get out the door because of all the stuff you are adding. Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD do something.
You have a very enthusiastic audience here and they will ask for the world since they have your ear, but please Robert, settle on a few key issues/features and pick up everything else in the 6 or 9 inch version or wait for the V2.
Otherwise July will turn into August and then August to September, and so on as you try to incorporate everything and everyone but still have no product on the shelves.
Unsolicited advice: Personally, I think having it available in big box retailers would set you apart from everyone else. As much press as the Kindle garners, very few people have actually SEEN one to make an informed purchasing decision.
The problem comes in with offering the different versions. Except for readers of this forum and others like it, very few people who don't already regularly read e-books know who Fictionwise/eReader are. Even Mobipocket is suspect. Say Amazon, people will *get* that.
Perhaps the Amazon/Mobi version should be what is available on store shelves for greater sales although the folks at Fictionwise might call "foul."
Secondly: Your ball park price point would be outstanding. Another feature which sets your e-book reader apart from everyone else.
Third: Include the on-device dictionary. I might not "want" it, but others certainly do.
Fourth: People might not agree with me but stop there.
Deliver a device that works reliably, at a good price point, one people can see and play around with at Costco/Wal-Mart, that offers simple ways to get books on the device whether from Amazon or Fictionwise, that looks good (like the choice of colors (but me down for the blue one
), has a dictionary and get it on store shelves and in the hands of real people as soon as you can and you should have a very popular product.
Start hyping it as the "iPod" of eBook readers which it has the potential to be out of the gates.