|
I think this device is going in the wrong direction. I watched all the demo videos that I could find and on each one I found some real big downsides.
1. The screen is flimsy. One of the huge draw backs of paper is that it is flimsy. How many of you used to watch your dad sitting in his chair while he would flip and fold his paper to get it into a more sturdy position? Flexible screen - bad idea.
2. The glare. I could not believe how shiny the screen was. How is anyone supposed to enjoy a good book in any lighted environment with this device? Sunlight - there will be glare, lamp light - there will be glare, flashlight - there will be glare. And not a little bit of glare but a lot!
3. Cumbersome. Holy cow does this device look uncomfortable to hold, it's even worse than the kindle. An ebook should simulate and improve on reading an actual book, not be a huge step backwards, it also seems that you have to use both your hands to hold it, whereas all other ebooks only need one. That slider control also looks very cumbersome. If you have carpel tunnel in your wrists then stay clear from this device! Also it appears that the display can only function in landscape, which is extra bad considering that you already need both hands to use the device. So when you hold it, you will look like the resident freak on the bus, not to mention making your arms, hands and wrists very tired very fast.
4. Durability. One wrong move going through a door way or navigating your way through a crowded subway and snap! there goes your flimsy, shiny screen.
5. 320x240! Hello pixels. When other ebooks are 800x600 or more this is a real huge disappointment. I thought that technology was supposed to get better as time goes by not worse.
6. Another format. One of the videos that I watched mentioned that instead of taking advantage of the plethora of available formats they were going to introduce a new one made just for their device. There are already too many, and of course they will make this format work better with their device than any other so you will be forced to buy books from their store in their format, which also means that they will have the freedom of raising the prices to what ever they want.
6. A phone? I don't know about everyone else, but I always read books while I am talking on the phone. Not really a downer, but rather "what's the point?"
7. No touch screen. Most mobile devices and even some ebooks have touch screens and I believe that in the next few years all companies will incorporate this feature if they want to stay in business. This is also a step backward. Of course I can see their reasoning behind this because if they did incorporate a touch screen and stylus the user would press too hard and break off the screen.
Yes this ebook seams to refresh quickly, and it does support a good wireless internet connection and yes it will fit nice and snug in your pocket along with 5 or 6 other handhelds that one may have. And who knows, it may have a really good firmware with lots of tasty features, but at what cost? I am not saying that this ebook will be a big flop (although I strongly believe that it will) but I do believe that anyone who buys it will think it is cool for a few weeks and then set it aside on their desk feeling cheated and disappointed.
|