Quote:
Originally Posted by evanft
I think what may have happened is that Barnes and Noble was developing a new e-reader that used a new screen from eInk. Somewhat late in the development cycle, B&N cancelled the project. Much of the engineering work for the screen had already been done, so eInk was likely able to offer the screen at a somewhat reduced cost (maybe just for the parts themselves without a development fee) and with a reduced lead time. Kobo came in and snatched them up.
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Which is what to my read of it is what Sameer said WAS NOT the case although that was the rumour.
Quote:
Originally Posted by evanft
I think one of Nate's points that many here don't understand is that companies like Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and perhaps even Amazon aren't really doing a lot of their own engineering work for these devices. Yes, they may design the externals and choose specifications, but I doubt they're hiring engineers to do GD&T on the plastics or PCB design. That's almost certainly all farmed out to other companies.
I've seen it happen in my industry where a customer will have a supplier start development on a product only to cancel it later on. Since the supplier has already done a lot of work, they're able to apply that to future products for other customers at a reduced cost. This actually happens a lot.
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All of which are very true and valid points. Except that Sameer indicated that wasn't the case here but Nate thinks he very carefully chose his words to avoid absolutely, unequivocally saying this isn't the case. I am quite aware that companies are good at doing that, but in this case it really doesn't feel like that's the case to me.