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timezone · 10-05-2008, 09:58 PM

I think there are no easy answers. If you want a screen with great contrast then get an iRex. Except it is the most expensive reader out of an expensive lot.

I think consolidation can take one of two forms. In its current configuration I think there is a better chance of seeing consolidation in the reader software. I wonder if the publishers really want to run a new setup for a half dozen different format types every time they publish a new book. The bigger point, as a pure reader it doesn't matter how many companies jump in. It is like TV's or radios. If there is any consolidation it will be based on popularity rather than the hardware format. The exception will be if these readers start to morph into a tablet PC. The iRex has a toe or two in that direction. Then consolidation might be swift based on the OS. How many different OS's can we really handle? Even Palm is struggling and has moved to a windows OS. Once there is a color screen with similar refresh rates to today's laptop screens then we may see a Tablet WinTel machine using an E ink screen. Then the gloves will come off. Until that time I don't think it matters what reader you buy. Buy the one that fits your needs and budget. Unless of course you think Amazon is going to take the market then get a Kindle. Many people believe it is between Amazon and Sony. I have an iRex and I am not losing sleep over that war.

I don't think it is an issue with the scientists not working hard to push the envelop. I think the problem has more to do with being able to ramp up production to commercially produce large lots cheaply and do it with acceptable failure rates. That was the problem at first with large Plasma TV's. They lost the whole glass sheet when the Plasma screen failed during the production run. Rather than losing 1/3 or 1/4 for smaller sizes because they were able to cut up the glass into sections. It added to the cost of the product. Now the production process has greatly improved. Color E ink screens exist in the lab. Not sure of the reason why we haven't seen them yet but it must have something to do with cost and having a commercial production process that has low failure rates. Remember you are concerned with cost.

Of course this is all speculation but I think an interesting topic.

10-05-2008, 09:58 PM	#2
timezone Addict Posts: 244 Karma: 1232 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boston, MA Device: Windows Phone7, Kindle Fire	I think there are no easy answers. If you want a screen with great contrast then get an iRex. Except it is the most expensive reader out of an expensive lot. I think consolidation can take one of two forms. In its current configuration I think there is a better chance of seeing consolidation in the reader software. I wonder if the publishers really want to run a new setup for a half dozen different format types every time they publish a new book. The bigger point, as a pure reader it doesn't matter how many companies jump in. It is like TV's or radios. If there is any consolidation it will be based on popularity rather than the hardware format. The exception will be if these readers start to morph into a tablet PC. The iRex has a toe or two in that direction. Then consolidation might be swift based on the OS. How many different OS's can we really handle? Even Palm is struggling and has moved to a windows OS. Once there is a color screen with similar refresh rates to today's laptop screens then we may see a Tablet WinTel machine using an E ink screen. Then the gloves will come off. Until that time I don't think it matters what reader you buy. Buy the one that fits your needs and budget. Unless of course you think Amazon is going to take the market then get a Kindle. Many people believe it is between Amazon and Sony. I have an iRex and I am not losing sleep over that war. I don't think it is an issue with the scientists not working hard to push the envelop. I think the problem has more to do with being able to ramp up production to commercially produce large lots cheaply and do it with acceptable failure rates. That was the problem at first with large Plasma TV's. They lost the whole glass sheet when the Plasma screen failed during the production run. Rather than losing 1/3 or 1/4 for smaller sizes because they were able to cut up the glass into sections. It added to the cost of the product. Now the production process has greatly improved. Color E ink screens exist in the lab. Not sure of the reason why we haven't seen them yet but it must have something to do with cost and having a commercial production process that has low failure rates. Remember you are concerned with cost. Of course this is all speculation but I think an interesting topic.