It's a bit old, but I haven't seen this post pop up around here. As 2014 has just started, it may still be worthy of a discussion:
GoodEReader predictions for 2014
1.
E Ink Diversifies away from e-Readers : Confirmed
2.
Barnes and Noble Suspends e-Reader Development: Probably confirmed
3.
Reading on Tablets will decline in 2014 (more reading on phone): ?
4.
eBooks will Decline in 2014 (resurgence of paper books): ?
5.
Sony Abandons Consumer e-Readers: Confirmed (for USA)
It all seems to be doom and gloom. e-Ink in trouble, Barnes and Noble and Sony quitting, Tablets declining, e-books declining, with paper coming back into vogue again.
In short: e-reading was a hype, brought about by Amazon in 2007, and to be returned to a niche in the end of 2014.
What do you think will happen?
- If e-ink is about to die, will Amazon just buy it, and in doing so, practically kill all remaining competitors? (Kobo, Sony Europe, Bokeen, Boox, Pocketbook; I think those are the ones left, from biggest to smallest.)
- Will tablets start dying as of next year?
- Will the 5.x inch smartphone indeed be the reading device of choice in the next 5-6 years?
- Will paper and bookstores indeed see a resurgence?