[crossi]

The advantages would be more customizable interfaces and choices. Some want tags/collections, some want a folder system. Some like me want to be able to do metadata searches and sorts. Sort by read/unread, when finished, tags, rating, anything you could do a search or a sort in Calibre. The ability to edit metadata on your reader. Set the read/unread column in the metadata right there. Add comments to the description text section right there when you finish a book. Have a reader that can open any format without needing to convert. And I really want to completely remove the archive.

There are hardware changes I would like also. I'd get rid of both Wi-Fi and 3G. Add more memory and a SD slot. Have physical page turn buttons. With open source software there could be more brands and more choices.

With open source software you would have a lot of different choices as people make changes and additions to the basic interface and operating system. The Kindle is OK but there are changes I would like in the software. Maybe people who use the library would prefer one of the standard brands, but it would be nice if there were other choices also.
It would help the standard makers as well to see what options work well and are popular. It might spur them to add those features to their own software and in any case would challenge them to improve.

None of this can happen with the majority of ebooks having DRM however.