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I think that e-ink readers are to tablets what PDAs were to smartphones - transitional devices that eventually became eclipsed.
PDAs were hot sellers for many years, but eventually smart phones took over their functions and people didn't want to carry two devices when one could do.
Similarly a tablet or smart phone can easily be an ebook reader. The advantages of the e-ink reader (easier to read on screen and longer battery life) are not enough for many people like me to carry a second device for just ebook reading - especially when the tablet and smart phone can also be used for many other purposes. And, as the screens and battery life improve, the e-ink reader's advantage is further eroded.
The last time PDA's outsold smartphones in North America was 2006. 5 years later you couldn't buy a new PDA.
I think the same thing may happen to e-ink readers. E-ink may still have a future on other devices, but for e-book reading, I think they are done.
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