|
e-readers as loss-leaders
I personally believe that e-readers will continue to have a place in the reading eco-system for some time. For bookstores, however, I believe they will eventually be free or be positioned as loss-leaders.
For example, you buy an e-reader for $35 and you get credits for 5 books or something. I'm sure my math is off on that one, but you get the idea. For all I know, someone might be offering that now; I haven't used an e-ink reader for some time.
At any rate, as an avid reader I can see how someone who just wants to read on their device would really prefer an e-reader over a tablet.
Ultimately, though, I think that e-readers will expire. Someone will invent a less eye-fatiguing setting or or unique screen for tablets and that will be the death knell for dedicated e-readers. How soon that happens, though, is anyone's guess.
|