Even though the thread is old, I'll still reply
I think the answer can be short:
"No."
Most technology doesn't create "elite" classes, as the price will steadily become lower. Of course, many people won't be able to afford the latest and greatest, but at some point, almost everybody can own a serviceable device. Because of this, for many people e-reading can become almost free. I've seen Trekstor readers in Germany being sold for under 35 euro's new. I've seen second hand readers for even less.
I can hardly call that "elite pricing"... e-reading dropped my reading costs to almost nothing compared to when I was reading paper. I had to buy every paperback at full price, because borrowing books in English in the Netherlands is almost impossible apart from the classics and the greatest best sellers.