Quote:
Originally Posted by BillSmithBooks
I think this low price and basic device would be greatly beneficial to readers all over the world.
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I think these prices are possible easily.
But I think the bigger picture is that e-readers are cheap enough to reach lower budgets just as they are. What they desperately need is user-removable batteries for longer-term longevity and utility. I think this is the bigger issue.
Of course no company is interested in the colossal e-waste that results from embedded non-removable batteries; their duties over the warranty period is all that they are concerned with. They would also want to encourage re-purchase when the battery eventually gives up.
In 5 years who knows what advancements are going to be made and what prices will be reached. I think cutting a device down too much just results in less units being manufactured which doesn't do you any favours cost-wise or marketing-wise. Then there's the technology getting cheaper as time goes on to think about. And your competitors churning out what is now almost 'commodity' product in scale.
I don't think cost-containment is where the emphasis should be. I think we have reached that level already; if not already, then very soon. In my mind there's little justification for anything but removable batteries (to encourage longevity).