Quote:
Originally Posted by Philippe D.
I think, with a lower price tag and some better mix of hardware and software, this kind of device could really find a market in the academic community, but there is still some work to be done, and I'm not sure the few manufacturers will make the necessary investments. Too bad, really.
(I also know about the Sony line, but I haven't had the opportunity to try them. From what I've read on this forum the hardware is very good as well, and the software is good if limited to PDF; but the system is way too closed and control-hungry for my uses, so I looked elsewhere. Plus, they're not distributing their devices in Europe)
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The problem is exactly this. It's a very small market, of enthusiasts, academics and more who actually need a _reading_ device, beyond the limitations of walled garden systems like Kindle. Onyx's main strength is the open nature of the platform. The number of such people is small. Look at this very forum - great people, and great enthusiasm, but who would invest serious money based on the number of active users here?
For myself, one of the draws is, for example, being able to install the Android app of an ebook provider which uses a custom form of DRM - only it's own apps can be used. Remarkable or Sony are non-starters because of their proprietary software, and weaker reading capabilities. Sony, as mentioned quite rightly, does not even bother with distributing these high level ereaders in Europe - spending several hundred Euroes on something with no European support whatsoever seems very risky to me. So I am sticking to Onyx, and have decided to reward Ereader.store with my custom, despite the shortcomings in customer service, because Booxtor is a convinced supporter of the Onyx approach and will keep on being so.