I'm w/ Jorgen on this... First the readers are priced as high as The Market Will Bear, DRM'd and with a preferred content i.e. .lit .rb dot.whatever (as long as it provides lock-in).
The e-Ink isn't going to make a better reader; it can't do backlights and res. is pretty low. Possibly cheap (in the future) but, we've seen how many readers were sacrificed to the short-sighted marketing plans. e_ink is good enough for a primary-purposed reader IF the price matched ability. I have my doubts that it will any time soon.
As for the myth that available books aren't available...hmmm... I've got many thousands and have no problem converting most to usable format (for my Hiebook). The skeptics should first refer to their use of eBooks -then weigh in. Seems from what I've read in the blogs, there's two types: eBook readers and eContent users.
The eBook readers in this scenerio are happy reading chapter-books & novels. Small device. Nothing special...maybe some color.
The eContent user is (like rlauzon) downloading massive stuff, integrating and, really, a Power User.
My feeling is that eBooks *Have* caught on. But, while the human user has remained the same--the number of digital gagets available and ever increasing. Combined with ever-increasing complexities of using the plethera of features is daunting. Pricepoint and simplicity may make the difference.
And, what' s more, it's an American/ European problem. Am I wrong? Go to
www.ebay.cn -And check out the Chinese eBook price points. THEY'RE Cheap! and there's a bunch of competing brands. Most will do .txt .html .doc and most are expandable.
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