Thread: Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)
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Old 04-10-2009, 06:18 PM   #1789
Robertb
Astak Director, Bus. Devl
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pkovak View Post
RobertB, I really didn't mean to give choice about including / excluding touchscreen, I understand it would be close to impossible to make this work.
About the other "possibly modular" things: maybe, just maybe (I would like to know if it's doable, I don't have any experience in this field), if you have an online shop for there eReaders, there will be basic model, for example Mentor Intrigue, with touchscreen. And there will be accessories, I can buy in addition to it - wifi, 3G, leather case, choose from several colors etc.
I would like to know if it's possible from your point of view, you are the one with inside knowledge how this works.
Shops like walmart can have different packages, without this option, lets say they always get both wifi and 3G already installed.
Daer pkovak:

Thank you for your response!!

IF eBook Readers were made in the USA... this could be done. Potentially, a line could be done to sort of build-to-suit. BUT, allowing for manufacturing costs in USA and that all panels and parts are made in Asia... likely this would not happen.

In our case our factories are in China and Taiwan as labor rates and engineering are low. A skilled engineer maybe gets $500 a month. Also, everything is done on conveyorized assembly lines where workers are expected to keep up with the flow. There is never the thought to do one person at one desk doing custom orders. If they did, that $300 device may cost you $700.

Your idea is very well-intentioned and I know that... but in today's mass production with end users screaming about wanting an under $200 machine if they could get it... everything is far too automated.

Look at Astak. We OWN the factory in Taiwan and even for us they will NOT design a custom machine unless we order 20,000. I would love to have a North American Special built precisely as most have stated on Mobileread Forum... an "Astak Dream" model. Instead I harp and plead and beg them to USE an Epson Controller NOW and not next month! To them it is all about: "we make machine, you buy major quantity maybe, shut face and shoehorn fit into North America". Eventually I yell enough that I get some things done the right way.

Robert B
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