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Originally Posted by Cactus Chef
It will be difficult to decouple hardware from marketplace, as it's already an increasingly specialized market for dedicated e-ink devices.
An e-ink device reads books really well, and that's about it. Some can also read Pocket articles. Larger ones might be able to read PDFs or black-and-white comics comfortably, and a subset of those have stylus support, but that's about it.
Meanwhile your average ios/Android tablet can: - read books
- read color comics
- watch videos
- access specialized apps to read certain things (i.e. Libby, Wikipedia, etc)
- browse the internet
Given how much of the market Amazon and Apple already command, I just don't see a new player emerging onto the scene anytime soon. They're pretty much dead on arrival if they don't already have a load of publishers on board, or can piggyback onto an existing store (Google Play Books, maybe?). |
Totally false comparison on eink and tablets. The smart phone, PDA and tablet existed before dedicated eink ereader (first was Sony in 2005 and very grey). A ereader is a dedicated appliance like a fridge, kettle and players like cassette, VHS, gramophone (phonograph is technically cylinders). Even most Satellite set-boxes or DVD/BD players if they have extra features, they do them badly compared to a Tablet or Laptop, but a tablet or laptop is useless for satellite TV and few laptops can now play discs. Even smart TVs are worse than TV + laptop (or tablet) for apps or YouTube.
Any new Player relying on Google PlayStore eBooks is dead on arrival. Nearly everyone else sells more ebooks.
There is a huge issue with paying Google. I found it hard to remove paypal from Google. You can't do it in the Playstore App. You need to use a browser and also contact Paypal customer service.
So I no longer buy anything from the Playstore. Maybe a supermarket Google Playstore gift card might work. I don't recommend using your Debit or Credit card with Google.
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So for your average consumer, if they've already got a tablet, the only compelling reasons they have to switch to a dedicated e-ink reader would be:- They want a reading device larger than their phone but more portable than the average 8-10" tablet
- They want to read late at night without the tablet backlight keeping them awake
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1: May be true.
2: A decent tablet with brightness correctly adjusted won't keep you awake. An eink with too bright frontlight will. I use a bedside lamp.
3: Few apps on iOS or Android are as good as Kobo or even Kindle eink for Library
4: For about 8 years the eink is as good as paper to read on now.
5: Battery life. The Sage is poor battery life for an ereader but beats any tablet or phone hollow and can charge fully in about 40 minutes (45 if totally flat). I have a 2m cable so I can read while charging. Forget using any device while so called wireless charging.
6: Most apps are rubbish for Calibre integration. You need Calibre to manage, convert and clean PD ebooks, the best reason to get an ereader.
7: An eink is an alternative to paper. A tablet or phone isn't. Sony even marketed the larger eink devices as Digital Paper. I make ebooks from webpages via LO Writer and Calibre. Also proof manuscripts on eink.
8: Most apps are poor for dictionaries or annotations (Kobo is best for export annotations to PC, but a Kindle works).
9: Many apps are poor at doing CSS or embedded fonts. Kindle, Kobo and most other eink eReaders are fine.
10: The dedicated ereader is good for younger kids. So much so that there have been LCD based ereaders.
11: A tablet/phone needs the internet and constant updates. If you never update an ereader it still works with new ebooks. At most you only need the Internet once to register and in some cases not even that. My grandchildren's ereaders don't even have their home WiFi passwords. Adults download any bought or PD ebooks to laptop and transfer.
12: You do not need a "kids mode" / "Parental controls" on an ereader.