Of course it was fantasy, because the company that proposed it was going to make money from a subscription. Like a "free" iPhone – a mobile operator practice that should be illegal because it increases waste, limits diverse supply and puts up the cost of Mobile data and contracts.
https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/05/wha...heap-ereaders/
Interesting article, though Android isn't needed, especially for something as limited in scope as an ereader. Most ereaders don't use Android. Sony switched to Android for T1, T2 and short-lived T3, with no advantage to them or the users. The T2 is no better to use than PRSx50 range and the T1 was worse.
Eink Corp and Amazon variously bought up alternates to Eink's eink and buried them.
It's true about the cheap Chinese models; they do all seem to be obsolete. Mostly Pearl screens (rather than any version of Carta), no touch and no front light.
It's not amazing there is no really cheap eink based reader, it's amazing there are any at any price. They are very cheap compared to Apple phones or tablets, but expensive compared to cheaper brands (which are not always lower spec than Apple, Apple has a massive profit margin).