Quote:
Originally Posted by brecklundin
prove it...
[snip]
Look, we already have seen your tendency to pull false info out of your, well you know where, in an effort to knock a competing device people were looking into...so, credibility of your claims are suspect on the best of days...
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Brecklundin, your post has some great information, and you have added something positive to our debate. Is there a way you can share that information without pulling the conversation down?
Right now, we have a distributor's rep who is willing to share information with us. I've been around the thread since the beginning and I do know the changes we have seen. Frankly, if you will go back to the beginning of the thread you will see posts by me where I was doubtful about Astak's ability to deliver as it hoped. On the other hand I've also watched the Bookeen discussions and I see the frustration that occurs when your suppliers don't talk to you at all
Admittedly, when you get a peek at discussions in development, things are going to change. Also, Robert is relatively new to the ebook world, and even though he is on the supplier side its going to be hard for one person to always be right with an entire community of fanatics watching his every move.
However, I would rather assume goodwill and honest differences than to move to attack mode. For example, earlier in this thread it was clear that Robert hadn't been aware of, or even in touch with PixelQi. We informed him about their technology and he was able to meet with them and hold partnership discussions. Now, I have been following PixelQi since they were founded, but I don't have the stature to hold talks with them.
There may be times when we as a community have things to teach Robert. However, we do not have his contacts into the manufacturing community. By bringing our knowledge together with Robert's position in the industry we were able to kick start a conversation that can only have positive results for the industry.
Let's pretend that Robert has had the wool pulled over his eyes by his suppliers. Although Astak has still not delivered a sub-$200 unit, the price point they hit with Fry's (was it $229 on sale?) has still been among the best in the industry for an e-ink device. You provided some great facts that he can use to negotiate better prices, which will hopefully result in better prices for us.
On the other hand, it is possible that Robert knows something about the particular type of components needed for these devices. Then he can teach us about what to look for. It's only as a third choice that we have to assume that there is actual ill-intent on his part. I would rather see us assume the positive and move forward from there.
Brecklundin, aking the great research you provided, I would like to reposition your comments to Robert ...
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Robert, thanks for the numbers on your manufacturer's costs as shown below:
[Quote]Touchscreen costs about $70 to a manufacturer.
Wi-Fi costs about $17 to a manufacturer
3G costs about $38 to a manufacturer without the PLAN COSTS or the SIM card[/quote[]
However, I am confused by these prices. For example, I know that you can get mini-pci wifi cards for $5 at places like this:
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories
I've also seen touch displays on ebay for for $50 and under for 9"-10" displays.
As another point of comparison, there are the Nokia devices with wifi, a touch screen, and a keyboard for $229 retail:
http://www.nokiausa.com/link?cid=PLAIN_TEXT_607318
Can you help us understand the disparity between these retail prices and the component OEM prices that you see?
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Brecklundin,
I can see from your note that you do respect Robert's attempt to work with us -- you do clearly state this. This may well be simply one of those cases where the tone feels different to at least one reader (me) than you intended when you sent the message. I apologize if I misconstrued your intent . At the same time, I have seen other threads on other boards organized around the participation of an 'insider' and I have seen the flow of information wither when we alienated our pipeline to the inside. I don't want to hold back on the facts, but I hope we can keep the conversation civil.