well WHY don't you see them using AAA AA ? (consider the FIRST sony ebook librie used AAA's) the reason for this is battery life. Most portable devices are HIGH DRAIN or "often drained" ie you use it a LOT
With something like this (VERY LOW DRAIN) regardless of usage pattern it makes NO SENSE to use a rechargeable battery.
I am the kind of person who keeps my gadgets for a LONG TIME. I still have (and use every now and then) my original palm pilot :-) it has its uses :-)
I don't like it when my gadgets become paper weights JUST because of a damned battery. Now if its something so specialized that its required to make it useful FINE (note a replaceable battery is NO better than a NON Replaceable battery since the same problem exists. will you be able to FIND any battery replaceable or not.
IF its something that will be replaced with something newer anyway (mini mp3 players) I can tolerate it.
but for something like this reader which I plan on using for 10+ years (the battery WILL NOT last that long mind you) it bugs the crap out of me (though not enough not to buy it)
AAA's will be here long after you and I are dead :-)
If they wanted to include batteries make them NIMHS and alkalines would probably last for over 10,000 page turns!
Chris Taylor
http://www.nerys.com/