Quote:
Originally Posted by HansTWN
Relax (auch ich bin Deutscher), even the grand master of marketing, Steve Jobs, said "people just don't read anymore". And he was referring to Americans. I suppose it definitely is true for most countries, the average person today reads less and watches more TV or surfs the net. That obviously does not apply to members of this forum.
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But that could be one side-effect of eReader devices - it could draw people back to reading, or encourage them to read, by providing sexy reading devices. People love their lightning fast PCs, their iMacs, their iPods, and their super-wide HD TVs. So if we get some sexy reading devices that perform and look good people will also love using them, and they have the added convenience of being able to carry their library on an SD card or in a device, just like their music.
I actually enjoy using the reader more than a pBook now, and heave a bit of a sigh when I have to read a paper book because it's not available in e-format.
I for one will be watching this device closely. I love the freedom of my BeBook for formats, and have been eagerly awaiting the release of this Txtr device. New Kindles and Sonys can go to hell as far as I'm concerned - their regional marketing practices and lack of formats drove me away long ago, and now I refuse to even consider their devices - my meagre protest against their corporate heavy-handedness.
The potential of the Txtr, in providing an SDK and allowing 3rd party software development, makes me very hopeful that there will soon be a lot of apps ported to the device, especially supporting things like my favourite FB2 format. If that happens, and their ePub support is adequate, then this will be my next device.
I was going to go for the Cool-ER as it already has FB2, but they can't seem to meet demand (always listed as Pre-Order on their web page) and buying the device from a distributor takes it from EUR225 to nearly 300 - and the bastards claim removing DRM is criminal!!
The only sour note on the Txtr is the price - not a surprise, but I would have thought keeping it below EUR300 would have been better for the psychology of their marketing (EUR299 sounds better than 320, even though they're nearly the same). I will spit chips if the price to the US is set at $319!!
It remains to be seen if these guys can get it right, but at least they're starting with a good approach of openness, clearly showing they have some understanding of the users out there.
I sincerely hope they succeed!
