[Kali Yuga]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Fair enough. I just don't see reading functions getting hurt too much by other features--beyond eye strain and battery life until that technology improves.

I hope I'm not pressing to hard, but I do see problems, hence my objections. For example, I really do not want my ebook reader to announce "You've Got Mail!" every 5 minutes.

And I'm not saying "zomg no ebooks on multifunction devices" -- there are many situations where a multifunction device ends up being more convenient or efficient. But just as there are times when you are best served by a Swiss Army knife, there are also times when you are better off with a steak knife, a fillet knife, a bread knife, a butcher knife, a tactical knife, a butterfly knife, a throwing knife....

It's pretty clear from the remainder of your post that you're looking for a multi-function device, and again if that is your goal, that makes perfect sense. The thing is, you may only want one or two non-reading features; but someone else will want one or two other non-reading features, and another person will want even more, until you've got so much crap in the menus that a once-elegant, easy-to-use and focused device looks like this:

Since the goal is to read a book rather than fly a plane, it makes more sense to me that someone in your position should go with a netbook-type device or -- gasp -- a tablet PC than to try and turn a dedicated, focused, optimized reading device into a netbook.

Originally Posted by FragFrog

If you really think that adding some additional functions on that page would make it too complex for you, I wonder how you are able to operate a car, or a webbrowser for that matter (unless of course you use a Mac, in which case you can regard my comment as unwritten).

It's not a matter of making it "too complex for me" (though "ease of use" is unquestionably a beneficial thing, especially with electronics). It's that you are piling functions onto a focused device that are unrelated to its core mission. I.e. you could stick a can opener and a thermometer on the side of your TV -- there's room for it, but is it really beneficial?

An ereader should be great for reading, and again are small and light enough, and are slowly getting affordable enough, that it really isn't a problem to carry one in addition to a netbook or smartphone. (Heck, it's easier to carry an ereader and a netbook than two textbooks and a spiral notepad.) As a result, I don't see the point of turning an ebook reader into a netbook, PDA or smartphone just because there are a few blank spaces on a menu. Especially when even basic functions like annotations still need improvement.

Originally Posted by FragFrog

I do not have a service agreement or contract with my carrier - it is a prepaid telephone costing exactly that. Please do not insult both our intellects with such needless assumptions.

It's an "insult" to be aware of how cell phone companies do their business? Or that I assume you're like 90% of the public, that uses post-paid cell service? And are you sure you want me to know how you pay for your cell phone?

Cell phones are commonly subsidized by the subsequent costs. You may not have a contract, but I assure you that your phone cost a tad more than $10 to make -- and ultimately you paid more than $20 for it. The rest of your phone's cost is hidden in the higher usage rates. It's possible you may cancel the service before the provider recoups the investment, and that's a risk they take -- and in a sense one you pay for, again, with the higher rates.

Nor, ultimately, is the problem that "adding a calendar to an ebook reader is expensive or complex" -- it's that it distracts and detracts from the fundamental and focused purpose of the device. The last thing I want is to have a calendar alarm pop up in the middle of my reading a book. Well, second to last -- email notification would be much worse.

Originally Posted by Ankh

Why, when one can have its cake, and eat it, too? Apple has shown us how it is done.

See the above; and Apple can't sprinkle magic pixie dust on a tablet and quintuple battery life or reduce distractability. And for every iPhone, there are dozens of Treos, NGages, and Dell Axims.

Originally Posted by Ankh

Sadly, some of the stuff mentioned on this thread falls, very much so, into the "core business" category. Dictionary support is NATIVE function for any (dedicated or not) ebook reading device.

Good thing I don't object to dictionary support, then. I fully support reading-related features. I just don't see any benefit to ebook reader that becomes utterly baroque in the attempt to imitate a netbook.