[Kali Yuga]

Originally Posted by FragFrog

Come now, surely you are not saying eReaders should have no other options mainly because in your opinion simplicity is a virtue? That is like saying they should have no color either because black & white is a virtue, or that they should have no dictionary support because knowing how to manually use a dictionary is a virtue.

Not at all. In fact, I've repeatedly expressed support for reading-related functions, including ones I don't use (e.g. annotations). If you want "options," it makes more sense to get a multi-function device.

Originally Posted by FragFrog

Who said anything about calendar reminders or e-mail popups?

Things like calendars and email on a device are nearly pointless without reminders, much in the same way that it's nearly pointless to have a calendar on a device without sync. It might not bug me if I choose to skip on the calendar feature, but it's inevitable that it will distract a user who chooses to implement those features.

Originally Posted by FragFrog

Additionally, again you focus on hardware changes. I say no, au contraire, many of the features people want can easily be achieved using the hardware that is already there. There is no reason whatsoever why these functions cannot run on most existing eReaders since, as I already pointed out, the hardware required for it was already available a decade ago.

Then I recommend you re-read my posts. Adding those functions a) will drain precious battery time, and b) many won't work well with eInk, or existing keyboard and pointers.

In terms of software, I don't think that making a really good PIM on a device is a snap, and managing email on a handheld is far more difficult than you might expect -- ask any company that went up against RIM . (Similarly, the PIM aspects on most Blackberry models is not that great, and has either stagnated or possibly gotten worse over time....) I'm sure you could make something presentable, but by the time you've finished with the vagaries of the eInk display, the weird input options, and PC sync, you've got a major project on your hands.

Even if I am overestimating the difficulties of the software component, that doesn't alter my point, or dismiss the issues relating to hardware, marketing and development team focus.

Originally Posted by FragFrog

Since Sony for example is a huge multinational with over 400.000 eReaders sold I find it save to assume there is at least some budget for development here. I'm fairly sure they can handle a few extra functions, call me mister optimist if you like

Heh.... Optimism isn't the issue, it's "what makes for a good focused device." E.g. I could put all kinds of PIM / PDA functions into a digital camera, and carry it around with me all the time. Certainly it's got the basic hardware -- but even if the software efforts are minimal, does it really make sense?

As to resources, Sony lost $1 billion in FY ending 2009, and expects to lose another $1.2 billion in FY ending 2010. B&N is also on the ropes and closing stores left and right, and no one has indicated whether they are in the black with their ebook efforts yet.

Sony, B&N, Amazon and others are clearly dedicating resources into their ebook efforts, which is great, but their resources (including time) are still finite. Given that, I'd rather have them focus on making their ebook readers the best at reading, as well as make their wares work as best as possible on multifunction devices.