Quote:
Originally Posted by charleski
It's going to be obvious to anyone who studies the various options that a dedicated eInk-based ereader is a superior device for reading books.
But the market is full of people who don't spend time learning about the technology before making a purchase. I think this will have a significant impact on the ereader market simply because of the number of consumers who may have been considering a Kindle or a nook and will be beguiled into buying an iPad instead because of its multifunctionality (and the Apple shinies). At least the screen won't be flickering at them, but I suspect most will never realise that an eInk device would have freed them from arranging shade so they can read it in the garden, remembering to recharge it every day, etc.
It's certainly going to exert a downward price-pressure on eInk devices, though (tough for all those Asian companies with new readers at CES  ). If manufacturers are able to respond to that then we may see eInk grabbing a number of new consumers who wouldn't dream of paying $500 anyway. But the large, expensive eInk readers (Que, Skiff etc) are going to find life a lot tougher now. |
I think you hit the nail on the head, Charleski.
The iPad appears to be an excellent netbook device. It will be much better for eReading than any other backlit device, and therefore may well attract casual use from those totally unaware of the current e-ink technology.
These folks are used to charging their e-toys every day or so, and the short battery life will not be a factor. If it will get them from home to office on the bus, or has an optional car-adaptor for long trips, it will serve their purposes.
I do not, however, think it spells the death of e-ink all by itself.
We will see what other, future, technologies pop their heads out of the gopher holes to perhaps make e-ink a forgotten technology in 5 years. I certainly hope not, cuz I love my eraeading device. If my ereader dies by then, I will replace it accordingly because no matter what the technology, ereading is here to stay.