we can certainly agree to disagree on what are the key factors for a mass public acceptance of dedicated eBook readers. you're right that it is mostly speculation at this point and neither of us can definitively prove it either way.
even though the markets are different, i think about the emergence of the iPod in the MP3 player market. when the original iPod came out, it was mac only, and rather expensive when compared to other MP3 players out there. it certainly wasn't the first MP3 player out there (nor the 2nd or the 3rd). but what apple brought to the table was a simple and easy to use MP3 player that now came with some revolutionary software for creating and integrating all of your music on your computer. the "magic bean", if you will, of the iPod rise to dominance wasn't the hardware, it was the software. it was the iTunes software and its very simple integration and customization. i keep thinking that this is the key in emerging markets: how easy is it for any old jack or jill to just pick up and use? iPods certainly weren't cheaper than other competing players and they didn't really save you money vs. CD players. it was all about convenience, portability and easy-to-use interfaces and software.
that's my take at least.
