Quote:
Originally Posted by Crowl
I don't think they would actually strip things down to quite that extent as leaving out such things as usb prevents them from selling you new stuff, they have got the ereader into your hands by selling you it as part of the complete works you bought and now they would use it to flog you more ebooks.
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I agree that a fuller functioned reader + book bundle would be one possible way of marketing a package deal. But that's not much of a step from where we are now.
The whole point of a "disposable" style is that it's not designed for that kind of re-use, and cost savings are made by making it as minimalist as possible. The makers can also keep making money by selling you the same thing multiple times.
We've seen it in things like razors, for instance, where the original cut-throat razors were used for years on end and carefully re-sharpened. They were replaced by the 'safety razor' which had a re-usable handle and blade holder but used disposable blades. In turn, they were followed by 100% throw away razors. They're cheap and convenient but you buy them every week instead of once or twice a lifetime. It's a trend that crops up in an increasing number of fields now.
In the games world you can buy anything from a full on Gaming Monster PC, through to various reasonably well specced consoles, right down to cheap little hand held gaming devices that run only what comes on them, with no capacity to add more (if I'm not mistaken, virtually throw away mini game devices have been around for years). I don't see any real reason why the same range might not spread to e-reading.
Lots of options there for customising the case with a content related theme.
It could be as simple as putting a large sticker on the back that would be the equivalent of a book cover, through to fancy plastic pressing or colours. Dedicated themed readers just stuffed with Thomas the Tank Engine, or Winnie the Pooh, the Discworld series, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy or whatever... geez they'd fly off the shelves wouldn't they? I want one already....
We already have apps for iTouch etc which have built in collections of books that you can neither add to nor delete from. Simpler software, less cost to make.
It certainly seems possible to me, but of course that doesn't mean it will happen.
Cheers,
Chris