Quote:
Originally Posted by John F
If Astak is still planning on releasing a touchscreen device, I hope that they do not follow Sony's direction of sacrificing screen clarity/contrast for touchscreen capability.
Just my opinion.
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Dear John:
Well said. We all have talked in this thread many times on this problem. The situation is as follows:
1. The lack of clarity is caused by putting another layer of plastic on the very top of the screen (over the E-Ink) to provide the TouchScreen. I have heard that it decreases the reflectivity and clarity by about 30%.
2. There are a few technologies that seem to get around this by putting the TouchScreen under the E-Ink but they add to the cost (more expensive than traditional TouchScreen.
3. Our factories are working on the problem and TouchScreen devices are due to be released. I have no idea yet whether they will go traditional or employ the more expensive technology.
4. IF they go the new technology there is a problem. The average person will not CARE that it has the new technology... they will just think they are being overcharged! YOU would know we did the right thing; but others will not. Cost, as you know, is a major factor on eBook Readers. Look at the Pocket PRO... a drop in price of only $30 caught the attention of the press.
5. I have heard that the difference in cost between under the E-Ink and Over the E-Ink is about $40 (not firm yet).
6. One of the reasons for TouchScreen is it (sometimes) allows note-taking to be employed.