E-ink readers in 2015

[kacir]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

My prediction is that Amazon will come out with a new Reader in 2015 that won't have any new customization options then what you have now with the Voyage. I'm thinking maybe they'll come out with a 6.8 - 8" screen.

Sony won't be coming out with any new Reader.

Kobo will come out with a new Reader that might be similar to the H2O but with capacitance touch.

B&N won't be coming out with a new Reader.

Onyx will come out with a new Reader that runs Android and will have problems with it.

These are my predictions that are just really guesses (well some are and some are not)

Usually I strongly disagree with your posts. This one, however, I is spot on.

I will add:
PocketBook will come with some new models, with firmware that is even more screw^H^H^H^H^Himproved than 5.x they distribute now (as compared with 3.xy from their golden age), and their community will shrink even more.

There will not be an e-ink monitor commercially available in 2015, despite the vaporware model they are showing at CES.

[Shades]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

There is a reason people still buy clocks/watches and other niche items that have been subsumed in multipurpose devices. The dedicated ereader will endure.

I think there will always be a place for an eink ereader. Phones and tablets just can't compete with eink battery life.

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by jehane

Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of being able to use both screens at once? If that's not the purpose of such a device, what is?

One wouldn't need to use both at once. e-ink for when you need e-ink, LCD for when you need faster refresh and colour. You'd only need to carry the one device instead of both a tablet and e-reader. Plus, if the e-ink screen runs off the same OS as the LCD, then you could use it when battery is low as well.

[Pangolin]

I wouldn't mind a still longer battery life and wireless charging Peeps say the Voyage doesn't last as long on a charge as the PW - a really long charge with auto topping up would be the icing on the cake.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Pangolin

I wouldn't mind a still longer battery life and wireless charging Peeps say the Voyage doesn't last as long on a charge as the PW - a really long charge with auto topping up would be the icing on the cake.

Even better would be solar charging.

[DSpider]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Even better would be solar charging.

This. E-ink screens do not need much power anyway. They wouldn't even need a cable slot. They could be completely air-tight, water-proof units (as long as they come with a bluetooth or wifi dongle for easy wireless transfer). Make it happen, Amazon!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DSpider

This. E-ink screens do not need much power anyway. They wouldn't even need a cable slot. They could be completely air-tight, water-proof units (as long as they come with a bluetooth or wifi dongle for easy wireless transfer). Make it happen, Amazon!

They can still be waterproof and have a USB port. Just take a look at the Kobo Aura H2O. The port is needed to side load. Not everyone wants WiFi only file transfers. Besides, Calibre is needed to create collections on some Readers.

[murg]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

They can still be waterproof and have a USB port. Just take a look at the Kobo Aura H2O. The port is needed to side load. Not everyone wants WiFi only file transfers. Besides, Calibre is needed to create collections on some Readers.

The H2O is only waterproof when the port cover is installed.

I think DSpider was thinking of completely sealed units, that cannot be accidentally left in a non-waterproof state.

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The port is needed to side load. Not everyone wants WiFi only file transfers. Besides, Calibre is needed to create collections on some Readers.

Well, they could support Calibre's wireless device and kill two birds with one stone. Not going to happen, but one can dream

[linereader]

Originally Posted by charmian

What are your predictions for e-ink readers in 2015?

* contraction of the market (hardware)
* no new colour display with low power and sunlight viewability
* continual price reductions & refinements in laptops and tablets (regular ones) will keep most activities indoors
* continual insistence on sealed battery designs. That e-waste we keep producing from old units that just need a new easily swappable battery due to old age & the old battery giving trouble...
* most designs will be in drab lifeless colours despite the market looking for different more excitng designs
* most manufacturers will not specify exactly what dictiionaries are included in their devices
* manufacturers in general will not branch out into organizer nor office-type features in their gear (calculator, timer, calendar..)
* I will continue to dislike Jeff Bezos in 2015 and Liquavista will continue to provide no fruit for Amazon
* Amazon will never consider a MicroSD slot just like Apple; this well go well beyond 2015 into the depths of eternity

[Quexos]

I have the feeling readers have stopped evolving in the past year or so. I did not hear any announcements at CES that caught my fancy so it does not look like 2015 will have too much in the novelty department. So for this year I'll probably stick with my Ipad and my Kobo AuraHD.

[Hrafn]

Originally Posted by Quexos

I have the feeling readers have stopped evolving in the past year or so.

I'd have to disagree with you there. The Kindle Voyage included a number of innovations (flush bezel, page-turn sensors instead of buttons) as well as a higher resolution screen. Speaking for myself, I'm very much hoping that these innovations become mainstream -- but am not holding my breath.


Additionally, we saw the (less successful, but still highly innovative) Pocketbook Ultra. I doubt if the camera or the back-mounted page-turn buttons will catch on, but it is a clear sign that things aren't completely static.

[Hrafn]

Given that most people (myself included) aren't predicting too much change in 2015, may I turn around the question slightly to what innovations (beyond the obvious thinner/lighter/better-contrast/better-resolution/better-battery-life/etc) people think manufacturer's should be working on?

For myself, as somebody who sees page-turn buttons as a must-have, and has seen them twice be the point-of-failure in my eReaders, better page turn button technology is something that I'd very much like to see (one reason why I find the Voyage's page-turn sensors intriguing).

[HarryHutton]

Originally Posted by Hrafn

Given that most people (myself included) aren't predicting too much change in 2015, may I turn around the question slightly to what innovations (beyond the obvious thinner/lighter/better-contrast/better-resolution/better-battery-life/etc) people think manufacturer's should be working on?

For myself, as somebody who sees page-turn buttons as a must-have, and has seen them twice be the point-of-failure in my eReaders, better page turn button technology is something that I'd very much like to see (one reason why I find the Voyage's page-turn sensors intriguing).

Interesting. What sort of page turn innovations would you like to see?

I'd also be interested in a nicer way to flick through bookmarks or notes. At the minute it seems like a lot of hassle to access bookmarks on the models I have used (Kindle Voyager, Kindle Touch and Nook Simple Touch)

[hardcastle]

Originally Posted by Hrafn

Given that most people (myself included) aren't predicting too much change in 2015, may I turn around the question slightly to what innovations (beyond the obvious thinner/lighter/better-contrast/better-resolution/better-battery-life/etc) people think manufacturer's should be working on?

For myself, as somebody who sees page-turn buttons as a must-have, and has seen them twice be the point-of-failure in my eReaders, better page turn button technology is something that I'd very much like to see (one reason why I find the Voyage's page-turn sensors intriguing).

Cheaper and lighter. I think price is a field that needs some work.

I'm most interested in ergonomics of an eReader. I tend to hold it for hours at a time, so it better be comfy.