Dedicated E-Readers: They're History - Page 2

dmaul1114 · 06-22-2010, 12:26 AM

Yep, the Wii is barely more powerful than the Gamecube from last gen, can't do HD etc.

They were able to be cheap by not advancing the graphics tech and just making a new control scheme and going after casual gamers and non-gamers vs. trying to compete with the hardcore gamer crowd that Sony and Microsoft have a strangle hold on.

It's paid off for the, but the games suffered IMO. I used to love Nintendo, and bought a Wii at launch. But I didn't like it and sold it after a year or so and picked up an X-box 360 and haven't looked back as I've had a blast with it. Just got done putting a 4 hour or so session into Bioshock 2!

Lady Fitzgerald · 06-22-2010, 12:30 AM

Until the tablets can have the same resolution, light weight, and battery life of e-ink devices and at similar prices, I'm not interested.

dmaul1114 · 06-22-2010, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ervserver

It's not about the iPad rather the slew of iPad-like devices that will avalanche the market soon

Sure, but as I've said repeatedly, it's not some zero sum end game. Especially with dedicated reader prices dropping rapidly.

They'll stick around for people who want them, even if tablet devices are the mainstream device casual readers are reading books on.

I have an interest in both personally. Tablet for work reading, document mark up, web surfing, e-mail, streaming video etc. etc. Kindle or similar for reading novels in bed etc.

Teddman · 06-22-2010, 12:35 AM

Dedicated cell phones are history too. After all, there is the iPhone. It does so much more than just make calls.

Wait, you mean they still make cheaper basic cell phones besides the iPhone?!?!

leebase · 06-22-2010, 12:53 AM

Right, eink devices like basic cell phones will continue to exist. And their prices will continue to erode till they hit tat magical $99 price point (probably wifi only).

Eink is it's own reason for existence. It will matter for a lot of people. I do think that phones and tablets will be where most ebooks are read if they aren't already.

Lee

sabredog · 06-22-2010, 12:55 AM

Article quotation

Quote:

My reasoning is quite simple. Everything a Nook or a Kindle can do an Apple iPad can do better. And, what's far more important, an iPad can do far, far more.

This single statement turns this authors article from neutral to iPad bias, thus worthy of ignoring

If I want to read, I want to use a device that offers no other function. PDA's or tablets with all the bells and whistles offer too many distractions for that single task. I do not want to be interrupted by a "you have mail" soundbyte whilst reading.

I would imagine that there would be a lot of ebook readers with the same belief as me.

Worldwalker · 06-22-2010, 12:55 AM

Also, no more pocket knives. Swiss Army Knives only. The ones with thumb drives, because dedicated thumb drives are also single-use devices.

And why are you talking about Wiis? Consoles are single-use devices, too; if you want to play video games, you have to get an iCade. (the rumor was they were going to make that real, but so far nothing

)

And what about that most dedicated of all dedicated devices ... the beer fridge????

sabredog · 06-22-2010, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

And what about that most dedicated of all dedicated devices ... the beer fridge????

As an Aussie, I could not agree more!!

HansTWN · 06-22-2010, 01:14 AM

Another paid Ipad ad, lol. My phone and my laptop both can do so much more than the Ipad. So by the author's logic, why does the iPad exist? The IPad is a device that does almost everything, but just doesn't do it very well. In a few years, when there is a new color screen technology and tablets will be as light as e-readers and the battery will last as long -- then we are talking (even though by then e-ink readers might well be below 50 USD). Or alternatively something with the form factor and battery life of the iPad and the capabilities of a computer -- not those of an iPod touch.

PKFFW · 06-22-2010, 02:52 AM

Convergence was supposed to be the death of all single purpose devices such as mobile phones, cameras, mp3 players etc. It hasn't happened with any of them yet and it wont happen with ereaders any time soon.

The do everything device is great in theory but not in practice. History has shown people want devices to do what they do really well. They may buy the single do everything device but they still buy the dedicated devices for use when they want to do those things the dedicated device is for.

Almost everyone I know owns a mobile phone that has a digital camera on it yet many still own a compact digital camera too for taking holiday shots. Their mobile phones also have an mp3 player on board yet almost all own a dedicated mp3 player they carry with them everywhere for listening to music. Many of those that love reading read on their mobile phone yet a few have still bought a dedicated reader and more plan to in the future when prices drop.

I can't see the situation changing any time soon.

Cheers,
PKFFW

Dellaster · 06-22-2010, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PKFFW

Almost everyone I know owns a mobile phone that has a digital camera on it yet many still own a compact digital camera too for taking holiday shots. Their mobile phones also have an mp3 player on board yet almost all own a dedicated mp3 player they carry with them everywhere for listening to music. Many of those that love reading read on their mobile phone yet a few have still bought a dedicated reader and more plan to in the future when prices drop.

Good examples. Yet by that writer's logic the dedicated camera or mp3 player should be "history". Including the iPod Nano since the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad all play music just as well and do so much more. Never mind the relative prices, sizes and weights.

The iPad is great for what it is. I bought one myself. But for all the hype, it isn't actually magical.

-- Ted

LDBoblo · 06-22-2010, 04:01 AM

I'm just curious...if these aren't veiled advertisements, then what is their function? It almost sounds like the typical blogger purchase justification.

HansTWN · 06-22-2010, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

I'm just curious...if these aren't veiled advertisements, then what is their function? It almost sounds like the typical blogger purchase justification.

My guess is that these are all part of Apple's marketing master plan. All these influential bloggers are being treated with free stuff, advertising revenue, etc. and in return write favorable reviews.

EowynCarter · 06-22-2010, 04:16 AM

The only point dedicated reader might disappear, is when e-ink have evolved to the point it can do video.

While reading on lcd wasn't as a bad experience I though it would be, i still missed my Opus.

Silver15 · 06-22-2010, 04:18 AM

The Ipad may be a great thing, an expensive thing and the next thing. I bought my Sony PRS600 because I spend a lot of time all day looking at LCD screens and I think that it may be damaging my eyesight - towards evening my eyes are stinging and watery - okay they ARE old eyes but even so, the e-ink placidity is very welcome. The only thing I found disconcerting was that the ambient light had to be a bit high to read comfortably. As far as multi-tasking is concerned - the ipad doesn't - if you need to get a tablet computer. I hope my ebook reader remains dedicated to reading for at least another three years.

06-22-2010, 01:14 AM	#24
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	Another paid Ipad ad, lol. My phone and my laptop both can do so much more than the Ipad. So by the author's logic, why does the iPad exist? The IPad is a device that does almost everything, but just doesn't do it very well. In a few years, when there is a new color screen technology and tablets will be as light as e-readers and the battery will last as long -- then we are talking (even though by then e-ink readers might well be below 50 USD). Or alternatively something with the form factor and battery life of the iPad and the capabilities of a computer -- not those of an iPod touch. Last edited by HansTWN; 06-22-2010 at 04:10 AM.

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06-22-2010, 12:26 AM	#16
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	Yep, the Wii is barely more powerful than the Gamecube from last gen, can't do HD etc. They were able to be cheap by not advancing the graphics tech and just making a new control scheme and going after casual gamers and non-gamers vs. trying to compete with the hardcore gamer crowd that Sony and Microsoft have a strangle hold on. It's paid off for the, but the games suffered IMO. I used to love Nintendo, and bought a Wii at launch. But I didn't like it and sold it after a year or so and picked up an X-box 360 and haven't looked back as I've had a blast with it. Just got done putting a 4 hour or so session into Bioshock 2!

06-22-2010, 12:30 AM	#17
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	Until the tablets can have the same resolution, light weight, and battery life of e-ink devices and at similar prices, I'm not interested.

06-22-2010, 12:35 AM	#19
Teddman Addict Posts: 242 Karma: 695 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505	Dedicated cell phones are history too. After all, there is the iPhone. It does so much more than just make calls. Wait, you mean they still make cheaper basic cell phones besides the iPhone?!?!

06-22-2010, 12:53 AM	#20
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,976 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	Right, eink devices like basic cell phones will continue to exist. And their prices will continue to erode till they hit tat magical $99 price point (probably wifi only). Eink is it's own reason for existence. It will matter for a lot of people. I do think that phones and tablets will be where most ebooks are read if they aren't already. Lee

06-22-2010, 12:55 AM	#22
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	Also, no more pocket knives. Swiss Army Knives only. The ones with thumb drives, because dedicated thumb drives are also single-use devices. And why are you talking about Wiis? Consoles are single-use devices, too; if you want to play video games, you have to get an iCade. (the rumor was they were going to make that real, but so far nothing ) And what about that most dedicated of all dedicated devices ... the beer fridge????

06-22-2010, 02:52 AM	#25
PKFFW Wizard Posts: 3,792 Karma: 33500000 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: BeBook, Sony PRS-T1, Kobo H2O	Convergence was supposed to be the death of all single purpose devices such as mobile phones, cameras, mp3 players etc. It hasn't happened with any of them yet and it wont happen with ereaders any time soon. The do everything device is great in theory but not in practice. History has shown people want devices to do what they do really well. They may buy the single do everything device but they still buy the dedicated devices for use when they want to do those things the dedicated device is for. Almost everyone I know owns a mobile phone that has a digital camera on it yet many still own a compact digital camera too for taking holiday shots. Their mobile phones also have an mp3 player on board yet almost all own a dedicated mp3 player they carry with them everywhere for listening to music. Many of those that love reading read on their mobile phone yet a few have still bought a dedicated reader and more plan to in the future when prices drop. I can't see the situation changing any time soon. Cheers, PKFFW

06-22-2010, 04:01 AM	#27
LDBoblo Wizard Posts: 1,385 Karma: 16056 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Asia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505	I'm just curious...if these aren't veiled advertisements, then what is their function? It almost sounds like the typical blogger purchase justification.

06-22-2010, 04:16 AM	#29
EowynCarter Wizard Posts: 4,338 Karma: 4000000 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Paris Device: Cybooks; Sony PRS-T1	The only point dedicated reader might disappear, is when e-ink have evolved to the point it can do video. While reading on lcd wasn't as a bad experience I though it would be, i still missed my Opus.

06-22-2010, 04:18 AM	#30
Silver15 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Sony PRS 600	The Ipad may be a great thing, an expensive thing and the next thing. I bought my Sony PRS600 because I spend a lot of time all day looking at LCD screens and I think that it may be damaging my eyesight - towards evening my eyes are stinging and watery - okay they ARE old eyes but even so, the e-ink placidity is very welcome. The only thing I found disconcerting was that the ambient light had to be a bit high to read comfortably. As far as multi-tasking is concerned - the ipad doesn't - if you need to get a tablet computer. I hope my ebook reader remains dedicated to reading for at least another three years.