EZ Reader Plus

[Sylver]

Originally Posted by DoctorX

I understand the need to save the bottom line, but if you guys keep delaying the launch of the Plus you're going to end up with two undesirable/out-dated models, and you'll be worse off than where you started.

Exactly. I know it hurts to short the old EZ Readers, but it will hurt more to stock up two old models now that Pearl seems more popular - I would guess the next nook will be on Pearl and lowered to $139 to compete with K3, and very soon everyone will be on board. Holding off the Plus will hurt Astak much worse. Many would have paid $219 for a Plus back in April, but now, even $189 will be a hard sell to them.

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by Sylver

Exactly. I know it hurts to short the old EZ Readers, but it will hurt more to stock up two old models now that Pearl seems more popular - I would guess the next nook will be on Pearl and lowered to $139 to compete with K3, and very soon everyone will be on board. Holding off the Plus will hurt Astak much worse. Many would have paid $219 for a Plus back in April, but now, even $189 will be a hard sell to them.

You are right with the new Pearl screen. $189 would be conceivable for the 6" IF drastic changes were done to the firmware. Common point raised is the large array of file formats supported. I have never had a .DOC or .PPT load on the reader, CHM is not worth the hassle, nor is (from other peoples posts) LIT. Haven't tried to many others (except PDF, RTF, MOBI and EPUB). Shorten the list and perfect a handful. The CR3 update was a good step forward (except the firmware has now been pulled). Perhaps Astak need to join forces with LBook and have them compile a firmware release with Astak branding instead of waiting for Jinke.

[eGeezer]

Well, unless I have my info wrong, Kindle doesn't support Library books which is where I shop first for my books. Along with the "keyboard clutter" on the Kindles, it is one of the main reasons I don't even consider Kindle a viable option.

I just figure that with any ereader unable to borrow books from the library means every book that has to be purchased instead is added to the cost of that ereader. In addition, as has been mentioned previously, any reader that doesn't come with an almost impervious crush-proof case needs $40-60 US added to the prices.

So even at $219, the Plus is a plus. And every book I borrow from the library that other readers can't, would just make the $219 even more attractive.

Kindle and Nook can lower their prices and make it up in book sales, which only ADDS to their "cheaper" prices.

I LOVE being able to borrow from the library.

[Sylver]

Originally Posted by eGeezer

Well, unless I have my info wrong, Kindle doesn't support Library books which is where I shop first for my books.

you are right, Kindle still does not support library loaned books and epub. However, the price drop of Kindle will likely trigger price drop of the nook which supports both epub and library loaned books - the nook wifi at $149 is already very competitive (one can easily get a nook cover for $15 from ebay or amazon if he is not particular about the brand). EZ Reader Plus sounds a very good product, but holding off releasing it any longer will just hurt Astak even more.

[eGeezer]

Shame on me for thinking too narrow. Good points.

[oncdoc]

i feel kinda bad for astak. oh well this is capitlism at its best.

[eGeezer]

Hmmm.

If Astak is trying to hold onto releasing the Plus until the EZ is gone, but doing so is harming sales for the EZ because everyone is waiting for the Plus, they should give away an EZ with every Plus sold. "Give away" could mean anything from literally giving them away to selling them at a deep discount so they recover at least some of their investment.

Then they would have twice as many units out there, people could give them to their friends who are on the fence about switching to ebooks, and they run less chance of winding up with a warehouse full of EZ's AND Pluses that missed their chance to be seen in the apparently fast-closing ereader market soon to be dominated soley by those who have ebooks to shore up their ereader losses.

Just a thought.

But then, I'm no businessman.

[soothsayer]

Originally Posted by Robertb

We are all waiting for the Program Manager to give the go-ahead to get these in our warehouse and start selling. There is an inventory of the EZ Reader Basic he wants to clear out or we lose money. THAT is the hold-up.

damn, that is three months ago............................ still no plus.

[Daegul]

Originally Posted by eGeezer

Hmmm.

If Astak is trying to hold onto releasing the Plus until the EZ is gone, but doing so is harming sales for the EZ because everyone is waiting for the Plus, they should give away an EZ with every Plus sold. "Give away" could mean anything from literally giving them away to selling them at a deep discount so they recover at least some of their investment.

Then they would have twice as many units out there, people could give them to their friends who are on the fence about switching to ebooks, and they run less chance of winding up with a warehouse full of EZ's AND Pluses that missed their chance to be seen in the apparently fast-closing ereader market soon to be dominated soley by those who have ebooks to shore up their ereader losses.

Just a thought.

But then, I'm no businessman.

You make more business sense than you think you do. I just registered specifically to post my thoughts on the matter, and I'm an example of what the delay has led to.

I was excited and fully on board with getting a Plus. I was even willing to put up with the delay. I wanted the best screen, pdf compatibility and more formats was a definite plus. I was doing my usual status check here when I noticed that the Kindle 3 was up for pre-order; I wasn't terribly interested, but went to take a look anyway.

After looking over the stats(particularly the screen) and then noting the price, I bit the bullet and put one on order. Had Astak simply done as you suggested, I'd happily have a Plus right now and never bothered with the Kindle.

By trying to save pennies Astak is losing both dollars and market share at an alarming rate. They really need to bite the bullet and save what is left of their customer base.

[hch568]

I agree with you Daegul 100%. I was interested in owning a Plus, but not now. I haven't buy anything yet (I'm still using my Gamin-asus and netbook as ereader substitutes). If they had put the Plus on sale in June or as early as March, I might already bought one, but the delay make me think twice, or thrice. There's so many competing devices and EZ-Plus is no longer a competitive model in function and display or in price........

[Robertb]

Dear all:

As you know, I try very hard on here to be a bit harsh on my own company at times. I like Astak but I want us to do better!

I cannot at all argue with your point that by waiting SO damned long to bring ouit the PLUS (it is coming before the end of August for sure... gospel truth) Astak may have missed the boat.

Do I love the PLUS... damned right!! Would I have loved it more three months ago... absolutely!! The PLUS is considertably lighter than the Kindle3. It comes with the quality case (a good one with magnetic clasp) and free ear buds. It is 16 level gray scale and has a 64MB SD-RAM for fast downloading and book opening. The SD card slot goes to 16GB and a 32GB will work. The 2.0 USB is great and there is NO contest that the Epson controller with 400MHz processor is really fast!! Yes, you are still getting twenty (20) formats and 26 langauges. The PLUS is one hell of a fine 6 inch and I love it. But, I ALSO feel sorry for Astak, folks. The factory thinks Amazon and B&N are NUTS selling at under $149 as that IS below their cost!! They are LOSING a sizable amount on every device they sell. We cannot do that!

So, yes, I also feel sorry for Astak. I do NOT think selling devices is viable for us. We are still looking and things might change... but it looks like the eBook Store (now undergoing a complete redesign and getting features other eBook stores do NOT have at www.EZread.com) is far more viable. We are staying in the device business at a loss to please our customers. We will still have new devices; but I agree it will not at all be profitable!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by oncdoc

i feel kinda bad for astak. oh well this is capitlism at its best.

Dear Friend Oncdoc:

Capitalism at its best is where companies compete fairly for business. What we are seeing righ now is Capitalism at its worst: drive out all competition, narrow down the field, cut out where new innovation will come from, sell at a sizable LOSS for market share.

In the short run, the low prices by Kindle and B&N are consumer benefits. But innovation normally and routinely comes from small-medium sized companies and giant firms sit on their laurels. AND... do you really think Kindle and B&N have the benefit of your wallet at heart? Trust me, long term, you will see them controlling prices without competition and raising them to beat the band!

That is the dirtiest side of capitalism!

[hidari]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Friend Oncdoc:

Capitalism at its best is where companies compete fairly for business. What we are seeing righ now is Capitalism at its worst: drive out all competition, narrow down the field, cut out where new innovation will come from, sell at a sizable LOSS for market share.

In the short run, the low prices by Kindle and B&N are consumer benefits. But innovation normally and routinely comes from small-medium sized companies and giant firms sit on their laurels. AND... do you really think Kindle and B&N have the benefit of your wallet at heart? Trust me, long term, you will see them controlling prices without competition and raising them to beat the band!

That is the dirtiest side of capitalism!

If I were Astak I would focus on Europe, Asia, or South America....Places where Amazon is not so dominant.....

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by hidari

If I were Astak I would focus on Europe, Asia, or South America....Places where Amazon is not so dominant.....

Dear Hidari:

You are right... there are places where Amazon and B&N have not ruined the market. However, Europe and Asia are already somebody else's territory.

We make NOTHING (actually lose a bit) on every device we sell. So, we cannot stay focused on devices. As a benefit to our fans and friends on this forum we are continuing to bring out new models... but focused is not the word. When you are making nothing on a segment of your business you either get out or play low key.

ALL of our attention is on new electronics and on our eBook Store. That store can and will be the best place there is to purchase eBooks. Wait until you see the new improvements. But, regarding devices, we will continue to make better devices than the competition; but how many we sell now becomes irrelevant. THIS is the downside of the big monsters selling below cost.... competition will now decrease and choice will soon go out the window along with innovation.

[eGeezer]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Friend Oncdoc:

Capitalism at its best is where companies compete fairly for business. What we are seeing righ now is Capitalism at its worst: drive out all competition, narrow down the field, cut out where new innovation will come from, sell at a sizable LOSS for market share.

Back when I was a kid (When most reader's PARENTS were kids) I got upset with a local mom and pop store, of which there were so many that we hadn't even invented the term yet. I don't remember the reason, but it was probably cuz they kicked me out for trying to shoplift some candy or something.

Anyway, I told my brother that I wished I could open a store and undercut all their prices and drive them out of business. (Nowadays, I'd probably say I wanted to open a Walmart). His reply was that it was against the law to sell at a loss just to kill the competition.

Dunno if he was blowing smoke or not (he was a year older than my 8 or 10 years of age), but sure ain't the good 'ole days any more, is it?

I guess its not a monopoly if more than one bully is kicking the little kid.