Hypothetical Universal eReader Device... - Page 2

Phogg · 01-13-2012, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainingLemur

I wouldn't mind a straight e-ink reader that could handle both stores.

Well both the Nook Touch and the Sony Prs-T1 can be rooted and then loaded with the android Kindle App.

idraw22 · 01-13-2012, 03:37 AM

Yeah, most definitely! But we probably won't see it til the 6th generation JB comes out.

detayls · 01-13-2012, 11:44 AM

OK, not very scientific but it looks like people like Amazon more than B&N for this purpose.

I apologize to the people who suggested LCD-based tablets but I was thinking only of a dedicated e-Ink reader device.

As for the people who mentioned rooting and other complex methods of accomplishing this, I can only say that 99.999999% of people would not know how to do that or would not want to do that. The poll was would you BUY a device.

Hellmark · 01-13-2012, 11:51 AM

Just because most people would want to buy a device ready to go, doesn't mean there is not a market for a third party to take a device, make the needed changes to get that device functioning as how people want, and then sell that device.

but still, for a dedicated eInk device, you'll never see a manufacturer selling a device that supports Kindle's DRM and any other DRM. So, seems a moot point to discuss if people want something like that, if it isn't possible. It isn't a technical possibility that can be overcome, but rather a legal one due to Amazon's terms.

JSWolf · 01-13-2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detayls

I should have added that I was only thinking about an e-Ink reader.

Personally I find the LCD style of pad hard to read from.

We already have such. A rooted nook allows buying from B&N and Amazon without having to strip the DRM/format shift.

So what is the purpose of this thread?

HarryT · 01-13-2012, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detayls

Hi!

Would you buy an eReader device that could be used to both read and purchase eBooks from BOTH Amazon and Barnes & Noble?

No. Why would I be interested in a reader which sold books from a US-only store?

Enraptured · 01-13-2012, 12:08 PM

If it would organize all my books in a single library, absolutely! I'd buy it in a heartbeat. (And if Amazon allowed their books to be read on a non-Kindle device, that would get rid of most of my reluctance to buy ebooks from them.)

If I had to access my books through multiple apps (a Kindle app, a Nook app, etc.)... enh, maybe. It would depend on the device and how many books weren't available anywhere but Amazon.

John F · 01-13-2012, 12:59 PM

Assuming the device supported DRM free mobi and/or DRM free EPub, then I would/may buy one.

Ekaros · 01-13-2012, 01:26 PM

So just some Chinese OEM/"white box" manufacturer could make and Android device with eink screen? And that would be it. Not sure if it would be specialy good, but it's feasible and relatively simple, likely there isn't much profit though for such device...

carld · 01-13-2012, 01:29 PM

Interesting idea, but B&N would have to stock a lot of books that Amazon does not, or have them at a better price, to make it a worthwhile device.

RHWright · 01-13-2012, 02:10 PM

Not so much a universal device as getting a universal format. This proprietary format thing drives me nuts. Even with epub there are tweaks with files or DRM that make it tricky.

Once the format wars ended, every VCR played VHS tapes from any vendor/manufacturer.
Ditto CDs.
I don't have to fill my gas tank at the "Ford" gas station.

Settle on a universal format. Universal readers will follow.

Then content providers can compete on price/services, hardware can compete on price/quality, and consumers will have a fair & sane market again.

HarryT · 01-13-2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHWright

I don't have to fill my gas tank at the "Ford" gas station.

But you do need to know whether to buy petrol or diesel. If I put petrol into my diesel car it wouldn't like it very much at all

.

BWinmill · 01-13-2012, 06:00 PM

No. I have a few books from Amazon, but most of the stuff that I read is from third-parties (Gutenberg, library, etc.).

Quote:

Originally Posted by detayls

As for the people who mentioned rooting and other complex methods of accomplishing this, I can only say that 99.999999% of people would not know how to do that or would not want to do that.

Erm, more than 69 people have rooted their devices. While I will grant you that rooting is of limited appeal, I would also suggest that most of the people buying Kindles or Nooks were already heavy Amazon or B&N customers. The rest simply bought devices that are more open, rooted their device, or simply didn't buy an ereader.

anamardoll · 01-13-2012, 06:14 PM

I would like it if my Sony 950 read mobi formats. So I guess that's a tentative "yes".

rcuadro · 01-13-2012, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banjobama

An Android tablet already does it, with Nook/Kindle for Android apps. So could an iPad, with the appropriate apps.

View Poll Results: Would you buy a Hypothetical Universal EReader Device?
No, I think that's a crazy idea!	8	21.05%
Yes, I would buy it from Amazon.	6	15.79%
Yes, I would buy it from Barnes & Noble.	4	10.53%
Yes, I would buy this from a Third-Party store in the local shopping mall.	20	52.63%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

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01-13-2012, 03:37 AM	#17
idraw22 Zealot Posts: 115 Karma: 1094380 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: arkansas Device: Jetbook Lite, Kindle 3, jetbook mini, sony clie, sony prs-T1	Yeah, most definitely! But we probably won't see it til the 6th generation JB comes out.

01-13-2012, 11:44 AM	#18
detayls Addict Posts: 235 Karma: 1355374 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: iPad, iPhone, Kindle Voyage	OK, not very scientific but it looks like people like Amazon more than B&N for this purpose. I apologize to the people who suggested LCD-based tablets but I was thinking only of a dedicated e-Ink reader device. As for the people who mentioned rooting and other complex methods of accomplishing this, I can only say that 99.999999% of people would not know how to do that or would not want to do that. The poll was would you BUY a device.

01-13-2012, 11:51 AM	#19
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	Just because most people would want to buy a device ready to go, doesn't mean there is not a market for a third party to take a device, make the needed changes to get that device functioning as how people want, and then sell that device. but still, for a dedicated eInk device, you'll never see a manufacturer selling a device that supports Kindle's DRM and any other DRM. So, seems a moot point to discuss if people want something like that, if it isn't possible. It isn't a technical possibility that can be overcome, but rather a legal one due to Amazon's terms.

01-13-2012, 12:08 PM	#22
Enraptured Connoisseur Posts: 55 Karma: 262 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Nook Touch	If it would organize all my books in a single library, absolutely! I'd buy it in a heartbeat. (And if Amazon allowed their books to be read on a non-Kindle device, that would get rid of most of my reluctance to buy ebooks from them.) If I had to access my books through multiple apps (a Kindle app, a Nook app, etc.)... enh, maybe. It would depend on the device and how many books weren't available anywhere but Amazon.

01-13-2012, 12:59 PM	#23
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,006 Karma: 71261339 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	Assuming the device supported DRM free mobi and/or DRM free EPub, then I would/may buy one.

01-13-2012, 01:26 PM	#24
Ekaros Illiterate newbie Posts: 661 Karma: 1702090 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Finland Device: Sony PRS-T1	So just some Chinese OEM/"white box" manufacturer could make and Android device with eink screen? And that would be it. Not sure if it would be specialy good, but it's feasible and relatively simple, likely there isn't much profit though for such device...

01-13-2012, 01:29 PM	#25
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Interesting idea, but B&N would have to stock a lot of books that Amazon does not, or have them at a better price, to make it a worthwhile device.

01-13-2012, 02:10 PM	#26
RHWright Addict Posts: 219 Karma: 2617122 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: North Carolina Device: NOOK ST, Nexus 7	Not so much a universal device as getting a universal format. This proprietary format thing drives me nuts. Even with epub there are tweaks with files or DRM that make it tricky. Once the format wars ended, every VCR played VHS tapes from any vendor/manufacturer. Ditto CDs. I don't have to fill my gas tank at the "Ford" gas station. Settle on a universal format. Universal readers will follow. Then content providers can compete on price/services, hardware can compete on price/quality, and consumers will have a fair & sane market again.

01-13-2012, 06:14 PM	#29
anamardoll Chasing Butterflies Posts: 3,132 Karma: 5074169 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: American Southwest Device: Uses batteries.	I would like it if my Sony 950 read mobi formats. So I guess that's a tentative "yes".