Sony reveals prototype 13.3-inch e-ink slate with stylus

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by petrucci

Where do you get your data on screen prices? Kindle DXs are $199. Amazon could be selling them at a loss, but I doubt it. I suspect that the 9.7 inch screen costs less than $100 from a manufacturer. It in turn probably costs them less than $60 to make it.

They're just dumping old stock, I strongly suspect. Until they started dumping it, the Kindle DX cost $379. What do other, more modern, 9.7" readers cost?

[petrucci]

Originally Posted by HarryT

They're just dumping old stock, I strongly suspect. Until they started dumping it, the Kindle DX cost $379. What do other, more modern, 9.7" readers cost?

They could be dumping old stock. The manufacturers could also be dumping old stock of screens, which would explain why there are so many for sale that cost less than $100.

The more modern e-ink readers are upwards of $350. This of course does not mean that it costs that much to build them.

[ManDay]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I think it's a heck of a lot higher, but, given that the previous poster claims that the sum total of the hardware costs are <$80, I'd appreciate a link to a site where a screen can be purchased for the stated price. Personally I suspect that such a screen would cost in excess of $500 today.

When I said $80 I's thinking of the material cost (and manufacturing), exclusively. Of course you can't get any such screen for $80 from those who sell them. My point being that most of the cost is in the development value - not the material. And by amputating the software in the manner that Sony did, the development value becomes all worthless.

[joblack]

Originally Posted by ManDay

When I said $80 I's thinking of the material cost (and manufacturing), exclusively. Of course you can't get any such screen for $80 from those who sell them. My point being that most of the cost is in the development value - not the material. And by amputating the software in the manner that Sony did, the development value becomes all worthless.

Exactly, the material cost for computer processors are very low but the 'creation costs' are huge.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ManDay

When I said $80 I's thinking of the material cost (and manufacturing), exclusively. Of course you can't get any such screen for $80 from those who sell them. My point being that most of the cost is in the development value - not the material.

You could say that about any electronic product. Silicon chips are made from one of the cheapest materials around - basically sand. I don't see that doing so adds any particular value to the discussion, however. Development costs are what you're paying for in all "high-tech" devices.

[Sil_liS]

Originally Posted by ManDay

When I said $80 I's thinking of the material cost (and manufacturing), exclusively. Of course you can't get any such screen for $80 from those who sell them. My point being that most of the cost is in the development value - not the material. And by amputating the software in the manner that Sony did, the development value becomes all worthless.

How do you arrive at $80? What do you think is the material and manufacturing cost of the screen, processor, memory, battery etc?

[petrucci]

The more I learn about other devices and proposed devices the more I am liking the Sony DTP S1. The new large e-ink device by Pocketbook will use E-ink Fina, which has a glass screen. Previous e-readers with glass screens have been fragile, thus I am apprehensive about the Pocketbook CAD. Other tablets do not have as large a screen, and one that is shaped like a piece of paper.

I have begun looking for a store from which to purchase it. Given that most stores are in Japanese, and I do not read or speak the language this is an issue. Searching by the isbn has been helpful. (4905524966930) Now I just need to find a reliable store that ships to the USA. Most of the shops will not ship overseas.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by petrucci

Now I just need to find a reliable store that ships to the USA. Most of the shops will not ship overseas.

The easiest thing to do is to use a forwarding service, as discussed earlier in the thread.

[Kumabjorn]

Amazon.co.jp will ship and you can have every page displayed in English, look towards the upper right corner.

[petrucci]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Amazon.co.jp will ship and you can have every page displayed in English, look towards the upper right corner.

Unfortunately, Amazon.co.jp does not sell the item. Several third party sellers on Amazon do. However, it seems that they do not ship overseas.

It looks like I would need a forwarding service.

[coloraday]

I've never heard Sony ripping people off, so I'd say the price is justifiable. Also, bear in mind that this device is still Made in Japan and not (yet) Made in China. Talking from experience, 1st generation Sony devices are always the most solid.

All in all, it sounds like the ultimate e-book reader to me. Wish I could get my hands on one here in this dump!

[HarryT]

You can get your hands on one. As has been said, you can use a forwarding service.

[Kumabjorn]

I will be in Japan from next week. If people are interested, perhaps we can find a solution.

[coloraday]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You can get your hands on one. As has been said, you can use a forwarding service.

There is only one such service here in Iran which only accepts orders for Amazon US (not JP) & eBay items. So I think I'll just have to wait till it hits those two.

[coloraday]

One more Q: Does anyone know if DPT-S1 has a built-in dictionary like Kindle does? Can you, say, tap a word and get its definition or something like that?