Amazon is destroying e-reader innovation

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by GERGE

A bigger screen or Android is not innovative, just different.

I agree and disagree.

I don't see screen size as really innovative, but open Android (not just using Android as the underlying OS like Nook & Sony) is a bit of an innovation in that it can very much change how well a device will work for some.

If I can get an eInk device that runs Android (preferably 4.x) where I can install apps (without messing around with rooting) then I can install Calibre Companion which allows for meaningful interaction and organization of ones library no matter how large and I'd also have a vast array of reading apps to choose from so I can use the one(s) that best work for me.

With a regular eInk reader I'm generally stuck with the one (or in some cases a few) reading software placed there by the device developer and organization is usually sub-par and most devices software seems to slow down the more books you add. So for me open Android would completely change things.


While screen innovation is something manufacturers must rely on PVI/eInk and their competitors a lot. Software is somewhere they can do a lot themselves. Having owned devices from many manufacturers I think they all could do better on their software, but as has also been pointed out for many (most?) device users it's probably good enough as is and how much is the company going to gain in sales by spending the time/money on developing a lot of improvements.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by fratermus

I own and read on both a Fire and a (dying) Touch; I can read longer without visual and physical fatigue on e-ink.

And that is part of the reading experience I think. You pick up a book (or ereader) and enter a whole different world, and forget about where you are. It's very easy for a good 45 minutes or an hour (if not more) to pass without you realizing it when you are reading (at least that is the case for me). Back when I was in High school I would read in study hall and would have to remember to look up at the clock to make sure I hadn't missed hearing the bell because I had been so caught up in the fictional world I had entered. When you do that while reading on a LCD you can find yourself suddenly unable to keep reading for a while due to eye strain. That doesn't happen with eink.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by crich70

When you do that while reading on a LCD you can find yourself suddenly unable to keep reading for a while due to eye strain. That doesn't happen with eink.

For some. For others eInk provides just as much eyestrain, for others still LCD is fine for hours of reading at a time. I personally read on a tablet mostly now and can read for hours at a time (with the brightness properly low). I can also do this with eInk, but frontlit eInk gives me a headache.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by crich70

When you do that while reading on a LCD you can find yourself suddenly unable to keep reading for a while due to eye strain. That doesn't happen with eink.

While I have no doubt this is what some (maybe many) people experience, it is absolutely not true in my case. I can read indefinitely on a properly adjusted, backlit LCD tablet screen with no discernible eyestrain (at least no worse than the eyestrain I would get from reading a physical book, or from an eInk device, for the same length of time).

I think it's time that people stop declaring that LCD is worse for "eyestrain" than eInk as incontrovertible, universal fact. I've personally met too many people (and heard from many more) who defy this so called "rule" to continue to believe that mileage doesn't vary in this regard--a lot.

So how about we restrict our opinions (with regard to device eyestrain) to what does or doesn't strain our own eyes and and allow others to do the same.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by 6charlong

Aren't they? I'm thinking of the recent laws passed in the French Parliament, the one they intended to inhibit the spread of ebooks in order to preserve the culture of small bookstalls. Here, something like that causes an outcry against government interference with the markets.

It seems to me that there is a clearly different attitude toward cultural artifacts between the US and Europe.

You quote France as an example, then draw a general conclusion about Europe. Obviously that does not follow. Maybe you don't know Europe very well? The French govt.'s attitude to literature and culture is unique in Europe.

[jgaiser]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

While I have no doubt this is what some (maybe many) people experience, it is absolutely not true in my case. I can read indefinitely on a properly adjusted, backlit LCD tablet screen with no discernible eyestrain (at least no worse than the eyestrain I would get from reading a physical book, or from an eInk device, for the same length of time).

I'm another that has no problems with LCD screens. I can and do read for hours with my Fire HD with no problems at all (or as above, no worse than I get from a physical book or eInk reader).

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

OK. I'll answer that and say no. They are not hindering innovation. E Ink themselves are, and it's just the fact that the technology isn't getting better fast enough.

Amazon couldn't even sell the Kindle DX. What makes you think they'll try that again?

It's not that Amazon couldn't sell the DX. They sold the DX alright. But they withdrew the product and instead focused on the size with the biggest margin--i.e. the 6" reader. They preferred to maximize returns rather than offer choice.

That's fine, but the problem is no other vendor dare enter the market to offer anything else because of Amazon's virtual monopoly. They have written off the American market.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by GERGE

But making the screen bigger or putting software that is different but already used in other platforms is not innovation. Innovation means better solutions for one's needs. eReader are mainly used for reading novels and such, as Kindle DX sells also show, the better solitions for academic works and comic books already exist in the form of tablets.

A bigger screen or Android is not innovative, just different.

I partially agree with your point. Maybe then the title of the thread should be "Is Amazon destroying Choice?" Does that sound better? Nope. It sounds dreadful.

Re: your other point, e-readers need not only be used to read novels if they are running an OS that allows the user to fully utilize their functionality (i.e. Android), or if they big enough that they could be used to read material other than novels. Sure, that may be a niche market, but that's exactly my point. The niche market is not being served in the USA, but it is in Europe / Asia. Why is that? I argue it is because of Amazon's dominance and their lack of interest in providing a greater variety of e-reader format and software. Their marketing strategy is procrustean.

[Chi Cygni]

Originally Posted by GeoffR

But Europe has DRM too, so that doesn't explain a difference between US and European ereaders.

Yes and no. I have been buying watermarked ebooks for 2 years already. Can't remember when I last used Alf, just not necessary anymore.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Rizla

It's not that Amazon couldn't sell the DX. They sold the DX alright. But they withdrew the product and instead focused on the size with the biggest margin--i.e. the 6" reader. They preferred to maximize returns rather than offer choice.

It's fairly widely speculated though that the DX was more or less a failure for them. It took years to sell through their stock of DX Graphite's (approx 3 years) and many discounted sales to achieve that. It has to at the very least make them and other manufacturers cautious about introducing new large screen models that will require pricing in direct competition with tablets.

That's fine, but the problem is no other vendor dare enter the market to offer anything else because of Amazon's virtual monopoly. They have written off the American market.

This does seem to be the case. Of course we don't know if Dulin's and others who used to offer Onyx & Pocketbook readers (among other brands) stopped due to lack of sales or if there were other factors (perhaps Dulin will comment). I'm sure Onyx, Pocketbook, Bookeen, etc. would still be happy to sell to a US seller if one were to want to sell their product, and of couse US customers can buy some of them from overseas and have them shipped. Futher to your point though it also appears Kobo, while not withdrawing from the US market, has decided to just coast along in the US market and not try very hard to compete with Amazon.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

It's fairly widely speculated though that the DX was more or less a failure for them. It took years to sell through their stock of DX Graphite's (approx 3 years) and many discounted sales to achieve that. It has to at the very least make them and other manufacturers cautious about introducing new large screen models that will require pricing in direct competition with tablets.

I think the DX doesn't fit with Amazon's stated strategy of selling hardware at cost and making a profit on content. Maybe they hoped for higher revenue from the academic market.

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

This does seem to be the case. Of course we don't know if Dulin's and others who used to offer Onyx & Pocketbook readers (among other brands) stopped due to lack of sales or if there were other factors (perhaps Dulin will comment). I'm sure Onyx, Pocketbook, Bookeen, etc. would still be happy to sell to a US seller if one were to want to sell their product, and of couse US customers can buy some of them from overseas and have them shipped.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Onyx & Pocketbook never sold directly to the American market. Any infiltration was via 3rd-party sellers. It's not the same thing.

Bookeen did sell directly to N.America (Canada anyway) and I recall seeing a statement they plan to release new models to N.America. I'm not sure of the situation there. They might be the easiest way of getting an 8" reader in N.America.

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Futher to your point though it also appears Kobo, while not withdrawing from the US market, has decided to just coast along in the US market and not try very hard to compete with Amazon.

Kobo is the exception to the rule. They do offer more choice. It'll be interesting to see how the venture pans out. Notably, they were originally Canadian. Also, Amazon neglected the Canadian market, which is small, spread-out and about 25% French (Amazon stands to make more from English-reading markets). I think they saw it as small-fry. But they went after the UK market aggressively. This goes along with the argument that Amazon is not interested in marginal markets. It focuses on the main market with the largest return. Again, that's fine, but it has proved non-conducive to choice.

One point that occurs to me is that all the companies you mention are not N.American. Again, this suggests Amazon's dominance is stifling / hindering home-grown innovation / choice, and a non-American company is going to find it harder to penetrate the market. That's a double-challenge that is going to make the entry of alternative products extremely difficult for companies, and will mean very high prices for N.American customers seeking more choice.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by Chi Cygni

Yes and no. I have been buying watermarked ebooks for 2 years already. Can't remember when I last used Alf, just not necessary anymore.

Off topic, but can you edit a watermarked ebook? To fix the css for instance.

[Chi Cygni]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

Off topic, but can you edit a watermarked ebook? To fix the css for instance.

I have no clue unfortunately, never tried as there was no need. Don't see why not, I tweak them in calibre to my liking anyway.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Rizla

That's fine, but the problem is no other vendor dare enter the market to offer anything else because of Amazon's virtual monopoly. They have written off the American market.

Maybe Amazon wouldn't have a virtual monopoly if there were anyone offering other options. How many people are even aware that there are other ereaders in existence? If the answer is less than 100% (it is ) then you can hardly blame Amazon.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

Off topic, but can you edit a watermarked ebook? To fix the css for instance.

Originally Posted by Chi Cygni

I have no clue unfortunately, never tried as there was no need. Don't see why not, I tweak them in calibre to my liking anyway.

Yes, you can. Watermarking is not DRM encryption (that is kinda the point ) and therefore the ebook files are perfectly readable by anything that wants to. Why would ebook editors be the exception?