Amazon is destroying e-reader innovation

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Rizla, what do you mean when you say that "my needs are being fulfilled in Europe, but not in America"? What is it that you're unable to buy in the US that can be bought in Europe?

A 6", (well) lighted, open Android e-ink e-reader. Also I would like a larger device with blue-tooth so I can connect a keyboard.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Rizla

A 6", (well) lighted, open Android e-ink e-reader. Also I would like a larger device with blue-tooth so I can connect a keyboard.

But why do you consider that such devices are unavailable to you? Why can't you buy one online, just as I can? If you believe that devices from makers such as Pocketbook are commonly on sale in European shops, you're mistaken.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by MikeB1972

Nope, the people who do the screens for the Trekstor Pyrus devices (Guangzhou OED) are of an equivalent quality.

Last I checked the contrast ratio wasn't as good (not to say it's bad) on these screens when compared to something like Carta. Not sure if their waveform tech is the same/similar to Regal or not.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by HarryT

But why do you consider that such devices are unavailable to you? Why can't you buy one online, just as I can? If you believe that devices from makers such as Pocketbook are commonly on sale in European shops, you're mistaken.

Yes, but they are made by Europe and Asian companies. They are not made by N.American companies.

Also, they're easier and cheaper to buy in Europe and Asia than to have shipped to N.America. And then there's the issue if the device dies in warranty period and shipping it back. I don't know about the UK, which I presume you're talking about.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Rizla

And then there's the issue if the device dies in warranty period and shipping it back.

I don't know about Pocketbook or Onyx, but even when Bookeen/Cybook was sold in the US the device had to be shipped to France for warranty so having them sold here is no guarantee of this not happening.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Rizla

Yeah, but they're a lot easier and cheaper to buy in Europe than to have shipped to N.America. And then there's the issue if the device dies in warranty period and shipping it back. I don't know about the UK, which I presume you're talking about.

Sure, I accept that it will probably be more expensive for you to buy a device made by a European manufacturer, just as it's generally more expensive for me to buy a device made by a US manufacturer than it would be for you. I thought you said, though, that there were devices that were unavailable to you? I don't understand why this should be the case, given the relative ease of buying online. Why would you be actually unable to buy something?

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sure, I accept that it will probably be more expensive for you to buy a device made by a European manufacturer, just as it's generally more expensive for me to buy a device made by a US manufacturer than it would be for you. I thought you said, though, that there were devices that were unavailable to you? I don't understand why this should be the case, given the relative ease of buying online. Why would you be actually unable to buy something?

The point of this thread is more general: that these devices are not being produced by American companies because of Amazon's dominance, and Amazon chooses not to produce them itself.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Rizla

The point of this thread is more general: that these devices are not being produced by American companies because of Amazon's dominance, and Amazon chooses not to produce them itself.

I agree with you. Amazon are catering for the mass market, whereas companies like Pocketbook and Onyx are after more specialist markets, but that's the same in most fields - it's not unique to bookreaders. It's a global market, though; I honestly don't see why buying stuff online should be a problem. There's all sorts of things I buy that I can't find in local stores. I'm an amateur astronomer, and that's a field where many things are only sold by American companies, and I have to buy online because nobody sells them in the UK. You're really not in a worse position in the US than you would be if you lived in Europe.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by Rizla

The point of this thread is more general: that these devices are not being produced by American companies because of Amazon's dominance, and Amazon chooses not to produce them itself.

I'll also add that European / Asian producers or their authorized re-sellers are not importing their products to America.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Rizla

I'll also add that European / Asian producers or their authorized re-sellers are not importing their products to America.

As I say, Rizla, you're not alone. I've owned Bookeen, Pocketbook, and Onyx devices. All bought online.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I agree with you. Amazon are catering for the mass market, whereas companies like Pocketbook and Onyx are after more specialist markets, but that's the same in most fields - it's not unique to bookreaders. It's a global market, though; I honestly don't see why buying stuff online should be a problem. There's all sorts of things I buy that I can't find in local stores. I'm an amateur astronomer, and that's a field where many things are only sold by American companies, and I have to buy online because nobody sells them in the UK. You're really not in a worse position in the US than you would be if you lived in Europe.

I see your point, though an American buyer will have to pay more and will risk more should the device develop a fault.

But your point doesn't bear on my argument that innovation and choice in the American market is lagging behind the European / Asian market, and that this lag is due to Amazon's dominance in the market and its lack of interest in supplying niche products to that market.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Rizla

But your point doesn't bear on my argument that innovation and choice in the American market is lagging behind the European / Asian market, and that this lag is due to Amazon's dominance in the market and its lack of interest in supplying niche products to that market.

Kobo seem pretty innovative, and they sell in the North American market. The Kobo Aura HD, for example, is a very good device indeed. I believe that Kobo are a bigger player in Canada than Amazon are.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by Rizla

Yes, but they are made by Europe and Asian companies. They are not made by N.American companies.

Also, they're easier and cheaper to buy in Europe and Asia than to have shipped to N.America. And then there's the issue if the device dies in warranty period and shipping it back. I don't know about the UK, which I presume you're talking about.

The US price is often cheaper in these cases also. I think I paid more for my Bookeen Gen3 then people from US had to pay for example.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by tompe

The US price is often cheaper in these cases also. I think I paid more for my Bookeen Gen3 then people from US had to pay for example.

One factor would of course be the fact that people outside the EU wouldn't have been charged VAT.

[ingmar]

Originally Posted by HarryT

If you believe that devices from makers such as Pocketbook are commonly on sale in European shops, you're mistaken.

They are in Austria and Germany, actually. MediaMarkt and Saturn have them, and probably a few more stores, not least among them quite a number of smaller bookstores (they get the right to install their own ebook stores in return).