Ramblings of an e-ink fanatic:)

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I would buy that if they hadn't already offered the DX. Why has there not been a DX2? My guess would be sales weren't as strong as they anticipated.

Then if they release a DX2 and market it as a premium device (to make up for lower sales numbers), they would be accused by users here of charging an exorbitant price.

Indeed, why sell a large e-ink screen device when you can sell a 6" device with a new case and charge an "exorbitant price"? This is great from Amazon's profit prospective, but it's not good for e-ink innovation.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

Indeed, why sell a large e-ink screen device when you can sell a 6" device with a new case and charge an "exorbitant price"? This is great from Amazon's profit prospective, but it's not good for e-ink innovation.

I think that's making Amazon out to be more evil than they are (not that they are angels). They made a larger e-ink reader and chose not to containue it. Since Amazon doesn't seem to turn its nose up at profits, I am guessing that the DX didn't sell as anticipated.

As another user mentioned (DiapDealer, credit where credit is due), those clamoring for a larger than 6" e-ink reader are a niche of a niche.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

As another user mentioned (DiapDealer, credit where credit is due), those clamoring for a larger than 6" e-ink reader are a niche of a niche.

Not to mention that selling (or not selling) a large-screen eink device has zero to do with inspiring (or inhibiting) eink "innovation." Making current eink technology in a larger size isn't exactly innovation. My guess is there's not enough interest to even keep a factory tooled for producing DX sized screens full time.

[AnotherCat]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

In my opinion, dedicated eink readers are a niche market. A large screen dedicated eink reader is a niche of that niche. Anyone who thinks Amazon (or anyone else) would make buckets of money by (re)introducing a large-screen dedicated eink device is deluding themselves, in my opinion. They're projecting their niche wants onto others.

Eink technology has maxed out its usefulness. It will take a brand new screen technology that leverages some of the advantages of eink--while still being technologically and financially viable in traditional, mainstream screen applications--to shake things up. Anything that doesn't do high-resolution, smooth-as-silk, color video will remain niche forever. Not dead. Just one size-fits-all, what-you-see-is-what-EVERYONE-gets niche.

If I was able to state a similar take on the matter as eloquently as you have I could have said that you took the words right out of my mouth.

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Not to mention that selling (or not selling) a large-screen eink device has zero to do with inspiring (or inhibiting) eink "innovation." Making current eink technology in a larger size isn't exactly innovation. My guess is there's not enough interest to even keep a factory tooled for producing DX sized screens full time.

You contradict yourself in your post. In any case, I disagree. Bringer larger e-ink devices to the market is innovative. Kobo is innovative. Onyx is innovative. Amazon...not so much. Another 6" device? Yawn.

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I think that's making Amazon out to be more evil than they are (not that they are angels). They made a larger e-ink reader and chose not to containue it. Since Amazon doesn't seem to turn its nose up at profits, I am guessing that the DX didn't sell as anticipated.

As another user mentioned (DiapDealer, credit where credit is due), those clamoring for a larger than 6" e-ink reader are a niche of a niche.

I never said Amazon is evil. I said something like they are not interested in innovation and their dominance of the market is discouraging other companies that are interested in innovation.

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Since Amazon doesn't seem to turn its nose up at profits, I am guessing that the DX didn't sell as anticipated.

I think larger screens are profitable, it's just they weren't profitable ENOUGH for Amazon. Kobo has proven that there is a demand for larger devices. I guess the margins are not enough for Amazon. That's fine, but their market dominance is retarding larger screen devices from being released.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

You contradict yourself in your post.

Ummm ... no.

You're the one claiming that:
Kobo is innovative. Onyx is innovative (by bringing larger e-ink devices to the market). All the while claiming that Amazon is somehow stifling eink innovation.

Kobo has proven (to your satisfaction, anyway) that there is a market for large-screen eink devices. So what's the problem? Who's stifling what?

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

You contradict yourself in your post. In any case, I disagree. Bringer larger e-ink devices to the market is innovative. Kobo is innovative. Onyx is innovative. Amazon...not so much. Another 6" device? Yawn.

The Voyage and the Oasis are both innovative. Just because they don't have the screen size you want doesn't mean they aren't innovative.

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

The Voyage and the Oasis are both innovative. Just because they don't have the screen size you want doesn't mean they aren't innovative.

What's innovative about the Voyage?

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Kobo has proven (to your satisfaction, anyway) that there is a market for large-screen eink devices. So what's the problem? Who's stifling what?

What stores stock Kobos? Where can you buy them?

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

What's innovative about the Voyage?

The auto-adjusting front light, the haptic page turn buttons, the metal chassis and the 300 ppi screen.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

What stores stock Kobos? Where can you buy them?

No clue. You're the one who said Kobo has already proven there's a market for larger eink devices. I assumed your statement was accurate. I've no idea how Amazon factors into how these Kobos you say are in demand get into consumers hands, though.

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

The auto-adjusting front light, the haptic page turn buttons, the metal chassis and the 300 ppi screen.

Maybe the auto-adjusting front-light, but the metal chassis was used before by Sony and buttons are innovative? Really I also don't agree that a 300 ppi screen is innovative. E-ink made it available and everybody used it. Meh.

I think the point is obvious. Amazon are not innovative when it comes to e-readers. And their dominance of the marker discourages more innovative companies from entering the market. So that's a negative for me. Anyway, we're not going to agree.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

Maybe the auto-adjusting front-light, but the metal chassis was used before by sony and buttons are innovative? Really

Haptic buttons are at least as innovative as simply sticking a larger screen on a device.

[Pajamaman]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Haptic buttons are at least as innovative as simply sticking a larger screen on a device.

I disagree. They are buttons. Buttons are not new. Anyway, like I said, we're not going to agree.