Are E-ink devices still a thing?

[theducks]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

It's so nice not to have to remember which way is up on which device!

There was never supposed to be this issue.
The spec for USB says '(USB)Logo UP'

But some device makers seemed confused on which side of their device was UP (Yes, you Kobo Aura2. IMHO the screen is up, not your logo on the back )

Cord manufactures also loaded their connectors with their logo (opposite side), making it necessary to stare (typical black on Black) at it carefully to find the USB symbol .

[KayDav]

My Kindle was the first device I got and read books on for a couple of years. Then I got a tablet and read books on it, using Kindle for Android. Then I got a smartphone and went from the Kindle app to MoonReader. Then I revisited Calibre and went back to my Kindle device. And now I have newly bought a Kobo device as well.

I like eInk for fiction. I don't mind using my smartphone/tablet for a non-fiction book. I might be reading more than one book at a time, usually one novel, more than one non-fiction. I like that eInk pages don't suffer from glare like a typical phone or tablet, it more than compensates for not having colour. My ereaders don't have their own lighting, that's one thing I'd buy a new device for. It'd still be eInk I reckon. But as a simple digital version of a paper book, eInk devices are good. I hope they continue to be produced.

You know what I'd like to see? An eInk device in a bi-fold format, that can show left & right pages like a print book's page spread. Maybe with an option to have a separate book each side, or a separate place in the same book (like when cross-referencing and note-taking). Closing the leaves together would protect the screens when not in use. Opened out as a V might be more comfortable to hold too. Haven't come across one like that but more than likely would want one if I did!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by theducks

Amazon is the reason e-Ink reader got cheap.

If you look at the prices of Kobo vs Amazon (without any sales), Kobo is overall less expensive. Amazon is not cheap.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by ProDigit

Have there been any significant changes in the past few years?
Like, larger screens, lower prices,???

There's been no significant advances in low-power reflective screens.

The most recent release has been of a colour screen (Kaleido) which adds a 100dpi colour filter over a 300dpi screen. This reduces the brightness of the whites, but this isn't so much of an issue with the addition of a front light, but the colours are not very saturated.

We're still waiting for a fast, low-power, full colour display. Liquavista seems to have been abandoned by Amazon, and CLEARink has yet to be used in an eReader.

[ps67]

Originally Posted by KayDav

You know what I'd like to see? An eInk device in a bi-fold format, that can show left & right pages like a print book's page spread. Maybe with an option to have a separate book each side, or a separate place in the same book (like when cross-referencing and note-taking). Closing the leaves together would protect the screens when not in use. Opened out as a V might be more comfortable to hold too. Haven't come across one like that but more than likely would want one if I did!

May be one day...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3YQQQY2FZs

Hopefully with a different solution for light

[KayDav]

Originally Posted by ps67

May be one day...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3YQQQY2FZs

Hopefully with a different solution for light

Oh that looks good! What I'd thought of was two screens side by side rather than one that folds down its centre. But that looks great, and it may develop some more before they put it out for sale. Love the note-taking ability too.

[Deskisamess]

You know what I'd like to see? An eInk device in a bi-fold format, that can show left & right pages like a print book's page spread. Maybe with an option to have a separate book each side, or a separate place in the same book (like when cross-referencing and note-taking). Closing the leaves together would protect the screens when not in use. Opened out as a V might be more comfortable to hold too.

This doesn't interest me a bit. One of the reasons I love Kindles/Kobos is that they are easily held in one hand. A hinged device would require both hands. I can only read one page at a time, so two facing pages doesn't matter. A device like that would also weigh twice as much, and be bulkier when folded, and need a larger heavier battery to power lights on both screens. The connecting electronics necessary in the hinge would cost more, and potentially increase the likelihood of breakage or problems.

[barryem]

Originally Posted by theducks

Barry, Amazon is the reason e-Ink reader got cheap.

I agree but there are things I want more than just cheap. I want variety. Nearly all ereaders have been 6" for a while and now they're getting bigger. I need a smaller one that I can fit comfortably in a shirt pocket like I do with my phone.

So I'm reading on my phone till something with e-ink comes along. Of course there are a couple of e-ink phones but there are problems with them so I'll keep reading on LCD for now.

I do have a Kindle, also a Nook and a Kobo but none of them fit my shirt pocket.

For a long time I carried two phones, one to use as a phone and one for reading. That was necessary because my phone battery wouldn't get through the day if i read with it. But then i got one with better battery life and I only need to carry one. I'd happily switch to a phone and an e-ink ereader if I could get one small enough.

By the way, I have a similar complaint about phones; most are too big, but there are enough that have a 5" screen that it's not really a problem. There is variety in phones because manufacturers are competing with phones. With ereaders they're competing more with books and service. They seem to think we all want the same size and the same features.

Barry

[ottdmk]

It will be a sad, sad day for me if e-ink ever bites the dust. I have a Kobo Aura H2Ov1, and I love, love, love that device. If anything ever happened to it I would probably go into debt to buy a Libra immediately. (Although I'd be strongly tempted to go further into debt and get a Forma.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by ottdmk

It will be a sad, sad day for me if e-ink ever bites the dust. I have a Kobo Aura H2Ov1, and I love, love, love that device. If anything ever happened to it I would probably go into debt to buy a Libra immediately. (Although I'd be strongly tempted to go further into debt and get a Forma.

Kobo Aura H2Ov2 here, very similar sentiments. I think I would manage to restrain myself and settle for the Libra, though

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by barryem

Nearly all ereaders have been 6" for a while and now they're getting bigger. I need a smaller one that I can fit comfortably in a shirt pocket like I do with my phone.

The Boox Poke2 (Android 9) fits the width (107mm) of my shirt pocket - but not the height (153mm), so I can't close the button.

[Pizza_Cant_Read]

My kindle is my baby. There is lots I hate about it, but with my Kindle I can read books that I can’t purchase in paper format (due to the country in which I am employed) and on a screen that won’t hurt my eyes or drain the battery. I have access to so many freakin books I feel like lord of the multiverse. Just thinking about it puts me in awe... makes me want to read a book...

[hobnail]

Originally Posted by barryem

I agree but there are things I want more than just cheap. I want variety. Nearly all ereaders have been 6" for a while and now they're getting bigger. I need a smaller one that I can fit comfortably in a shirt pocket like I do with my phone.

I worked at a university where a backpack was de rigueur. Very handy for things like a phone, ereader, folding umbrella, jacket, etc.

[shalym]

Originally Posted by hobnail

I worked at a university where a backpack was de rigueur. Very handy for things like a phone, ereader, folding umbrella, jacket, etc.

I carry a small purse, and my Voyage is always in it for reading on the go. Sometimes I leave my purse in the car, though, and just bring my wallet and my phone. In those instances I do read on my phone, and it's ok for short bursts (like waiting in line, for instance).

Shari

[Apache]

I read on my Surface Pro and carry it with me everywhere I go. My wife does see how I do this. She thinks it is heavy. I used to carry hard back books so the tablet feels the same to me.
Apache