ASUS EEE Reader by Year End, Color, Touch Screen, £100 - Page 2

Abecedary · 09-06-2009, 10:13 PM

I suppose it could be a Pixel Qi screen, but based on the way they've handled things up to this point I'd expect them to be hyping the hell out of it. Press releases, blog posts, more YouTube videos, etc.

emellaich · 09-06-2009, 10:25 PM

All of the speculation above is why I said Pixel Qi. Not only is price an Eink barrier, but from what I've read its color mode will not be anywhere near commercially ready by the end of this year.

In regard to Pixel Qi and touch screen, my belief is that it works together just fine. I think that a rumor got started by someone who misunderstood a statement by the CTO. My belief was that the CTO was referring to the specific prototype produced and said it wasn't Touch Screen. Some folks took that to be a statement that the technology didn't support touch screen. However this rumor began, I am sure that after the rumor leaked out the CTO made a statement that the Pixel Qi technology was fully compatible with touch screen technology and there would be no barriers to using it.

So, I think we have two choices for this tech. Either its pixel qi or its traditional LCD. If the latter it's going to be a major disappointment. Actually, I'm a bit worried about it anyway. Touch screen, color, what O/S will it run Win7? I'm not convinced that they can deliver what they claim for $164 (100 British pounds). This is like delivering the iphone or G1 with a bigger screen for a cheaper price. I'm assuming there will be compromises galore. Probably a slow processor and creaking performance.

Furthermore, they talk about a range of devices. I doubt very much the dual screen device is there low-end system. Probably a low-end smaller screen system more akin to the Ipod Touch in size up to a $600 dual screen, touch-screen system.

LDBoblo · 09-07-2009, 12:08 AM

I won't care if it's traditional backlit LCD if the battery life is decent. My computer is better for reading than my Sony e-ink device in most conditions I read in, but the battery life is less than stellar.

PixelQi would be cool, but I'm not expecting that. I figure it'll be a standard LCD or something similar with decent power usage. For me, it'd still beat the crap out of anything e-ink.

HansTWN · 09-07-2009, 12:44 AM

I would guess it will be some cheapo tablet, slow and ultra-low power to extend battery life. We would be better off spending a few 100 more for a decent tablet, UMPC, or netbook, or stick with an e-ink device for real reading.

Kralik · 09-07-2009, 01:06 AM

$170ish would be an excellent price for such a tablet. I wonder if it will have the new Intel platform? Good thing manufacturers NEVER have higher prices than predicted in press releases and they are ALWAYS able to deliver on time!

Andybaby · 09-07-2009, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Eh... Give me a shipping product to evaluate, not a vague press release. It's easy to promise, hard to deliver....

asus always seems to deliver. and their EEE line is what invented the netbook market. if anyone said they are making a $200 ebook reader. I wouldn't believe them, but from asus, you can sure as hell bet its gonna come out when they say it will, and at the price they say it will.

but I have only heard rumors. but when they officially announce a date of release. that is when it will be. and expect it soon, they know they have to go fast fast fast due to the netbook market. which has its own law of computing, at twice as fast and half the price every 6 months.

GeoffC · 09-07-2009, 05:47 AM

An interesting development - two products at two prices - presumably the less expensive one would be b&w ...

(The arrival of a new rival from Asus could give the industry a much-needed shot in arm: to date fewer than 80,000 ereader devices have been sold in the UK, according to GfK, the retail analyst.)

Sweetpea · 09-07-2009, 07:19 AM

I've seen that thing during the CeBIT. Looked awesome, though, personally, I think it would be too large for average novel reading.

jackau · 09-07-2009, 07:42 AM

which screen do you want?

judge by what i saw: This ebook is a either a 7 or 9/10 inch version of Asus's ultra thin eeepc line.

The left screen would be a touch enable Eink class screen while the right colour one is a touch enabled thin LED lighted LCD.

So basically, it replaces the keyboard base area with a ebook screen.
i wonder how usefull it is?
Can one screen it be flipped 360 degree all the way to the back? (unlikely for screen protection purposes!)

It is unwise to throw in a colour ebook screen at this stage for under 500 USD as the Fujitsu colour reader asking for 1000 USD!!!

However the more players enter the market the cheaper and better the ebooks will be in the long run.

So, hold on to your current one if you can, in a year time there will always be a better one around the corner just as PC / notebooks used to be...

Slite · 09-07-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackau

which screen do you want?

judge by what i saw: This ebook is a either a 7 or 9.7 inch version of Asus's ultra thin eeepc line.

The left screen would be a touch enable Eink class screen while the right colour one is a touch enabled thin OLED lighted LCD.

So basically, it replaces the keyboard base area with a ebook screen.
i wonder how usefull it is?
Can one screen it be flipped 360 degree all the way to the back? (unlikely for screen protection purposes!)

It is unwise to throw in a colour ebook screen at this stage for under 500 USD as the Fujitsu colour reader asking for 1000 USD!!!

However the more players enter the market the cheaper and better the ebooks will be in the long run.

So, hold on to your current one if you can, in a year time there will always be a better one around the corner just as PC / notebooks used to be...

There will always be "something better around the corner". what you really need to do is look at your needs instead of your wants.

Do I NEED a color touchscreen or is an regular e-ink screen sufficent for me. and from your formulated needs look at was is available now or in the near future.

Sure, I'd love a 10 inch colour touchscreen with wifi, 3g and builtin lattemaker. But do I need it? Heck no! e-ink is sufficent for my needs

mtravellerh · 09-07-2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I've seen that thing during the CeBIT. Looked awesome, though, personally, I think it would be too large for average novel reading.

You've seen what, exactly?

Sweetpea · 09-07-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtravellerh

You've seen what, exactly?

It was a mockup of this device. There was no hinge for example, but it was working. It did look nice, and my gadget bump started itching badly but as an ebook reader it would be too large.

wodin · 09-07-2009, 10:58 AM

If this was anyone but Asus, I'd be calling vaporware. But Asus? Well, they seem to be the only company who understands that if you produce a quality product that people want and you don't try to get everything the market will bear you will ultimately be successful. Unlike 100% of the eBook reader manufacturers!

Alisa · 09-07-2009, 01:18 PM

I will jump on this if it's PixelQi. I don't know if it will replace eInk for me yet. It would depend on how heavy it is, how warm it runs and the battery life. It looks like a great netbook/tablet, though, and I'd probably use it for my technical documents. I've been itching for a netbook but I've been waiting to see if any come out with PixelQi screens.

CleverClothe · 09-07-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andybaby

asus always seems to deliver. and their EEE line is what invented the netbook market. if anyone said they are making a $200 ebook reader. I wouldn't believe them, but from asus, you can sure as hell bet its gonna come out when they say it will, and at the price they say it will.

Asus hasn't given a price. The article only said:

Quote:

Asus is thought to be aiming nearer the £100 mark.

So some unnamed source has a gut feeling.

09-07-2009, 07:42 AM	#24
jackau Connoisseur Posts: 74 Karma: 454 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Downunder Device: Cool-er / Mac Mini / Satio / Notebook	which screen do you want? judge by what i saw: This ebook is a either a 7 or 9/10 inch version of Asus's ultra thin eeepc line. The left screen would be a touch enable Eink class screen while the right colour one is a touch enabled thin LED lighted LCD. So basically, it replaces the keyboard base area with a ebook screen. i wonder how usefull it is? Can one screen it be flipped 360 degree all the way to the back? (unlikely for screen protection purposes!) It is unwise to throw in a colour ebook screen at this stage for under 500 USD as the Fujitsu colour reader asking for 1000 USD!!! However the more players enter the market the cheaper and better the ebooks will be in the long run. So, hold on to your current one if you can, in a year time there will always be a better one around the corner just as PC / notebooks used to be... Last edited by jackau; 09-07-2009 at 07:54 AM.

09-07-2009, 10:58 AM	#28
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	If this was anyone but Asus, I'd be calling vaporware. But Asus? Well, they seem to be the only company who understands that if you produce a quality product that people want and you don't try to get everything the market will bear you will ultimately be successful. Unlike 100% of the eBook reader manufacturers! Last edited by wodin; 09-07-2009 at 02:55 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The Asus Eee Tablet: the end for the DR-900?	librus38	News	10	08-21-2010 03:21 PM
ASUS DR-570 e-reader to sport 6-inch OLED color screen	DonaldL.	News	6	01-18-2010 01:33 PM
Kindle 3 - this year, with larger screen, touch-enabled (rumor)	Alexander Turcic	News	74	10-26-2009 08:50 PM
ASUS EEE PC as e-book reader?	drahnreb	Alternative Devices	42	09-08-2009 09:51 AM
Sony with larger-screen e-reader this year, no color before 2010	Alexander Turcic	News	42	05-19-2009 02:52 PM

09-06-2009, 10:13 PM	#16
Abecedary Exwyzeeologist Posts: 535 Karma: 3261 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: :PRS-505::iPod touch:	I suppose it could be a Pixel Qi screen, but based on the way they've handled things up to this point I'd expect them to be hyping the hell out of it. Press releases, blog posts, more YouTube videos, etc.

09-06-2009, 10:25 PM	#17
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	All of the speculation above is why I said Pixel Qi. Not only is price an Eink barrier, but from what I've read its color mode will not be anywhere near commercially ready by the end of this year. In regard to Pixel Qi and touch screen, my belief is that it works together just fine. I think that a rumor got started by someone who misunderstood a statement by the CTO. My belief was that the CTO was referring to the specific prototype produced and said it wasn't Touch Screen. Some folks took that to be a statement that the technology didn't support touch screen. However this rumor began, I am sure that after the rumor leaked out the CTO made a statement that the Pixel Qi technology was fully compatible with touch screen technology and there would be no barriers to using it. So, I think we have two choices for this tech. Either its pixel qi or its traditional LCD. If the latter it's going to be a major disappointment. Actually, I'm a bit worried about it anyway. Touch screen, color, what O/S will it run Win7? I'm not convinced that they can deliver what they claim for $164 (100 British pounds). This is like delivering the iphone or G1 with a bigger screen for a cheaper price. I'm assuming there will be compromises galore. Probably a slow processor and creaking performance. Furthermore, they talk about a range of devices. I doubt very much the dual screen device is there low-end system. Probably a low-end smaller screen system more akin to the Ipod Touch in size up to a $600 dual screen, touch-screen system.

09-07-2009, 12:08 AM	#18
LDBoblo Wizard Posts: 1,385 Karma: 16056 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Asia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505	I won't care if it's traditional backlit LCD if the battery life is decent. My computer is better for reading than my Sony e-ink device in most conditions I read in, but the battery life is less than stellar. PixelQi would be cool, but I'm not expecting that. I figure it'll be a standard LCD or something similar with decent power usage. For me, it'd still beat the crap out of anything e-ink.

09-07-2009, 12:44 AM	#19
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	I would guess it will be some cheapo tablet, slow and ultra-low power to extend battery life. We would be better off spending a few 100 more for a decent tablet, UMPC, or netbook, or stick with an e-ink device for real reading.

09-07-2009, 01:06 AM	#20
Kralik Guru Posts: 609 Karma: 1013897 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Rooted NST	$170ish would be an excellent price for such a tablet. I wonder if it will have the new Intel platform? Good thing manufacturers NEVER have higher prices than predicted in press releases and they are ALWAYS able to deliver on time!

09-07-2009, 05:47 AM	#22
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	An interesting development - two products at two prices - presumably the less expensive one would be b&w ... (The arrival of a new rival from Asus could give the industry a much-needed shot in arm: to date fewer than 80,000 ereader devices have been sold in the UK, according to GfK, the retail analyst.)

09-07-2009, 07:19 AM	#23
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	I've seen that thing during the CeBIT. Looked awesome, though, personally, I think it would be too large for average novel reading.

09-07-2009, 01:18 PM	#29
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	I will jump on this if it's PixelQi. I don't know if it will replace eInk for me yet. It would depend on how heavy it is, how warm it runs and the battery life. It looks like a great netbook/tablet, though, and I'd probably use it for my technical documents. I've been itching for a netbook but I've been waiting to see if any come out with PixelQi screens.