Barnes and Noble confirms COLOR e-book reader for Spring 2010 [INCORRECT]

[geekraver]

BTW I happen to know Daniel Joresson - not well, but enough to confirm that he is not a marketing fool but very technically savvy. Much more like an engineer, and less inclined to spin, so what he let slip is probably not entirely poop. But he did likely get some facts wrong. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say that a small form factor color reader may well be coming, but more likely with a PixelQi display than e-ink, and likely as a B&N partnership but not Plastic Logic.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by jpasarela

Looks like it's going to be a dual screen reader. Standard e-ink screen for reading and a touch-sensitive LCD for menus, keyboard, etc.

http://gizmodo.com/5380942/barnes-an...os-and-details

THAT is a sweet prototype/mock-up device (the last is an actual photo of something working). Lots of potential...and using the LCD on the lower strip makes it look like a big Clie or Palm PDA with HWR (handwriting recognition), only on the LCD portion of the display, for notes...interesting twist on working around some of the limits of the e-ink displays of today.

I especially like the part on the final image that mentions the device is thought to be priced lower than the Kindle...interesting things in the next week or two...

EDIT: In fact to expand on the PDA idea...I would LOVE a reader that offered a big chunk of the functionality I have in my Clie AND worked as a reader...most of what I use my PDA's for does not need color. But an address book, IMAP email client, to-do list, and a few other organizer type utils would really be fantastic in a reader like this...

[BKeeper]

Originally Posted by geekraver

If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say that a small form factor color reader may well be coming, but more likely with a PixelQi display than e-ink, and likely as a B&N partnership but not Plastic Logic.

While I have no doubt that PixelQi will crush e-ink (and readers as a segregated market) in the near future, I don't think we'll be seeing any of their displays on a reader for a while. Mainly b/c a complete implementation of the power saving features will require 1-1.5 years more.

Even then, e-ink would have some advantage but, for most people, it won't be enough to outweigh the convenience of an all-in-one device.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by BKeeper

While I have no doubt that PixelQi will crush e-ink (and readers as a segregated market) in the near future, I don't think we'll be seeing any of their displays on a reader for a while. Mainly b/c a complete implementation of the power saving features will require 1-1.5 years more.

Right now, Pixel Qi is in the prototype stage. Whether or not this happens depends on whether they can ramp up for volume production. The jury will be out till they've demonstrated they can.

Back at the end of July, they posted job descriptions for new hires they wanted to make, including a VP of Display Engineering to be in either San Francisco or Taiwan, and a EVP to be based in Taiwan. The latter would almost certainly be the point man for dealing with whichever foundry actually makes their screens. So obviously they believe they can do it.

Even then, e-ink would have some advantage but, for most people, it won't be enough to outweigh the convenience of an all-in-one device.

I'm not sure "most people" is accurate above. For a lot of folks, "convenience" may be a dedicated device designed to do one thing very well. All other things equal (like a screen equivalent to eInk in readability and power consumption), I wonder how many would still get a dedicated reader when multi-function devices using the same technology were also available?
______
Dennis

[BKeeper]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

All other things equal (like a screen equivalent to eInk in readability and power consumption), I wonder how many would still get a dedicated reader when multi-function devices using the same technology were also available?

My thoughts exactly.

But the only real advantage of the first line/batch of displays will be the 3 operation modes. (color,B/W, low power color)
(IMHO that's already a huge step forward).
For their power saving features to work, OEM's will have to redesign MB and display controllers. That is going to take a while.

So I was just saying that with the first batch of 10 inch screens there will be no difference in terms of power consumption.
(eventually) all else being equal I'd go with a PQ display.

OTOH, even at that point I think PL readers will have the advantage on things like power consumption, durability, and readability.
I personally stop caring about power consumption once I reach all-day computing.

But who am I kidding, I'd just miss the pleasure of hitting my reader with a shoe. (morning news would never be the same...)

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

I'm not sure "most people" is accurate above. For a lot of folks, "convenience" may be a dedicated device designed to do one thing very well.

All other things equal (like a screen equivalent to eInk in readability and power consumption), I wonder how many would still get a dedicated reader when multi-function devices using the same technology were also available?
______
Dennis

That's really the key question. Undoubtedly some will prefer dedicated readers. If reading is the only gadget-related hobby someone has, and they don't need anything like this (reader, tablet etc.) for work, there's not much reason. Also folks who are put off by more complicated technology.

But others will want something that can read as well as a dedicated reader (or close enough) and also do other things related to their other hobbies or stuff they need for work (better annotating with stylus, PDA, e-mail etc.).

The iPhone and other gadgets show a market for these type of multifunction devices. Time will tell if the same is true for multi function tablets and what effect they have on the e-book market, the netbook market etc. once they start rolling out.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by BKeeper

But the only real advantage of the first line/batch of displays will be the 3 operation modes. (color,B/W, low power color)
(IMHO that's already a huge step forward).
For their power saving features to work, OEM's will have to redesign MB and display controllers. That is going to take a while.

So I was just saying that with the first batch of 10 inch screens there will be no difference in terms of power consumption.
(eventually) all else being equal I'd go with a PQ display.

Even the first batch should bring minor improvements. For instance in situations were you would otherwise need to increase the backlight to overcome external light sources. And it would only take a firmware update to let you completely disable the backlight.

But yeah, the major improvements to battery life won't come until the hardware and software has been optimized for these displays.

[desertgrandma]

So, I was in a B&N store tonight. Talked to three people up at the info desk.

First, the gentleman kept trying to tell me they'd had ebooks for a while, go to their website, download software, etc etc etc.

Said I was asking about a possible "e-book reader". Insert blank look. Asked if he knew anything or had the store been told anything.

Nope, the store emails from company had nothing. No notice of any announcement on the 20th or anything else.

Wouldn't you think, that B&N would be training personnel?

I love the customer service at the brick and mortar store, but their lack of knowledge pertaining to ebooks is scary.

[zacheryjensen]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

So, I was in a B&N store tonight. Talked to three people up at the info desk.

First, the gentleman kept trying to tell me they'd had ebooks for a while, go to their website, download software, etc etc etc.

Said I was asking about a possible "e-book reader". Insert blank look. Asked if he knew anything or had the store been told anything.

Nope, the store emails from company had nothing. No notice of any announcement on the 20th or anything else.

Wouldn't you think, that B&N would be training personnel?

I love the customer service at the brick and mortar store, but their lack of knowledge pertaining to ebooks is scary.

They're paid almost nothing and expected to learn 95% of their knowledge of books and such all on their own. To expect them to have even the slightest advance knowledge of company plans is too much. No offense to BN employees but I know a lot of them myself. It's the McDonald's of books. The fact that whoever you talked to even knew about the eBooks on their website is a high note.

I'm sure once the eBook reader is destined for a shelf in the store at least one employee, probably a cash wrap monkey, will be told the vaguest notion of its purpose and BN will leave it at that. They aren't the best company when it comes to marketing and training.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by zacheryjensen

They're paid almost nothing and expected to learn 95% of their knowledge of books and such all on their own. To expect them to have even the slightest advance knowledge of company plans is too much. No offense to BN employees but I know a lot of them myself. It's the McDonald's of books. The fact that whoever you talked to even knew about the eBooks on their website is a high note.

I'm sure once the eBook reader is destined for a shelf in the store at least one employee, probably a cash wrap monkey, will be told the vaguest notion of its purpose and BN will leave it at that. They aren't the best company when it comes to marketing and training.

What a shame. B&N has an opportunity to really give Amazon a run for its money.

I can see so many ways to sell this product. First......set up a dedicated booth. Against a blank wall. Have it manned full time. Use a projector to run non stop video showing the product behind the booth to grab interest.

Train your employees to sell the item by being friendly and catching peoples eyes......like at the fairs that sell those stupid useless things we all buy after a demo but never use.

Even thos customers who are too shy to step up and ask questions at first will watch while you demo to a group of people. No need to bash other readers.....just point out the features of this one. They need to hear that it doesn't necessarily replace paper books, but surely adds to the convenience of carrying books around!

This thing will sell itself. But you gotta let people know its there and what it does. No brainer!

yes, I know, business is bad, people cost money to hire and train.......but they're on the cutting edge here.....

IF they have a good product, of course.

[zacheryjensen]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

What a shame. B&N has an opportunity to really give Amazon a run for its money.

I can see so many ways to sell this product. First......set up a dedicated booth. Against a blank wall. Have it manned full time. Use a projector to run non stop video showing the product behind the booth to grab interest.

Train your employees to sell the item by being friendly and catching peoples eyes......like at the fairs that sell those stupid useless things we all buy after a demo but never use.

Even thos customers who are too shy to step up and ask questions at first will watch while you demo to a group of people. No need to bash other readers.....just point out the features of this one. They need to hear that it doesn't necessarily replace paper books, but surely adds to the convenience of carrying books around!

This thing will sell itself. But you gotta let people know its there and what it does. No brainer!

yes, I know, business is bad, people cost money to hire and train.......but they're on the cutting edge here.....

IF they have a good product, of course.

What you've described with the booth is pretty similar to what Sony has put in the Best Buy stores. Granted, there seems to be no expert employees anywhere nearby but hey, it's best buy, what do you expect? But they do have a kiosk with the prs 300 and 600 and between them a looping video talking about the reader. They even have special firmwares on the readers that put them in a looping demo mode, kind of a slideshow thing. It's classy looking, much nicer than what they used to put up in Borders.

I see people at that kiosk in best buy every time I go there and I go there weekly so that's something I guess. I'm sure BN will do something similar, whatever their plans may be, but, I think they will have some internal strife over how they want people to walk out of their stores. No doubt a reader device is going to have zero or slim profit margins, unlike the books they sell. I wouldn't be surprised to see some subtlety taken in the approach to selling the reader in stores with much more emphasis in selling it online.

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

That's really the key question. Undoubtedly some will prefer dedicated readers. If reading is the only gadget-related hobby someone has, and they don't need anything like this (reader, tablet etc.) for work, there's not much reason. Also folks who are put off by more complicated technology.

But others will want something that can read as well as a dedicated reader (or close enough) and also do other things related to their other hobbies or stuff they need for work (better annotating with stylus, PDA, e-mail etc.).

The iPhone and other gadgets show a market for these type of multifunction devices. Time will tell if the same is true for multi function tablets and what effect they have on the e-book market, the netbook market etc. once they start rolling out.

Many of the people I've known who like simple devices are the kinds of people who have done early adopting of crippled technology and have spent along time convincing themselves it was worthwhile for the "specialization".

This was really huge with digital SLRs when they started offering video and "purists" were whining about it. The "SLRs are highly specialized and designed for one use and do it really well" argument has been used for a long time to justify SLRs not having video when simple cheap point-and-shoot cameras have had video from nearly the beginning. I found it hilarious when DSLRs started offering video and people were threatening to boycott the companies because of the betrayal.

Ebook readers are currently crippled devices because the technology sucks. That's pretty much it. When that's fixed, the devices will cease to be so "specialized" (one man's specialized is another man's crippled).

[Musicman]

[QUOTE=desertgrandma;628810]What a shame. B&N has an opportunity to really give Amazon a run for its money.

Even thos customers who are too shy to step up and ask questions at first will watch while you demo to a group of people. No need to bash other readers.....just point out the features of this one. They need to hear that it doesn't necessarily replace paper books, but surely adds to the convenience of carrying books around!
QUOTE]

One other thing they could to to promote the use of the device is to offer a free download of the digital copy of the book with the a purchase of the hardcover.

I have seen this approach with vinyl records and it works well.

[Crowl]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

Ebook readers are currently crippled devices because the technology sucks. That's pretty much it. When that's fixed, the devices will cease to be so "specialized" (one man's specialized is another man's crippled).

Another way of looking at them is that they are not being overloaded with pointless extra features to the detriment of their core functionality which for an ebook reader would be reading comfort, screen clarity and battery life.

Using your example, say adding video to a dslr had harmed the quality of still pictures then it would have been an idiotic addition to such a device and in the same manner some features will be fine to add to ereaders and others will be stupid to add even if they work just fine on other classes of device.

[zacheryjensen]

Originally Posted by Crowl

Another way of looking at them is that they are not being overloaded with pointless extra features to the detriment of their core functionality which for an ebook reader would be reading comfort, screen clarity and battery life.

Using your example, say adding video to a dslr had harmed the quality of still pictures then it would have been an idiotic addition to such a device and in the same manner some features will be fine to add to ereaders and others will be stupid to add even if they work just fine on other classes of device.

Reality check please. By and far the most popular eBook reading device right now is the iPhone.

Frankly it's a small minority of consumers who care so much about reading that they will spend hundreds of dollars on a dedicated device. Most active readers still only spend a small part of their spare time reading. And, the second tier of eBook interest, which is students, is not served by any existing dedicated device at all. They will definitely skip the aforementioned must-have attributes in favor of a device that does more things to save themselves money.

If I was to coach a student on this topic I would suggest they consider one of the various upcoming tablet netbooks with 10" viewable screens, that cost slightly more than a dedicated reader (except, less than a kindle dx) and will do a whole lot more for their school needs than any reader device will. Battery life be damned. And you'll certainly have a better PDF reading experience.

At this point for those so worried about added features somehow harming their eBook reader device experience... well maybe you should go buy an extra reader of your preference today so you won't have to worry about the lack of them on the market in a few years?