Market for cheap, barebones ereader?

[saoir]

There is definitely a huge market. But someone has to put the investment in at the beginning.

Amazon did it, but on the basis of earning back the investment risk with the sales of their own eBooks.

This is the product that a conglomerate or Joint Venture of the major legacy publishers and online eBook sellers should have been developing and selling in the last two years to compete with Kindle.

A basic version of a device like a kindle that is not locked to one format or seller would be a massive boon to the sales of eBooks around the world.

Unfortunately the legacy publishers are too blinkered and incompetent to see this opportunity. They are obsessed with trying to save their old business model and attacking Amazon ot see the opportunities that are out their to actually compete.

[wizwor]

Originally Posted by BillSmithBooks

I was wondering if there is a market for a very affordable ($20-49) barebones ebook reader (and if such a device is feasible at that price point).

I bought a Ford Focus in 2005. At the time, it was the least expensive new car available. I love it. It was very inexpensive, does everything I want a car to do, gets good mileage, and does everything I want a car to do. When I went out to buy a car for my kid, this car was not available. 'For just a little bit more' (per month), consumers get automatic transmissions, air conditioning, a nice stereo, and heated seats and mirrors all wrapped up in a very pretty package. It was $5k more, but very few people would pick my focus over his to save $92 a month. That's ignoring inflation.

It's the same deal with e-readers. Most people are going to spend a little more for a device with air conditioning and an automatic transmission.

If a person wants an inexpensive e-reader that also plays games, videos, and a whole bunch of other cool things, a firehd refurb can be had for $100. Who is going to pay $20-40 for a text reader when a fire hd can be had for a couple bucks more? Kohls tried to sell $50-$100 tablets. No one bought them.

[Katsunami]

Yes, just a little bit more.

Here, and there.... a little bit more.

And suddenly, one is up to his ears in financial problems.

[Mivo]

I think I see it a bit like Wizwor, but it may also be because of my definition of "basic". For me, a basic e-reader uses e-ink and has wifi connectivity (the books have to somehow get on the device, otherwise it requires an additional computer rather than just a public hotspot). I think 4" would probably be sufficient, something like the Trekstor Pyrus mini that Katsunami had mentioned (although it does not have wifi). It uses some e-ink knockoff called Digital Ink, which seems to be much less costly. An e-ink device, or Digital Ink, would also substantially increase the battery life. $50 would certainly be feasible, but then you could get a backlit device with a slightly larger display for "just a bit more".

[Ekaros]

I think it's quite hard to get a good device at that price point. The price do show. The two no name Chinese ereaders I have used weren't too nice to use. Also the whole experience isn't that easy always.

[John F]

Originally Posted by wizwor

...

If a person wants an inexpensive e-reader that also plays games, videos, and a whole bunch of other cool things, a firehd refurb can be had for $100. Who is going to pay $20-40 for a text reader when a fire hd can be had for a couple bucks more? ...

If you can get a refurb firehd (I'll assume your talking about a 7"), than you could get a refurbed text reader for 14-28? Sounds very tempting to me.

As long as it has good reading software and a decent lighted screen, that is all I need. I don't need wifi. Also, please just let me plug it into my computer and copy stuff back and forth with no special software needed.

[wizwor]

Here's the problem (if you want to call it a problem)...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/promo/ki...ce%20skuidsaas

Brand new Fire HD for $100 BEFORE discounts, rewards, cashback...everyday. There is also a $50 gift card for any working tablet that is recycled at purchase. Not much room to squeeze a bargain below that bar.

[John F]

Originally Posted by wizwor

Here's the problem (if you want to call it a problem)...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/promo/ki...ce%20skuidsaas

Brand new Fire HD for $100 BEFORE discounts, rewards, cashback...everyday. There is also a $50 gift card for any working tablet that is recycled at purchase. Not much room to squeeze a bargain below that bar.

Is there some law that says discounts can't be made available for low cost ereaders? That you can't get a gift card for recycling a tablet and purchasing an ereader?

If you are in the "bargin" mindset, a 100% price difference may be considered quite a bargin.

[wizwor]

I'm not saying there aren't people who will get something that costs less than $50. I'm just saying that the value difference is vastly greater than the cost difference. That is why there is no market for a cheap, barebones ereader.

[covingtoncat73]

Well, for my part, I started eReading when I picked up a Kobo WiFi for $50 at a Borders going-out-of-business sale. I was happy with the device but not really with the Kobo store, so much. I'm afraid Amazon wins out over that. So, anyway, I had to rely on Alf to read my books on my device, though I did buy a few books from Kobo.

Then I got a Kobo Mini and that was a disaster for me. I could not get my books on there, even my Gutenberg.org books. I had to return it.

I had a free of balance Best Buy card burning a hole in my pocket, so I decided to go whole-hog and get a lit eInk. I am so, so happy with my Kindle PW! I love being freed from the need to do anything other than connect to WiFi, then sync and download.

The Kobo Wifi, an excellent little device in and of itself, I gave to a friend who loves to read but is in a bad financial way. If I want to re-read one of the books I bought from Kobo, I will use their app on my phone (Galaxy SIII, large enough to read on).

I originally got the Kobo because of the sale price and because I could check out library books on it. Well, the library has Kindle format eBooks now and they are very easy to check out. Also, I did want to support someone other than Amazon but I'm afraid Amazon has won. I don't regret buying the Kobo, though, and I actually liked it more than I like my mother's basic Kindle. I don't know if that is just because I was used to the Kobo. I sure got used to that Paperwhite quickly! I didn't chose a basic Kindle myself because I decided to splurge on a lit eReader.

[linereader]

Originally Posted by BillSmithBooks

I think this low price and basic device would be greatly beneficial to readers all over the world.

I think these prices are possible easily.

But I think the bigger picture is that e-readers are cheap enough to reach lower budgets just as they are. What they desperately need is user-removable batteries for longer-term longevity and utility. I think this is the bigger issue.

Of course no company is interested in the colossal e-waste that results from embedded non-removable batteries; their duties over the warranty period is all that they are concerned with. They would also want to encourage re-purchase when the battery eventually gives up.

In 5 years who knows what advancements are going to be made and what prices will be reached. I think cutting a device down too much just results in less units being manufactured which doesn't do you any favours cost-wise or marketing-wise. Then there's the technology getting cheaper as time goes on to think about. And your competitors churning out what is now almost 'commodity' product in scale.

I don't think cost-containment is where the emphasis should be. I think we have reached that level already; if not already, then very soon. In my mind there's little justification for anything but removable batteries (to encourage longevity).

[Freeshadow]

The battery
Amen to that

[fjtorres]

Well, there is at least one chinese ODM looking into cheap, sub $50, *android*-based eink readers.

http://the-digital-reader.com/2014/1...comment-680249