Why doesn't the Iliad play to it's strengths?

[scotty1024]

Originally Posted by ali

It's pretty easy to just say everybody asking for a backlight didn't understand e-paper. The problem is that there are no B2B partners out there who want to use e-paper and seek an application for it. Usually, they have an application and look for the best device/solution for it.

Its even easier to say the Sony Reader and/or iLiad are going to fail because they don't provide an onboard photon source to provide supplemental photons during periods where not enough photons are provided in the environment in which one chooses to use the device.

I submit that we are generally no longer in the dark ages in the business world. Employers are expected to provide well lit and generally, where possible, provide other environmental controls as well to keep their employees comfortable.

I've had no need for supplemental photons to be produced by my iLiad in the business environment I use it in or have carried it into "Starbucks", "Sears", "FedEx Kinko's", "Public Library", "Border's", "United Airlines", bathroom of "The Mexican"...

I've had no need for self produced supplemental photons in my home either. I have lamps, overhead lights... You know, the usual photon emission systems a 21st Century home has in it.

If someone tells me their basement is too dark to read an ebook on an iLiad. Well my first thought is "Silence of the Lambs" , my next is "how do they move around" (glance down at their shins to check for bruises) and my response is "Did you know Home Depot has a lighting department and they can help you design a lighting system for your basement?"

[scotty1024]

Originally Posted by Mambo

My wife asked me when I will let her to read books on the iLiad, since I don't usually put it out of my hands. (not in the near future).
I offered her to buy a Sony Reader, that is much cheaper.
She said that she doesn't want a smaller screen.

In my case my wife prefers the smaller size of the Sony, she can envision carrying it around with her in a purse or small handbag. (right now I'm trying to envision the silly thing getting here faster than the iLiad did...)

Of course she has me around to provide her with documents that are re-flowable when she presses the button for a larger font to make them more easily viewable.

For those that have to read non-reflowable content the larger iLiad screen is a must.

For me the "killer feature" is the Wacom. I'd much rather carry around a Wacom Sony than an iLiad.

[Mambo]

I have to disagree I think you can put a light behind, well, normal paper and it could improve the contrast and readability in dark, although it is not completely transparent.
Try with a sheet of paper and a mobile phone.
Similarly I am sure you could put a backlight behind the screen of the iliad as well - I don't think that it would not have any effect - the E ink layer is not so thick.
Of course this is not an ELEGANT way of doing it.

On the other hand people say that many LCDs are now visible in the sunlight and have less electricity consumption so why bother with eink? Well could be but I have not seen any yet, specifically ereaders.

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by scotty1024

I submit that we are generally no longer in the dark ages in the business world. Employers are expected to provide well lit and generally, where possible, provide other environmental controls as well to keep their employees comfortable.

Ah, but what about meetings with powerpoint presentations going?

Originally Posted by Mambo

I have to disagree I think you can put a light behind, well, normal paper and it could improve the contrast and readability in dark, although it is not completely transparent.

Similarly I am sure you could put a backlight behind the screen of the iliad as well - I don't think that it would not have any effect - the E ink layer is not so thick.

Well, that's not an unreasonable assumption, Mambo, but it doesn't consider that paper only has ink where you want it, so the light comes through more on the white parts than the black parts.

E-Ink, on the other hand, has ink everywhere across the display all the time. It works by moving black and white particles around, but they don't go away just 'cause they're at the back of the little bubbles, they're still there, and I expect they block light just the same whether they're at the front or the back.

It's actually more opaque than paper is, which can be translucent under the conditions you describe. I think what you'd end up with if you tried backlighting it would be a kind of mostly uniform gray, probably quite dim.

Originally Posted by Mambo

On the other hand people say that many LCDs are now visible in the sunlight and have less electricity consumption so why bother with eink? Well could be but I have not seen any yet, specifically ereaders.

The LCD's couldn't have less energy consumption than e-ink, all they could do is equal it. It's hard to have less than none ... unless they built in a solar cell, hmm.

But seriously, e-ink doesn't use any power except when you're changing the display. There are some LCD based display techs out there that are able to do that, but having seen one example of the LCD, I'd rather read from e-ink. The cholesteric LCD I saw seemed a bit ... shimmery. I don't know how else to describe it.

[VillageReader]

Originally Posted by scotty1024

Battery life of 10 hours? More than good enough for a business user where the unit only has to last one work shift and then be recharged over night.

Ermm, what about us poor sales slobs that need to fly ORD-SIN or NWK-PEK? Total travel time can exceed 24 hours and I don't sleep well on planes. Sorry, I need the 21 originally advertised, not 10.

[NatCh]

You could always get a Sony for those long flights....

[Mambo]

Originally Posted by NatCh

Well, that's not an unreasonable assumption, Mambo, but it doesn't consider that paper only has ink where you want it, so the light comes through more on the white parts than the black parts.

I realised that just a few minutes after I wrote the post. So probably I again was quicker to write than to think.

[VillageReader]

Originally Posted by NatCh

You could always get a Sony for those long flights....

Largely because I liked the larger format, and with a proprietary format I expected Sony's book prices to be higher. A more open format is likely to lead to lower prices (ie, competition) in the long run.

In the short run, I'm as eager as everyone else for the pending improvements, but what I have now works great - and my next trips are Mexico and Europe, so until next year battery life isn't critical - yet.

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by Mambo

I realised that just a few minutes after I wrote the post. So probably I again was quicker to write than to think.

I have the same problem, sometimes.

Originally Posted by VillageReader

...what I have now works great....

And that's what's really important, after all.

[VillageReader]

Originally Posted by Mambo

I realised that just a few minutes after I wrote the post. So probably I again was quicker to write than to think.

Be sure brain is engaged before mouth (or keyboard) is in gear.

[Mambo]

Let's go back to the Iliad and do not off the topic completely.