Has iRex misled us?

[ali]

Originally Posted by design256

However, take a step back and think.... Supposing that they never intended Iliad to be a consumer product. Say they intended it to be 95% sales to businesses with custom software and custom content tailored to the need of large organisations. But they didn't have the staff to ensure that the product was fully beta-tested to the standard needed for business.

There's nothing to suppose here - that's their business plan. Quote: We have a Business-to Business focus: supporting organizations in bringing their content (newspapers, books, documents) to their members, customers and employees, wherever they are, whenever they want it.

Originally Posted by design256

So... they could have announced the product to the world in the hope that some fervent early-adopters would do their beta-testing for them. Such people had to promise that they'd be happy with a beta machine, no sdk and an enormous pricetag.

That's what they did openly. In press releases and interviews, they stated how "surprised" they were about the interest from book readers. And they also said they sell them mainly to get some feedback, without any affect on their B2B focus.

Originally Posted by design256

Of course all of the above is wild speculation, and I really really hope that I'm wrong. But this smells badly of the Psion Netbook Pro - and I'm scared that the Iliad will go the same way...

I guess you are very close to the truth. However, there's one thing: From what I see, their B2B plans didn't work out. Newspaper and book publishers went with Sony. The only appliance I'm aware of is the eFlyBook, and I didn't see too many FlyBook users in the iRex forum or the eFlyBook forum.

And, if their B2B plans fail, we'll be the ones they're left with. This gives me hope!

[TadW]

Originally Posted by ali

From what I see, their B2B plans didn't work out. Newspaper and book publishers went with Sony. The only appliance I'm aware of is the eFlyBook, and I didn't see too many FlyBook users in the iRex forum or the eFlyBook forum.

I think ali is right. Remember this post where Alexander quoted the Ifra guy saying that he believed e-reader devices have been disappointing so far? Why would he say that if iRex is a member of Ifra? That doesn't make sense, unless things didn't turn out so well with Irex' plans to attract publishing Ifra members like the New York Times, Tribune, TA Media, De Telegraaf, etc as B2B partners for their iLiad. Big oops.

[mdh]

Originally Posted by donkaarlos

I finished reading a pdf book with my Iliad yesterday and actually I noticed again having a rather nice device in my hands.

With markup and full screen it will be even better.

I got forced to go to sleep last night when Oliver Twist turned off in my hands!

Of course my favorite is the Virtual Book report
http://www.hpl.hp.com/techreports/Co...SRC-RR-157.pdf
which not only says 'pop-ups are preferable to toolbars because screen real estate is not permanently allocated to the pop-up' but being formatted for a full size page tends to prove it too!

Mark