Plastic Logic reader to use AT&T network

Lilly · 07-22-2009, 01:25 AM

By Jeffry Bartash MarketWatch
7/22/2009 12:01:00 AM

Plastic Logic on Wednesday said AT&T Inc. will supply the wireless connection for a touch-screen device it's developing to rival Amazon's Kindle in the electronic-book market.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/att...er?siteid=nbsh

Newspaper subscriptions are available through the Kindle, and Archuleta said his company also is in discussions with "every major newspaper in the U.S." to get their content. USA Today and the Detroit Free Press, both owned by Gannett Co. are already partners with Plastic Logic.

Plastic Logic hasn't said what its device will cost, or how users will pay for the use of AT&T's network. Kindle users don't pay Sprint directly. Instead, Amazon pays the carrier using proceeds from its book sales. Nielsen Co. analyst Roger Entner has estimated that the carrier gets about $2 per month per Kindle user.

In addition to the cellular broadband modem, Plastic Logic's device will be able to use Wi-Fi. AT&T has an extensive network of public Wi-Fi hot spots, but the parties would not say whether access to that network would be included for owners of the reader.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/090722/us_tec_e_book_reader_at_t.html?.v=2

brecklundin · 07-22-2009, 01:40 AM

this might be the reader I am waiting on before plunking down another couple-three hunderdt on a reader that was the disappointment of the K1. Thanks for the info. Adding wifi is a nice feature for those who are more mobile but need to be done well enough to implement a browser based sign-up and login ability. Wifi will also reduce the load on the MMB (mobile broadband - like the Kindle and what they are using Sprint's network for here here in the USA) method of comm with the mothership.

Nice info...thanks!!

HarryT · 07-22-2009, 03:08 AM

Is AT&T a GSM network? Good news if it is - that will mean that the device can technically work world-wide, rather than being restricted to the (primarily) US CDMA system that the Kindle uses.

brecklundin · 07-22-2009, 03:30 AM

Ya know harry, anymore I don't know what network is what tech anymore. To me it had just become so much background noise.

I agree though GSM is ideal in terms of worldwide use.

Apparetnly A&T might still be GSM:

http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_us.shtml

Though again who knows they way they all changes from instant to instant...hehehe

Dave_S · 07-22-2009, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Is AT&T a GSM network?

AT&T is a UMTS network with GSM fallback where UMTS has not been implemented. If Plastic Logic uses a radio that can use radio frequencies other than the American radio frequencies, then it should be possible to use outside the USA.

HarryT · 07-22-2009, 03:48 AM

Thanks, Dave!

HansTWN · 07-22-2009, 03:50 AM

as long as it has WiFi, we don't really need that 3G/GSM card. That only helps those with the big bucks and unlimited plans on their cell phones!

Dave_S · 07-22-2009, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

That only helps those with the big bucks and unlimited plans on their cell phones!

If they are going to emulate the Amazon/Sprint model, then "$2 per month per Kindle user" is hardly "big bucks". WLAN coverage is far too spotty to be useful as a book purchasing and download medium. WLAN is far more useful for syncing a reader to a home computer.

HansTWN · 07-22-2009, 04:08 AM

That is the American model. Are you an insider at Amazon/Sprint or is that 2 USD per month just a guess? Obviously German mobile phone companies (among others) do not accept such pricing, or they would have gone ahead with it for the Kindle long ago. And there is always the risk that some users will figure out how to use the connection for browsing, greatly increasing the usage for the phone companies. So what it will amount to -- for non-American residents -- is that you could use the 3G/GSM module on your own regular phone plan. And that would be an expensive proposition, especially when you download newspapers and other graphic intensive things. Actually here in Asia you have free WiFi in many places, coffee shops, airports, offices, etc. And most people have it in their homes. So it is quite useful, WiFi means I do not have to use a computer, a great convenience.

That downloading everywhere that Amazon wants for the Kindle is just to encourage impulse buying, I can wait an hour or two for WiFi access if I really want something.

Andybaby · 07-22-2009, 04:12 AM

I've got wifi at home, but using the cell phone networks is a good idea. too bad they charged too damn much.

but who wouldn't take $2 a month, as a cell phone network. when it uses maybe 10 megs a month tops on average.

it doesn't matter anyway.

hopefully the plastic logic is good.

Dave_S · 07-22-2009, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

That is the American model.

Well, this is an American system under discussion in this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

Are you an insider at Amazon/Sprint or is that 2 USD per month just a guess?

Neither, it was a quote from the first article in this thread. That was indicated by putting " " around the text.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

Obviously German mobile phone companies (among others) do not accept such pricing, or they would have gone ahead with it for the Kindle long ago.

I have no idea how something like that would work here, but that is not the topic of this thread anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

That downloading everywhere that Amazon wants for the Kindle is just to encourage impulse buying,

Of course, that is what it is for! Amazon/Sprint seem to have already proven that is a workable business model, so this deal with AT&T will probably be designed to build on the experience provided by Amazon/Sprint's innovation.

Sporadic · 07-22-2009, 05:12 AM

Quote:

But Plastic Logic's goals are quite different, according to Chief Executive Richard Archuleta. The device's screen will be nearly 8.5 by 11 inches (21 by 28 centimeters) , and its target market will be professionals who would want to display business documents in nearly full size. Reading novels would be a secondary application.

"If somebody is just looking to read a book, and that's all they're going to do, they probably don't need all the capabilities in our product," Archuleta said.

That raises a massive red flag for me.

Why do I imagine them trying to release their reader for $600+?

Andybaby · 07-22-2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sporadic

That raises a massive red flag for me.

Why do I imagine them trying to release their reader for $600+?

I expect a $500 device, possibly cheaper. possibly a bit more. for that size

possibly a second device with a smaller screen. priced to compete with kindle

I dobut the plastic logic device we have seen looks anything like what will ship in 2010.

Abecedary · 07-22-2009, 07:16 AM

The fact that they are targetting this at business users means they can instantly tack on at least a $100 premium. I wouldn't expect to see this below $600, and it could possibly be higher.

Andybaby · 07-22-2009, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abecedary

The fact that they are targetting this at business users means they can instantly tack on at least a $100 premium. I wouldn't expect to see this below $600, and it could possibly be higher.

but if barnes and noble expect to sell it and compete with the kindle, the price is gonna have to stay low

07-22-2009, 01:25 AM	#1
Lilly Guru Posts: 688 Karma: 2090 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-900 & PRS-950, Amazon Kindle2	Plastic Logic reader to use AT&T network By Jeffry Bartash MarketWatch 7/22/2009 12:01:00 AM Plastic Logic on Wednesday said AT&T Inc. will supply the wireless connection for a touch-screen device it's developing to rival Amazon's Kindle in the electronic-book market. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/att...er?siteid=nbsh Newspaper subscriptions are available through the Kindle, and Archuleta said his company also is in discussions with "every major newspaper in the U.S." to get their content. USA Today and the Detroit Free Press, both owned by Gannett Co. are already partners with Plastic Logic. Plastic Logic hasn't said what its device will cost, or how users will pay for the use of AT&T's network. Kindle users don't pay Sprint directly. Instead, Amazon pays the carrier using proceeds from its book sales. Nielsen Co. analyst Roger Entner has estimated that the carrier gets about $2 per month per Kindle user. In addition to the cellular broadband modem, Plastic Logic's device will be able to use Wi-Fi. AT&T has an extensive network of public Wi-Fi hot spots, but the parties would not say whether access to that network would be included for owners of the reader. http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/090722/us_tec_e_book_reader_at_t.html?.v=2

07-22-2009, 01:40 AM	#2
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	this might be the reader I am waiting on before plunking down another couple-three hunderdt on a reader that was the disappointment of the K1. Thanks for the info. Adding wifi is a nice feature for those who are more mobile but need to be done well enough to implement a browser based sign-up and login ability. Wifi will also reduce the load on the MMB (mobile broadband - like the Kindle and what they are using Sprint's network for here here in the USA) method of comm with the mothership. Nice info...thanks!! Last edited by brecklundin; 07-22-2009 at 03:32 AM. Reason: cleaned up some wording

07-22-2009, 04:08 AM	#9
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	That is the American model. Are you an insider at Amazon/Sprint or is that 2 USD per month just a guess? Obviously German mobile phone companies (among others) do not accept such pricing, or they would have gone ahead with it for the Kindle long ago. And there is always the risk that some users will figure out how to use the connection for browsing, greatly increasing the usage for the phone companies. So what it will amount to -- for non-American residents -- is that you could use the 3G/GSM module on your own regular phone plan. And that would be an expensive proposition, especially when you download newspapers and other graphic intensive things. Actually here in Asia you have free WiFi in many places, coffee shops, airports, offices, etc. And most people have it in their homes. So it is quite useful, WiFi means I do not have to use a computer, a great convenience. That downloading everywhere that Amazon wants for the Kindle is just to encourage impulse buying, I can wait an hour or two for WiFi access if I really want something. Last edited by HansTWN; 07-22-2009 at 04:15 AM.

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07-22-2009, 03:08 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Is AT&T a GSM network? Good news if it is - that will mean that the device can technically work world-wide, rather than being restricted to the (primarily) US CDMA system that the Kindle uses.

07-22-2009, 03:30 AM	#4
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	Ya know harry, anymore I don't know what network is what tech anymore. To me it had just become so much background noise. I agree though GSM is ideal in terms of worldwide use. Apparetnly A&T might still be GSM: http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_us.shtml Though again who knows they way they all changes from instant to instant...hehehe

07-22-2009, 03:48 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thanks, Dave!

07-22-2009, 03:50 AM	#7
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	as long as it has WiFi, we don't really need that 3G/GSM card. That only helps those with the big bucks and unlimited plans on their cell phones!

07-22-2009, 04:12 AM	#10
Andybaby Wizard Posts: 1,279 Karma: 1002683 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Device: PRS-700	I've got wifi at home, but using the cell phone networks is a good idea. too bad they charged too damn much. but who wouldn't take $2 a month, as a cell phone network. when it uses maybe 10 megs a month tops on average. it doesn't matter anyway. hopefully the plastic logic is good.

07-22-2009, 07:16 AM	#14
Abecedary Exwyzeeologist Posts: 535 Karma: 3261 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: :PRS-505::iPod touch:	The fact that they are targetting this at business users means they can instantly tack on at least a $100 premium. I wouldn't expect to see this below $600, and it could possibly be higher.

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