Are E-ink devices still a thing?

[ProDigit]

Now that the novelty has faded,
Are E-ink devices still a thing?
Have there been any significant improvements made, since the invention of it?
I started out with a PRS 505, then had a Jetbook nano, Jetbook color, Amazon Kindle, Amazon Paperwhite, and a 2017 or 2018 Amazon Oasis.
The Oasis was my last device.

Since then, aside from perhaps whiter whites, and blacker blacks, and perhaps e-ink screens allowing for red text,
Have there been any significant changes in the past few years?
Like, larger screens, lower prices,???

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by ProDigit

Now that the novelty has faded,
Are E-ink devices still a thing?
Have there been any significant improvements made, since the invention of it?
I started out with a PRS 505, then had a Jetbook nano, Jetbook color, Amazon Kindle, Amazon Paperwhite, and a 2017 or 2018 Amazon Oasis.
The Oasis was my last device.

Since then, aside from perhaps whiter whites, and blacker blacks, and perhaps e-ink screens allowing for red text,
Have there been any significant changes in the past few years?
Like, larger screens, lower prices,???

6", 6.8", 7", 7.8", 8", 10.3", 13.3" re all screen sizes that I know of that are available.

The new thing is the Kaleido HD color screen being used by Pocketbook and soon Onyx. It allows 300DPI black/grey and 100DPI 4096 colors.

[Dr. Drib]

LIGHTS.

To read in the dark is simply...barbaric!

When I get red text, I'll re-read The Princess Bride on one - the good parts.

[MarjaE]

E-ink works. At least for me, glowscreens don't work outside, due to glare, and only a few work inside, due to blinding brightness.

[4691mls]

I can't read on a phone/tablet for long periods without having eyestrain. No problems on e-ink.

Yes, I know plenty of people can read on phones or tablets without issues - not intending to restart that old argument! Just saying what works for me.

[Deskisamess]

I love e-ink readers with front lights. I read at least an hour before I go to sleep, in a dark room, many nights 2 hours +. No way I could do that on a backlight screen in a dark bedroom.

The ability to read in any ambient lighting, from full darkness to bright sun is wonderful. I wouldn't give it up without a fight.

[tomsem]

Eink device sales have long since peaked, and some day they won’t be made any more, but that’s probably at least five years away.

I do almost all my reading on my iPad mini, and it is simply a much more versatile and superior reading device for me than my Paperwhite. I rarely read out of doors (but for audiobooks).

As for reading in the dark, the mini is also much more pleasant than Kindle. Even in dark mode, Kindle throws off too much light and adjusting brightness down kills contrast. The mini (dark theme) brightness auto-adjusts and maintains crisp and readable. That said, it’s best to have better ambient light with either device.

If Amazon comes out with a Kaleido-Kindle I’ll probably get one, but still probably would not use it much.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by tomsem

some day they won’t be made any more

A statement which is true of every device. E-ink devices are niche, but plenty of niche products survive. That you find other devices preferable is not exactly irrefutable proof of the inevitable extinction of e-ink devices.

[theducks]

Love my e-Inks
Sales have slumped because the marketplace has convinced folk they need color, (even though the buyers only read novels that were never in color).
There IS a place for Color devices
There is a Place for Large format screens.
The thing is, screens the size of a Paperback (a long established size) reall could fill a major niche . Long battery life, usable in brite sun (and in dim places with the comfort light models)

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

A statement which is true of every device. E-ink devices are niche, but plenty of niche products survive. That you find other devices preferable is not exactly irrefutable proof of the inevitable extinction of e-ink devices.

You are reading too much into my post, my preferences do not drive the eReader market.

[Tarana]

I think they will remain a thing for some time. There just aren't a lot of advances to continue to make to the devices. Amber lighting is a big thing for those who read at night and the Oasis has it. Scrolling is the only thing I can think useful to add. USB-C is important to others. Ereaders are just a way to sell books. The market has reached saturation level.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Tarana

I think they will remain a thing for some time. There just aren't a lot of advances to continue to make to the devices. Amber lighting is a big thing for those who read at night and the Oasis has it. Scrolling is the only thing I can think useful to add. USB-C is important to others. Ereaders are just a way to sell books. The market has reached saturation level.

But USB-C is not needed and it's better to stick with microUSB.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But USB-C is not needed and it's better to stick with microUSB.

Cables are cheap. I have a Multi (USBc, Micro and apple) for my charging locations.
For loading, I have proper cables and a USB Hub.
FWIW, I still have things wit USB Mini

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by ProDigit

Now that the novelty has faded,
Are E-ink devices still a thing?

They still are for me. A better question (from my perspective) would be, "are tablets still a thing for reading?" And, if so, why? They're heavy, the screen is unusable outdoors and they have to be charged daily. I have one 7" Fire tablet that I try to keep charged, but I use it so little that the battery is often dead when I do go to use it.

Originally Posted by ProDigit

Have there been any significant improvements made, since the invention of it?

You could ask the same question about tablets. Since Apple released the iPad in 2010 (and tried to patent a "rectangle with rounded corners") while colluding with the Big 5 publishers to raise prices of eBooks, tablets have basically remained the same. And, yet, I'm pretty sure you would say "they're still a thing."

Both eReaders and tablets have seen many improvements since 2010. Some folks think tablets or smartphones make good eReaders. More power to them but I'm not one of those people.

[Deskisamess]

People who think phones or tablets are fine for reading most likely aren't reading like I do, or they don't have the vision issues I have. I read on average 3-5 fiction books per week, especially since mid March.

I can't take my glasses off and hold my iPhone or Mini 7" from my eyes in a dark room for 1-2 hours every night. I can do that with my Paperwhite or Oasis, and I could on my Kobo Glo HD.

I have read a few books on my phone or mini, when they were only available on the Overdrive app. But I avoid it like the plague.

When reading non-fiction, I use my Mini or Pro if there are pictures or maps, but the reading is done on e-ink.

E-ink gave pleasure reading back to me in 2009. It means a lot, is very important, and my life would not be the same without it. And I say that with no hesitation nor apology for being too precious or emotional. If backlit devices were my only choice for reading, my reading would be seriously reduced, at least by 3/4ths.