Why there isn't a perfect e-book reader (Gizmodo)

Alexander Turcic · 02-13-2009, 03:43 PM

Matt of Gizmodo tells us why he believes there isn't a perfect e-book reader (yet). In short:

E-Ink is expensive, slow and "boring" ("No color, crummy contrast, crappy resolution")
Standard LCD requires too much power and isn't comfortable to the eye
Plastic Logic's reader, the "rosiest picture of the future of electronic paper displays", will require new fabs to produce it, it will be very expensive, and it will still be without color first
Pixel Qi's reflective LCD displays may even overtake E-Ink technology (full color, fast refresh, no new fabs required)

Full article: Link

lilac_jive · 02-13-2009, 03:46 PM

I think my Reader is perfect

bwaldron · 02-13-2009, 03:55 PM

While there are some things there I agree with, "perfect is the enemy of good enough."

While I look forward to new advances, I enjoy reading with the technology as it exists now.

David Munch · 02-13-2009, 03:58 PM

Most books arent with pretty pictures anyway, so a better screen isnt really needed.. What is needed is more competition on the interface field.

Alisa · 02-13-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaldron

While there are some things there I agree with, "perfect is the enemy of good enough."

While I look forward to new advances, I enjoy reading with the technology as it exists now.

I agree. I don't see the reader I really want being available for at least a few more years. Until that time, the Kindle adds enough to my reading life to make it worthwhile. By the time that mature device comes around, I'm sure it will have lived a long life and possibly have had a successor. I see no reason to deprive myself until that time.

Alisa · 02-13-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Munch

Most books arent with pretty pictures anyway, so a better screen isnt really needed.. What is needed is more competition on the interface field.

Current screens are fine for novels and such but many textbooks have useful pictures and a good color reader would be a natural for magazine content, blogs, etc. Both these markets are quite large. I would love to have a reader that would work well for all of those things.

europas_ice · 02-13-2009, 04:23 PM

It's interesting, at least from the article's summary above, it seems that the author's opinion is that without color, ebooks are useless.

Of course, most of us here know the truth.

Seems like the majority of the pbooks I read don't have color -- and haven't had color since I was like 5 years old. What does this guy read?

Sparhawk2k · 02-13-2009, 04:27 PM

The mention of Pixel Qi makes me want to pull out my XO/OLPC (same screen) again and try to get some ebook software on there...

pilotbob · 02-13-2009, 04:50 PM

Most cars aren't perfect. They burn petroleum based fuel, exhaust noxious gases, get scratched, need new tires and cost much too much.

I mean really, NOTHING in this world is perfect. If you sit on your ask-me-no questions waiting for the perfect "whatever" you will be waiting a long time. Either the readers are good enough for you, if so get one. Or there not, and stick with paper.

BOb

Alisa · 02-13-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by europas_ice

It's interesting, at least from the article's summary above, it seems that the author's opinion is that without color, ebooks are useless.

While I think they're far from useless, I don't think we'll see mass adoption until they have color.

Sweetpea · 02-13-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by europas_ice

Seems like the majority of the pbooks I read don't have color -- and haven't had color since I was like 5 years old. What does this guy read?

The same books you read when you were 5?

There are two groups of people here... The ones that read for fun (mostly novels, without any pictures in it) and the ones that read for work (mostly text books, with lots of pictures and graphs). The first group already has some very good tools (the current e-book readers) that might not be perfect, but most certainly adequate for the job. The second group will have to wait until there are bigger screens and, maybe even as important, colour screens.

As he only used the Kindle as reference, I think he was looking at the wrong group (the textbook reader, instead of the novel reader...)

DG25 · 02-13-2009, 05:12 PM

They talk about reflective LCD displays for E-reading, but doesn't the JetBook uses the same screen, although it's monochrome? Is there any difference? If it's so good, why then it's only used for JetBook, and the rest use EInk?

GlennD · 02-13-2009, 05:17 PM

I've read in B&W on a couple of Palm models, and in color on an Ipaq and Dell Axim, and now B&W again on a Sony PRS-700.

Color?
Couldn't care less. Haven't noticed the lack, even coming from a color Windows Mobile device.

Resolution? Contrast?
E-ink looks fantastic, and I consider it an upgrade (for reading) from the VGA display I had on the Axim.

I wouldn't say that an ereader sized computer would be BAD....but I'm sure enjoying having a dedicated reader that's comfortable to read on. I woulnd't mind seeing a couple of applications on the readers (crossword puzzles, Infocom-style text adventures come to mind), but I really wouldn't want to go back down in size to something iPhonish again.

I admit I drool a bit over the Plastic Logic specs.....I'd love to read comics on the larger screen. For travel though, the current ereaders are a great size.

bwaldron · 02-13-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisa

While I think they're far from useless, I don't think we'll see mass adoption until they have color.

Of course, many current ebooks do in fact contain color and will show up that way when read on a device that supports it.

pilotbob · 02-13-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DG25

They talk about reflective LCD displays for E-reading, but doesn't the JetBook uses the same screen, although it's monochrome? Is there any difference? If it's so good, why then it's only used for JetBook, and the rest use EInk?

Power management. The LCD screen requires constant power to refresh it 60 times per second. eInk only needs power applied to display/change the current image. So, the Jetbook needs to be charged after about 20 hours of use, no matter how many pages you turn. The eInk devices will run much longer usage time wise. Also, the eInk screen does have a bit better contrast. The Vizplex sreen is a bit whiter than the gray Jetbook LDC screen.

Practically, if you are willing to charge the device every day or two it's not a big issue. The Jetbooks biggest two downfalls are 5inch size and format support.

BOb

02-13-2009, 03:43 PM	#1
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,171 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Why there isn't a perfect e-book reader (Gizmodo) Matt of Gizmodo tells us why he believes there isn't a perfect e-book reader (yet). In short: E-Ink is expensive, slow and "boring" ("No color, crummy contrast, crappy resolution") Standard LCD requires too much power and isn't comfortable to the eye Plastic Logic's reader, the "rosiest picture of the future of electronic paper displays", will require new fabs to produce it, it will be very expensive, and it will still be without color first Pixel Qi's reflective LCD displays may even overtake E-Ink technology (full color, fast refresh, no new fabs required) Full article: Link

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02-13-2009, 03:46 PM	#2
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	I think my Reader is perfect

02-13-2009, 03:55 PM	#3
bwaldron Wizard Posts: 1,229 Karma: 543210 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gatlinburg, Tennessee Device: Kindles: Paperwhite Signature Ed., Oasis 2, Voyage	While there are some things there I agree with, "perfect is the enemy of good enough." While I look forward to new advances, I enjoy reading with the technology as it exists now.

02-13-2009, 03:58 PM	#4
David Munch Scholar Posts: 1,009 Karma: 3999312 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kobo Libra H2O + iPad Air 4	Most books arent with pretty pictures anyway, so a better screen isnt really needed.. What is needed is more competition on the interface field.

02-13-2009, 04:23 PM	#7
europas_ice Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 220 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Moscow, ID Device: iPhone 11 (Kindle app & iBooks)	It's interesting, at least from the article's summary above, it seems that the author's opinion is that without color, ebooks are useless. Of course, most of us here know the truth. Seems like the majority of the pbooks I read don't have color -- and haven't had color since I was like 5 years old. What does this guy read?

02-13-2009, 04:27 PM	#8
Sparhawk2k Member Posts: 13 Karma: 64 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Device: none	The mention of Pixel Qi makes me want to pull out my XO/OLPC (same screen) again and try to get some ebook software on there...

02-13-2009, 04:50 PM	#9
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Most cars aren't perfect. They burn petroleum based fuel, exhaust noxious gases, get scratched, need new tires and cost much too much. I mean really, NOTHING in this world is perfect. If you sit on your ask-me-no questions waiting for the perfect "whatever" you will be waiting a long time. Either the readers are good enough for you, if so get one. Or there not, and stick with paper. BOb

02-13-2009, 05:12 PM	#12
DG25 Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: EU Device: none	They talk about reflective LCD displays for E-reading, but doesn't the JetBook uses the same screen, although it's monochrome? Is there any difference? If it's so good, why then it's only used for JetBook, and the rest use EInk?

02-13-2009, 05:17 PM	#13
GlennD Wizard Posts: 2,114 Karma: 17500000 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Pacific NW Device: sony PRS350, iPhone, iPad	I've read in B&W on a couple of Palm models, and in color on an Ipaq and Dell Axim, and now B&W again on a Sony PRS-700. Color? Couldn't care less. Haven't noticed the lack, even coming from a color Windows Mobile device. Resolution? Contrast? E-ink looks fantastic, and I consider it an upgrade (for reading) from the VGA display I had on the Axim. I wouldn't say that an ereader sized computer would be BAD....but I'm sure enjoying having a dedicated reader that's comfortable to read on. I woulnd't mind seeing a couple of applications on the readers (crossword puzzles, Infocom-style text adventures come to mind), but I really wouldn't want to go back down in size to something iPhonish again. I admit I drool a bit over the Plastic Logic specs.....I'd love to read comics on the larger screen. For travel though, the current ereaders are a great size.

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