Consumers Not Convinced they Need Ereader

Moejoe · 08-14-2009, 01:37 PM

The writer twitter: @namenick put me onto this:

http://www.mediapost.com/publication...art_aid=111247

Quote:

With the success of Amazon's Kindle reigniting competition in the e-reader market, the question of when the devices might join cell phones and digital cameras as mainstream consumer gadgets is once again raised. Findings from a new NPD Group report suggest it won't be overnight.

JSWolf · 08-14-2009, 02:02 PM

We don't need eReader. We need ePub.

Hellmark · 08-14-2009, 02:18 PM

they're using it not refering to the format, but rather just as "electronic reading device"

Sonist · 08-14-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

We don't need eReader. We need ePub.

Quote:

"Among the 37% who were either "very" or "somewhat" interested in obtaining an e-reader, one of the main factors was the ability to buy and store multiple books, magazines, and newspapers."

For these, you need color, as well as a more robust format than EPUB. Something like PDF, maybe....

LDBoblo · 08-14-2009, 02:34 PM

I'm not sure anything in that article defies common sense expectations.

More and more people are seeing these devices, and I suspect a good number of those people have become more hesitant after the experience. I've not met one person in person who took serious interest in ebook readers after seeing my Sony PRS-505 and what it could do. It's a low-end piece of overpriced technology with awful navigation and a mediocre display.

I just finished another book on it and have decided to set it down while I go back to my paperbacks for a few days or weeks to give my eyes something more pleasant to read. I don't hate reading on it, but it certainly is a downgrade in reading experience that I think I'll be glad to get away from for a bit.

All the talk about how epub or other formats can't do a high-end rigid document for typographic reasons is a bit academic anyway...it's a bit futile to expect anything pretty in the first place on ebook reader devices.

DaleDe · 08-14-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonist

Quote:

"Among the 37% who were either "very" or "somewhat" interested in obtaining an e-reader, one of the main factors was the ability to buy and store multiple books, magazines, and newspapers."

For these, you need color, as well as a more robust format than EPUB. Something like PDF, maybe....

I think ePUB can do the job for newspapers easily. they generally do not have a stylistic arrangement of information. Magazines are a little tougher but mostly the specialized pages are advertisements. The articles can be rendered fine and the advertisements can be images, no need to search them, for example.

Dale

JSWolf · 08-14-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

they're using it not referring to the format, but rather just as "electronic reading device"

And they are doing it incorrectly since eReader already has a definition.

ilovejedd · 08-14-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonist

Quote:

"Among the 37% who were either "very" or "somewhat" interested in obtaining an e-reader, one of the main factors was the ability to buy and store multiple books, magazines, and newspapers."

For these, you need color, as well as a more robust format than EPUB. Something like PDF, maybe....

I have to ask: why? Is there something that mentions color is not allowed in ePUB? It's possible to do pretty complex layouts using XHTML and CSS. Just because current reading software/devices are unable to render them properly doesn't mean the ePUB format itself is the problem. Same thing with web browsers. Just check the ACID test using Internet Explorer.

CyGuy · 08-14-2009, 03:18 PM

If you read for hours on end, the e-ink is much easier on the eyes than reading on a computer screen or smartphone. I think once people try one, they will love it...

Kali Yuga · 08-14-2009, 03:18 PM

Most people don't read enough to benefit from a dedicated device. They'll likely find mobile devices sufficient for their uses.

However, it's the heavy readers and students who are most likely to really win with a dedicated device. Capture either of those two markets, and it is irrelevant if the e-reader goes "mainstream."

By the way, I love how the analyst who views women as the "new market" for ebooks apparently missed the whole "Oprah Kindle" thing.

Hellmark · 08-14-2009, 03:22 PM

I think that was meant as two separate items, jumbled together. Color can be done in ePub, however, most ereaders do not.

Personally, I see no reason why to say the epub format isn't "robust". The only thing that could be done to improve it is prepagination (you can make hardfast page restrictions, but that isn't quite the same thing).

DaleDe · 08-14-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

I have to ask: why? Is there something that mentions color is not allowed in ePUB? It's possible to do pretty complex layouts using XHTML and CSS. Just because current reading software/devices are unable to render them properly doesn't mean the ePUB format itself is the problem. Same thing with web browsers. Just check the ACID test using Internet Explorer.

Certainly true. ePUB can do color and pretty sophisticated layouts. Most any page layout you can see on a web site.

Dale

Robertb · 08-14-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Most people don't read enough to benefit from a dedicated device. They'll likely find mobile devices sufficient for their uses.

However, it's the heavy readers and students who are most likely to really win with a dedicated device. Capture either of those two markets, and it is irrelevant if the e-reader goes "mainstream."

By the way, I love how the analyst who views women as the "new market" for ebooks apparently missed the whole "Oprah Kindle" thing.

That analyst also missed the fact by the IDPF that women buy 55% of all ebooks!

I still say that environmental constraints on printed (bleached paper) books when it is felt in the pocketbook will wake people up to eBook Readers. Fundamentally, in my opinion, there simply is an attitude amongst the masses that my paperback works just fine and that is enough for me. Such as my 1964 GTO with 4.11 posi was good enough for me when gas was under $1 a gallon. Things are changing and the impact of eBook Readers is just beginning!

dmaul1114 · 08-14-2009, 03:42 PM

The fact is most "consumers" don't.

Most people don't read enough to need one.

pshrynk · 08-14-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And they are doing it incorrectly since eReader already has a definition.

You can pass them a kleenex as they're sobbing over their choice of tradmarks, Jon.

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08-14-2009, 02:02 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,130 Karma: 144284184 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	We don't need eReader. We need ePub.

08-14-2009, 02:18 PM	#3
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,591 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	they're using it not refering to the format, but rather just as "electronic reading device"

08-14-2009, 02:34 PM	#5
LDBoblo Wizard Posts: 1,385 Karma: 16056 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Asia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505	I'm not sure anything in that article defies common sense expectations. More and more people are seeing these devices, and I suspect a good number of those people have become more hesitant after the experience. I've not met one person in person who took serious interest in ebook readers after seeing my Sony PRS-505 and what it could do. It's a low-end piece of overpriced technology with awful navigation and a mediocre display. I just finished another book on it and have decided to set it down while I go back to my paperbacks for a few days or weeks to give my eyes something more pleasant to read. I don't hate reading on it, but it certainly is a downgrade in reading experience that I think I'll be glad to get away from for a bit. All the talk about how epub or other formats can't do a high-end rigid document for typographic reasons is a bit academic anyway...it's a bit futile to expect anything pretty in the first place on ebook reader devices.

08-14-2009, 03:18 PM	#9
CyGuy Avid Reader Posts: 769 Karma: 7777778 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: PocketBook 902, Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, ASUS TF700, and Cybook Gen III	If you read for hours on end, the e-ink is much easier on the eyes than reading on a computer screen or smartphone. I think once people try one, they will love it...

08-14-2009, 03:18 PM	#10
Kali Yuga Professional Contrarian Posts: 2,045 Karma: 3289631 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 No Touchie	Most people don't read enough to benefit from a dedicated device. They'll likely find mobile devices sufficient for their uses. However, it's the heavy readers and students who are most likely to really win with a dedicated device. Capture either of those two markets, and it is irrelevant if the e-reader goes "mainstream." By the way, I love how the analyst who views women as the "new market" for ebooks apparently missed the whole "Oprah Kindle" thing.

08-14-2009, 03:22 PM	#11
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,591 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	I think that was meant as two separate items, jumbled together. Color can be done in ePub, however, most ereaders do not. Personally, I see no reason why to say the epub format isn't "robust". The only thing that could be done to improve it is prepagination (you can make hardfast page restrictions, but that isn't quite the same thing).

08-14-2009, 03:42 PM	#14
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	The fact is most "consumers" don't. Most people don't read enough to need one.

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