I think the eInk reader market is in dire need of some simplification (pretty strange considering it's not even remotely mature yet). I know several people, myself included, who are still waiting for what we consider the basic ebook reader features:
- big screen
- adjustable font size
- left and right buttons
- DRM-free
- reasonable pricing.
I wonder how much of the price could be shaved off by getting rid of the other features like search, keyboards, image support, etc. I'd buy a cheap, stripped down eInk reader if only I could.
I agree completely. I've discussed this with several other people and everyone seems to want exactly the same. I'm starting to wonder what it would cost to have it built to order. I believe there are a lot of asian electronics manufacturers with over-capacities right now. I know that's probably very naive :)
But isn't it possible to detach the screen from a laptop, connect it with an extra long cable and flip pages with the remote? The screen might be too heavy though, I don't know.
I mean that practically the only buttons required on such a device are the buttons to turn pages (maybe some modifiers to swap between books and to go to the beginning and end of the book). Other buttons are superfluous to a "back to basics" device.
What I'm saying is, the Kindle has too many features and is too expensive.
The Kindle needs that. Its top, ignored feature is its ability to download books from anywhere from the Amazon store. For that it needs a navigator, a keyboard, and wireless Internet access. And from my uses of the device, that's what puts it in a league of its own.
- big screen
- adjustable font size
- left and right buttons
- DRM-free
- reasonable pricing.
I wonder how much of the price could be shaved off by getting rid of the other features like search, keyboards, image support, etc. I'd buy a cheap, stripped down eInk reader if only I could.