eReader Future

By G. Shayne Huston

eReaders have been the talk lately and our review and study of them brings some interesting comparisons and thoughts of the market. Much like the iPod it has started out with a single focus to the deliverable. The goal being to allow what was currently read on hard copy to be read digitally.

This is not something new as I can recall getting books downloaded to my PC or my early smart phone. However newer technology is allowing the eReader to be handier and more sophisticated. The access to a large volume of materials makes it a nice device to have to minimize the number of books and materials you need to carry. A gentleman I know likes to take books on his vacation and the Kindle allows him to do just that and to avoid the extra luggage cost.

The best feature and what I feel gives the Kindle the edge is its ability to satisfy the need for instant access to the material. You read about a book you would like to have you finish a book, you feel like changing subject matter for awhile and all you have to do is connect to the Kindle 3G store and immediately download new reading material. ( Demo of the Kindle 2 )

Now the Sony version has its features as well. It however needs you to connect via a PC connection in order to get your desired literature, limiting that access when traveling. However, there is a plus side to this as you can also read the same literature on your PC. Another differentiation is the Sony’s touch screen allowing the navigation to be done with touch of a finger. One of the earlier versions also has a backlit display. This allows for the reading of information in low/no light settings. ( Demo of the Sony PRS505 )

I don’t want to minimize the capabilities of these devices so I will add some information. Both devices have some additional capabilities like audio/music output. The Kindle has a text 2 speech feature. However, the primary focus is the reading market.
Are you willing to spend a significant amount of money on these devices? Many in the United Kingdom seem to say no. They prefer to read the information on their mobile phones preferring to carry a single multifunction device.

Other announcements are coming in the future, but will the eReader’s future be similar to the iPod? The eReaders are a single purpose device designed to allow the user to read digitally. They are predominately black and whitep with some color devices newly available. They primarily support the linear type of reading vs. the more diverse movement of say a web browsing session. Again, the single purpose device requires the consumer to carry the eReader as well as a mobile phone and possibly a laptop.

If new devices are created with their multipurpose capabilities along with color would seem to suggest that eReaders may have to make their purpose dramatically different to persist. A relatively new tablet has some of the abilities spoken of in the rumors. It is the Dell Latitude XT2 tablet with multiple touch interface and is light weight. It is still not as light as the eReaders and the price is significant as well. ( Demo of the XT2 )

The Apple iPad has increased the capabilities in the market and has already started to challenge the typical eReaders described above. I would suggest that Apple released this product earlier than they wanted. They could not wait longer because of the market share Kindle, Sony, Nook and others would control and present a barrier to the acceptance of the iPad.

The true device I feel is the one that lands between the iPad and the Dell XT2. Give me the light weight of the iPad with the power of the XT2 and we have the perfect machine. We are keeping our eyes and ears open looking for the improved solution. Will it be Apple to the rescue again?