Comments on: Don’t Write Off Ereaders Just Yet

By: Nazlah

Nazlah — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:58:20 +0000

We Could be nearing the end of paper -
The transformation the publishing industry is going through is incredible and very interesting. Even though we are in the transition phase, it is a fantastic experience to be a part of the ‘paper-to-electronic’ phenomenon… (read more)

http://blog.ipublishcentral.com/2009/04/02/end-of-paper/

By: The Bookseller

The Bookseller — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:37:43 +0000

eReaders are and will remain niche devices. Until more popular devices (e.g. new generation phones) can switch between backlit and flicker-free displays there will not be a mass movement to a non-paper form of reading. Backlit flickering screens are simply too power consuming and eye-exhausting to appeal to the majority of readers, and flicker-free screens ignore the convergence model that Jon mentions above.

Academic and heavyreaders are the only people that the current devices can suit unless price (of device and reading material) falls dramatically or devices change markedly – large, cheap flexi OLED type eInk screens with constant connections to a reading cloud should about do it.

By: Jon Stefani

Jon Stefani — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:54:49 +0000

Spot on! My main doubt about ebooks remains the narrow confines of their usability – surely the market is moving towards convergence rather than more specialised gadgets? I can’t help but think that the killer ap for e-reading will be just that – an ap rather than a gadget – perhaps concurrent with better screens on existing phones/media players.

By: Jesper Holm

Jesper Holm — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:12:25 +0000

I fully agree with your comments.
We run an agregator service for publishers of e-books based on the Adobe Content Server platforme and therefore the e-books have to be read using Adobe Digital Editions reader software.
So far the proces of installing the ADE, authorize the unit, understanding the mechanics of print limitations and moving e-books between devices is much too complicated. Even with the announcement of the co-operation between Adobe and SONY as well as other device suppliers we have not seen the necessary streamlining of the proces.
Until we get to the point where the software supporting the processes of buying, receiving and using the e-books gets simple and flexible we will still have a big group of consumers who will find this much too complicated to even bother.