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An ebook reader is a pretty good idea for limited use
I honestly don't see myself buying an e-reader for books, simply because the cost. $25 for a good hardback is something you want to keep. Even paperbacks are worth keeping if the story is there. You cannot keep digital stuff long term. You'd have to buy it again. How many has re-read LOTR in their lifetimes? I've re-read it 7 times, from the 1970 copy I started with. Do you think I could do that with a digital copy?

However, what if you had a very low cost e-reader, for reading magazine and newspapers? Say $50 for the basic reader, then pay $.50 - .75 a day for an e-copy of a newspaper. Then you can take it anywhere, reading it anywhere you wish? Now that's an idea that may save newspapers. You can't read a newspaper or magazine easily on a netbook. Desktops are even worse. In this case, they may think of re-designing the layout of newspapers.

However if they think DRM is the way to go, then they may as well kiss their business goodbye.

If I was designing this, I'd made sure it's using open-standards. I'd also bring the price down, and then set it with standard wi-fi, AND a USB connection, so you can download files via computer, or wireless. Using AT&T as your only carrier or even worse using B&N ONLY wi-fi just helps limit your customer base. A cellular pcmcia card could be an optional feature.

If you want to sell things, you think of the customers first, not your business partners.

- Kc
Posted by: kcredden2   Posted on: 10/20/09 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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An ebook reader is a pretty good idea for limited use  kcredden2 | 10/20/09
You raise a lot of points that...  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/20/09
Then you have not totally thought it out...  Edouin | 10/21/09
you are wrong about limited WiFi  reverseswing | 10/20/09
Again, it's not clear  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/20/09
Too pessimistic  nyrgall | 10/21/09
Unfortunately, not wrong  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/20/09
That doesn't make sense.  bhartman36 | 10/21/09
I am waiting for a clear answer  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/21/09
RE: B&N's Nook e-reader: Weirdly unrevolutionary  riffraffy | 10/20/09
Not as clear as you think  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/20/09
Sorry, I was right, unfortunately.  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/20/09
Paul Biba got it wrong  Ed Burnette ZDNet Moderator | 10/21/09
Or...  DevStar | 10/21/09
The Times and Journal reported the same thing  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/21/09
RE: B&N's Nook e-reader: Weirdly unrevolutionary  daedalus2 | 10/20/09
They can do that next....  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/20/09
RE: B&N's Nook e-reader: Weirdly unrevolutionary  riffraffy | 10/20/09
Then, I am right  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/20/09
I'd also add  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/20/09
RE: B&N's Nook e-reader: Weirdly unrevolutionary  riffraffy | 10/20/09
Everyone's entitled  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/21/09
Instead of Paul Biba, you should try reading this  reverseswing | 10/21/09
Sharing is good  richslab@... | 10/21/09
RE: B&N's Nook e-reader: Weirdly unrevolutionary  jdudeck@... | 10/21/09
this does support open formats  reverseswing | 10/21/09
If it's not Apple...  Graham Ellison | 10/21/09
Great thoughts  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/21/09
Nookie Reader??  davekaminski@... | 10/21/09
Is There An App For This?  Scalor | 10/21/09
I believe so  bruceg@... | 10/21/09
Yes, check their web site.  BillDem | 10/21/09
Can you play music and read at the same time?  bruceg@... | 10/21/09
Yes.  Mitch Ratcliffe ZDNet Moderator | 10/21/09
Open-source, low-price, jailbroken, standard formats = Big win?  gmeader | 10/21/09
RE: B&N's Nook e-reader: Weirdly unrevolutionary  djelliott@... | 10/21/09
EPUB - good first step...Now, about ebook pricing...  BillDem | 10/21/09
RE: B&N's Nook e-reader: Weirdly unrevolutionary  Amonra | 10/21/09
That's too pessimistic  nyrgall | 10/21/09
RE: B&N's Nook e-reader: Weirdly unrevolutionary  pamandua2@... | 10/21/09
I disagree  steeleblue_cactus | 10/21/09
RE: B&N's Nook e-reader: Weirdly unrevolutionary  frankysp | 10/22/09
Not for me  sgtm8@... | 10/22/09
some haven't tried e-ink....  k_swiss | 10/22/09
Why pay $260 for an eBook reader?  e_caroline@... | 10/24/09

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