CrunchGear

The major difference here is the use of eInk display technology. That’s the whole reason that it is just a book reader. But, all things considered (even eInk), is this think worth $350? Probably not. I take that back - no, it’s not.

Uh, it’s e-ink. There are not to my knowledge 100 other devices that use this technology.

While I do think this thing suffers from some serious first-generation problems it is fairly unique.

Great minds, etc.

Although I agree that the $350 price tag is not the way to go, I disagree that the reader should do other things. There is a market for an e-book reader but no one has yet cracked it. An e-book is more portable than a collection of dead trees; its allows you to access multiple books at any time without the need for a sherpa and with networking abilities it could allow you to download books from Amazon on impulse (50% of books in the U.S. are bought on impulse). The problem is the cost of the reader. There are two ways to skin this cat: (a) the Gilette model - sell the reader for a low price and make money on the books or (b) the i-Pod model - sell the reader for a high price and sell the books for a low price. In the case of eReaders I thing the Gilette model is the way to go. Why? - because your competition is the traditional book which is a viciously competitive product. The i-Pod, when launched, allowed people to access and store more music and download it in an easier and legal way than any competiting product. It could afford to charge a premium for the hardware. Thus I think Sony should strip this baby to the bones with the only whistle on it being tha ability to download books from the Sony ebookstore. Manufacture it on a massive scale in mainland China and sell it for $50 and maintain a tight DRM format control. Get the network out there and get going.

The premium price is for the technology, obviously, but I agree in that there are myriad other devices that can accomplish the same task.

I read books on my Treo 700p which can hold as many as I have room for on my SD card - the question is whether the reading experience is easier on my eyes using the eReader, and for $350, it’s not worth it to me (and likely most others).

When the tech has been around and they can bring the price down to sub-$100 levels, then they’ll see demand.

E Ink is still in its infancies, and while the Sony Reader is certainly not a bargain, it’s still the best e-paper alternative we have right now. For instance, the iRex iLiad costs twice as much (granted, it has a bigger display and WiFi connectivity - but it also suffers from little battery time).

We’ve also visited the Sony folks and had a hands-on with the Sony Reader. You can read the quite detailed reviews here:

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=7713
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=7714

Best, Alex

First the PS3, now the eReader. Which Sony gadget is next for insane pricing?!

Marvelous. Thanks, will spread this among my friends!

Marvelous. Thanks, will spread this among my friends!