Nook eBook reader, possibly a big player?

Barnes & Noble has just announced that they will be selling an eBook reader called the Nook. Priced at US$259.00, it's got some awesome features that is "shaking up" this niche industry. Here's what's cool:

• The first eBook reader using the Android platform
• 3G and Wi-Fi capable (powered by AT&T)
• Comes with 2GB memory, with expandable MicroSD slot
• Plays MP3 audio, with built-in speaker
• It's got a 3.5" color touch screen at the bottom for easy navigation of books
• Personalized screen saver

The big advantage of the Nook over Amazon's Kindle is its Barnes & Noble storefront. The bookstore will offer free Wi-Fi at all Barnes & Noble branches, and discounts of e-books when you visit the store. Visiting the bookstore has never become more interesting until now. Maybe this will be the start of a Nook Club.

I think the Nook can revolutionize the way you experience in visiting a bookstore. Imagine this: going to a bookstore with your eBook reader. Then you go to the "eBook reader area" exclusively for Nook Club members. It's got plush couches, maybe even lazyboys. As a Nook Club member, you get to have access to many more books at a super discounted price. This membership can have fees, given the luxurious benefits to members. There's just so much potential with this Nook.

Sadly, there's no Barnes & Noble in the Philippines. I do not even want to hope our bookstores here like Powerbooks and Fully Booked will have their own eBook readers. Instead, they can be a storefront partner for the Nook.

What do you guys think of the Nook? I still think $259.00 is kind of a high price to pay for an eBook reader. Read more...

A study on e-book readers

Since I've been blogging about e-book readers, I thought I'd share this article from CNET. A study was made by In-Stat who surveyed 1,529 high-end consumers who typically adopted to new technology.

I've summarized some of the findings:

• Only 5.8 percent owns an e-book reader

58 percent of these owners use Amazon Kindle; 9 percent use the Sony E-Reader
45.5 percent spend between $9 - $20 a month on e-books

• 11 percent plans to buy an e-book reader in the next 12 months
• 40 percent are potential buyers, and are willing to pay for $200 - $299 for an e-book reader

From another study by Forrester, it was found that consumers find E-book readers too expensive. Among the 4,706 U.S. adults surveyed, 65 percent would consider buying an e-book reader if the price were $98 or less.

If I answered that survey, I would actually consider buying if it were between $100 - $150.

E-book readers will never become a very big player in the electronics industry, that is for sure. I even think E-book readers would eventually be non-existent. Why? Because of how technology is positioned towards convergence. The electronic paper screen of e-book readers could be a stable feature to cellphones, mp3 players, and even lcd monitors. It's like beepers/pagers, it's a thing of the past.

Let me know what you think! Would you buy an e-book reader? If yes, how much are you willing to pay? Read more...

Coming soon: Asus Eee Reader!!!

Hooray for another e-book reader is coming out - the Asus Eee Reader! For the full story, read it at the London Times

Listed below are some if its features, with my comments of course. :)

1. It's more affordable than the Sony E-Reader and Amazon Kindle! It will cost ~£100 (~US$ 145 / ~PHP 7,000). This could become the cheapest e-reader in the market. Can this spark a price war for e-readers?

2. It has two screens and folds like a book. This makes the reading experience more natural, as if reading from a printed book. Love it!

3. Full-color screen, unlike the monochromatic screen of its competitors. Does this mean it will have a screen similar to a laptop? I wonder, is it possible to switch to a "reading mode" (monochromatic) screen?

4. Size of the screen has not yet been revealed. But based on the picture, it looks pretty big, as large as a 10" screen netbook. As a reading device, this is quite large to carry around, but I think Asus envisions this device to be multi-functional.

5. One of the screens can function as a virtual keyboard, hence the device could be used as a laptop that enables one to surf the Internet, etc.

The Eee Reader does not mention of a stylus included, and I hope there is because I think a stylus is essential for all e-readers. Let's just wait and see for the official announcement from Asus, this initial announcement is exciting book geeks like me. :)

Read more...

The Potential of E-Book Readers

Sony's announcement of two e-book readers, the Reader Pocket Edition and the Reader Touch Edition (picture on the left), has caught my attention today. This is tough competition for Amazon's Kindle DX, due the following features of the Reader Touch Edition:

1. Touch screen that comes with a stylus that enables users to highlight and write on the "pages" of an electronic book. This feature is useful for bookworms like me.

2. SD memory card slot. Amazon's Kindle does not come with this feature (it has a 4GB internal flash memory). More memory, the better.

3. Nice design, it is sleek and simple. It looks a lot better than the Amazon Kindle (I don't like the many buttons).

Of course, it also comes to mind that the success of e-book readers is dependent on the accessibility of the e-books. From my brief research, the e-books are only available for purchase via online sites that sells for ~$8.00 per e-book (this is expensive for me!). Sony has also announced that you can load e-books "loaned" from local libraries. I don't clearly understand the mechanics of Sony's, but I see this as an opportunity for different ways the e-books can be sold. Here are some ideas:

1. E-books can be purchased on-loan, meaning it would expire after a certain number of days. After the expiry date, the customer can have the option to extend the validity of the e-book in case he/she has not finished reading it, which comes with a price of course. Expiry dates may vary depending on the length of the book, or on the number of days the book will be loaned. This will make e-books more affordable than the current $8.00 per e-book.

2. Book publishers can give special support for e-books by releasing e-books ahead of the physical book release. Of course, this comes with a special rate.

3. In countries with lower online purchase rates such as the Philippines where I'm from, e-books can be made available in bookstores in the malls. I think tie-ups with bookstores are essential even in other countries.

4. The e-book readers can include a SIM slot for 3G Wi-Fi access. There can be special websites designed for browsing via e-books (most likely these are e-book online stores).

I have this other random idea: What if these e-book readers function as an mp3 player too? I sometimes like to listen to music while I'm reading. Hmm Apple E-Reader? :D

I'd hope this entry has sparked your interest and possibly, for more ideas. Please feel free to comment, I'd like to hear your thoughts. :) Read more...