The ebook reader war is starting to heat up. Right now there are only two main competitors, Sony and Amazon.com. However, there are rumors that Apple is developing a hybrid tablet and ebook reader, and now Asus has announced a new ebook reader that’s tentatively named the Eee Reader. The Times Online reports:
Unlike current ebook readers, which take the form of a single flat screen, the Asus device has a hinged spine, like a printed book. This, in theory, enables its owner to read an ebook much like a normal book, using the touchscreen to “turn” the pages from one screen to the next. It also gives the user the option of seeing the text on one screen while browsing a web page on the other. One of the screens could also act as a virtual keypad for the device to be used like a laptop. Whereas current ebook readers have monochrome screens, the Asus would be full colour. The maker says it may also feature “speakers, a webcam and a mic for Skype”, allowing cheap phone calls over the internet.
I’m very interested to see how this style and format does in the marketplace. Right now ebook readers are in their infancy. The folding form factor will certainly go after the idea that people still like to hold books or magazines. While I certainly like the idea of having more screen, and therefore more content to view at one time, I don’t think that’s what people will ultimately want.
For me, the ideal ebook reader will be some sort of computer/reader hybrid. Possibly a color touch screen layered on top of an e-ink screen. I’m not sure if that’s even possible, but I like the idea of a low power mode that’s just for reading, and then a full power mode for actual computing. One can dream!
(picture from Techtree.com)
[...] I wrote about earlier, Asus is also getting into the game with a new foldable eBook reader. There’s much news about it yet, and I’m not sure how they’re going to pull off [...]