Comments on: The Asus Eee-Reader: I don’t get it http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:55:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Steve Jordan http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1145057 Steve Jordan Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:45:06 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1145057 I also appreciate the visual power of the "splash page" image. However, that power is severely lessened when there is a visible break in the middle of a page-spanning image, and that's what you get with this device. If you want to truly appreciate a splash page, it should be on a landscape-oriented page such as what you'd get from a laptop or tablet. As I said, I'm all in favor of using one screen as a virtual control interface. But reading splash screens? I get annoyed now when I can't flatten a printed splash page enough to see all of it in a seamless manner. No sale for me. I also appreciate the visual power of the “splash page” image. However, that power is severely lessened when there is a visible break in the middle of a page-spanning image, and that’s what you get with this device. If you want to truly appreciate a splash page, it should be on a landscape-oriented page such as what you’d get from a laptop or tablet.

As I said, I’m all in favor of using one screen as a virtual control interface. But reading splash screens? I get annoyed now when I can’t flatten a printed splash page enough to see all of it in a seamless manner. No sale for me.

]]> By: Ed S http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1145055 Ed S Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:19:57 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1145055 Small LCDs are much cheaper per square inch than large ones. I don't have the figures, but I'd bet a 2 4x7 screens cost half the price of a 8x7 screen. The hinge probably adds cost over two rigid side-by-side screens, but also makes it much easier to store the device in a purse. The hinge also disguises the line that would exist between rigid side-by-side screens. 20 years ago people were complaining about the tiny lines on Trinitron monitors; I'm pretty sure a line or thin white space between two LCDs would drive many customers insane. Small LCDs are much cheaper per square inch than large ones. I don’t have the figures, but I’d bet a 2 4×7 screens cost half the price of a 8×7 screen. The hinge probably adds cost over two rigid side-by-side screens, but also makes it much easier to store the device in a purse. The hinge also disguises the line that would exist between rigid side-by-side screens. 20 years ago people were complaining about the tiny lines on Trinitron monitors; I’m pretty sure a line or thin white space between two LCDs would drive many customers insane.

]]> By: Dean http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1145049 Dean Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:11:02 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1145049 For reading academic/scholarly books two screens is a huge improvement. Text on one screen, endnotes on the other. Text on one screen, table referred to in the text on the other. Text on one side, the journal article being quoted in the text on the other. There will be different types of e-reading devices to meet the very different needs of readers. That's the clearest advantage that the e-book future has over physical books. For reading academic/scholarly books two screens is a huge improvement. Text on one screen, endnotes on the other. Text on one screen, table referred to in the text on the other. Text on one side, the journal article being quoted in the text on the other.

There will be different types of e-reading devices to meet the very different needs of readers. That’s the clearest advantage that the e-book future has over physical books.

]]> By: Tulapi http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1145018 Tulapi Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:31:44 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1145018 Think of the enormous amount of people in businesses who use documents in Letter/A4 formats. Frankly, it's easier on a two-panels display... Think of the enormous amount of people in businesses who use documents in Letter/A4 formats. Frankly, it’s easier on a two-panels display…

]]> By: Roger http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1145015 Roger Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:05:35 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1145015 I get it and love it. I get it and love it.

]]> By: Jack Tingle http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1145006 Jack Tingle Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:25:38 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1145006 @Bruce: “Gee, I wish I have something to protect the screen that was built in, so I didn’t need to buy an extra cover just to keep the screen safe.” I've never figured out covers for expensive electronics. My $9.99 Casio fx-260 solar calculator has a little slide on cover for the keys and display. It reverses and slides onto the backside of the calculator when I use the buttons. That means the cover has to cost, oh, $0.20? Surely a $200 ereader can have a similar cover, four times the area or so, for maybe $1.00? Adding a second LCD screen to do the same function seems excessive. Puzzledly, Jack Tingle @Bruce: “Gee, I wish I have something to protect the screen that was built in, so I didn’t need to buy an extra cover just to keep the screen safe.”

I’ve never figured out covers for expensive electronics. My $9.99 Casio fx-260 solar calculator has a little slide on cover for the keys and display. It reverses and slides onto the backside of the calculator when I use the buttons. That means the cover has to cost, oh, $0.20? Surely a $200 ereader can have a similar cover, four times the area or so, for maybe $1.00?

Adding a second LCD screen to do the same function seems excessive.

Puzzledly,
Jack Tingle

]]> By: Felix Torres http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1145003 Felix Torres Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:43:40 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1145003 Mr Pond has it. The primary driver for dual displays is Manga; it is a massive market and, ergonomically-speaking a hinged dual-display reader would feel more natural than a landscape-format slate. The description in The Guardian also stated that a book could be displayed on one pane and a web site in the other. The form factor would also be useful in a classroom scenario (textbook on one, class notes on the other) and for cookbooks and for academic publications (footnotes and embedded annotations on one, core rocument on the other). In other words, lets not be too hasty in branding it a luddite-appeasement; it is intended to be a *high-end* reader device and that means it is *not* intended for fiction/entertainment reading alone. To me, this device is a good sign: somebody is thinking about ebooks as something more than a just a paperless pbook. Now, to see what battery-life and pricing looks like. :) Mr Pond has it.
The primary driver for dual displays is Manga; it is a massive market and, ergonomically-speaking a hinged dual-display reader would feel more natural than a landscape-format slate.
The description in The Guardian also stated that a book could be displayed on one pane and a web site in the other.
The form factor would also be useful in a classroom scenario (textbook on one, class notes on the other) and for cookbooks and for academic publications (footnotes and embedded annotations on one, core rocument on the other).
In other words, lets not be too hasty in branding it a luddite-appeasement; it is intended to be a *high-end* reader device and that means it is *not* intended for fiction/entertainment reading alone.
To me, this device is a good sign: somebody is thinking about ebooks as something more than a just a paperless pbook.
Now, to see what battery-life and pricing looks like. :)

]]> By: thirtyeyes http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1145002 thirtyeyes Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:43:18 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1145002 I think you are way off base. The two screens is a great idea, and one that I've been preaching to friends for years. Years. In addition to the above allow me to repeat a few points. The second screen can be a full sized keyboard when you need to do serious writing with all ten fingers. The second screen can fold over to protect the both screens. The second screen can be used as another page in a traditional book or it can display navigational or drawing tools. If you don't use dual screens at work, I don't think you understand the two screen advantage. You can have a word document on one screen and an excel document on the other screen. You can be writing an email on one screen while reading data off of another document at the same time. It also makes creating Powerpoints much faster when you can create the slide while looking at the data at the same time. I think you are way off base. The two screens is a great idea, and one that I’ve been preaching to friends for years. Years.

In addition to the above allow me to repeat a few points.

The second screen can be a full sized keyboard when you need to do serious writing with all ten fingers.

The second screen can fold over to protect the both screens.

The second screen can be used as another page in a traditional book or it can display navigational or drawing tools.

If you don’t use dual screens at work, I don’t think you understand the two screen advantage. You can have a word document on one screen and an excel document on the other screen. You can be writing an email on one screen while reading data off of another document at the same time. It also makes creating Powerpoints much faster when you can create the slide while looking at the data at the same time.

]]> By: dowee http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1145001 dowee Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:43:14 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1145001 Haptic feedback should come in handy with this Haptic feedback should come in handy with this

]]> By: dowee http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1145000 dowee Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:42:17 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1145000 A dual display device would provide for more reading surface, yet we should be able to close it for portability. Just as simple as that. I don't think that is a matter of emulating dead-trees book form factor A dual display device would provide for more reading surface, yet we should be able to close it for portability. Just as simple as that. I don’t think that is a matter of emulating dead-trees book form factor

]]> By: wenhaver http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1144999 wenhaver Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:38:44 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1144999 For me, this is a Day One purchase, and I normally don't do DO when it comes to gadgets. I hate e-ink. I think both the Kindle and Sony readers feel cheap and the interfaces are sub-par. And, because I like to read before bed and hate keeping my husband up I require a light. Frankly, if I wanted to use a book light in bed, I'd buy a book light for a regular paper book. Backlighting, for me, is a must have. I guess this is why I'm still using the REB 1150. Again, for reading in bed, netbooks just don't work all that well. Neither does the iPhone, as my hand cramps up. I'm really looking forward to this dual screened device. I'll get my reading fix, and be able to check my email too. The software keyboard isn't enough of a deterrent for me to move to one of the god-awful e-ink devices on the marketplace. For me, this is a Day One purchase, and I normally don’t do DO when it comes to gadgets. I hate e-ink. I think both the Kindle and Sony readers feel cheap and the interfaces are sub-par. And, because I like to read before bed and hate keeping my husband up I require a light. Frankly, if I wanted to use a book light in bed, I’d buy a book light for a regular paper book. Backlighting, for me, is a must have.

I guess this is why I’m still using the REB 1150.

Again, for reading in bed, netbooks just don’t work all that well. Neither does the iPhone, as my hand cramps up. I’m really looking forward to this dual screened device. I’ll get my reading fix, and be able to check my email too. The software keyboard isn’t enough of a deterrent for me to move to one of the god-awful e-ink devices on the marketplace.

]]> By: pond http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1144996 pond Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:28:30 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1144996 Here's where the dual screens come in handy: - comics/manga. Traditionally these have used compositions that spread across the two-page spread. - magazines. Also noted for using two pages for compositional power. Consider for example Sports Illustrated might want a full-'page' action photo, with some text on the facing screen; they might also want the occasional big impact of a photo spreading across both screens. - newspapers. These can benefit from the (noted in article) use of one screen as a table of contents and the other as article page, facilitating quick perusal of the day's news. - textbooks. Especially science textbooks, will enjoy pictures, charts (zoomable, I hope) and even multimedia on one screen, with accompanying and explanatory text on the other. and finally, the #1 (IMO) use of that second screen: - ADS! Yes, now magazines and newspapers (and even etexts) can put the text on one screen and a full page AD on the other -- not totally obtrusive the way a barrier ad would be, that you must click through to reach the text you want to read, but still there, right in front of your face, grabbing your interest, and helping defray production expenses. Here’s where the dual screens come in handy:

- comics/manga. Traditionally these have used compositions that spread across the two-page spread.

- magazines. Also noted for using two pages for compositional power. Consider for example Sports Illustrated might want a full-’page’ action photo, with some text on the facing screen; they might also want the occasional big impact of a photo spreading across both screens.

- newspapers. These can benefit from the (noted in article) use of one screen as a table of contents and the other as article page, facilitating quick perusal of the day’s news.

- textbooks. Especially science textbooks, will enjoy pictures, charts (zoomable, I hope) and even multimedia on one screen, with accompanying and explanatory text on the other.

and finally, the #1 (IMO) use of that second screen:

- ADS! Yes, now magazines and newspapers (and even etexts) can put the text on one screen and a full page AD on the other — not totally obtrusive the way a barrier ad would be, that you must click through to reach the text you want to read, but still there, right in front of your face, grabbing your interest, and helping defray production expenses.

]]> By: Bruce Wilson http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1144994 Bruce Wilson Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:10:12 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1144994 I've thought two separate things: 1: "Gee, I wish I have something to protect the screen that was built in, so I didn't need to buy an extra cover just to keep the screen safe." 2: "Gosh, I wish the page on my DX, when tilted sideways, split into two screen, so I wouldn't need to move my head back and forth every line." Maybe the ASUS engineers thought the same thing. I’ve thought two separate things:

1: “Gee, I wish I have something to protect the screen that was built in, so I didn’t need to buy an extra cover just to keep the screen safe.”

2: “Gosh, I wish the page on my DX, when tilted sideways, split into two screen, so I wouldn’t need to move my head back and forth every line.”

Maybe the ASUS engineers thought the same thing.

]]> By: Steve Jordan http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1144989 Steve Jordan Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:24:59 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1144989 Someone at ASUS must have thought, the more like a book, the better. I've always liked the idea of a virtual control surface independent of the screen, which I consider more flexible (the controls could alter depending on what you're doing). But I really don't see why it needs to be another viewing screen. Someone at ASUS must have thought, the more like a book, the better. I’ve always liked the idea of a virtual control surface independent of the screen, which I consider more flexible (the controls could alter depending on what you’re doing). But I really don’t see why it needs to be another viewing screen.

]]> By: Chris http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1144986 Chris Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:48:26 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/14/the-asus-eee-reader-i-dont-get-it/#comment-1144986 Being an iPhone owner myself, I can say you are right about the annoyance of using the virtual keyboard but I think this is only because of its size (a fragment of the iPhone screen). A virtual keyboard the size of that Asus gadget screen would be something totally different, not to mention the tablets yet to come (which will have to rely on virtual keyboards as well). Anyway, I agree on all the rest... That thingy is just a capped notebook with double screen :P Being an iPhone owner myself, I can say you are right about the annoyance of using the virtual keyboard but I think this is only because of its size (a fragment of the iPhone screen).

A virtual keyboard the size of that Asus gadget screen would be something totally different, not to mention the tablets yet to come (which will have to rely on virtual keyboards as well).

Anyway, I agree on all the rest… That thingy is just a capped notebook with double screen :P

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