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E-book reader quick links: Samsung, Apple, Amazon
February 4, 2010 | 7:03 pm
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By Chris Meadows
Samsung has revealed a new e-ink reader, the E61, this one with a physical qwerty keyboard similar to the Kindle’s. This reader joins Samsung’s E6 and E10 readers from CES to make a trio of new e-ink devices. It uses the standard 6” 800×600 resolution e-ink screens seen in most such devices. Like the other Samsungs, it features a removable battery.
New York Magazine reports that Steve Jobs had a “secret” talk with fifty New York Times executives last night—more of an “open” secret now. Jobs reportedly “requested a mango lassi and penne” and showed off the iPad and its media capabilities to the Times execs (but admitted even he liked to hold the Sunday Times in his hands). No word on any outcome, but that would not be decided at such a meeting anyway.
Kevin C. Tofel at the jkOnTheRun blog believes that Amazon cannot merely add touch-sensitivity to its reader if it wants to compete with the iPad and other future devices. (Yesterday, I suggested the opposite—that Amazon should probably stick to what it does well and not try to compete.) He subscribes to the theory of “devices that can do several things ‘good enough’ are better than one that does only one thing ‘well’” that I have mentioned before.
Oddly, Tofel does not touch upon the ways that his iPhone could be said to do this already. He even mentions at one point, “I’ve already personally considered selling my Kindle 2 and my iPhone in favor of an iPad for this very reason.” Is Tofel unaware that—thanks to apps such as eReader, Stanza, even the Kindle Reader—the iPhone can read a lot of e-books already?
I found my iPod Touch to be much more convenient overall than either the Sony or Astak e-ink readers I tried out—which would seem to support his argument.
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Comments:
My personal experience with touch screens is that if Amazon puts one on the K3, then I probably will not buy one.
According to the articles about the touchscreen company they bought, their technology is supposed to be completely transparent, unlike the glare-inducing touch screens of the Sony.
The issue is not whether the iPhone can read a lot of E-books already. It is whether the user can read a lot of books on the iPhone. The answer is no, it doesn’t matter what apps are on it — it is not a tablet computer or E-reader, the screen is too small.
I agree with stay-in-the-box thinking. Amazon should stick to print retailing and not compete in electronic products. Apple should stick to what it does well — and not get into the music player business.
Chris,
That’s not a new Samsung ebook reader. I saw it at CES. I even got a picture of it:
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70122
Cleve: The iPod Touch has exactly the same sized of screen and, as I said, I find it much better for reading than I did either the Astak or the Sony.
I like multipurpose devices for most things — I do use my iPod Touch for occasional reading. However, I use my Kindle for long book reading sessions, as I find the screen more comfortable, the battery life is superior, and I *prefer* not having the distractions of a multipurpose device; *book* reading to me is an immersive experience.
My personal desire is that Amazon stays focused on the core function of the Kindle.
I am very impressed by the Samsung E6-not only does it have an incredible design but the specs are very impressive. It’s great that Samsung (one of my favorite electronics maker) is in the e-reader arena now-I am looking forward to see impact their readers make.