E Ink screen of new Opus too fragile? Damage during test—but let’s wait for the full facts

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By David Rothman

If you put an Opus e-reader into your pants pocket, even a large pocket, might the screen suffer damage while you’re just walking down the stairs?

That’s what apparently happened when ActuaLitté was checking out Bookeen’s new baby, See the related article in French and Google-translated English. The word is that the Opus was rendered “absolutely useless” and that “at no time did we sit” on the unit

All kinds of questions arise, of course—such as whether this could be just a flaw in a particular unit. The other issue is, What would be Bookeen’s official policy about carrying around Opuses in pockets, even roomy ones? In fairness to Bookeen, let’s see what the company has to say—just as ActuaLitté intends to follow up.

Meanwhile it’s great to see Actua Litté putting the Opus through its paces. One conclusion, by the way, is that the aesthetics are great and the interface has improved somewhat. So without more information, it’s important not to let this one incident turn you against the Opus.

That said, screen breakage, at least in the past, has been an issue with other brands and with Bookeen’s existing E Ink machines;  so ActuaLitté is right to be paying attention. Hey, I can’t wait until flexible E Ink and other robust display technology arrive!

(Thanks to Clément Solym!)

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