WSJ Tech Blog: Kindle Rival Cool-er to Hit QVC

[911jason]

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2009/10/07/kindle-rival-cool-er-to-hit-qvc/

Looks like a blatant design rip-off of the iPod Nano, but obviously stretched out quite a bit... Wonder what kind of price they'll try on QVC.

[cloudyvisions]

You're right! It does look a LOT like an iPod!

I do find it interesting that at the bottom of the article it says, "Interead plans to unveil new features, including wireless capabilities and color electronic ink..." Color e-ink? I didn't think that any of the e-book readers were really considering that.

[geko29]

I read a review of it a few months ago, and it was NOT well-received at all.  Whereas readers like the Sony and IRex may do things differently than Kindle (in some cases better), the gist of the review was that this device does most things wrong.  Combine that with very poor build quality and you've got a recipe for failure.

[pidgeon92]

I do find it interesting that at the bottom of the article it says, "Interead plans to unveil new features, including wireless capabilities and color electronic ink..." Color e-ink? I didn't think that any of the e-book readers were really considering that.

I plan to win the lottery. Let's see who reaches their goal first.

[911jason]

E-ink has been working on color for awhile, I think... Here's a press release from their website:

http://www.eink.com/press/releases/pr86.html

[911jason]

I plan to win the lottery. Let's see who reaches their goal first.

You better start buying your tickets quick!

[911jason]

Ummm... never mind pidgeon, I just looked closer at that press release and it's dated 2005! I'm guessing they must have hit some road blocks in the development process based on this initial projection: Mass production of color electronic paper displays is expected to start at the end of 2006, with future plans for flexible versions.

[Scheherazade]

This kind of seems like one of those introductory things that make you go, woah that screen is really keen, but then you realize the form factor of the device itself is horrible and if you're really into it you start looking for an upgrade immediately.  I saw the same reviews, creaking hard plastic and buttons that are difficult to press.  Hoping my scenario plays out more than folks buying it and hating ereaders due to it.

[cloudyvisions]

I plan to win the lottery. Let's see who reaches their goal first.

haha, that's what I figured!

Oooh, but that photo with the color e-ink does look neat! I'm sure someone will get around to adding it...can't imagine what the price point on that baby will be!

[Scheherazade]

Color e-ink will probably be pretty keen for exactly what it's showing right there.  Access to archives of these things costs upwards of $60,000 a year.  Can you imagine making them all easily available electronically?  It'll be like when movable type was invented all over again.  I really hope people take advantage of it in this way, but with most of that sort of academia there is a very small market for it so I won't hold my breath.

[PinkKindle]

Hoping my scenario plays out more than folks buying it and hating ereaders due to it.

This is what I would worry about.  I don't know about anyone else, but my mother does this -- sits around and watches QVC and then buys all sorts of crazy stuff just because she sees it on there.  Then we all end up with poorly made, ugly, and/or useless Christmas gifts that bear no relation at all to things we would actually choose for ourselves!    I know, it's the thought that counts, but still . . . I'd rather she buy inexpensive things that people will actually like and use rather than expensive but useless things she sees talked up on there! 

So my mother, for one (and she can't be the only one like this or QVC would have gone bankrupt long, long ago) would totally buy this either for herself -- and then decide that she hates ereaders because of it -- or for me because "well if you like that Kindle, you must need the QVC version!" where it will sit unused in a closet next to the digital camera that took horrible blurry pictures (immediately replaced by a Kodak digital camera that I bought at Walmart and love), some sort of weird DVD filing system that I never did figure out, several cheaply made all-in-one multi-tools she bought for my husband, etc., still in their QVC boxes.

I don't mean to be down on QVC -- they probably do sell some really nice products as well -- this is just my personal experience with it. 

[pidgeon92]

I know, it's the thought that counts, but still . . .

I feel that the thought that counts is choosing something that you think the recipient can either really use, or will really enjoy. Giving a gift just to give something is a burden on the receiver. I think I've passed almost every gift that did not come from my husband on to the Salvation Army in the last few years.