Cheap eBook Hardware
There has been a lot of discussion over the last few weeks on the eBook Community Discussion Group about the need for a $50 ebook reading device. I agree that this is as important as the different software formats since ebooks will not gain significant market share until there is a cheap, easy to use handheld reading device.
But I have to say that we are already getting very close. Today I noticed the PalmOne Zire 21 Handheld over at Amazon has a $25 rebate for purchases before 9/12/04. This brings the Zire 21 down to about $75. That is very close to that $50 price point that was being discussed. I also notice that the Zire 21 comes with the eReader (aka Palm Reader) ebook reading software already installed. Frankly, given the datebook, address book and other applications on the Zire it makes it more attractive in many ways that just a dedicated ebook device. Plus it works with both Windows and Mac computers.
Now the Zire is not perfect, one would wish for a backlit screen, but at that price with the rebate, you could easily save that much money if you read some ebooks from free ebook collections like Manybooks.net or Blackmask.
Now my point is not about buying from Amazon for this particular rebate deal. My point is that you will probably find similar rebates repeated regularly at Amazon, Office Max, Staples, etc., especially between now and Christmas. It will pay to shop around and keep your eyes open. Ebooks did not come alive for me until I got a handheld and this is the kind of entry level device that can introduce many new readers to the power of ebooks. If you want a device for only reading ebooks on this is probably the best priced device available.
4 Comments:
Yo, Brad -
I have sent a sort of "customer request" to Dell suggesting that they give an option to buyers of choosing a hand-held instead of some of the games and such they give "free" when you purchase. This would appeal to a very large percent of their clientelle, I believe, and would help to bring down the price of those devices as others would almost certainly follow suit. there are a lot of us geezers that don't feel games and such are going to convince us to buy a product.
CD
That is a good idea CD! I'm pretty mercenary on this, once somebody buys a Pocket PC or Palm OS PDA they will start looking for other ways to make use of it. (If they are readers they will look into ebooks if they know that they can read ebooks on these devices.)
It looks like the big growth in PDA's is at the low end models like the Palm Zire 21, Palm Zire 31 and the Dell Axim X30. The market being retirees, soccer moms keeping track of the kid's schedules, and students rather than the high end corporate models. These folks don't want to pay $300+ for a PDA. Hopefully the features will creep up and the price will creep down on all these low end models.
I just wonder how close the cell phone has to be to bring on the random reset that I have heard about. My wife wants one, but she also keeps her cell phone attached to the strap of her purse. If the zire 21 is in the purse on the far side from the phone, it's about 10 inches away it.
Frankly, I would give the Palm Zire 31 a try over the 21. More stable, color, has a memory card slot and is better built by all accounts.
If your wife just wants a dedicated ebook reader, then I suggest a eBookwise 1150 for ebookwise.com
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