Dedicated eBook Readers: The New Trend?

I have been using my new eBookwise-1150 dedicated ebook reader and, frankly enjoying reading with it. eBookwise is taking a page out of the computer printer book and selling the reader at near cost while making their money on the ebooks they will sell to users, just like the printer manufacturers make their money on selling ink cartridges. It is not a bad plan. eBookwise and their reader may well capture market share like Apple did with the iPod by getting there with a good product long before other competitors.

I suspect other ebook retailers are watching this with keen interest and may copy the plan by coming out with their own dedicated hardware readers. In fact it would not surprise me to see Mobipocket bring out a dedicated reader in the near future which would work with the Mobipocket software and their own well stocked bookstore. I know the Franklin eBook Reader works with Mobipocket format books, but it appears to no longer be in production. Ebookad.com had the Hiebook Reader, which also seems to be out of production as well as being too expensive. Of course this is just speculation on my part, but it would not surprise me.

There are some trends that make me think this way:

• PDA usage declining.
• Technological improvements: cheaper/better LCD displays, e-paper etc.
• Cheaper Manufacturing costs: economies of scale.
• Perception of safer DRM model: publishers like it
• Ease of use: make it as easy to buy ebooks and download as it is to buy music with iTunes/iPod and people will buy more ebooks. Apple computer showed them the way and a whole generation of users are familier with the model.

Is any of this making sense?