My impressions are mixed. I don't agree with critics of the form factor as an e-book. If I wanted an e-book primarily, the compromise seems good to me, especially since I also want a mobile internet device. The biggest drawback, compared with other e-books, seems to be the absence of a wireless carrier. Can I download books anywhere, with the wireless cost included in the price of the book, or not? As an e-book reader alone, the device can't compete with the Kindle or the Nook without this feature.
But I don't want an e-book reader primarily. I want a mobile internet device, a tablet with a screen larger than an IPhone. I don't want a phone that browses the web occasionally. I want a fully functional, mobile web browser that makes phone calls occasionally. The Archos 5/7 has the right form factor, but I read that it's buggy, and it doesn't have a multi-touch display. Cellular radio doesn't matter to me at this point. If I want a contract, I'll get a MiFi.
So I don't see this device as an e-book. I see it as a mobile internet device with an e-ink display to save the battery. I browse 'til I'm ready to read for a while, then I copy a page (or several) to the e-ink display and power off the LCD. The device is also functional as a conventional e-book reader, but that's gravy. It seems more functional as a conventional e-book reader than as a MID, because of the large, ungainly form factor, and that's not gravy.
But I kind of like it anyway, and I want an android device to explore the development potential. It might find a niche as a MID/document reader in commercial applications. For that purpose, an open architecture and developer support is important, and SD seems to be pushing in this direction. They're fighting an uphill battle for sure, but MIDs are coming fast, and we're still in the first inning of the game.
For those looking for a device strictly for reading, the new Kobo is a nice little option. It's small enough to slip into a pocket, can do more with a PDF than the competition, and at $129, it's $10 cheaper than both the Nook and Kindle WiFi.
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My impressions are mixed. I don't agree with critics of the form factor as an e-book. If I wanted an e-book primarily, the compromise seems good to me, especially since I also want a mobile internet device. The biggest drawback, compared with other e-books, seems to be the absence of a wireless carrier. Can I download books anywhere, with the wireless cost included in the price of the book, or not? As an e-book reader alone, the device can't compete with the Kindle or the Nook without this feature.
But I don't want an e-book reader primarily. I want a mobile internet device, a tablet with a screen larger than an IPhone. I don't want a phone that browses the web occasionally. I want a fully functional, mobile web browser that makes phone calls occasionally. The Archos 5/7 has the right form factor, but I read that it's buggy, and it doesn't have a multi-touch display. Cellular radio doesn't matter to me at this point. If I want a contract, I'll get a MiFi.
So I don't see this device as an e-book. I see it as a mobile internet device with an e-ink display to save the battery. I browse 'til I'm ready to read for a while, then I copy a page (or several) to the e-ink display and power off the LCD. The device is also functional as a conventional e-book reader, but that's gravy. It seems more functional as a conventional e-book reader than as a MID, because of the large, ungainly form factor, and that's not gravy.
But I kind of like it anyway, and I want an android device to explore the development potential. It might find a niche as a MID/document reader in commercial applications. For that purpose, an open architecture and developer support is important, and SD seems to be pushing in this direction. They're fighting an uphill battle for sure, but MIDs are coming fast, and we're still in the first inning of the game.