eBook Reader vs Tablet PC preview
CES, which kicks off today in Las Vegas, is going to be rife with eBook readers of all shapes and sizes. The two most popular ones have already been released (Kindle and Nook) and seem to be selling very well. There are some early leaks that show a lot of variety in that segment in terms of screen size, display makeup, network, store, and others. What seems to be the standard among them is what they’re able to do.
The upcoming slate of readers do basically one thing, and that’s read eBooks. The eBook format “war” is still working itself out, and there are a handful of online stores that you’re able to procure them from. The ability to display .pdf files is available on most, as well as the ability to play back audiobooks (in audible.com format) and .mp3s. That’s pretty much it.
Six months ago, I thought that was a pretty neat thing, though not for me personally. Avid readers would always have content available to them and the form factor is relatively svelte. Students could also have all of their books in one place, which takes a load off their back lugging around all those textbooks.
In the past 2-3 months, the Apple Tablet rumors have resurfaced, as well as tablets being announced by other PC manufacturers. Most likely, you’ll be able to have a Kindle app or Nook app on a tablet. You’ll be able to browse the web. They’ll be touch-screen. They’ll be color. And a bunch of other things. So, let’s compare what we know about eBook readers to what we expect from the upcoming Tablet PCs. (forgive the crappy formatting)
Tablet eReader
Cost – $800-$1100 $200-$500
Battery – 2-5 hours 1-2 weeks
OS – Android, OS X, Windows, other Proprietary
Storage – 8-64 GB 2-4 GB
Wifi – Yes Some – probably all by 2011
3G – Some Yes
Touch – Yes Some
Internet – Yes No
eBooks – Yes Yes
Color Screen – Yes Very few
Magazines – Most likely Most
Movies – Yes No
Photos – Yes No
Music – Yes No
Video Conferencing – Most likely No
Audience – Upper/Middle Class Students and avid readers
Giftable – Only if you’re loaded Yes
Market for product – Secondary PC Yes
Audiobooks – Yes Yes
Backlit – Yes Very few, if any right now
Screen size – 8″-11″ 6″-11″
Document sharing – Yes No
App store/regular applications – Yes No
A lot of the Tablet specs are pure speculation at this point, but over the next few days, I think we’ll have a better idea of what that market is going to look like. While the form factor of the two types of devices will be somewhat similar, I think they are, in the end, two very distinct markets. However, I don’t see too many people buying a Tablet AND an eReader, but there will be a lot of people who just buy the eReader because they’ve already got a PC and/or Laptop, and just want something to read books on.
Personally, as I stated, I don’t have a need for an eBook reader because I listen to audiobooks on my commute to/from work on my iPhone and that’s just about it. Depending on how “revolutionary” the Apple Tablet/iSlate is, I may end up purchasing one of those – but at that price point, it better be something special.
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