Do we need dual-displays on eBook readers?

I could very well be in the minority here, but I don't think sales of dedicated eBook readers are slow because the devices don't simulate the reading experience well enough. The key issues in my mind have always been DRM challenges, lack of content and price. The universities of Maryland and Berkeley think otherwise, or that there's an additional reason: current eBook devices only offer a single display and don't allow for the act of page turning. As a result, there's some prototypes with two displays in this video to allow for "page flipping" and other navigational uses.

Again, it might be me, but I'd rather see a single display with a simple but effective UI for navigation. I want my dedicated reader to portable and light; not double in weight due to a second screen. Still, these are interesting concept devices. Thoughts?

Comments

[James Kendrick]

The single biggest impediment to growth of ebooks is that mainstream consumers just don't want them.

[Jasen]

Agreed, DRM and price are what turned me away from the Kindle. It also influenced me to buy the Ipod Touch, as I could have a much lighter platform that (app store pending) will not only have the capabilities of an e-reader, but also includes the other numerous possible applications that are and will be possible with the Iphone/Touch platform. The only dismay is that I am limited to WiFi Hotspots, but since I am a Barista, I get free WiFi at Starbucks, Perks, man!

[Kevin C. Tofel]

Maybe, but to me, that's an effect, not a cause. 30 years ago mainstream consumers didn't want or see the need for a phone that you could use anywhere either. ;)

[Travis]

Bad video narration. I had to force myself to even get to the half way point before I stopped it.

I'm not much of a book reader but do like having my paper magazines.

[nomo]

E-readers are not yet at the point where design, price, and market awareness combine to trigger mass adoption. To use Kevin's example, early generation cell phones created consumer interest but were expensive, impractical bricks. eBook readers cost too much to be a purely discretionary purchase but offer limited functionality compared to other devices (smart phones and mini-notebooks, for example). The value proposition is not compelling enough for yet-another-dedicated-digital-device.

[Dave P]

If anyone thinks ebooks aren't selling because of the format of the device, they are delusional. As far as the particular suggestion, I can see dual screens being useful in some applications (like the OLPC concept) but not for readers. If I was an ebook user I would pick one screen over two in all circumstances that I can think of because of the weight.

The main problem with ebooks has nothing to do with the reader and everything to do with the media. I collect books and I have 400 year old books I can still read (and 500 year old books I can't read - but that's because they are in Latin).

More realistically, I have books I bought 20 years ago that my kids can read now. On the other hand, I have tax software and tax files from 20 years ago that are completely inaccessible. I have no software that can read the file, I have no hardware that can read the 5 1/4" floppy to install the old software, and even if I could install the software it would be questionable if it would run in my OS.

If ebooks were either sold as text files or could be ripped to text files, I might change my mind. Until then, no thanks.

[Kevin C. Tofel]

"I collect books and I have 400 year old books I can still read..."

You just trumped my prized possession with that statement: my 1875 copy of "Principles of Politcal Economy" by John Stuart Mill. ;) Good point on the format; I was loosely alluding to that with DRM, but wasn't specific enough. To me: text IS the format. Unfortunately, the many eBook vendors disagree with me.

[Julie]

I had a real aversion to ebooks because I really hate DRM. But the truth of the matter is most DRM can be broken and so most eBooks can be converted to a text only format - you can search the web and find the tools to break the DRM on an eBook. Once I found the tools, I am much more eager to embrace eBooks because I know that even when existing technology becomes obsolete, I will still be able to use my eBooks.

I got the Cybook Gen3 ebook reader in December and I love the portability of it. Reading an electronic book is a different experience and so I have had to reset my expectations and make some adjustments in the way I read a book. Overall, I enjoy reading on my Cybook and love love love the portability of it.

The video seems to be doing what a lot of people do, trying to retrofit the old style of reading into new technology. Forcing the new technology to be used the old way reduces the innovation of the new technology - the two sections of the proposed ebook reader reduced the portability of the ebook reader, added weight to it and made the whole user interface and experience rather clunky (my opinion).

There needs to be a shift in perspective when it comes to eBooks and eBook Readers. Instead of trying to retrofit the new technology so people can continue reading in the same way they have read in the past (with paper books), eBook Readers need to continue enhancing the new technology with more innovative ways to address reader needs.

[Pam T.]

As a geek-girl, I really, really wanted to like ebooks. I still do, on some level, for the ability to carry several books at a time.

But as a voracious reader, the platform fails me more often then not. Reading on a computer means I have to have a juiced up battery, boot it up, and load up the files, which is not nearly as convenient as picking up a paper book while I eat my cereal in the morning. I can't read my ebook during take off and landings, because these electronic devices might mess up the plane's navigation or something.

So, I'd disagree slightly. Text is the the product, but the delivery platform needs work. Paper is still one of the easiest consumer platforms for a book and, as previously noted, does not go obsolete every two years.

[Dave P]

"You just trumped my prized possession with that statement: my 1875 copy of "Principles of Politcal Economy" by John Stuart Mill."

Trump implies a zero sum game - I'd say we were both winners. After all, Mill's comments on DRM still apply:

"Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves, than by compelling each to live as seems good to the rest."

Actually, he was commenting on liberty, not DRM, but I have a feeling he wouldn't buy into the concept that rights have to be managed.

[Tiago Bernardo]

Personally, I think that dual-displays on ebook readers would be a tremendous improvement to the reading experience. (I also think this is the way to go in Tablet PCs.)
But, that is not to say that this is the main reason that dedicated eBook readers are slow.
I agree with Travis:
"
E-readers are not yet at the point where design, price, and market awareness combine to trigger mass adoption.
"
This would just be an improvement in "design".

[Richard L.]

I probably mention this before, but in my option, another factor that stops the use of ebook reader is resolution. These readers need to go to at least 300 pixel per inch to provide a reading experience similar to paper.

Anybody remember, in printing, the passage from 9pin dot matrix printer to 24pin and then to the 300dpi laser printer. Every time I look a reader, I feel I'm back to the 9pin reading experience, maybe the 24. If I'm going to pay $300-$400 plus for only the reader, I want a much closer paper experience then what is available now. Note that now all B&W printing on laser printer is at least 600dpi (or is it 1200). The characters haven't gone smaller, just better defined.

[Mike Cane]

>>>most DRM

I haven't found anything for eReader or Mobi. If there are, you can just say Yes. I won't need links.

[John in Norway]

Exactly!
My other half still can't understand why I like reading books on a computer screen. Whenever I ask her to read something on one of my devices she always asks me to print it out first.
Which is a bit weird because she often sits at my desktop PC reading things on the screen!
Ah, women. Got to love them.

[Aaron J. Walker]

Kevin and everyone else.

I undestand the frustration with DRM but I think they main thing is cost of the devices, ALL publishers supporting e-books at a less than physical book price and an easy way to get the books.

Amazon has come the closest to solving one of them (easy way to get content) but the price of the device is too high for most people, can only be ordered on-line (kills the try before you buy crowd) and they don't have nearly the selection e-books as paper books.

I'm not saying e-book readers need to be free, but there needs to be a wealth of devices at various price points. Right now, they are all $299.99 or above.

If you can't afford an iPod, you can still get a different MP3 player at a price you can afford.

And the Sony Reader is the only one any consumer can actually physically see and touch at their local Best Buy, every other one is a shot in the internet dark after putting up a fair chunk of change.

E-book reading devices are seen as expensive luxuries right now. Let people start seeing them in a range of prices at Wal-mart, Target, Sears and then higher end stores with a goof proof content delivery system.

"What's this? A what? Really? You mean I can carry tons of books with me to read whenever I want? Oh, this one is a little out of my price range, but this one will do just fine."

[Julie]

@Richard L

Yes, there are for Mobi and eReader.

[Julie]

er...that would be @Mike Cane

[jacke]

I do not understand the discussion, as I do not see any need for dedicated ebook readers at all. Why have one more device to carry around?
Ebook reading should only be one use of the mobile device you have, just as phoning, photographing or emailing is (to name a few).

Give me a nice "MID"-kind of device with enough battery time (+5 hours) and all the app's needed, wrapped into a nice UI, and I would be satisfied.

[jacke]

I do not understand the discussion, as I do not see any need for dedicated ebook readers at all. Why have one more device to carry around?
Ebook reading should only be one use of the mobile device you have, just as phoning, photographing or emailing is (to name a few).

Give me a nice "MID"-kind of device with enough battery time (+5 hours) and all the app's needed, wrapped into a nice UI, and I would be satisfied.