E-reader demand slumps, slapped down by slates
E-ink kit falling out of consumers' favour
E-book readers sales are taking a pummelling from tablets. IDC, a market watcher, reckons some 19.9 million dedicated e-readers will have shipped in 2012 - 28.2 per cent fewer than were shifted in 2011.
Lower prices, the rise of the 7in screen, colour, apps, aggressive promotional activity by tablet makers Apple, Amazon and Google - these are among the factors that have “captivated” customers and turned them off e-ink devices.
IDC admitted that the new line of illuminated e-readers are appealing to folk who would rather have a dedicated reading device than a general media tablet, most folk are happy with the latter.
Some 122.3 million of which will ship in 2012, IDC reckons, up from its previous forecast of 117.1 million units. ®
COMMENTS
Or could it be....
......that perhaps people are notcing that its normally vastly cheaper to buy a paperback than its digital equivalent?
how many do people need ?
I mean, once you've got one, there's now "do i need another" ? most of the people I know who were thinking about one, have got one in the last couple of years..
Tools for the job..
Like all things, you choose the best tool for the job if you can..
I've got an e-book reader (Kindle) and a slate (Fusion5 HD Android 10").. The slab does strain the eyes more to read, and I don't use it to read on late at night. It's also wifi only (I have an iPhone to do net type stuff if I really need to connection), so needs PCs to get content.
The Kindle is the connected device. I'm an avid reader, and when going on holiday, more than once I've been sat in the middle of nowhere, and thought "Well, that's the last book done.. What now?", then browsed the book store to grab a new book there and then, and give myself something more to read. The battery life means I can do that for days between recharges.. Great for trekking round.
Tablets have all you need for media, and watching a quick movie, or browsing net, email, and all the photo editing on a journey after downloading the DSLR images.. There's plenty of scope for both, as their primary roles are significantly different.
If you've only got budget for one, then the tablet is the choice.. If you're precious about your reading experience (I am), then eBook readers are the way to go there.. Taking enough paperbacks for me to last a long holiday (2 weeks plus) would mean I lose half my weight allowance in books! Nowhere to stow the diving kit then (as that stuff gets heavy!).
Re: Or could it be....
Especially if bought second hand in a charity shop.
Also there are more potential issues for those who like to read in the bath, or on a beach holiday for example.
It's always the same.
Dedicated devices are generally better at the thing they are bought for for but only those who spend a lot of time doing that truly appreciate them. The rest want a device which will do lots of things passably. See cameras, media players and phones -- a modern smart phone does all three in a compromised manner but most people put up with it for convenience.
Personally I have an netbook, and iPad and a Kindle and I know that the netbook and Kindle will be going on holiday with me -- despite the iPad supposedly being able to do the job of both. I'm sure as many people will understand why as don't.
