ETI’s possible E Ink machine: So when will it debut, if it does?
Back in May, eBook Technologies, Inc. quietly demonstrated a prototype of an E Ink machine with a six-inch display at the IDPF’s Digital Book 2007. It ran “the first device-based implementation of the new IDPF content standards.”
As you can see from a photo, ETI might well be sharing vendors with others in the e-book arena—we know this is true of the screen, if nothing else. But that’s not the point here. The software’s interface might be what ETI is really betting on. In many ways I’m reminded of the interface of the old Gemstar machines, and if that’s ETI’s strategy, it’s fair. We’ll forget about the issues of proprietary DRM and possibly proprietary standards extensions—worries not unique to ETI. The glory of e-book standards is that, once they’re for real, companies can compete on interfaces and in other ways meaningful to consumers. All for the good. I don’t even mind the store button shown in the photo (fourth icon down, the pile of books) if users can choose stores or libraries. Whatever can make the machine easy to use!
Prototype just one possibility
Of course, this prototype might not be the model that ETI releases. The company “is actively working with a broad range of cutting edge electronic paper technologies and can quickly bring fully functional privately branded E-Ink electronic paper devices to market in sizes ranging from six inches to the just announced 10 inch and larger sizes as well as electronic devices using more conventional screen technologies including LCD.”
In any event, I’ll be most curious about the release date of ETI’s first E Ink machine and about the business model it’ll use. Will the “store” button shown in the photo be used in partnership with retailers such as Fictionwise, which resells ETI technology under the eBookwise label? ETI isn’t just another e-book company. Its people have deep roots in the industry, going back to the old Softbook days. ETI picked up the e-book-related pieces from Gemstar after its bellied up under the notorious Henry Yuen.
The standards connection: ETI CEO John Rivlin and President Garth Conboy were prominent in the IDPF’s current standards efforts, which they initiated along with Adobe, having learned from Jon Noring and me that OpenReader was on the way. So I’ll be watching with interest the extent to which the ETI software uses features not found in the IDPF standard.
The obvious question: Why haven’t we heard more from ETI? Along with others, I have pestered ETI in the past about its hardware plans. Given the present pattern, don’t be surprised if you suddenly see a big, splashy announcement about an ETI product in the near future—perhaps as part of a partnership deal with Fictionwise and/or other retailers.
About the photo: I’ve lightened it up so you could see the screen better.
June 27th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
That pulldown menu is *exactly* the same as the Ebookwise machine.
June 28th, 2007 at 1:01 am
Useful info, Ross, thanks. I’ll be shocked if this machine or something similar isn’t destined for Fictionwise/eBookwise. David
June 28th, 2007 at 1:32 am
The menu’s identical, which makes it a shame the ergonomics aren’t. What’s very nice about the ETI-2 is that you can hold it quite securely with one hand and page ahead or back with the same hand. This unit’s button arrangement makes for either two-handed or insecure one-handed operation. It’s a step backward ergonomically, even if (arguably) forward in screen technology.
June 28th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Well this is interesting, and with Bookeen on the horizon as well! That screen sure does look dark in the picture, but I assume it’s basically the same technology as the new CyBook?