Possible $13 eBook Reader

[Rydian]

German company txtr seems to be coming out with the world's cheapest eBook reader. At only $13 the first thing that comes to mind is "what's wrong with it?", and there's a few major caveats. The first is that there's no internal battery and it runs on AAA's, the second is that there's no dedicated data port, instead it relies on an android app to send books to it through bluetooth.

However it does appear to be functional, so those of you looking for something to read those humble ebooks on, you might consider this.

[...]world's thinnest and lightest e-reader device, weighing a mere 0.282 lb (128 grams) and measuring a mere 0.197 in. (5 mm) thick. The 5-inch (diagonal) footprint packs a 800x600 eight-level grayscale E-INK display, similar to the displays in older Kindles.

Source

 

[Guild McCommunist]

Not bad, but personally I'd prefer the data port. Also I'd think the book selection wouldn't be as good as a Kindle or Nook.

Also anything that seems too good to be true usually is. I have a feeling it's just cheaply made, cheaply built, and cheaply programmed.

 

[trumpet-205]

They probably save more money by removing bluetooth interface and replace it with SD card slot.

I have concern about quality of this thing.

 

[chyyran]

..I'd rather have a Kindle.
Probably a much better investment anyways.
Would it be that much more expensive if they add an internal battery pack or a data slot, while increasing price to $20-$50?

 

[RupeeClock]

Wait, wouldn't it be arguably cheaper to just stick a mini-USB port on it, rather than a bluetooth receiver?

 

[Rydian]

Wait, wouldn't it be arguably cheaper to just stick a mini-USB port on it, rather than a bluetooth receiver?

Then they couldn't force you to use their app.

 

[RupeeClock]

Wait, wouldn't it be arguably cheaper to just stick a mini-USB port on it, rather than a bluetooth receiver?

Then they couldn't force you to use their app.

It's not like PCs don't have bluetooth dongles or USB ports.
Whatever interface is used doesn't change whether or not it interfaces with a simple storage space or requires dedicated management software.

 

[The_Hulkster]

It'll be around $12.75 with a mobile phone contract. That's the catch.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/txtr-beagle-german-company-to-launch-e-reader-for-less-than-10-euros-a-860536.html

 

[Guild McCommunist]

It'll be around $12.75 with a mobile phone contract. That's the catch.

Oh, that's dumb. I'd rather go the extra mile and spend $90 more on a Kindle.

 

[mysticwaterfall]

I would imagine they really cheaped out on the specs, so it probably has really slow page turns and rendering.

 

[The_Hulkster]

I would imagine they really cheaped out on the specs, so it probably has really slow page turns and rendering.

It seems like a fairly well made e-reader.
Just going by the video they posted on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/50788492

 

[BORTZ]

Huh. Very interesting, Germany. Interesting.

I dont like the obvious "AAA batteries go here" thing...

 

[RupeeClock]

Huh. Very interesting, Germany. Interesting.

I dont like the obvious "AAA batteries go here" thing...

How much battery power can it need if it uses e-ink and has no illuminated display?

 

[Ethevion]

I prefer the good old fashioned hard copy books. But if I were into e-readers, I'd go for a Kindle. I hear many great things about them and even though the price is a bit high, I'm pretty sure it's very well built.

 

[BORTZ]

Huh. Very interesting, Germany. Interesting.

I dont like the obvious "AAA batteries go here" thing...

How much battery power can it need if it uses e-ink and has no illuminated display?

No not that, just the design choice. I dont like how it looks.

 

[Gahars]

So this is the paperback to Kindle's hardcover, then?

 

[ZAFDeltaForce]

Huh. Very interesting, Germany. Interesting.

I dont like the obvious "AAA batteries go here" thing...

How much battery power can it need if it uses e-ink and has no illuminated display?

No not that, just the design choice. I dont like how it looks.

Yeah, it definitely spoils the design.

Also gives you that "No shit?" feeling every time you look at it.

 

[BORTZ]

It's kinda like a reminder "you're gonna have to replace us soon"

 

[DSGamer64]

I'd pass on this, no way it comes close to being as good of quality as my Kobo Touch with a 16GB memory card in it

 

[Another World]

at that price i'm sure a bunch of people will buy it and release some cool battery/adapter hacks for it.

-another world