Half The World Is Planning On Buying An eReader, According To Survey

The Big Money:

The Boston Consulting Group has just released the results of a 14-country survey it conducted on consumers' desires for e-readers. After talking to nearly 13,000 people, BCG has concluded that e-readers are poised to take off provided the price comes down and the feature sets go up. The ideal device is $200 and gives users access to e-mail, video, books, magazines, and subscription content like newspapers. (Man, we've got a long way to go before we get there.)

Read the whole story: The Big Money

Comments

[Cryostatic]

07:51 AM on 05/17/2010

Yep. As soon as they find the time to sit down with a book again.

[Ness27]

10:06 AM on 05/16/2010

I'll wait until they all figure out the standard e-book format. It's the only thing stopping me from getting one. I don't feel like being stuck with a device I cant use if I want to buy from either amazon or B&N. Also, it should be $99 or less. $200 is too much for something that can be made for a lot less. Most of the chips and hardware are made by Asian tech companies anyway and they buy the chips at bulk prices.

[mountainweb]

10:39 PM on 05/15/2010

Yet another delusional poll that provides the correct answer for the people that paid for the poll, offer enough money and you will find people to tell you any lie..

[odyssey58]

05:43 PM on 05/15/2010

I just got mine last night. It's much easier on your eyes than a computer screen. I'm 51 and just starting to use reading glasses (0.5 strength) at times. I love that I can adjust the font size. Last night I was able to read in bed comfortably without glasses in a low light situation by using the largest font size. And the book I was reading was borrowed from our local library.

[EminemsRevenge]

01:29 PM on 05/15/2010

i'll be buying one in a couple of years when they're $50 and can download EVERYTHING at the New York Public Library

[homily]

03:37 PM on 05/15/2010

I'm like you, I can wait. Plus, even if I had one of my own I couldn't read off the screen very long before getting a migraine.

[spytheweb]

03:10 AM on 05/15/2010

Not me, i still have a few paperback books here at home i have to read.

[catbite]

08:26 PM on 05/14/2010

Give me a break. 13,000 people does not equal half the world's readers. Personally, I can't stand reading much on a screen for more than a minute without getting restless. Give me a book.

[Sarijj]

10:27 AM on 05/15/2010

Catbite you beat me to it. This poorly written article does not convince me that half the world will buy an e-reader any time soon.
As a reader, student and blogger I find that my reading loving friends fall into two groups: those who have already bought an e-reader and those who have not and will not. More of my friends are sticking to books.
Only time will tell whether half the world's readers end up with e-readers.

[ESerafina42]

12:13 PM on 05/17/2010

I want it all, personally - I have a HUGE collection of books AND have bought an e-reader, which is decidedly a supplement, so there may actually be three groups, if you look hard enough.

I agree that the headline, as usual for this site, is ridiculous and misleading. Even if the poll is representative, it still only represents the people in 14 countries. Of course, countries without reliable electricity and all those whose people see $200 as a year's salary, not the optimal price for an e-reader, don't count.