Ereaders are becoming more and more popular with each month that goes by. However, with each new ereader comes a new feature or innovation that leaves folks wary of purchasing a device that could be obsolete in just a couple of months. This, coupled with the fact that ereaders are a relatively new product with a price point that has yet to stabalize, means there are plenty of people who are unwilling to pony up the cash for a Kindle or a Sony Reader.
Enter Asus' dual screen ereader with a price point that pleases. Predictably named the Eee Reader (admit it, you smiled a little), the device will open like a book but also give users the option of seeing the text on one screen while browsing a web page on the other. Even better, Times Online reports that one of the screens could act as a virtual keyboard, with the other acting as a screen, much like a laptop.
Asus told the Times Online that no one would pay big money for the device, though. "Our ethos is innovation — as our brand is less well known, we have to run faster than the competition to develop new types of products,” said Asus. “Any such product — including an ereader — has to have the right combination of functionality and price. No one is going to buy one for £1,000.”
So, how much are they asking for? Well, a UK spokesperson told the company that they're considering both an entry-level "budget" version as well as a premium version, with the former costing around £100 (roughly $165). Unfortunately it's not yet clear whether this price point would be for the kind of device described above or a more basic version, similar to the Kindle. The report indicates that the cheaper version is likely take on the competition on price rather than features.
How much would you pay for an ereader? Let us know in the comments below!
*Image via Times Online
