Chad contributes to free-backup-software.net. More on this topic can be found at How Single-Purpose Devices Succeed and Stellar Phoenix
How Single-Purpose Devices Be successful - In the combat between specialized devices and multipurpose products, multipurpose usually wins. To have success, a specialized product need to function far better than any multipurpose version. Less costly or even a lot easier isn't enough; it must be top class.
This post helped me consider how much I tend to drool over ebook readers -- even though all is really missing primary performance -- just like the ability to pull in third-party search and organizational applications.
I want to be able to build my own applications for the Kindle. I enjoy the fact that I was able to drop many books into my Sony PR-505. I can carry the entire library with me having a week's life of the battery. That is certainly great. I'm going to take this thing with me when I go hiking.
The one thing that really annoys me with my PR-505 is it doesn't charge through USB port. It has a min-USB port for data transfer but not for charging! So why do this device makers add USB for data only? Did someone spec this out and say "users will want to carry an extra charger which we can sell for $60!" Fool!
One more thing I want to see: as these devices use so very little power, and because they've been best for reading outdoors... how about sell a "jacket" made from flexible passive solar cells? That could be sweet, I am sure it could provide enough trickle charge to eliminate charging completely!
Oh, and come pre-loaded with the Gutenberg library. It's a great pitch that would make: "5,000 books included, read outdoors and never recharge again!"