Just a few months back, we wrote a blog about how students were simply not interested in e-books. The electronic version of 
our OM texts has been available for well over a decade, but research has shown that students, by far, still want to own a real book. Maybe it was because a great e-reader was still not available? We thought the Kno was the answer–a dual screen reader that allowed students to take notes on the pages–and in our blog showed a flashy video of how it worked.
But in the past few weeks (see Mind/Shift, June 1, 2011), two manufacturers of tablet e-readers ceased production—the enTourage eDGe and the Kno! Both products were squarely aimed at the educational text market, having inked a number of deals with major book publishers. Despite their innovative 2-screen design, both machines were criticized for being clunky, too heavy, and too expensive (the Kno was $399-$599). Was it a matter of dual screens or was it because the devices were aimed at college students?
Ownership of tablets and e-readers remains low among high school seniors and college students,– just 4% and 7% , respectively. Do future buyers want an education-oriented tablet? Or will they buy a consumer-oriented tablet like an iPad or an Android tablet–then load it with e-books? While experts have predicted that 2011 would be the year of the tablet, the demise of the Kno and the eDGe raises some issues about students’ main source of learning being from an e-reader.
Clearly you have misjudged the demise of the market for e-readers.
The nook, kindle and the tablets are the future for the students. The problem with the units discussed is perception. The students want to carry around a known product and the nook, kindle and the like give them the flexibility and the name brand that will bring them into the market. Right now however the laptop is still their first chice for such devices and they do not have an unlimited amount of money. The $139 nook and kindle will be xmas gifts for a number of years for the students. Text book publishers will be well served to get in line with these devices, but they also must understand that their margins will be less than with the paper book. The future market is indeed in the e-books and the delivery unit.
Terry, Thanks for your insightful comments. We indeed welcome the day when students start to read their books on-line. It can be Kindle, Nook, iPad, or any brand. Our book is available on all of them and we are happy to see the transition sooner than later.