ASUS’ Next Big Device: Eee E-book Reader?

Credit Engadget

ASUS is one of the most innovative companies around the world. It was a big part of the netbook movement, and it has kept its position as one of the best netbook manufacturers around in the past few months, and its devices are getting better and more powerful. But we have known for a while that the company is in need of new markets to explore to grow its business and compete with its larger competitors. ASUS all in one desktops are certainly interesting, but they are not catching fire like netbooks. So ASUS has decided to try its hand in a whole new market that is booming and growing fast – ebook reader market.

Amazon has single-handedly revolutionized the e-book market with the release of Amazon Kindle. The wireless capable device has allowed many people to take their books with them on the go while having access to Amazon store at all times. While Sony was one of the pioneers in this market, Amazon stole its thunder with Kindle and has managed to keep its position as the top e-book reader maker for the past 2 years. But ASUS plans to change all that.

ASUS is known for developing budget but innovative products. That seems to be the case with Eee reader as well. The company plans to introduce a dual screen e-book reader that makes it easier for people to multi-task with their device. You should be able to read your book on one screen and browse the Internet on the other. You’ll also have a web cam and a microphone to share your musings with the world.

Now if Amazon and Sony came up with a device with that many features, you could expect to pay somewhere between $600-$800 for it. But ASUS plans to sell its “basic” e-book reader for less than what you would have to pay for Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader. And while it’s not clear yet where you will get your e-books from for this device, the device does seem recession-friendly.

The Eee Reader may have a color screen and a wealth of other features, but it’s certainly up against it with Amazon and Sony involved in the market as well. The device looks promising, but we shall see how Amazon and Sony respond to such a device.