ASUS Eee-book reader

Asustek Computer plans to launch an e-book reader under its Eee brand by the end of 2009 at the earliest, according to company president Jerry Shen. Meanwhile, Micro-Star International (MSI) is also evaluating the e-book reader market, according to industry sources.

The sources pointed out that the requirements for entering the e-book reader market are even lower than for netbooks, but the key to success lies in establishing a content delivery platform.

Currently, demand for e-book readers is mainly concentrated in North America and Europe, with penetration in Asia markets low due to differences in reading habits, the sources noted.

The sources said they are conservative about the business potential e-book readers can bring to Taiwan’s PC vendors and content publishers.

As such, they add that MSI is investigating the reader market as well. But that’s just common sense, we don’t need “industry sources” to tell us that manufacturers are looking for ways to make money in new markets now do we? [Engadget]

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