Asus' Cheap, Dual-Screen E-Reader Might Have History On Its Side

Asus' new e-reader might not be the most obvious contender to take down e-reading titans like Amazon and Sony, but Asus also has a little bit of history on its side: It was Asus, after all, that stepped into the netbook fray in 2007 with what was then the first inexpensive netbook, the sub-$300 Asus Eee PC.

Could Asus' new Eee Reader create a similar disruption in average price points for e-readers in general?

According to Asus President Jerry Shen, who described Asus' e-reader offering to The Times of London earlier this week, Asus will offer both budget and premium versions of its e-reader, with the cheaper version starting as low as $165. That's about $35 cheaper than even the smallest Sony Reader, the Pocket Edition, which with bare-bones features goes for $199.

While Asus has yet to confirm final specifics for the Eee reader, earlier reports have suggested the device will include a touch screen, a wireless connection, a Web browser, a Webcam, a microphone and -- the hook -- two screens that open on either side of a hinged spine, to mimic the look and feel of a paper book. Asus is also said to be offering a color display.

At a price of $165, Asus' Eee Reader would be the cheapest dedicated e-reading device out there, and a step closer to the $50 level described last week in a report by Forrester Research as being the threshold price for which e-readers would see widespread, mainstream consumer adoption. For now, Amazon and Sony are tops, with plenty of other contenders, like Plastic Logic, iRex and now Asus, rounding out the field of competition.

The bigger question, however, is whether dedicated e-readers are on their way to obsolescence faster than they are widespread acceptance, considering there are other devices out there -- and likely in the works -- that can provide an e-reader experience in addition to many other functions.

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