@Mkultra, #2. I concur, completely. I go further: DRM-free ebooks will be as important as paper books in less than a generation. That's why I've put mine online for free download. (* plug *)

Who knows what sort of ebook-display people will be using in 2020? Some will want a dedicated display; others will use their phone, their PDA, or some other all-in-one device not yet even dreamt of. Who knows how they'll even read? Maybe their ebooks will read aloud.

Predicting the future is a waste of time.

@Janeylicious #39 -- fair enough; I was making the point that HC seem to be ignoring E Ink.

Do you use textonphone.com? If not, check it out.

I don't think HarperCollins get ebooks. This quote from last November is on their Web site, talking about the iPhone:

'Victoria Barnsley, CEO and Publisher of HarperCollins UK, says: "As the leading publisher in the digital arena we're very excited to be involved with the launch of this innovative product. With its large screen and tactile nature, I believe it could be the break-through device for consuming digital product on the go and brings us closer to the ultimate e-book dream."'

Er, Victoria ... ever heard of the Sony Reader? Kindle? iLiad ..?

While publishers continue to abuse the ebook concept as a cheap, crummy marketing tool they will continue to muddy the waters so that readers don't know there's a cheaper, cooler alternative to paper.

Maybe that's the idea. I used to be published by that company. I'm glad I'm not any more.