• buzz86us@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        I’m just annoyed that they sell uncomplicated phones, but they are always hundreds of dollars. Just put an eink screen on a cheap SOC price around $40.

        • limerodOP
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          3 months ago

          $40 is way too low. Economics of scale do not apply for such a niche product. $140-180 should be doable.

          • Captain Howdy@lemm.ee
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            3 months ago

            The problem is that e-ink is a patented technology and the patent owner charges insanely high royalties for using it in your product.

        • ShepherdPie@midwest.social
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          3 months ago

          You can’t even buy a standalone e-ink display panel for $40.

          Their patent is expiring soon so prices will come down but that isn’t the current market.

    • shitescalates@midwest.social
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      3 months ago

      Making a product made to discourage usage is always going to fail. Palm phone had everyone excited because we wanted a good small phone. Instead they made an intentionally bad small phone and wondered why no one wanted it.