The general
idea behind
Microsoft Reader is that it only works on
LCD screens (
laptop computers,
PocketPCs and in theory, the
Tablet PC). With the proper control on the way
LCD pixels blend and dither, you can create very crisp, clear text, that looks more "
natural". It has a more impressive effect on PocketPCs with
16 bit color (
iPaqs), rather than
12 bit (most notably the
Jornadas). Microsoft reader does little more than
anti-alias text on a normal gun-based
CRT monitor.
I think that
Microsoft Reader is a good example of a
technology before it's time. There is no need for
eBooks yet, and there is no
demand. Many business entities, including
Amazon, do not have the media-on-demand capabilities to deliver this to customers in a reasonable fashion, although, as mentioned above, it is quite
impressive.