Way back in 2012, The Guardian reviewed an eInk reader which cost a mere £8. The txtr beagle was designed to be a stripped-down and simplified eReader. As far as I can tell, it never shipped. There were a few review units sent out but I can't find any evidence of consumers getting their hands on one. Also, that £8 price was the subsidised price when purchased with a mobile contract. Their w…
E-ink is a slow developing technology so for a while a screen was good for 5 years or so, meaning model churn was low. And readers tend to stick with a device they like until it wears out. That’s not very profitable so premium readers came along with finer dpi and colour and waterproofing and Bluetooth for audiobooks.