German eBook Pioneer Txtr Declares Bankruptcy Amid Beagle Reader Challenges
Txtr is one of the eBook pioneers in Germany (launched in 2008) and was among the first to focus on the digital book market as its main business, with an eye on the international market as well.
More recently, the company became widely known through the Txtr Beagle eBook Reader. Additionally, the eBook provider also operated several Sony stores before the Japanese company withdrew from the consumer electronics business in the eReader market. The lack of success with the Beagle and the loss of possibly its largest customer may have ultimately led to Txtr’s downfall: The Berlin company has filed for bankruptcy.
Initially, nothing changes for Txtr customers during the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, as the operated shops and apps will remain online. In a press release, Txtr announced that the company is facing a restructuring and is seeking a new owner.
Looking Back
As early as 2009, Txtr planned to launch its own eBook Reader, but after several delays, it never made it to market. Instead, the focus shifted to eBook sales. However, in October 2012, a new eReader attempt was announced.
The 5-inch Beagle was supposed to revolutionize the market for dedicated reading devices with its particularly low selling price. The eBook Reader was intended to be distributed to the public for just 10 euros. This goal was to be achieved by offering the model as an inexpensive, subsidized addition to a mobile phone contract. According to Txtr, the company was in negotiations with various telecommunications companies for quite some time.
In 2013, the Txtr Beagle was finally launched without a telecom contract for around 60 euros. At that time, the biggest issues were the noticeably declining growth in dedicated reading devices in the USA, simultaneous price cuts of eReaders in Germany, and the huge growth in tablets. Given these developments, telecom companies were clearly not enthusiastic about the concept.
One of the Beagle’s biggest issues was its limited functionality and the need to rely on a smartphone to operate it. A basic Kindle was available for 50 euros, and the clearance sales of Bookeen Cybook and TrekStor Pyrus devices allowed bargain purchases well below this price threshold. From the customer’s perspective, the announced full price of the Txtr device was not particularly attractive. Later, the price was reduced to just 20 euros.
Ultimately, the Beagle did make its way to Hungarian Telecom in December 2013. After that, the device became quiet, and there was no news about it in 2014.
Image source: Txtr
