The same goes for Plastic Logic, which has developed a high-end e-reader meant to replace paper.

ECONOMIST: Europe's tech entrepreneurs

The Skiff Reader, on the other hand, is being pitched as a consumer device with a compelling value proposition for publishers ( by publishers) and content owners that will ultimately deliver multimedia on a wide range of devices and display types hooked into the Skiff Store -- just not the flagship Skiff Reader with traditional e-paper display.

ENGADGET: The e-Reader story of CES 2010

Besides Pixel Qi, Qualcomm, Fujitsu, and Philips are trotting out their Mirasol (with a rumored Kindle destination), FLEPia, and Liquavista display demos, respectively, while LG Display is demonstrating its Metal-Foil e-Paper display for the first time on the Skiff Reader.

ENGADGET: The e-Reader story of CES 2010

On paper and within the Barnes and Noble ( BKS) conference rooms, NOOKColor, a dedicated e-reader with touch-screen, color, presumably-good web browsing and even video capability, had to seem like a slam dunk.

FORBES: The NookColor Won't Save Barnes and Noble