Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticising manual keyboards in general. Just specifically on a device for which your primary purpose will be reading (which is what the OP's article is about). If I'm going to be mainly reading on the device then I want as big a screen as possible.

I get the sense that they're not using it only as a reader, but as a general smartphone replacement, where for the most part the reduced capability set rhymes with better living.

Reading can also include commenting, such as on The Verge article that's pictured, or on this very site.