Hitachi introduces Albirey eBook in Japan

From what we can tell (machine translation often thwarts our best attempts at fact checking), Hitachi will be joining the likes of display manufacturers iRex and Sony when they release a commercial eBook reader in Japan tomorrow. The black-and-white e-ink model, supposedly called the "Albirey" and developed with technology from Bridgestone, seems to sport a WiFi connection with "the possibility to modify making use of radio communication," whatever that means, and comes in a package with standard A4 paper-size dimensions. The Albirey should be available tomorrow starting at what Nikkei Net is claiming to be 4,000,000 yen, which is probably the result of some Google Language shenanigans, 'cause that's like $36,000.

Update: Once again, our readers have stepped in and succeeded where machine translation has failed: apparently the price quoted is for a batch of 10 units, which indicates that this unit probably intended for commercial displays and not consumer eBook consumption. Also, make sure to check out the comments for the full specs.

[Ian Wilson @ May 11th 2006 9:07AM]

The price quoted is for a set of 10 along with system extras. It seems they may be focusing on the enterprise market perhaps?

[JonV @ May 11th 2006 9:29AM]

Um... where does it say that this is an eBook reader? It doesn't even look like one.

The product being presented seems to be just an electronic paper display. It could be integrated into a reader, I guess, but that would be a pretty large device considering the A4 size of the display.

And, just guessing here, but could they be saying that a batch of 10 costs 40 million yen? Seems somewhat expensive - I guess that's why we haven't seen any consumer devices with electronic paper devices anywhere near this size. My guess is this is meant for commercial displays, signs, advertisements, things like that.

[StarLight @ May 11th 2006 9:38AM]

"From what we can tell (machine translation often thwarts our best attempts at fact checking)"

Why not hire an editor with in-depth knowledge of Far East languages? :P

[Lee @ May 11th 2006 10:10AM]

I think "the possibility to modify making use of radio communication," is just updating over wireless.

[Daniel @ May 11th 2006 10:19AM]

Some more details according to Mobileread:

* Measurement: 222.6�289.2�3.7mm
* CPU: H8S/2215 (16bit/16MHz)
* Memory: Flash 8MB
* Power: Lithium polymer (3.7V)
* Display size: 13.1", 2-scale monochrome
* Resolution: XGA (1024�768 dot)
* Contrast: 1:7
* WiFi: IEEE802.11b

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6460

[Young @ May 11th 2006 12:27PM]

Does anyone know what format of e-books these devices can read?

[Shunnabunich @ May 11th 2006 12:40PM]

By "the possibility to modify making use of radio communication," might they mean that e-book content (or whatever content gets displayed on this thing) can be updated wirelessly?

[LTM @ May 11th 2006 12:54PM]

For a moment you got me worried there about that Google translation being for the price of 10 units and not one. Thank God it's only $3600 for a book reader, because $36000 is really over the top. On behalf of all the angry consumers who won't be able to purchase this, its nice to know those commercial companies springing for this really know a bargain when they see it.

[David @ May 11th 2006 2:23PM]

I don't think Amazon has anything to worry about for at least a few years.

[andrew k. from AZ @ May 11th 2006 2:28PM]

Have you guys ever considered hiring someone on staff who can speak Japanese? Not that I'm volunteering, although I've always wanted to learn Japanese...

[Carson @ May 11th 2006 2:58PM]

From a Japanese friend...According to today's Yomiuri Newspaper article on the web, the price of Albirey is 4,000,000 yen (or $36,000) for 10 units and 20,000,000 yen (or $182,000) for 100 units.

It includes special software and a server with wireless-Lan connection. It is intended for timetables in train stations, guide maps, restaurant menus...not ebooks.

[Takashi Munekata @ May 17th 2006 12:21PM]

The prices of 4,000,000 - 20,000,000 yens of Albirey (http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/NEWS/20060511/117007/ about Albirey) are for the systems cost. They are not just for the displays. Albirey seems to be used for the traffice information system in Japan. They use the road-side signs to tell drivers the real-time traffic conditions.

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