Sharp intros RD-CX100 dictionary / e-book reader
By Donald Melanson 
posted Dec 18th 2006 4:15PM
posted Dec 18th 2006 4:15PM
It may not boast quite the versatility of its souped-up Linux-based "electronic dictionary," but if you're just looking for some basic e-book reading capabilities along with your multi-lingual dictionary, Sharp's new RD-CX100 looks like it may fit the bill. It'll handle both audio books and regular e-books, readable on its 4.3-inch screen, as well as MP3s, though the SD/MMC slot appears to be your only storage option. For some less storage-intensive listening pleasure, you can also take advantage of the unit's built-in FM receiver. If that's not enough to convince you to drop the necessary 310,000 Won (or about $330) for the device, then perhaps the brushed aluminum outer shell will be (check it out after the break).[Via Akihabara News]
From the looks of it, it also supports video. Shame its so expensive, though.
Yeah, $330 for a media player? Virtually any PDA can do the same and much much more. My PDA currently holds a bunch of medical textbooks, a few novels, and lots of MP3s and videos. And it has maps, games, dictionaries, etc.
I think the Sharp's landscape mode will turn a lot of people off. It's simply not conducive for reading. And while a keyboard might be useful for some apps, it makes holding the device awkward for reading. A possible solution might be to allow the keyboard to fold all the way back, and the screen to be read in portrait mode. But the exposed keys is not good.
My guess is that this will fail miserably, even if it drops to $100. E-books are iffy at best. Consumers are simply not looking for a new reading device (although the new Sony reader might succeed because of the innovative large display). Especially since a real book usually cost much less -- especially when bought used. That's a major problem with e-books: you can't resell them or give/lend to friends after you're done.
$330 for a Book reader? Selling to those middle school students? I'v got no idea why I should buy a E-book reader like this.
-Mike
Tech Tutorials: http://www.hotcoding.com
Nice calculator. Nothing for reading though...
I don't even know why this post has any business on Engadget.
You guys are not understanding the target audience here.
Sure, PDAs are better and it's true that you could buy laptops for a bit more money, but that's because we speak English.
This is most likely for Japanese and Korean students/travelers looking for pocket speaking dictionary.
All other functions are just extra, unnecessary add-ons.
Given the fervor with which Koreans are trying
to learn English these days, you can bet that this will be a sell-out... for Koreans.
For the rest of us who are either not Koreans or are fluent in English, there is obviously no need for a product like this and this won't be available to us anyway.
Nice calculator. Nothing for reading though...
Tech Tutorials: http://www.forteach.net