Plastic Logic e-reader not coming until early 2010

If you've been waiting (and waiting) for Plastic Logic's ultra-durable e-reader, you'll have to stick with recycled paper for another dozen months or so. According to a company representative at the outfit's CES kiosk, the device is now scheduled for an "early 2010" release, and as expected, final pricing has yet to be determined. Though, Mr. Joe (seriously, that's his first name) did admit that it would be "competitively priced for rapid adoption" and that the company would be pushing hard to get this into corporations / enterprises. Don't believe us? The full five minute interview is there in the read link.

[Thanks, credo]

[Richard Lai @ Jan 25th 2009 8:03PM]

He looks a bit like Noel Edmonds (host of "Deal or No Deal" in the UK): http://www.hecklerspray.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/noel-edmonds-spazface.jpg

[E71 @ Jan 26th 2009 7:11AM]

Who?...

Dude, that's Randy Quaid!

[crow610 @ Jan 25th 2009 8:08PM]

我也用妇炎洁

[Badger_badger_badger @ Jan 25th 2009 8:15PM]

cool story bro

[Troels C @ Jan 25th 2009 8:58PM]

Translation: I also used Fuyanshu Jie
Whatever that means...

[Richard Lai @ Jan 25th 2009 9:31PM]

@crow610: you use women's shampoo and tampons?

[crow610 @ Jan 26th 2009 12:13AM]

no no..just imagine this guy does.

[Like_A_Glove @ Jan 26th 2009 12:34AM]

"She she gone jane kong!", her Laowai husband added.

[scott @ Jan 25th 2009 8:15PM]

if it's cheaper than the kindle, i'm totally down.

[The WC @ Jan 25th 2009 8:17PM]

"...Mr. Joe (seriously, that's his first name)..."

I would understand if that's his first name. However, why would you use his first name coupled with an honorific?

[Ignatius @ Jan 25th 2009 8:45PM]

To make it even more serious.

[aznofazns @ Jan 25th 2009 9:23PM]

what's so funny about Joe being his first name in the first place?

[TareX @ Jan 25th 2009 9:33PM]

That's how Engadget gets on slow news days. We'll have to put up with that till the WMC rumors start to hit, followed by the actual WMC craziness (tegra baby)

[chezzo @ Jan 26th 2009 4:23AM]

i'm guessing it's meant to say "surname"
seriously Engadget, hire some proof-readers!

[ahdok @ Jan 26th 2009 5:04AM]

No, it's his first name, that's Joe Eschbach.

[giuliop @ Jan 26th 2009 6:25AM]

Fact is, he never says "I'm Mr. Joe", nor is there any indication that he's called that way, or even that he'd like it.

You just have to learn to put up with things made up by "Mr. Darren".

[Ethan @ Jan 25th 2009 8:45PM]

Looks like it has a readable screen area.

[Troels C @ Jan 25th 2009 8:50PM]

This is sad. I was really hoping for this to come out in february :-(

[Kinger @ Jan 25th 2009 9:29PM]

In this YouTube clip, the rep seems to think it will be definitely >300
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ozjV6LUkB30

I love these things (mostly just because of the technology behind the screen itself....such high response times and contrast ratios can be so hawt) but I wouldn't pay more than 300 bucks for one of these..

[fcb1899 @ Jan 25th 2009 9:44PM]

$300 - $800(!!!???)
what other e-reader is selling for more than $500 dollars right now?
if that thing was $300 I would buy one on launch day but I aint paying more than $400 for that (well maybe $500)

I am a little worried that they are looking into the business/enterprise market. Which I think it is a BIG mistake. The e-reader market is up for grabs and waiting for a device to lead on (sort of like the ipod did when it came out - it came out so fast and strong that even years after it's launch no other device is even close to compete for its market share). I am not saying that this will be "that" device (for which I would happily pay up to $500, as long as it delivers) but it certaily looks more appealing that the other options out there.

[Plothole @ Jan 25th 2009 9:52PM]

The iRex Digital Reader sells for 900 US Dollars at the moment. And it's the only device with a screen that is roughly comparable in size to the PL Reader (though I believe the latter is still slightly larger).

[ahdok @ Jan 26th 2009 5:07AM]

I quite like the new irex, but the touch interface is significantly less responsive than the old one, and a complete pain to use. I'd say the newer sony is a lot easier to use (although again with the screen real estate problem.)

It's a tough choice.

[giuliop @ Jan 26th 2009 7:49AM]

And how is this like any "other e-reader"?

The only competition, as stated by others, are the iRex readers, only this is thinner, lighter, has possibly a larger screen and will probably be cheaper.

And it's perfect for the business market; if have lots of documents in PDF that I am unwillingly forced to read in front of my PC's screen, that "other e-readers" are simply not fit to display.

There may not be a clear winner in the consumer market, but it is fairly crowded right now. There could be a dominating one of course, and I bet if Apple did one, with its usual design, user-friendliness and - last but not least - marketing, it would be among the top ones, if not the top one. But, as much as I praise Plastic Logic's effort, I don't think they could take the lead as Apple would - and I'm no Apple fanboy.

[credo @ Jan 25th 2009 10:36PM]

w00t w00t shoutz!

Yeah, I was looking forward to "next year" release myself, as stated in their CNN homepage video back in October '08.

[gerrrg @ Jan 25th 2009 10:39PM]

No color e-ink = no sale.

[Plothole @ Jan 25th 2009 10:51PM]

Well then you're going to be waiting at least another year or two.

[credo @ Jan 25th 2009 11:18PM]

I think Toshiba is working the color side. But when you see the cost, I think you'll go B&W all day. Besides, this is aimed at business anyway- for editing, reviewing, etc. I'm looking at it for all my technical guides/docs. Color isn't the first priority- battery life, portability, and readability (pixel pitch) are. Well, first, second and third I suppose.

[ahdok @ Jan 26th 2009 5:14AM]

Yeah, PL are totally losing the market to all those other color readers.

[Steve @ Jan 26th 2009 12:22AM]

I have a special portion of my bank account waiting just for this device

[timmobeck @ Jan 26th 2009 12:26AM]

WANT. The ones they currently have are bulky and expensive.

[Ms. Storm @ Jan 26th 2009 4:15AM]

I have a Kindle that I've been using since a month after initial launch, and I must say it is my constant companion. Have you used one? As a woman who doesn't even carry a purse, I dislike bulky items, but consider it very portable. If you can take a look at one, I highly recommend giving it a try.

[bigcow05 @ Jan 26th 2009 2:06AM]

Bummer, I was really hoping to get one of these. In the meantime, if something radical happens, for example if a netbook with long battery life gets a dual-purpose color screen with high res black and white mode (a la olpc), the ebook reader industry may never see this product. Especially if it sells at $800.

[elmuerKo @ Jan 26th 2009 6:42AM]

Boooo! Boooooooo!

I've been looking at these things lustily for months/years and now I have to deal with another delay!

I demand a Chinese company rip off their tech and release something this month!

[MarZau @ Jan 26th 2009 7:19AM]

And now for something chinese.....

I have a Hanlin V3 and the firmware is leaping along, so if any one could get the
jump on these guys hanlin could.

http://www.jinke.com.cn/Compagesql/English/embedpro/newpro.asp

[Tracy @ Jan 27th 2009 3:40PM]

The sum total of vapor ware from e-readers almost defies description. Never has a product come out on time or for any where near the prices hinted at. What is the trouble with these machines. I gave my girl and mom a Sony and they work fine, though it's software is PC only and quirky at best.

[Plothole @ Jan 26th 2009 4:40PM]

The original PRS500 Reader itself was delayed at least once. This isn't uncommon with new technologies.

The trouble is that no one but iRex wants to use the existing large format displays. They're too brittle. So now they, and we, are waiting for an even newer technology... durable plastic substrate displays... to ramp up in production.