Sagem reveals Binder white label e-reader, SFR's version comes with free 3G
Heard of the FnacBook, Telecom Italia eBook or Thalia Oyo? It's looking like they're all one and the same -- a Sagem product called the Binder with a six-inch SiPix capacitive e-paper touchscreen. It's also got the standard accelerometer, 2GB of internal flash, a microSD card slot and support for ePub and PDF, but there's one feature that sets it apart from the pack: a cellular modem that'll give FnacBook buyers free 3G service a la the Amazon Kindle's Whispernet. French carrier SFR is subsidizing that little venture, so it's not part and parcel of buying into Sagem's device, but if you find yourself holding onto a different rebrand we suppose you'll still have 802.11 b/g WiFi for your Steig Larsson downloads. Fnac's already taking preorders at €199 (about $277); devices ship November 10th. PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Sagem Wireless Launches Ultra-Light eReader
Pocket-sized Binder eReader combines full wireless connectivity with award winning design
Paris, 28 October 2010 – Sagem Wireless, the leader in the design and development of customised connected devices and services, today announced the launch and commercial availability of Binder – an ultra-light eReader. Delivered to customers as a white-labelled product, the eReader can be ordered today from FNAC, the leading French retailer, as the "FnacBook" and in November through Telecom Italia as part of its digital publishing and eBook project.
eReader
The Binder measures just 152mm x 123mm x 10.7mm, making it smaller than an average paperback book – but with memory capable of storing over 12,000 non-illustrated books. It combines e-paper technology together with embedded 3G and WiFi connectivity to create an eReader that delivers a true "library in your pocket" user experience.
The Binder marries award winning ergonomic design with a capacitive touch screen to deliver a crisp display and contrast in an easy to grip form factor. The full 3G and WiFi connectivity enables the user to receive on-demand the latest magazines and newspapers direct to the device. Supporting all the major text, image and music file formats and Adobe DRM protection, the Binder enables the user to easily switch between their home screen, books, news and other content using the tab-based shortcut buttons.
"The eReader market has developed quickly but until now has been plagued by a simple trade-off – do you want a smaller form factor and less features, or a fully connected experience but with a device that is no longer pocket-sized?" said Jérôme Nadel, EVP Marketing & User Experience, Sagem Wireless. "By focusing on the user experience and using the latest technology, we have developed a device that solves this conundrum. The Binder product combines 3G and WiFi with a feature-rich experience to deliver a true connected lifestyle device."
In contrast to other lightweight eReader devices, the pocket-sized Binder supports eBook and MP3 formats, full note taking capabilities using the virtual keyboard, up to 16GB of memory, and a long battery life equivalent to over 8000 page turns. The Binder's sleek and usable design has been recognised by the Observeur du Design, an annual exhibition organised by the Agency for the Promotion of Industrial Creation, as one of the 150 most outstanding product designs of 2010.
FNAC is retailing the FnacBook at €199 complete with WiFi and free 3G from mobile operator SFR. For more information on the FnacBook, visit http://www.fnac.com/Guides/High-Tech/fnacbook/. For more information on Telecom Italia's eBook project, visit http://ebook.telecomitalia.com/.
Product Specifications:
Size: 152mm x 123mm x 10.7mm
Weight: <240g
Memory: 2GB internal flash; up to 16GB microSD
Screen: 6" Sipix ePaper with capacitive touch and Accelerometer automatic screen rotation
Connectivity: GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, HSDPA, WiFi, USB 2.0
Multimedia: Text formats (TXT, Epub, PDF, HTML), picture formats (JPEG, PNG, BMP) and music formats (MP3) including full playlist support
About Sagem Wireless
Sagem Wireless provides customised connected lifestyle devices and services to leading consumer lifestyle brands and mobile network operators worldwide. Using technology innovation and customer insight as strategic tools in the product design process, Sagem Wireless develops a range of connected lifestyle devices personalised to the specific needs of different customer segments. With industry leading technology partners and its own R&D centres based in Europe and Asia, Sagem Wireless offers pre-requisite manufacturing expertise intrinsic to the product design process that relies on both flexibility and the highest level of quality to assure successful entry into new and existing markets. For more information, visit: www.sagemwireless.com
