We're still
patiently waiting for Endless Ideas to launch a
3G-equipped e-reader to compete with the masses, but 'til then, we suppose we'll have to be satisfied with the WiFi-toting BeBook Neo. Boasting a 532MHz Freescale CPU, Vizplex display (800 x 600 resolution), 512MB of internal storage, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB 2.0 connectivity and an SD expansion slot, the 6-inch, February-bound Neo brings to the table very little that we haven't seen elsewhere -- in fact, it's a dead ringer for
Onyx International's Boox. Naturally, you'll find support for a multitude of file formats (ePUB, PDF, HTML, JPG, PNG, etc.), and the internal battery is good for 7,000 page turns on a full charge. The company is also playing up the unit's ability to access a wide variety of third-party ebook venues, which gives you the option of purchasing books from any given outlet rather than a predefined store. There's also
WACOM tech built in, which should delight those who love to annotate and add text mark-ups. We're told that future software updates will add a multitude of new features, but it's tough to say if that promise is enough to coax you into dropping $299 on a pre-order.
posted January 22nd 2010 12:58PM
another ebook reader..
Humm...reminds me of the Zune 30. Except, in this case, it's not a bad looking e-book reader.
@omarrpa
That was a really poor attempt to preempt the iPod comparisons.
It looks like a bigger first gen ipod.
@a falling stone
barely bigger . . . I skip over e-reader posts the way I did netbooks after about july last year.
@a falling stone I wonder if the clickwheel behaves the same way on this one.
Why in the world am I gong to spend $299 on this thing when I can get a Nook or Kindle from a company that I know is not going anywhere for less. Do these smaller companies really think people are going to just throw money at them? Where's by $199 6" Reader with Wi-Fi. Am I asking too much?
Hey this looks great, I know CES was awash with these, but where else is there an e-ink reader that has a wacom touchscreen (i.e. better contrast), WIFI and costs less than $300?
@GlynC
Why would I want a touchscreen on an eReader? I'd have to move my hand every time I wanted to change pages instead of just clicking down on the button that's already under my thumb.
@Steve2000
If you're only going to read books, then you probably don't want a touch screen. If you're interested in taking notes, then a touch screen is a must. I have a Sony Reader Touch Edition and I use the markup features all the time when I'm reviewing PDF documentation for work. Jotting handwritten notes on the document is really the only practical way to get the job done, so my reader saves me a TON of paper.
@Steve2000
It's Wacom so your hand won't actually do anything. The point is for making handwritten notes among other abilities.
Right. I forgot about the touch screen. I may be desperate for an e-reader but I just can't wrap my brain around spending that kind of money one. I'm going to wait it out.
@Duiker wait a sec this doesn't have a touch screen, what am I talking about?
@Duiker Wacom digitizer, is sort of a touch screen. It only works with a special stylus, and not your fingers, but most folks still classify it as a touch screen.
It's only six inches... That's what she said.
Something like this would be good for libraries and possibly younger grade schools. Not great, but hardly useless.
If it was $99 I'd totally be there. But not $299 for a me-too model of something that I already agonize over being an unnecessary luxury replacement of something I already have. eInk strangely hasn't gotten any cheaper.
A bit more than 512mb might be nice, too.
What can the WiFi be used for? All these reviewers complain when an e-book reader doesn't have 3G, but if the 3G is only good for buying books (as is the case with everybody but the Kindle) then I don't really care for it. Any e-book reader with WiFi SHOULD allow me to look up a word or phrase on Wikipedia or read a blog on my device without paying a subscription for it (and yes, I know some WiFi e-readers like Nook totally screw this one up). 3G is terrible overrated here.
@Zero9
The wifi can be used to access Wikipedia and Google, surf the web with the webkit browser, read your email and download content from wherever you want- free or paid.
This thing is a big disappointment. I would have hoped that BeBook would be the name of a brand new laptop running some variant of BeOS. Instead it's just another "me too" e-reader. Weak.
"....Release!!!!! The Kittehs? no! THE E-BOOKS!!!"
Charbax is right This is a re-branded Onyx Boox which is already on sale by various vendors in the States, Europe, China and elsewhere. Its a great reader with all the functions people have been asking for but don't find in any other current ereader. What other reader lets you surf the web for content, annotate and write notes, reflow AND zoom PDFs. The PDF viewer is better than Foxits in their own reader.