iriver introduces D1000 'e-dictionary' for Korea
By Donald Melanson 
posted March 5th 2010 5:27PM
posted March 5th 2010 5:27PM
So-called "e-dictionaries" don't often make the trip over here, but iriver broke that trend with its D5 clamshell device, which suggests that it just might also do the same with its new D1000 follow-up. Of course, like its predecessor, this device is quite a bit more than just a dictionary, with it packing a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 touch screen, 8GB or 16GB of storage, built-in WiFi, a DMB TV tuner, 720p video output, and a full range of media player features. Happen to live in Korea or planning a trip sometime soon? Then you can pick this one up right now for between 349,000 and 409,000 Korean won depending on the model and capacity, or roughly between $300 and $360.
That's a neat-looking device.
why not call it e-verything!
South Korea or Best Korea?
The iRiver store had a refurb D5 on sale recently for $65. I hesitated 1 day, and no they are gone.
@joelaf
no=now
why call it a dictionary?
@mominshahab
Because it is one?? I have korean friends and when i saw their iriver dictionaries...i was blown away. I thought it was an MID.
Not really fair when I look at my Merriam Webster Electronic Dictionary. Looks like a piece of junk.
@mominshahab
These are pmp/mid devices that come integrated with solid dictionary and academic tool apps. I own a model each from Sharp and iRiver, and the dictionary capabilities are very useful. Nowadays, there's extensive dictionary support for Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, German and French all right out of the box (at least in my Sharp model). Many of these dictionaries aren't just run-of-the-mill e-reader formats either- they provide links between different languages and allow you to add notes and save your searches into categories for reviewing purposes. One of the more powerful tools available is the search function that allows you to cross reference words and grammar through all the different languages at once, and also gives you search results for related words or concepts.But yeah, there are a lot more features on these devices that I can't explain in a mere reply post. Oh and btw, these devices allow multitasking and remembers where you left off on your apps.
I think labeling these devices as "e-dictionaries" is an understatement, but it also serves as a marketing tactic. Koreans put a lot of investment into their children's academics, so they are more than willing to pay up for such "academic tools" even though many kids tend to use them as pmps/mids. Also, Koreans have a high education rate and so these devices have an appeal for adults as well.
yeah I always had soft spot for these . . . if youre going for even lower power than a zune or ipod touch, this is a great option. all the more so if you find yourself at a loss for words frequently.
@bolezhinkov
*does a scan of the App Store.. hmm..4 billion language apps/dictionaries...
*does a scan of the Zune Store.. hrmm...Sudoku, coming soon.
:(
will it even work here in America if we bring it? Is it even in English or Engrish??
@fourblades
As far as I know, the ones you can buy in Korea don't come with UI language options. I bought two in Korea this past summer, and all the various models from the different companies didn't offer an option to change UI language. I can use these just fine the way they are, but that's because I know Korean. I guess it's time for you to learn as well :)
I almosted gagged, sorry. I'm just sick n tired of e readers. Can a company develope something else (apple, as much as I own a couple of products, I'm becoming annoyed with it).
@albinomexi But its not really an e-reader o_O
@albinomexi
Your gag reflexes are just too fast...
Great ill grab my passport
@abedinthehouse
If Americans could handle second languages, they'd sell these in the US too. Figure out Spanish first before you bother with an Asian language, bud.
@Wesscoast What? What does that mean? Spanish is the primary language spoken at home by over 34 million people aged 5 or older.[1] There are also 45 million Hispanics who speak Spanish as a first and second language [6] and there are 6 million Spanish students [7], making it the world's second-largest Spanish-speaking community, only after Mexico and ahead of Spain, Colombia and Argentina.[8]
Seeing as how we speak more Spanish than Spain, are the largest non-Asian trading partner for Korea, China and Japan, it sounds like we need this more than any other country.
Oh, and btw, this has Spanish (the only other Western tounge besides English) on it as read by me from a non-translated version of their Korean website, an American who can speak Spanish and a bit of Korean.
480x272... what is this, a PSP? Yack
http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=iriver&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=859447658&Count2=776588082
This is iRiver's store. The newest model is not up yet, but I assume it will be, so no need to travel to Korea , or at least not to buy this. But if you go, bring me back some REAL KimChee
@joelaf Notice how their store has 1 model and size for their E-Dictionary tab? I'd take the author's word that it isn't likely to go stateside. And if you go to Korea, get Dakdoritang/Dakbokkeumtang, my favorite, before kimchi.
I think its called e-dictionary so korean mothers gets fooled into buying "academic dictionaries" to their kid! nice going iRiver!
Article slightly upsets me as I might actually be compelled to buy this, eh, what's 410,000 원?
Hyundai opened a plant in my city so the Korean population has exploded. There are now lots of Korean kids at my university and many of them have these type of devices. I've never seen anyone listening to mp3 or watching movies either. They seem to be using them strictly for academic purposes. Granted, many of the devices were older and may not have had the additional functionality of the newer models.