Elonex 710EB color e-reader gets cheeky price bump, available for pre-order

Good golly, not another e-reader! Well, for once the Brits may actually be getting something rather affordable here -- we were promised a £99 ($152) price point when Elonex announced its 710EB e-reader back in April. Sadly, this 7-inch 800 x 480 color LCD device never materialized in mid-May, but a quick phone call to Elonex just now revealed a new launch date in early August. Before you cast your doubts, this is also semi-confirmed by the availability date on HMV's pre-order page -- we're just slightly mystified by the slight price bump to £119.99 ($184). Either way, here's hoping that we actually see something before the autumn rain keeps us indoor.

[NeoXY Posted Jul 15th 2010 9:58AM]

Again, baffled by the idea of a LCD "eReader". With the prices for Kindles, Nooks and Kobos the way they are, there is no reason why you wouldn't get a real eReader per say.

If you want the LCD screen/tablet to do other stuff, get an iPad or a similar knock off, but for god sakes stop calling it a eReader....

[rutter9 Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:02AM]

@NeoXY

I completely agree. If it does not have a variation of e-ink or an improved version of it, it's not an ereader. It's like saying my cell phone, laptop, netbook, wristwatch, are all e-readers. The reason for having an ereader is to enjoy reading, not burn your eyes.

[PhaseDMA Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:37AM]

@rutter9 I think it is a bit more complicated then that. Don't get me wrong - I'm would never try to argue that e-ink isn't hands down the best on the eyes, but something has to be said for back lighting.

Let me say that I own a Kindle, so you don't have to convince me of how great e-ink is, but I can (and do) view a LCD screen for hours and hours straight without taking any sort of break - And a lot of that involves actively reading text.

[HawtDawg Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:46AM]

@PhaseDMA

Sure you can read on an LCD screen for a full day and be fine.. but that doesn't mean it is comfortable. It's like wearing sunglasses on a really sunny day at the beach. Sure you can survive the day without them but it is much more comfortable to have them on.

[lerxst Posted Jul 15th 2010 11:04AM]

@NeoXY Couldn't agree with you with more.

[raiden8383 Posted Jul 15th 2010 1:44PM]

@PhaseDMA

Yeah I was same as you. However, I totally changed my mind after I tried Kindle DX. It is not about how long you can see the screen, it is about how well you can concentrate on the book.

When I tried book on my laptop i could not continue over 15 min, I easily get distracted. On my Kindle DX, I find myself stick with book for 2 hour straight without distraction.

I point is you not gonna have problem with LCD when you are reading blog and Website like Engadget. However, you will see the problem with LCD when you try to read 900page reference book.

[chispito Posted Jul 15th 2010 2:13PM]

@HawtDawg

A guy randomly asked me about my Kindle in a restaurant yesterday and said he was also considering an ipad. I told him that for reading, I couldn't imagine using a backlit LCD screen.

Having used e-ink now, I think I'm looking forward to a higher contrast, higher resolution next iteration rather than one that has a high refresh rate or does video or something like that.

[okh Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:02AM]

e(yes)Breaker

[HK47 Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:07AM]

Statement: Amusing UI.

[Mightydh Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:08AM]

LCD does not an e-reader make.

[dougbeebe Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:13AM]

Might as well just make a Android 2.2 base tablet with a few e-reader apps on it, why lock it down to being a pure e-reader, plus it will keep the hackers from having another gadget to root and redo into their image. :)

[Bhima Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:15AM]

Anyone else think its time for an Android 2.2 Pixel Qi/Mirasol slate device with a 1GHz snap or hummingbird?

[Emyr Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:20AM]

Apparently it's an ARM chip, but I can't find any real detail on the hardware. I'd love to give it some FroYo, but I'm not spending a penny on a glorified magic plank.

[Robhimself Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:32AM]

I got interested when I saw color. I think color e ink would be an amazing breakthrough. Comic books would be really cool on it.. or is that impossible?

[chispito Posted Jul 15th 2010 2:19PM]

@Robhimself

I want an even better black and white display first. Higher contrast (i.e., whiter background), higher resolution (the 800*600 for the Kindle is almost there) and maybe slightly faster page turns.

It will be awhile before I would replace my Kindle, but these are the developments I expect when I eventually do.

[Plothole Posted Jul 15th 2010 6:44PM]

@Robhimself
Color eInk exists already. The problem is that it cuts down the resolution and contrast.

[DeviantmacG Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:32AM]

Looking good that thing!

[Bosco Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:35AM]

I read "ebonics reader". Cracked me up!

[Matistight Posted Jul 15th 2010 10:57AM]

Hey look it's a big iPad!...oh wait...

[astroman Posted Jul 15th 2010 11:02AM]

thats a pretty disgusting pixel density. 133ppi for an eReader?

[jimmy1 Posted Jul 15th 2010 1:09PM]

anyone know what files this can display? CBR?

[jimmy1 Posted Jul 15th 2010 1:26PM]

whoops wrong forum - please delete last comment