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Bookeen Cybook Odyssey HD FrontLight joins the lit e-reader fray
Offering a front-lit e-reader isn't reserved just for the heaviest hitters. Bookeen is leaping into that still-exclusive club with the Cybook Odyssey HD FrontLight. Its lengthily-named upgrade to the original Odyssey focuses on the read-anywhere light, and a lightweight body, as its standout aspects -- at just under 6.4 ounces, it's more featherlike than Amazon and Barnes & Noble counterparts with similarly legible screens. Claims of display superiority are a bit suspicious when Bookeen touts the same 62 percent jump in resolution that we saw in the Kindle Paperwhite, but we'll appreciate the extra crispness alongside a tweaked interface and a new PDF reflow option. Readers who balk at going with the dominant device makers can pick up the Cybook HD FrontLight in November, when we'll also learn whether or not Bookeen can offer a challenge on price.
Cybook Odyssey takes the hero's journey through the FCC
Ready or not, Bookeen's High Speed Ink System is coming at you soon, in the form of the Cybook Odyssey. The speedy electronic ink technology-packing reader goes up for sale in Europe on November 22nd, for relatively pricey €149 ($203). In the meantime, the six-inch e-reader made a pit stop over at the FCC's site, where it was immediately poked, prodded and generally ripped apart. Never seen the insides of an e-reader before? Behold, in the gallery below.%Gallery-139408%
Cybook prepping Odyssey reader with High Speed Ink System screen
It looks like Bookeen may finally be through teasing us -- the company is preparing to unleash the Odyssey, a reader sporting its High Speed Ink System. The modified Pearl E Ink screen has been shown off multiple times, playing back video and browsing the web. Now it will finally make the transition from interesting tech demo to actual product. Better yet, the 6-inch, full motion-capable screen has been paired with a touch layer, which means it could deliver a tablet-like experience with battery life closer to a traditional e-reader. Underneath the hood is a an 800MHz Cortex A8 processor from Texas Instruments and a WiFi radio, presumably for downloading content and browsing the web. The Odyssey is expect to start shipping in Europe in the next few weeks, but Bookeen has yet to reveal a price. You can check out the machine translated PR at the source link.
Bookeen does real time web browsing and scrolling on standard E Ink screen (video)
Bookeen has already taunted us with an E Ink Pearl display hacked to playback clips of chubby bunnies without so much as a hiccup, now it's showing off web browsing and scrolling on the same screen. It's a little stuttery, as you can see in the video below, but considering this is the same tech found in the Kindle it's quite impressive. The trick is accomplished using custom software and off the shelf hardware -- in other words, nothing terribly fancy. So, while we sit here letting out exasperated sighs with every digital page turn, we'll just keep hoping Bookeen gets this in something we can buy soon.
Bookeen shows off FMV on a standard E Ink Pearl display (video)
The details are few with this one but really it's the highlights that matter here: Bookeen has managed to get smooth full-motion video to play on an E Ink Pearl display. Yes, the same sort that delivers agonizingly slow refreshes on the latest Kindles and such. It's a simple H.264-encoded clip (the same one with the chubby rabbit you've probably seen a dozen times before) played on a TI OMAP3621 processor. Power consumption in this mode is said to be no more than a non-backlit LCD, which is quite frugal indeed. No word on which actual readers this will debuting in, but according to E-Ink-Info.com it will be "available on the next-gen e-readers to appear soon." Check out the demo embedded below.
Bookeen's multitouch-equipped Cybook Orizon e-reader to launch next month
Bookeen's been touting its Cybook Orizon e-reader since CES in January, but it looks like it's now finally, actually nearing a release. According to the company, the device will be available in "mid-October," and it'll boast a 6-inch multitouch screen with "reading quality close to that of paper." That screen is apparently based on SiPix's so-called "Caress touch ePaper" technology, and packs a 167 dpi resolution and 16 levels of gray. Otherwise, you'll get built-in WiFi and Bluetooth (no 3G option), plus 2GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot for expansion, 150 pre-loaded books (presumably public domain), and a web browser that promises "unrestricted" access to the sites of your choice. Still no word on a release over here, unfortunately, but folks in Europe will be able to pre-order the device starting September 25th for €229.99 (or roughly $300).
Bookeen's upgraded, colorful Cybook Opus to debut on May 7
We were promised a color-loving version of the diminutive Cybook Opus and here's the delivery of said pledge. Coming in seven new shades to match its May 7 release date, the newly revised Cybook Opus boasts instant-on functionality, a new Boo Reader software that helps to optimize battery life, and a category-best 12 font sizes. It's still a monochrome E Ink display -- 800 x 600 pixels -- and memory hasn't budged up from the 1GB on its predecessor, but at least the opening price has dipped down to a £149 ($199 in USA) RRP. When you consider 150 books come preloaded on the device, it's almost like Bookeen is giving the hardware away for free. It's not, but that's as good a rationalization as any other. Full PR after the break.%Gallery-92018%
Bookeen Orizon to ship this May with multitouch Sipix display
We're still patiently waiting for Sipix's color e-paper to hit the commercial realm, but 'til then, we suppose we'll pretend to be content with the monochrome variety. Bookeen, which obviously has a hard row to hoe in the slam-packed e-reader market, recently announced what appeared to be a relatively ho hum reader in the Orizon. Today, however, we've learned that it'll ship with a multitouch 6-inch Sipix display (800 x 600 resolution), and it'll be available for purchase this May in the United States and UK. For those who've forgotten, it will arrive with WiFi, 2GB of internal memory, Bluetooth, an accelerometer and support for PDF / ePUB formats. Still, if the rumored $250 price point sticks, we sort of doubt those to-be Kindle customers will turn their back on an always-on connection, but hey -- if the hackers step it up, this whole multitouch thing could really be enticing.
Bookeen debuts Orizon touchscreen e-book reader
Bookeen may have a bit of a tough time getting its new Orizon e-book reader to stand out from the pack of other e-readers here at CES, but it does at least boast quite a few improvements over the company's previous Cybook Opus. That includes a 6-inch touchscreen display, built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, ePub support, and an accelerometer for portrait or landscape reading. No indication of a release date just yet, but this one should run about $250, and Bookeen still isn't quite done with the Opus -- it'll soon be available a whole range of colors.
Bookeen now shipping $280 Cybook Opus e-reader
We admire Bookeen's resilience here, we really do. After last hearing about this e-book reader in May, we sort of assumed it had just given up on the matter. After all, it's WiFi-less and yet still as pricey as many of its rivals. That said, the Cybook Opus certainly looks different than most every other reader out there, so surely that counts for something. We're not saying it counts for $280, but if you are, you're approximately 1.389 clicks away from having one shipped to your domicile.[Via GizmoScene]%Gallery-73754%
Video: Bookeen Cybook Opus ebook reader gets handled and adored
The guys and gals at MobileRead have scored hands-on time with the Cybook Opus and early impressions are good. They were smitten with the ergonomics of the device and its "gorgeous" 5-inch e-ink display, but oddly neglected to point out any weaknesses. Equipped with an accelerometer, 1GB of storage, microSD expansion slot, and a user-replaceable battery, the Opus is able to read PDF and ePUB files -- with or without DRM -- and organize them into folders. There are rumors of a €250 ($349) asking price, but the exact details of when and where it will be available remain unknown. Click through for a video of the reader doing its thing or hit the read links for more extensive coverage.[Via Slashgear]Read - MobileRead exclusive : sneak preview of the Bookeen OpusRead - Cybook Opus: Discovering the reader, video
Bookeen outs pocket-sized Cybook Opus e-book reader
Details are not totally clear at this point, but Bookeen recently teased its newest e-book reader offering -- the Cybook Opus -- during a presentation. At 200 DPI, the teensy 5.3-ouncer will have one of the higher resolutions we've seen on a reader, and it will supposedly be controllable by just one hand. We hear that It'll also have 1GB of onboard storage, and boast PDF support, but that's all we know spec-wise for now. There's no word on pricing or availability for this miniscule paper-slayer, but we'll let you know as soon as we do. [Warning: read link is a PDF][Via Electronista]
Cybook Gen3 e-book reader gets reviewed
Bookeen's Cybook Gen3 e-book reader has been a long time coming, but now that it's out in the wild we're finally starting to get some reviews of the device, including this fairly thorough one from the folks at The Future of Things. Unfortunately for those looking forward to the reader, they found it to be quite a mixed bag. On the upside, they found the device to be thin, light, small and fast, with it also boasting solid battery life and, most importantly, a screen that's "very comfortable" to read, even outdoors. They were also impressed with the Cybook's RSS support, and the Mobipocket format used for e-books. On the downside, the page flip mechanism proved to be "cumbersome," and they found that the current firmware left a lot to be desired, with them even going so far as to say that it felt like it was "rushed to the market too soon." They were also somewhat disappointed by the lack of SDHC support, and a lack of wireless connectivity (be it 3G or WiFi). They also point out, however, that none of the e-book readers out there are perfect, so if you're in the market for one you'll just have to pick the trade-offs you're willing to live with.
Cybook Gen3 e-book reader on sale now for $350
Those sitting tight for Cybook's Gen3 e-book reader can finally do something other than just wait for it. That's right, Bookeen's latest is finally on sale, and just as promised (the second time, that is), it's available now (read: in October) for $350. If you're wondering what all that coin will get you, you can look forward to 8,000 page flips without a recharge, a daylight-readable 800 x 600 resolution display, 2.5-millimeter stereo headphone jack, 64MB of storage, an SD expansion slot and USB connectivity. So go on, bust out that credit card and count down the minutes till it arrives on your doorstep.[Via Teleread]
Cybook Gen3 adds PDF support, gets delayed 'till October
Those of you itching to get your hands on Bookeen's Cybook Gen3 e-book reader will have to make do with your current paper-based reading materials for a little while longer, as the company's announced that the E Ink-based device now won't be shipping until sometime in October, and not September as previously announced. On the upside, it's also announced the that device will now boast PDF support straight of the box, something that had previously planned as a future upgrade. What's more, while you can't get your hands on one just yet, the folks at Bookeen apparently have a few engineering samples in their possession, which they've thankfully used to produce a quick demo video. Check it out after the break.[Thanks, Kris]
Cybook Gen3 e-book reader enters production, coming in September
We already had a pretty good idea of what Bookeen had in store with its new Cybook e-book reader, but the company has now gotten all official with it, letting out word that the device has entered production and is set to be available in September. Now dubbed the Cybook Gen3, the device makes use of E Ink's Vizplex e-paper technology to give you a 166 dpi resolution on its 6-inch screen, and promises to last for 8,000 page flips before needing a recharge. What's more, Bookeen's also announced that it's struck a deal with Mobipocket to license and distribute the Mobipocket e-book format, giving Cybook users access to some 50,000 titles. According to Bookeen, it'll be offering the Cybook in a variety of different "packs," the lowest cost of which will set you back $350.[Thanks, David R]
Bookeen set to release new Cybook E-Ink reader
Bookeen's Cybook has already been around longer than most e-book readers, and it looks like it'll soon be taking on yet another incarnation, one that finds it looking not unlike eREAD's STAReBOOK reader. Like the STAReBOOK, the new Cybook boast a 6-inch E Ink display with an 800x600 resolution and four shades of gray, and weighs in at a relatively lightweight 6.5 ounces. According to MobileRead, the latest rumor is that the Cybook will also support Open eBook, PDF, HTML, RTF, and Mobipocket document formats, along with MP3 audio, among other possible formats. While other specs are still up in the air, it looks like we won't have to wait too much longer for the complete rundown, as it's apparently set to launch in the US and Europre later this summer for about $350.
