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Acer LumiRead makes pit stop at IFA prior to launch
We caught the LumiRead set up and ready for some serious page-turning action as Acer set up its booth at IFA today (yes, it's true, the show still hasn't technically started), which marks the first time we've actually been able to hold the upcoming e-reader -- previously, the closest we'd gotten was the impersonal touch of a glass enclosure back at Computex. The verdict? After having touched one of those newfangled Kindles, we've got to say that pretty much every other e-reader out there feels like a ridiculously overweight beast, and the LumiRead gets swept up into that classification. The barcode scanner is still there (you can see it in our gallery below) and it's still as awesome of a concept as ever, but Acer has replaced the smooth plastic back with a ridged, patterned one on this newer prototype -- and considering that the launch is scheduled for October, we imagine this is nearly final or final spec. The thumbstick feels decent, but we don't really think it's the best way to navigate... which is a lesson Amazon already learned with the last version of the Kindle, by the bye. So here's your recipe for success, Acer: soft-touch back, cut the thickness by a third, eliminate the wasted space above the keyboard, and keep the barcode reader. Boom.
Acer LumiRead set for an IFA showing, October launch in Germany
Given how fast the new Kindle's been selling, we doubt many of you were keenly holding out for Acer's alternative -- but if you were, the wait is apparently nearing an end. An Acer spokesperson has confirmed that the barcode scanning-LumiRead will be shipping out to retail channels (in Germany, at least) this October, and early speculation on its price places it at around €250 ($316). That's an unconfirmed number, so don't freak out just yet, and Acer points to the fact it'll pack one of the widest German-language e-libraries on any e-reading device. Maybe prices will be somewhat more competitive in other territories, where the major attractions will be WiFi and 3G wireless capabilities, a 6-inch, 800 x 600 E Ink display, and a Barnes and Noble content partnership. And hey, maybe when we hit IFA in a couple of days they might finally let us take it out of the box as well, eh? We can only dream.
Acer's LumiRead 600 hits the FCC with slow bursts of 2.4GHz radiation
Acer's 6-inch LumiRead e-reader just hit the FCC, but there's not a lot to learn -- the company smartly withheld the user's manual and detailed images, so all we have are the triplicate forms of stalwart government employees trying to irradiate themselves. Those thankfully painless tests reveal that the Kindle-alike will have standard 802.11b/g WiFi alongside its monochrome E Ink screen, and the whole 532MHz Freescale iMX357 kit will be powered by a 3.7V, 1460mAh battery. Exciting stuff, we know. In other news, the FCC's "ancillary equipment" list features genuine Apple iPod earbuds, and a Dell Vostro 1510 -- because that's how they roll.
Acer LumiRead L600 shows up under glass at Computex
Acer didn't make any sweeping announcements at Computex like it has in previous years, but it did show up with its new LumiRead L600 e-reader. While it was under glass for the entirety of the trade show, we were able to snag a peek at the ultrathin reader, which looks strikingly similar to the Kindle with its 6-inch, 800 x 600-resolution E Ink display, joystick and 37 key QWERTY keyboard. We couldn't get them to remove it from the display box, but the interface looked fairly streamlined, and we were able to sneak a shot of the ISBP bar scanner on its backside, which will allow for scanning a book in for a later online purchase. We wish we had more impressions for you, but we found out that it's powered by a 532Mhz Freescale iMX357 processor and has 128MB of RAM. We're hoping to actually toy around with one soon enough, but you'll have to deal with a gallery worth of shots below for now. %Gallery-94429%
Acer's 6-inch LumiRead to offer Barnes and Noble ebooks, ISBN scanner
In another reversal of plans, Acer has just announced its first e-reader device. The LumiRead will participate in the clear.fi initiative for keeping you constantly in the Acer loop, while also offering WiFi and 3G connectivity options. It looks very much like the tablet we saw teased earlier this morning, coming with a similar integrated keyboard and a smaller 6-inch E Ink display. Announcing a distribution agreement with Barnes and Noble and its one million-book library, China's Founder, and Germany's Libri.de, which carries four millions titles, Acer will try to ensure it has a strong selection upon release. It's also throwing in an ISBN scanner, which will be turning paperbacks into instruments of their own destruction by allowing you to scan a book in for later purchase online. Supported formats are described only as "various," and there's 2GB of storage onboard (expandable via MicroSD) to keep things stashed. Expect this new e-reader to show up in Q3 of 2010. Full PR after the break.
