e-book reader
Latest
Talking e-book reader coming next year
Watch your back, Kindle. According to reports, an Iranian inventor named Ramin Sedighi has created a "talking" e-book, which utilizes a stylus that can be moved across words and then pronounce them out loud. The system can also apparently "explain" pictures, though it's unclear whether or not it uses image recognition or some type of embedded data. The device includes a USB port, audio out, the aforementioned stylus, 512MB of memory, and an SD card slot. The laptop-sized unit is aimed at educational applications for children 4 through 16, and will be available sometime in early 2008. No word on manufacturer or pricing.[Via The Raw Feed]
Amazon's Kindle e-book reader and wireless service launching October 15?
Amazon's little secret that could -- the Kindle -- looks to have a solid launch date. October 15th is the day thanks to Les Echos' press release issued at the launch of their "e-paper" digital newspaper. Of course, it's all just a rumor at the moment but it certainly matches the timeline reported by the New York Times just last month. Now please, Amazon, put some pretty lipstick on that beige pig and push her out the door already -- a year is long enough. [Via MobileRead]
Amazon's Kindle e-book reader coming next month?
We've seen past rumors of the Kindle's launch come and go, but The New York Times is now reporting that Amazon's less-than-secret e-book reader is coming for real this time, and soon. According to the paper, Amazon will officially take the wraps of the device sometime next month, with it to be priced between $400 and $500. As previously rumored, the Times is also reporting that the Kindle will let you wirelessly download e-books directly to the device from Amazon's e-book store, with a few offerings (like reference books) said to be included for free. The Times also apparently spoke to a few people "familiar with the Kindle," some of whom said that using the device's web browser was a "poor experience," with others also lamenting Amazon's choice to use a proprietary e-book format. From the sound of it, publishing execs are also pinning quite a bit of hope on Amazon and its device, with one even going so far as to tell the Times that "if these guys can't make it work, I see no hope."[Via CNET News.com, thanks Brian M]
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.
NUUT intros NP-601 e-book reader with Vizplex display
Those curious to see just how much E Ink Corp.'s new and improved Vizplex display enhances the e-reading experience now have an actual e-book reader they can get their hands on, although they'll have to find a way to get one out of South Korea. Apart from that new 6-inch, 600 x 800 display (which promises twice the refresh speed and 20% better brightness than previous models), NUUT's NP-601 e-book reader is a fairly standard affair, with 512MB of internal memory, an SD card slot for expansion, and a headphone jack to take advantage of some of its (unspecified) non-reading functions. Look for this one to set you back about $300.[Via MobileRead]
iLiad e-book reader hacked for use with HSDPA modem
iRex's iLiad e-book reader already boasts some built-in WiFi capabilities, but if that's not enough to whet your wireless appetite you may want to take after MobileRead forum member "drazvan," who managed to get the device to play nice with a Vodafone USB HSDPA modem. The whole process appears to be relatively straightforward, simply requiring you to run a few scripts on the iLiad, which drazvan has kindly provided. While he's only tested it with the Vodafone modem, he seems confident that it'll also work with other modems providing you make the necessary adjustments, which you'll unfortunately have to figure out how to do yourself.[Via jkOnTheRun]
Sharp intros RD-CX100 dictionary / e-book reader
It may not boast quite the versatility of its souped-up Linux-based "electronic dictionary," but if you're just looking for some basic e-book reading capabilities along with your multi-lingual dictionary, Sharp's new RD-CX100 looks like it may fit the bill. It'll handle both audio books and regular e-books, readable on its 4.3-inch screen, as well as MP3s, though the SD/MMC slot appears to be your only storage option. For some less storage-intensive listening pleasure, you can also take advantage of the unit's built-in FM receiver. If that's not enough to convince you to drop the necessary 310,000 Won (or about $330) for the device, then perhaps the brushed aluminum outer shell will be (check it out after the break).[Via Akihabara News]
Panasonic's Words Gear gets official launch and price
We've watched Panasonic's 5.6-inch Words Gear e-book / media player make the jump from early prototype to trade-show circuit. Now, it's gone official. Sure it lacks e-Ink and the associated long battery life, but there's something to be said for the ability to not only read books for 6-hours at a time off the lithium Ion battery, but also view MPEG-4 video and JPEGs on that 5.6-inch, 600x1024 display -- you get AAC audio to boot. Pretty limited codec support frankly, and too bad it only supports SD cards (up to 2GB) what with SDHC now pushing 8GB and 32GB on the horizon. Still, for just ¥41,790 (about $355) when loosed upon Japan on December 20th, you just gotzta take notice. [Via Impress]
