Irex DR800SG ebook reader with touch sensitive e-ink display and downloads via mobile network 01.11.2009 06:58
As we expected, the trend in ebook reader devices is strongly pointing to touch-sensitive displays instead of exotic keypads featured on devices like the Amazon Kindle or the Sony Reader PRS-505. For instance, the Barnes&Noble Nook, Entourage Edge, and Sony Touch Edition all have touch screens of some sort. Irex, one of the pioneers in the ebook device industry, has introduced a touch screen device as well.
The Irex DR800SG ebook reader comes with 8.1-inch touch screen. Device menus and ebooks are accessed by tapping the screen with a stylus. The display is built on sharp, high-contrast and flicker-free e-ink technology that most ebook device manufacturers are using. Typically, touch screen technology requires the manufacturer to implement additional layers on top of the e-ink display that can sense the stylus or fingers. Some solutions may make the screen less sharp and some solutions may collect fingerprints, but our experience is that the convenience of touch screen technology outweighs its minor downsides.
US customers of the Irex DR800SG can download ebooks directly from the Barnes&Noble online store that is currently offering about 750 000 ebook titles. In addition to the Barnes&Noble ebook store, it is possible to download electronic magazines and newspapers to the device. For instance, USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and 1200 other periodicals are available for download. Magazines and newspapers are delivered in ePub file format, allowing the user who purchased the magazines to share the files with his other devices, such as PCs or smartphones that can run the Epub reader application.
In the US, the list price for the Irex DR800SG is $400. It connects to the online store via Verizon Wireless network. There's no extra charge for the network access. In 2010, the device will be available in Europe as well (after it has been made compatible with GSM networks).
Irex DR800SG ebook reader with touch sensitive e-ink display and downloads via mobile network 01.11.2009 06:58
As we expected, the trend in ebook reader devices is strongly pointing to touch-sensitive displays instead of exotic keypads featured on devices like the Amazon Kindle or the Sony Reader PRS-505. For instance, the Barnes&Noble Nook, Entourage Edge, and Sony Touch Edition all have touch screens of some sort. Irex, one of the pioneers in the ebook device industry, has introduced a touch screen device as well.
The Irex DR800SG ebook reader comes with 8.1-inch touch screen. Device menus and ebooks are accessed by tapping the screen with a stylus. The display is built on sharp, high-contrast and flicker-free e-ink technology that most ebook device manufacturers are using. Typically, touch screen technology requires the manufacturer to implement additional layers on top of the e-ink display that can sense the stylus or fingers. Some solutions may make the screen less sharp and some solutions may collect fingerprints, but our experience is that the convenience of touch screen technology outweighs its minor downsides.
US customers of the Irex DR800SG can download ebooks directly from the Barnes&Noble online store that is currently offering about 750 000 ebook titles. In addition to the Barnes&Noble ebook store, it is possible to download electronic magazines and newspapers to the device. For instance, USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and 1200 other periodicals are available for download. Magazines and newspapers are delivered in ePub file format, allowing the user who purchased the magazines to share the files with his other devices, such as PCs or smartphones that can run the Epub reader application.
In the US, the list price for the Irex DR800SG is $400. It connects to the online store via Verizon Wireless network. There's no extra charge for the network access. In 2010, the device will be available in Europe as well (after it has been made compatible with GSM networks).