E-ink ebook readers a reality for 2006

At the end of last year, I wrote an article looking at a number of events which seemed to indicate that ebook readers based on E-ink technology. Specifically, there was a press release reported in Engadget on the Philips spin-off "iRex" that was apparently going to release a new ebook reader.

The iRex "Iliad" ebook reader

Since then, the system specifications for the iRex "Iliad" has been released; and they are very impressive indeed. As from the product leaflet directly from iRex:

CONTENT FORMATS SUPPORTED

• PDF
• XHTML
• TXT
• MP3
• Other formats will be supported in the near future
  

INTERFACES

• USB type A connector for USB memory stick.
• CF type II slot for memory extension or other applications.
• SD/MMC slot for SD/MMC memory cards.
• 3.5mm stereo audio jack for headset.
• WIFI 802.11b wireless LAN.
• 10/100MB wired LAN.
  

SYSTEM SPECIFICATION

• 400MHz INTEL X-Scale Processor.
• 64Mb Ram
• 224MB free* internal FLASH memory for storing content (sufficient for 1 month of newspapers, 30 books and many other documents).
• Touch sensor input using stylus.
• Rechargeable battery.
• Cradle and travel charger available.
• Dimensions (w x h x d): 155x216x16 mm.
• Weight: 390 grams.
• Operating temperature is 0°C to 50°C.
• Storage temperature is –20°C to 70°C.

This is absolutely fantastic! If it can render PDF, HTML and plain text, then it has all the "fundamentals" covered. Personally, I would want the "Mobipocket" format included as well. As this format is essentially based on XHTML, it should be trivial, though Mobipocket will probably need to be involved with regards to the DRM management. In terms of transferring books / media, again all the fundamentals are covered "plus some"! USB host, CF and SD! And WiFi!

Furthermore, as we can see from the photo of the prototype, the display is absolutely gorgeous. This also isn't some shonky operator from Asia either. It is a company associated with the electronics giant Philips who helped develop the E-ink display technology!

My impression is that the specifications are probably too good to be true. It seems illogical to have both CF and SD. USB Host would be a huge bonus that it may not eventuate. Though WiFi would be fantastic for on-line updates "on the run", I foresee that a basic model may forego it for the sake of price. In any case, once this is released (and rumour is that it will be in April 2006), I will be one of the first to buy one!

Interestingly, Sony has announced that it too will be releasing a Libre-like ebook reader for the US market.

From: Engadget

Sony to announce US e-book reader
Posted Dec 29th 2005 1:10PM by Evan Blass
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Handhelds

Hallelujah! Sony has done seen the light! According to BusinessWeek, the consumer electronics giant is set to announce a Librie-like E-ink e-book reader for the US that both - are you ready for this - uses SD cards for data storage and displays native PDF files (along with a proprietary Sony format--baby steps, you know?). It seems that the lackluster success of the Librie overseas, combined with an upcoming wave of e-book readers as competition, convinced Sony that more openness was key to the success of this device. Industry heavyweights Simon & Schuster, Random House, and HarperCollins are already signed up to provide content, with the latter two promising to digitize their entire back catalogs for inclusion on Sony's Connect music-and-now-book service, for a combined total of up to 50,000 titles. Sony certainly has an advantage here by being first out of the gate with a relatively large content offering and purported 15-book battery life, but products from iRex, Jinke, and more flexible devices from other manufacturers may prove more popular if they can provide consumers with similar content but better hardware.