Here’s another one! With all these new releases, this year will be the year that eReaders become affordable for everyone!
nookColor
Barnes & Noble’s new version of the nook, Nookcolor, is available starting today for preorders. At $249.00, with a host of new features, this one might take the shine off the Apple this Christmas!
Featuring a 7″ touchscreen, 8 gig of internal memory, and running on Google’s Android operating system, the new Nook features full web browsing, support for Pandora streaming radio, and you can even share parts of your favorite books over Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks. Even newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals are automatically delivered to your Nook as soon as they’re published.
The Nook measures 8.1″ x 5″, is only .48″ wide, and weighs just 15.8 ounces, with a screen capable of displaying more tahn 16 million colors, and featuring an accelerometer for landscape mode.
“With Nookcolor, we’ve combined the functionality and convenience of a 7-inch portable wireless tablet with the reader-centricity of a dedicated eReader, and employed a breakthrough color screen technology that will wow customers,” said William Lynch, CEO of Barnes & Noble, in a press release.
And, at first glance, the new Nook may just be a game-changer!
New eReaders Flooding the Market this Fall!
Expect to have your choice of eReaders this fall, just in time for the Christmas shopping season!
Here’s just a little of what’s coming soon:
Sony Reader
Sony is expected to introduce two new Sony Reader models in the near future.- The Sony PRS-350, a 5″ device, will replace the Reader Pocket edition.
- The Sony PRS-650, a 6″ device, will replace the Reader Touch edition
Copia
DMC Worldwide has announced that its $99 Copia e-reader will go on sale this fall. The device features a color LCD display, 5″ screen, 2GB internal storage, and will integrate with social networking sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads, where you’ll be able to show off what you’re reading, and discuss your favorite books with your friends.
New Pocketbook eReaders
Pocketbook, an eReader manufacturer headquartered in Kiev, Ukraine and Overland Park, Kansas, will launch five new devices that will be available in the U.S. market in October (pricing will be announced September 3 at IFA in Berlin). The units will be available online, and the company is working to distribute its products via Ingram Micro. On-board bookstore access will be provided via Bookland.net.
- The Pocketbook
602 Pro features a 6″ screen, WiFi & Bluetooth connectivity, 2 GB of storage, and is powered by Linux. - The Pocketbook 902 Pro features a 9.7″ screen, WiFi & Bluetooth connectivity, 2 GB of storage, and is powered by Linux.
- The Pocketbook 603 Pro features a 6″ screen, WiFi, Bluetooth, and 3G connectivity, 2 GB of storage, is powered by Linux, and has an e-ink Pearl display, and touchscreen overlay (with a stylus).
- The Pocketbook 903 Pro features a 9.7″ screen, WiFi, Bluetooth, and 3G connectivity, 2 GB of storage, is powered by Linux, and has an e-ink Pearl display, and touchscreen overlay (with a stylus).
- Finally, the Pocketbook IQ model will be Android 2.0 based, feature a 7″ color TFT touchscreen, 2GB of internal storage, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
According to early reports, the Pocketbook IQ can be used as a multifunction device, for activities like e-mail.
Literati
Literati by The Sharper Image actually fits more into the tablet category, and features a 7″ full color LCD display, WiFi connectivity, and access to the Kobo bookstore.
The unit comes in black and white, sells for $159 and is due out in October.
Sharp Squaring Off Against Amazon & Apple?
Sharp has a new file format, known as Next-Generation XMDF, or ever-extending Mobile Document Format, and has introduced two prototype eReaders, signalling their intention to take on the Kindle and the iPad!
Both eReaders, announced in Japan this week, will have full color screens and feature the new file format. This file format allows a much more fluid integration of both text, audio and video when viewed on eReaders.
According to the corporate press release, “The next-generation XMDF enables easy viewing of digital contents including video and audio, and allows automatic adjustment of the layout to match and meet publishers’ needs.”
With persistent rumours of TWO new models of the popular iPad, and Kindle releasing a color version, this year’s Christmas gift season should be HOT for eReaders! And, we as consumers, can expect some EXCELLENT deals!
Kobo Introduced Across Canada
Kobo eReader
The Kobo eReader launched Saturday in Canada, and is expected to be in Borders book stores in about a month across the United States. Pricing will be about $150, which is considerably less than most other eReaders available.
Will You Wait for HP’s Slate?
According to eWeek.com, “Hewlett-Packard’s upcoming tablet PC will be priced at $549 for its base model, and include a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, inward-facing VGA Webcam, and outward-facing 3-megapixel camera, according to a purported internal presentation leaked online on April 5. Although HP has claimed that its Adobe Flash support and camera modules will give it an advantage over Apple’s iPad, a specs comparison shows that the iPad has advantages in battery life, higher screen resolution, larger screen, and lower price for its 16GB WiFi-only model. ”
Newest eReaders debut at CES
Here’s a CNN article about the CES show, and all the new eReaders that are being introduced:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2010/01/06/ces.ereaders.cnn
eReader with an eDGe?
CNN Money is reporting that the Virginia based enTourage company is introducing a two screen combination eReader/Netbook computer called the eDGe, that will give the Kindle serious competition in the coming year!
The eDGe will offer access to both ebook content and most notebook computer functions, including internet access. The eDGe is a serious attempt to bring live internet together with everyday reading.
Read the entire article at:
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/technology/1001/gallery.ces_gadgets/5.html
Apple iReader?
Over the past week or so, The Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal, among others, have posted stories regarding a major product announcement planned for January from Apple.
Reliable sources expect this to be the long awaited “tablet” which would likely be 7-10 inches, and priced between $500-700, giving it competitiveness in the netbook market without actually being a netbook.
Rumor is that the device may be 3G wireless integrated, sold through cell phone carriers, and may include e-book software for books that could be sold through the iTunes Store.