Kindle Review – Kindle Fire Review, Kindle 4 Review

There are all sorts of eReaders being released in March. Let’s look at a few.

Foyles UK starts selling BeBook Neo

Foyles UK has started selling the BeBook Neo. The Bookseller has the details -

1. Priced at 279 pounds – that’s $421.
2. It’s wireless capable with a built-in WiFi browser.
3. It has access to 4 ebook stores – Foyles, Waterstone’s, WH Smith, and Blackwell.
4. There’s a touchscreen and a stylus.
5. BeBook Neo also has an SD Card slot.
6. Foyles has 70,000 plus eBooks in its store.

The price is way too high. Apart from that it seems like a decent eReader and the 4 eBook Stores backing it up certainly give it an advantage.

Asus launches DR900 to take on the Kindle DX

PC Pro review the Asus DR900 which is being exhibited at CeBIT 2010 -

1. Its eInk screen is manufactured by SiPix (courtesy DigiTimes).  
2. There’s a 9″ screen with resolution of 1026 by 768 and 16 shades of grey.
3. Native WiFi Support with optional 3G.
4. The weight is 370 grams.
5. The touchscreen display has an on-screen keyboard and also handwriting recognition.
6. Perhaps best of all the touch layer doesn’t affect readability.
7. Formats supported include PDF and ePub.
8. Asus have said it will be an open platform.
9. In the UK its projected to be 250 pounds for the 3G version. It arrives in the UK at the end of May.

It sounds like a nifty little eReader – If Asus can get a 9″, 3G and WiFi capable, open eReader out for 250 pounds they’ll make quite an impact.

 KeyReader launches in Singapore

iCell launched the Key Reader and it’s quite an interesting device and offering –  

1. It’s 19.6 cm by 12.1 cm and weighs 300 grams.
2. It comes with Wireless connectivity. 
3. It uses eInk.
4. There’s a touchscreen.
5. It comes with access to 900,00 digital books in the National Library Board (NLB) of Singapore.
6. It’ll retail for 399 to 499 Singaporean dollars.

It’s an interesting looking eReader and the 900K free eBooks certainly give it a fighting chance. Note that the Kindle does not ship to Singapore (probably due to censoring issues) so KeyReader will not have to compete with the Kindle.

Intel’s Netbook + eReader – new convertible Intel Classmate PC

Wired and Fast Company cover Intel’s convertible tablet that doubles up as an eReader -

1.  It has good specifications – Intel Atom N450 processor, 1 GB RAM, lots of hard drive options, and 8.5 hours of battery life.
2. The screen will be a resistive touchscreen and 10.1″ in size.  
3. There is software for handwriting recognition and note-taking.
4. It’ll have WiFi and WiMax connectivity options. 
5. A choice of Windows or Linux – Windows 7 is standard.
6. The non-convertible Intel Classmate (no eReader twist for that one) sells for between $200 to $400 while this new convertible version is priced at $550 (Wired). 
7. Launch is hoped to be Q2, 2010.
8. The design is rugged and meant for use by kids – its coated in thick rubber that is spill-proof and fall-proof, the keyboard is anti-microbial, and the hard drive has shock protection.
9. The eReading software supports ePub and PDF.
10. An accelerometer is included.

Intel says there are already 2 million Classmate PCs in use.

With the iPad set to arrive and all these new reading devices being launched March is shaping up to be a very important month for eReaders.

Filed under: eBook Reader Devices Tagged: | asus ereader, new ereader