(Credit:
Gizmodo)
Ever since word got out that Barnes & Noble was set to announce its own e-book reader next week, the rumors have been flying, with lots of whispers that the gadget might just have a color display. Well, it appears those rumors are valid, with one big caveat: the upcoming eBook (as it appears to be called) apparently has a standard, 800x600 6-inch monochrome e-ink display along with a multitouch 480x144-pixel color LCD that's designed for browsing book covers and perhaps other content, according to Gizmodo. That second display also would transform into a virtual keyboard.
Those waiting for a full color e-reader may be disappointed, but we have to say this seems to be an interesting hybrid solution that would take advantage of e-ink's strengths (excellent battery life, no eye-strain while reading) while giving users a zippier interface to access content (yes, the device is said to have a wireless 3G connection, though no carrier has been announced). On top of all that, this e-reader apparently has a light built into the top of the unit, so you can read in poorly lit environments.
This is shaping up to be a very interesting device and we look forward to seeing it in person next week. While no price has been announced, word is that B&N plans to undercut the price of the Amazon Kindle--but we'll believe it when we see it.
So, would this be a Kindle killer or what? As always, feel free to comment.
(Via Gizmodo)
Hey, Kindle 2! Apparently you have some legitimate competition calling itself the "kindle killer."
OK, enough with the cuteness. So far I've yet to be personally interested in the Kindle 2. That most likely has to do with the price of the unit. I just don't have the time to read enough books to make $360 for an e-reader worth it.
(Credit:
CBC News)
Indigo's Shortcovers caught my eye, though. PCWorld is reporting that the service is set to launch later in February as an app for the iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android OS.
Shortcovers lets you read the first chapter of any book free of charge. It then gives you the option to either buy a chapter at a time, or purchase the whole book. Single chapters are expected to cost around 99 cents each, with full books averaging between $10 and $20. You'll also have the option to have the book shipped to you physically if you prefer.
Shortcovers is owned and operated by Indigo Books & Music, supposedly the largest book retailer in Canada.
While there are e-readers for the iPhone like Stanza and services like Bookworm already available, Shortcovers will be leveraging its close ties to the publishing industry to differentiate this service.
At launch, Shortcovers expects to have about 50,000 full books available, with another 200,000 individual chapters and excerpts in its library. According to PCWorld only a third of the titles will be public domain or copyright-expired works. The rest will be current commercial offerings.
Shortcovers plans to offer news and magazine articles, short stories, and blog posts in addition to the book content.
Check back soon for an update as we should have a beta version of the software in our hands before long.
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