Bookeen unveils cross-platform eBook reader
updated 03:20 pm EDT, Thu July 26, 2007
Bookeen Cybook Gen3
Bookeen on Thursday promised a genuinely new era of eBook devices with the Cybook Gen3. Its design centers around a 6-inch, 166 dots-per-inch Vizplex e-paper display that provides much better contrast and cuts the refresh rate by more than half. The screen is so clear as to be easily readable even in direct sunlight, Bookeen claims. Just as special is the now confirmed inclusion of support for Amazon's Mobipocket eBook format, which lets users buy and read DRM-protected books from the online retailer.
Unlike some readers, the Gen3 works with Linux, Mac, and Windows PCs and loads data through any USB connection or through removable SD cards. The battery is rated at 8,000 page turns and should last for roughly a month of frequent use. Bookeen is releasing the eBook reader worldwide and will sell it to US customers in September for $350.
Sony Reader main target
07/26, 04:11pm reply
This looks a lot like the Sony Reader but having Mac OS X support is something Sony has ignored. Sony did recently drop the price from $350 to $299 and if you get a Sony credit card, I think you can get there's for $49 so Bookeen will have to probably come in a little lower to compete.
Be nice if it was water/sandproof too. Would never want to take this to the beach/poolside. Maybe a protective case?
simdude
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2004
It's the future, BUT
07/26, 05:29pm reply
$350 is just plain TOO MUCH.
I appreciate that these things use a new technology that's expensive to produce, but it isn't going to catch on unless the manufacturers eat a little loss up front to gain some audience. Let's not forget these things aren't even COLOUR yet.
Call me when it hits $199 and I'm all over it.
chas_m
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
no pdf?
07/27, 04:48am reply
No pdf reading ability is a killer.
umijin
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2004
Deal Breakers
07/27, 11:33am reply
I agree, the price is too high. I also agree, it has to support PDF.
But this thing will sell much better than Sony's... except Sony is offering some special deals, like the sign up for a Sony Visa card and get their reader for $50:
http://www.sonycard.sony.com/sonygateway/gateway2.asp?offerlink=Reader3&PID=none&SPID=2Y2C&mkid=6BRR&MSC=&AFFID=&CLICK=&CID=&PROMO=DF01&PID=&SPID=&mkid=&MSC=&AFFID=&CLICK=&CID=&PROMO=&PID=&SPID=&mkid=&MSC=&AFFID=&CLICK=&CID=&PROMO=&PID=&SPID=&mkid=&MSC=&AFFID=&CLICK=&CID=&PROMO=
That's hard to pass up.
Deal
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2001