iRex makes 3G-ready e-book reader official

iRex on Monday kicked off the debut of its promised e-book reader updates with the launch of its new Digital Reader 1000 series devices. With a 10.2-inch e-ink display, the readers are built to read very large documents and can handle letter-sized documents without resizing or having to scroll the text. A top-end version is also the first to bundle both 3G and Wi-Fi into one reader and can download or share books without having to be close to a hotspot.

All of the Digital Reader 1000 handhelds support Office and PDF files on top of e-book formats. iRex doesn't mention battery life other than to say the very passive screen lasts for "days" on a charge of its lithium-ion pack.

Pricing matches up with that from a leak and costs $650 for a basic Reader 1000 with no wireless features. A $750 Reader 1000 S adds touch input with a stylus for commenting on files, and a range-topping 1000 SW adds 3G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for Internet access and peripherals. Ship dates are unknown.