Astak's 5-Inch Pocket PRO eBook reader released
updated 05:30 pm EDT, Fri August 7, 2009
Astak intros 5-inch reader
Astak on Friday announced its new 5-inch Pocket PRO eBook reader is now available for pre-order. The device supports more than 20 formats thanks in part to Adobe's permission to install Adobe Digital Editions firmware on the reader. This means users can now read DRM-protected PDF files in addition to public domain titles and copy-protected PDFs. Any non-copyrighted eBook from the Internet can be viewed, including public domain titles.
There is 512MB of internal storage space, while an SDHC card reader will add up to 16GB of capacity. The battery is rated at 8,000 page turns, and users can play back MP3 audio while reading. A PDF reflow feature makes documents more legible and there is a text-to-speech function that reads out documents. Font sizes are also selectable, and the E-Ink screen has eight levels of grayscale. At the heart of the Pocket PRO is an Epson controller and 400MHz processor.
Available in six different colors, the 5-inch Pocket PRO readers will initially cost $199, and are expected to ship before the end of August.
