iRex launches 3G, touchscreen e-book reader for US
updated 12:00 pm EDT, Wed September 23, 2009
iRex DR 300SG reader official
iRex today branched out to the US for the first time with its first e-book device intended specifically for the US. The DR 300SG has an 8.1-inch touchscreen e-paper display but centers first on its 3G access for accessing stores. It should support the Barnes & Noble bookstore out of the box for downloads but also recognize several other store format,s including Fictionwise, LibreDigital and Newspaper Direct as well as the universal EPUB format.
In contrast to the Kindle's Sprint-only 3G, the iRex reader will have a multi-standard Qualcomm Gobi chipset and support Verizon's 3G in the US but HSPA elsewhere.
About 2GB of internal flash keeps books locally on the reader, which besides its commercial support also recognizes PDF and raw text files. iRex bundles the DR 300SG with a book-like leather cover and promises to ship it to Best Buy stores in October for $399. A European release is slated for early 2010; other areas haven't been mentioned.
