LG thinks e-reader can fight iPad, Kindle

LG is developing an e-book reader that it expects will directly challenge the iPad and Kindle, the company's Middle East and Africa chief KW Kim claimed late Thursday. He didn't explain its features but expected it would "compete with Apple and Amazon" in the increasingly crowded space. It will most likely ship by April, Kim said.

LG is one of the largest display manufacturers in the world and is likely to exploit its research of e-paper or other screen technologies to give itself a competitive edge. It's unlikely to use the large, flexible e-paper shown off recently but has also been developing color e-paper and similar techniques. At the same time, the company is believed to be paradoxically supporting Apple: it received a large order from the American firm for the iPad's 9.7-inch LCDs, according to Emirates Business.

Korean companies have historically been somewhat slow to adopt e-readers en masse as both LG and Samsung have only this year signaled their intentions to compete in earnest. Most have come from either neighboring countries like China and Japan as well as Europe and the US.

Kim also broke word that LG is striking a deal with carriers like the Middle East's etisalat to offer subsidized 3G netbooks based on "Google's operating system," although whether this would involve Android or Chrome OS wasn't discussed. Chrome OS is more likely as it's specifically intended for conventionally-shaped notebooks.

By Electronista Staff