You may remember the previous expectations (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6077) of a rollup screen device by summer 2006. Well, things are not too far behind schedule.

Telecom Italia and Polymer Vision have announced the Cellular Book (http://www.polymervision.com/News-Center/Press-Releases/TelecomItaliaandPolymerVisionannouncetheCE.html). "The innovative terminal will be presented to the Industry as a world first at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona from February12th (booth in Hall 2, D 06)."

We're all about specs, and here's what we know so far:

* Polymer Vision rollable display technology which extends up to 5-inches
* 16 grey levels
* High contrast/high reflectivity display for paper like reading even in sunlight
* 4gig memory in initial devices
* Newspapers and books can be bought and delivered through TIM’s mobile network via a regular SIM Card
* Wireless access to e-mail, news, information feeds and maps
* Mini-USB slot
* Download and play music, audiobooks and audio podcasts
* Single-handed navigation
* 10 days of average usage time between battery charges

Future improvements should include color and moving images. But it's not clear if this will be a closed or open system. Will you have to buy content over their network, or will you also be able to read your own e-books?

And the bad news? "Telecom Italia will exclusively market the innovative terminal in Italy." No pricing was given for the device, wireless data costs or content.

Thanks to Branko Collin for the news. He has posted his coverage of the device at TeleRead (http://www.teleread.org/blog/?p=6153).

And the bad news? "Telecom Italia will exclusively market the innovative terminal in Italy."Ah, but: "Polymer Vision will market the device in the rest of the world". Which I guess means that only Telecom Italia will get the rights to the device in Italy.

I think I've seen the first serious/possible replacement for my Illiad...! :D That has some very nice specs...!

It's good that they finally come out with it, alas only in a very limited market.

I am concerned that the size of the screen doesn't do it for me. I find even the screen of the Sony Reader - which is 6 inch - could be bigger, and I don't think I could go back to anything smaller.

An other reader with left handed controls! :huh:

I really don't get it! Am I stupid to turn pages with the right hand?

PS Idots can refrain from answering! :happy2:

Sorry I can't refrain! :grin:

Seriously though, yeah, I turn pages with my right hand on a p-book, but I generally hold it in my left hand. On my Reader I both hold it and turn the pages with my left hand. Maybe that's what they're thinking of?

Besides, this thing doesn't look like it has that many controls, and certainly not enough controls to make inverting the screen un-doable. I don't think we know yet if that can be done on this device or not. :blink:

It does look like they've maybe found a way to reinforce the rolling screen, which would be a big plus. :nice:

I mostly use my left hand for reading for short periods or when eating and reading. Though I often switch back and forth when I read for hours at a time. Doesn't the Sony allow for inverting?

Jack

The Sony does'nt permit the hand that holds to swith unless you're holding it horizontal. If you're laying on your side, like 90% of my read time, it's a two handed affair.

Doesn't the Sony allow for inverting?Nope, and that's rather a sore spot with a number of people. :sad:

On the other hand (you should pardon the expression :)) it also only weighs 9 oz., so it's less of a burden to hold for long periods of time. :shrug:

Sure but if your hands are too dry or too humid, because of the nature of the material, you have to exert a death grip that is tiresome.

Ah, but remember: I use a wrist lanyard when I'm just carrying it around. :nice:

Soothes my nervousness about dropping the rascal, as well as reducing the amount of grip force I have to exert to hold it. :shrug:

Forgot that. I'll grab one off in the crowd of useless old cameras lying around.

Hi!
I'm in Italy, and I will buy one of these as soon as they will be available. Stay tuned for a review... :-)

The CellularBook looks like it just is a branded version of the upcoming Readius.

Is anyone planning on going to the 3GSM conference in Barcelona? I was thinking of going, but unfortunately will not be able to make it :angry:

Is anyone planning on going to the 3GSM conference in Barcelona? I was thinking of going, but unfortunately will not be able to make it :angry:
Would be cool if someone could go to Barcelona and make some shoot some nice closeups of the Radius for us!

Yes it would be really great to get any early info on this device, and especially any plans to sell a version of it outside of Italy.

Erwin... We look forward to your review!

Hi!
I'm in Italy, and I will buy one of these as soon as they will be available. Stay tuned for a review... :-)
Cool!!!

An other reader with left handed controls! :huh:

I really don't get it! Am I stupid to turn pages with the right hand?

PS Idots can refrain from answering! :happy2:


If you watch the animation demo at the Polymer Vision site:

http://www.polymervision.com/ProductsApplications/Readius/Index.html

you'll see that the display can be inverted for right or left-handed use. Not sure if this feature will be in the final product though.

Nice find, dreadnought. :nice:

I love their choice of book (http://www.polymervision.com/assets/downloadablefile/Hand-open-13090.jpg) to display on the screen in their demo!

Of course, that must be a mock-up display, the battery meter doesn't read full! :grin:

Interesting that it looks similar to the Iliad. And that the company is also a Phillips spin-off... :cool:

Do you mean that the GUI looks similar?

Do you mean that the GUI looks similar?

Yes... It just seems to be an evolution of the Iliads main page... :D

Ah, I see what you're saying now. :yes:

In Digital Devices Star at IDPF’s Digital Book 2007 (http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6440843.html) from publisher's weekly is the following: ... the introduction of new ones, like Telecom Italia’s pocket-sized Librofonio, which is expect to be introduced in the U.S. late this year So presumably it will be available in Italy very soon. Based on its advertized capabilities, I may get one when it is available in the US.