New ebook reader -Simplicit.E.reader

[Nate the great]

One of MR's more observant members noticed that JCPenney is selling an ebook reader on its website. It's not listed as being in stock, and I spent some time Googling it.

We don't have much detail yet because so far as I can tell this device hasn't been announced yet. I found the company's website, but it's not up yet. I found it in the Google cache.

This is the detail we have so far:

• 5" backlit color screen
• Adobe DE support
• 1GB memory
• SD card slot
• discount coupon for BooksonBoard
• product description says it can "read books, play music and videos"

and it's showing a sale price of $129.99. If that price is for real then I might get one.

P.S. I'm attaching the JCPenney product page just in case it's taken down.

Update:
I believe the company behind the Simplicit is SPI Inc, a small tech company based in Dallas, Texas. It's not completely clear whether this company develops its products independently or re brands the products it licenses.

Second Update: I just heard back from Books on Board. Yes, that is their coupon. They were a little puzzled about why the product page was up. The last they had heard was that the device wasn't ready yet.The release had been pushed back until Spring.

[Solicitous]

Sounds more like a 5" portable media player with ADE support than a dedicated e-reader.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

Sounds more like a 5" portable media player with ADE support than a dedicated e-reader.

That's what I was thinking yes.

[Dulin's Books]

They have a website that is under construction http://simplicitereader.com/

google's cash of the site had contact info and mentions SPI, Inc

here is that site http://www.spiinc-tx.com/

[Harmon]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

Sounds more like a 5" portable media player with ADE support than a dedicated e-reader.

Well, yeah, but so what? This thing has the same sized screen as a Sony 300, and comes in a smaller package, judging from the picture.

It looks to be about 1/2 inches less in width, and a little more in height.

No way to judge how thick, though. Maybe that's the rub.

And no doubt battery life will be less than a dedicated reader, but these days a battery should last a full day if you don't get sucked off into video.

If the price is for real, I can imagine buying one. Particularly since it looks like the pivot man in the "open ebook" universe might be Adobe.

The interesting thing to me is that this involves a mass retailer not normally thought of as a seller of electronics, whose customers are not normally considered as potential ebook customers, selling an ebook capable device at a teenager sized price. It's damn near being a stocking stuffer.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

They have a website that is under construction http://simplicitereader.com/

google's cash of the site had contact info and mentions SPI, Inc

here is that site http://www.spiinc-tx.com/

Thanks, but I already linked to that page.

[Dulin's Books]

oh ha i misread that as you saying something about JC Penney's site cached so I went digging. That's what I get for skimming

[ardeegee]

I did a "skew correction" of that angled image to straighten it out-- the display aspect is right around 3:5 (the 5 inch e-ink readers are 3:4.) Unless I'm screwing up my basic high school math (disclaimer: I may be screwing up my basic high school math) this gives the unit a screen size of around 2.57 x 4.28 inches vs. 3 x 4 inches on e-ink displays.

[GA Russell]

It may be those those of us here take Books on Board for granted. But considering their Buy 10 Get 5 Free deals with Astak and now JC Penney, it appears that Books on Board wants to be a major player in the public's mind as far as online eBook retailers go.

[mtravellerh]

Is it just me or does that baby really look a little bit fat? Wonder about the weight.

[HarryT]

It appears to have a 16:9 aspect ratio screen (for video use, presumably), which is not ideal for books.

[mtravellerh]

I still like the ADE support (if true). It looks, in essence, like the bigger iPhone some of us were craving. Now all depends on the ergonomy and the hardware specs!

[HarryT]

True. I wonder what the battery life is?

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It appears to have a 16:9 aspect ratio screen (for video use, presumably), which is not ideal for books.

It also only has one screen, which is not ideal for books.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by mtravellerh

I still like the ADE support (if true). It looks, in essence, like the bigger iPhone some of us were craving. Now all depends on the ergonomy and the hardware specs!

And software specs...

It really looks nice, but the software is as important to me as the hardware...