I just ran across the Readius while tweaking my EVDO settings. But one thing they might have wrong, at least for the US over the next few years...it's HSDPA MBB. HSDPA is FAST but it also is not exactly rolling out quickly here in the US.
Over 230 million folks in the US have EVDO RevA coverage. People are using it over other WISP options because it's more reliable with better latency.
I am sure this device will be a HUGE hit in Europe and everywhere not the US.
I just wish device mfg's would decide to make connectivity options modular. Why exclude any segment of the population by making a device that functions over just one system? If someone is traveling here they could either buy or rent an EVDO module, WiMaxx (or whatever it's called this week), HSDPA module. And then if carriers offered monthly service options it would make everyone's life easier.
I did find a solid, so far, MBB ISP called Millenicom that I have a monthly service with for EVDO. I get Rev A and I am truly mobile now a days.
BTW, I have a Franklin CDU680 USB device and it uses far less power than my internal Intel 3945abg Wifi card. I get about 20mins or so more battery life when using the EVDO. So I suspect the way EVDO (and prolly HSDPA) works will offer longer battery life than wifi connectivity.
I actually like the idea of having so form of MBB in a reader. I added wifi to my antique Clie. Since doing so, it's NICE to be able to look-up details or definitions as I read. I thought it would be distracting at first glance but for me it actually improves my enjoyment of whatever I am reading.
Like others, I don't want a phone in the device. It is redundant for most people. Also it artificially inflates the cost. In fact isn't reading a nice quiet time in your daily life? Having a cell phone to intrude on that just seems, well, just darned wrong to me...
Reading is a simply joy...why are these companies trying to make it more complicated? I suspect it is because few of them actually read for enjoyment so they over engineer them.