The Odyssey's buttons are also on the left and right side. They work well if you read while sitting and press the buttons from the front. If you lay on your back and hold the device above your head, they are more ornery. Here's a review from another MR member that matches my experience:
http://flackoverflow.com/e-reader-review/ It's more insightful than the usual "commercial" reviews.
The new Icarus sounds excellent, and if I were to buy a new e-ink reader right now, that would be one of my top choices. But I'd also wait for some reviews.