MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Does it support a HSDPA USB Dongle? Other wireless features needed.

wallcraft · 10-10-2008, 09:40 AM

The DR1000S does not have a host mode USB port. The underlying hardware and system software probably would support this, but it does not seem to be part of iRex's concept of operations for the device. The DR1000SW will have bluetooth and WiFi and a web browser, but collaboration software would have to be from a 3rd party.

The iLiad is the only current EInk device with a host mode USB port. It has not been used with a HSDPA USB dongle so far as I know. The iLiad v2 has WiFi, but iRex does not provide a web browser. There are several 3rd party browsers, but none that I would rely on for heavy duty use.

The nearest device to your needs may be the one from Plastic Logic, available next year - see Plastic Logic Announces Their New Reader. They explicitly mention sharing documents within a conference room, but note that "wireless" may only mean bluetooth and I don't think they have committed to including a web browser (which again suggests no WiFi).

The Plastic Logic and DR1000SW will go head to head in some markets, so perhaps both will improve over time. There may be other entrants too, since the high cost of a 9.7" or larger EInk screen favors fully functional devices (touchscreen, bluetooth, WiFi) with sophisticated software. The sophisticated software part may require a fully open device (perhaps the DR1000SW) or a company with the resources to develop it themselves (Sony or Amazon for example).

10-10-2008, 09:40 AM	#2
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The DR1000S does not have a host mode USB port. The underlying hardware and system software probably would support this, but it does not seem to be part of iRex's concept of operations for the device. The DR1000SW will have bluetooth and WiFi and a web browser, but collaboration software would have to be from a 3rd party. The iLiad is the only current EInk device with a host mode USB port. It has not been used with a HSDPA USB dongle so far as I know. The iLiad v2 has WiFi, but iRex does not provide a web browser. There are several 3rd party browsers, but none that I would rely on for heavy duty use. The nearest device to your needs may be the one from Plastic Logic, available next year - see Plastic Logic Announces Their New Reader. They explicitly mention sharing documents within a conference room, but note that "wireless" may only mean bluetooth and I don't think they have committed to including a web browser (which again suggests no WiFi). The Plastic Logic and DR1000SW will go head to head in some markets, so perhaps both will improve over time. There may be other entrants too, since the high cost of a 9.7" or larger EInk screen favors fully functional devices (touchscreen, bluetooth, WiFi) with sophisticated software. The sophisticated software part may require a fully open device (perhaps the DR1000SW) or a company with the resources to develop it themselves (Sony or Amazon for example).