IRIVER announces new reader - watch out Sony (threads merged)

Stingo · 01-08-2007, 10:03 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/i...e-book-reader/

Iriver has announced a dual page reader with leather exterior. It runs on AAA batteries which allegedly power it for 6 months. SONY get your act together, upgrade the reader, upgrade the software or get ready to lose another battle when the competition catches up.

each · 01-08-2007, 10:11 PM

// threads merged

News from CES 2007, iRiver seems to launch its own eink technology ebook reader device.

iRiver's prototype E-BOOk reader comes swathed in luxurious leather, features side-by-side dual touch sensitive e-ink screens, and uses AAA batteries for up to 6 months battery life (we didn't find out how many turns). From couple of pictures, it looks like iRiver also includes FM and MP3 playback in its new ebook gadget. iRiver still isn't even sure if they're going to launch this thing at home or abroad.

Leaping Gnome · 01-08-2007, 10:21 PM

Looks nice, more competition is always better, but I prefer the single screen of the Sony, this would be harder to use I think like laying in bed.

iRiver has never been a content company, so I wonder if they'll sign any deals for content.

scotty1024 · 01-08-2007, 11:13 PM

A prototype, with no clear plans, I don't think Sony is quivering in their boots.

Madam Broshkina · 01-08-2007, 11:16 PM

I have to agree with this comment posted over at Engadget concerning the Iriver reader:

"Why in the wide, wide world of sports would it need to have TWO pages? Twice the price, for what? If you really need it to open like a book, just put a hinged cover on it. Having two complete displays is such a stupid idea that I'm suspicious that this might be a joke."

scotty1024 · 01-08-2007, 11:26 PM

Unless their first market is Playboy.

Would give that "staple in the navel" a whole new look.

Nightwing · 01-08-2007, 11:33 PM

This looks like a prototype from Jinke. That dual one....

CommanderROR · 01-09-2007, 03:38 AM

I'm always happy to see more eink around...but I think the dual-screen approach is a bit counter-productive...but I know others disagree, so it probably has it's place.

segatang · 01-09-2007, 03:59 AM

It looks like "E-ink version of panasonic's sigmabook".
Two E-ink panels are fantastic but twice expansive than Sony Reader??

emkay · 01-09-2007, 04:07 AM

I am keen on a two page device - I think having two pages on view is an important part of how normal paper book reading works. We do a lot of "reading ahead" without realising it - not reading the words, but the layout, the approach of new chapters, paragraphs, etc.
It's also nice just to be able to see more of the text without doing a lot of page flipping.

Having said that I'm not so keen on the design of this prototype. The screen frames and the hinge look huge and obtrusive.

ultim8fury · 01-09-2007, 05:33 AM

It would be better for large pdf files assuming it can switch between landscape and portrait but on the other hand having two displays will bump the cost up by an order of magnitude. Worth keeping an eye on what happens though because I think this year should be an interesting one for e-ink readers and ebooks in general.

kacir · 01-09-2007, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madam Broshkina

"Why in the wide, wide world of sports would it need to have TWO pages? Twice the price, for what? If you really need it to open like a book, just put a hinged cover on it. Having two complete displays is such a stupid idea that I'm suspicious that this might be a joke."

Perhaps the reason is that you can read one page while the other one is refreshing. I STILL think it is an overkill, it just might be an answer to your question.

yvanleterrible · 01-09-2007, 08:41 AM

In what's available to see, if you look closely at the size relationship between the headphone jack and the device itself, the screens are not much bigger than 4" high.

A plus for two screens; you don't need a jacket because the screens close together thus protecting them. And doing it this way you could have your text on one side and a dictionnary on the other. Or a touch screen on one side to take notes associated to the other side's text...

Open your minds here, other possibilities could exist. My computer has two screens. When I do graphics work such as CAD or photo retouching, I have my drawing or picture on one screen and all open tools on the other. I also often have Word on one side and a pdf on the other.

rahlquist · 01-09-2007, 10:27 AM

Personally I don't mind two screens, especially if they can display independent data. For example your ebook on one and mp3 player on the other, or a stock ticker or something if it has wireless (ok not a continuous ticker but you get the idea, maybe RSS).

The other question that comes to mind is power consumption. Is it more energy efficient to update two screens at once or less? Overall though I like the clamshell like design. I guess we will have to wait and see where iriver takes this if anywhere.

nekokami · 01-09-2007, 11:47 AM

Two screens could be interesting if I can take notes in one and read in the other, for example. (I'm an "info pad" coveter). But-- call me a fanatic if you want-- I won't buy it if the only model comes with leather. Hopefully they'll also have a "vegetarian" model.

01-08-2007, 10:03 PM	#1
Stingo Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1334691 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Miami Device: KH2O, KPW2, KDXG, KPW1, K3, S505	IRIVER announces new reader - watch out Sony http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/i...e-book-reader/ Iriver has announced a dual page reader with leather exterior. It runs on AAA batteries which allegedly power it for 6 months. SONY get your act together, upgrade the reader, upgrade the software or get ready to lose another battle when the competition catches up.

01-08-2007, 10:11 PM	#2
each Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 78 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Device: Treo 650/iRex iLiad	iRiver's ebook reader // threads merged News from CES 2007, iRiver seems to launch its own eink technology ebook reader device. iRiver's prototype E-BOOk reader comes swathed in luxurious leather, features side-by-side dual touch sensitive e-ink screens, and uses AAA batteries for up to 6 months battery life (we didn't find out how many turns). From couple of pictures, it looks like iRiver also includes FM and MP3 playback in its new ebook gadget. iRiver still isn't even sure if they're going to launch this thing at home or abroad. Attached Thumbnails

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01-08-2007, 10:21 PM	#3
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	Looks nice, more competition is always better, but I prefer the single screen of the Sony, this would be harder to use I think like laying in bed. iRiver has never been a content company, so I wonder if they'll sign any deals for content.

01-08-2007, 11:13 PM	#4
scotty1024 Banned Posts: 1,300 Karma: 1479 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peoples Republic of Washington Device: Reader / iPhone / Librie / Kindle	A prototype, with no clear plans, I don't think Sony is quivering in their boots.

01-08-2007, 11:16 PM	#5
Madam Broshkina Manic Do Fuse Posts: 2,312 Karma: 3325462 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Sony 500, 505, 350, Kindle 3, DXG, nook, Irex DR800SG, iPad	I have to agree with this comment posted over at Engadget concerning the Iriver reader: "Why in the wide, wide world of sports would it need to have TWO pages? Twice the price, for what? If you really need it to open like a book, just put a hinged cover on it. Having two complete displays is such a stupid idea that I'm suspicious that this might be a joke."

01-08-2007, 11:26 PM	#6
scotty1024 Banned Posts: 1,300 Karma: 1479 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peoples Republic of Washington Device: Reader / iPhone / Librie / Kindle	Unless their first market is Playboy. Would give that "staple in the navel" a whole new look.

01-08-2007, 11:33 PM	#7
Nightwing Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 541 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Cowon A2 Dell x3i, Sony Reader & Eee PC!	This looks like a prototype from Jinke. That dual one....

01-09-2007, 03:38 AM	#8
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	I'm always happy to see more eink around...but I think the dual-screen approach is a bit counter-productive...but I know others disagree, so it probably has it's place.

01-09-2007, 03:59 AM	#9
segatang Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 81 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Taiwan Device: Kolin i-library	It looks like "E-ink version of panasonic's sigmabook". Two E-ink panels are fantastic but twice expansive than Sony Reader??

01-09-2007, 04:07 AM	#10
emkay Zealot Posts: 103 Karma: 11 Join Date: Jul 2006	I am keen on a two page device - I think having two pages on view is an important part of how normal paper book reading works. We do a lot of "reading ahead" without realising it - not reading the words, but the layout, the approach of new chapters, paragraphs, etc. It's also nice just to be able to see more of the text without doing a lot of page flipping. Having said that I'm not so keen on the design of this prototype. The screen frames and the hinge look huge and obtrusive.

01-09-2007, 05:33 AM	#11
ultim8fury Addict Posts: 219 Karma: 368 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: UK Device: PRS500, Looking at 700	It would be better for large pdf files assuming it can switch between landscape and portrait but on the other hand having two displays will bump the cost up by an order of magnitude. Worth keeping an eye on what happens though because I think this year should be an interesting one for e-ink readers and ebooks in general.

01-09-2007, 08:41 AM	#13
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	In what's available to see, if you look closely at the size relationship between the headphone jack and the device itself, the screens are not much bigger than 4" high. A plus for two screens; you don't need a jacket because the screens close together thus protecting them. And doing it this way you could have your text on one side and a dictionnary on the other. Or a touch screen on one side to take notes associated to the other side's text... Open your minds here, other possibilities could exist. My computer has two screens. When I do graphics work such as CAD or photo retouching, I have my drawing or picture on one screen and all open tools on the other. I also often have Word on one side and a pdf on the other.

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01-09-2007, 10:27 AM	#14
rahlquist Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 60 Join Date: Sep 2005 Device: Nook Color (ICS)	Personally I don't mind two screens, especially if they can display independent data. For example your ebook on one and mp3 player on the other, or a stock ticker or something if it has wireless (ok not a continuous ticker but you get the idea, maybe RSS). The other question that comes to mind is power consumption. Is it more energy efficient to update two screens at once or less? Overall though I like the clamshell like design. I guess we will have to wait and see where iriver takes this if anywhere.

01-09-2007, 11:47 AM	#15
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	Two screens could be interesting if I can take notes in one and read in the other, for example. (I'm an "info pad" coveter). But-- call me a fanatic if you want-- I won't buy it if the only model comes with leather. Hopefully they'll also have a "vegetarian" model.