B&N and Verizon Jump Into E-Reader Fray with iRex

[badbob001]

From: http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/N...R800SG/?kc=rss

• Processor -- Freecale iMX31L (ARM11); iRex Delta display controller
• Memory -- 128MB Mobile DDR RAM
• Flash -- 256MB internal NAND flash
• Flash expansion -- 2GB microSD card included, expandable to larger format
• Display -- 8.1-inch, 768 x 1024, 160dpi, E-ink based electrophoretic display (16 grayscales)
• 3G cellular -- Qualcomm Gobi 2000 chipset (this may be questionable)
• USB -- Micro-USB port
• Operating system -- Linux 2.6.24

CPU and Ram-wise, pretty much the same as the DR1000S, which hopefully will make development easier and offer feature parity. This is certainly not a repackaged iliad.

[Bert]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

This brings up a question I'm curious about. How many of you that own iLiads and/or DRs regularly swap out memory cards? Personally, I've got one that basically stays in the reader all the time, so putting it behind that battery access wouldn't be a big deal.

Are there many people that swap cards regularly?

I regularly swap out the memory card of my iLiad ... Or better I did, until I managed to break the iLiads screen a week ago.
I found that the easiest way to transfer content to the card: take out the card, put it in my laptop's SD card slot, copy files, swap card to iLiad ... a lot easier than messing around with USB cables I think.

In fact, the only reason why I'm currently doubting if I should buy the DR800SG is the missing (external) SD card slot.

[oncdoc]

anyone see it at best buy yet?

[CleverClothe]

Originally Posted by Mr. Goodbar

With my iLiad the only time the card came out was to add content, but that was partly due to the hassle of connecting the iLiad to the computer through the port. Having a standard usb connection that also charges makes it easier to just plug the device into the computer and transfer content. I don't think I would remove the card that often if at all.

Same with me.

[Faenad]

Originally Posted by badbob001

I like this photo from DVICE:

Very nice form factor! The edge is way smaller than its competitors, especially the Kindle. If the device is sufficiently rigid as to allow being hold only on the edge without flexing the screen, it would be perfect.

I'm awaiting release and reviews anxiously!

[Ea]

Originally Posted by Bert

I regularly swap out the memory card of my iLiad ... Or better I did, until I managed to break the iLiads screen a week ago.
I found that the easiest way to transfer content to the card: take out the card, put it in my laptop's SD card slot, copy files, swap card to iLiad ... a lot easier than messing around with USB cables I think.

Same here - it's easy when you just drag and drop the files. Plus, I tend to charge it with a wall charger. On the other hand, with the Sony, I use calibre, and then it's easier to connect it to the computer. It's nice to have an easily accessible memory card, and I think I would miss it.

Originally Posted by Faenad

Very nice form factor! The edge is way smaller than its competitors, especially the Kindle. If the device is sufficiently rigid as to allow being hold only on the edge without flexing the screen, it would be perfect.

Until we have a un-smudgeable plastic screen, I rather like having a bezel to hold on to. With a narrow bezel I tense up my fingers a lot more, it's not so comfortable to hold. And I don't like having my fingers covering the text. That said - in the photo the bezel on the kindle looks HUGE! Wow.

[badbob001]

On the kindle, does having the bezel much whiter than the screen make the screen darker, lighter, or no difference? I wonder if irex's decision to make the dr800sg's bezel of a similar shade to the actual screen a design decision to make the screen appear whiter in the psychological sense. I think one needs first hand experience with a device to judge this and not rely on a flash photo. Any users with both the kindle and iliad?

Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same_color_illusion

Square A appears to be darker than square B...


but's it's only in your mind (it helps to use your hands to block out the surrounding squares or cut two holes on a piece of paper and apply it to the first image).

[badbob001]

Originally Posted by Ea

Until we have a un-smudgeable plastic screen, I rather like having a bezel to hold on to.

Yeah, I wish the irex had a plastic screen instead, especially when I read about iliad users with a smashed screen. I guess a plastic screen is not as hard as glass and thus may scratch when using the stylus. Iphone users were excited about having a glass screen (I think glass is necessary for the capacitive touch technology) but I'm not sure why. Maybe when plastic logic finally has something to show, we can compare the contrast between glass and plastic. I saw some videos of the plastic logic device and the prototype showed some rows of e-ink pixels that were not working, so maybe too much flexibility can damage the e-ink cells. Then again, a few damaged pixels is better than a big spiderweb pattern crack.

I wonder if the supplied cover is strong enough to protect the screen if the device is thrown into a bag with other books. I would feel better to keep some sort of padded plastic or cardboard container in my bad to slip the device into.

[sforce]

Boy, that side-by-side really makes the Kindle look small and clunky...

I'm still waiting for someone to compare the various units using screen surface area. These diagonal specs can be so misleading.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by badbob001

Yeah, I wish the irex had a plastic screen instead, especially when I read about iliad users with a smashed screen.

I don't think mass produced plastic eInk screens exist yet. That's one reason that products based on that screen won't be out until next year.

[Ea]

Originally Posted by badbob001

Yeah, I wish the irex had a plastic screen instead, especially when I read about iliad users with a smashed screen. I guess a plastic screen is not as hard as glass and thus may scratch when using the stylus. Iphone users were excited about having a glass screen (I think glass is necessary for the capacitive touch technology) but I'm not sure why. [...]

I wonder if the supplied cover is strong enough to protect the screen if the device is thrown into a bag with other books. I would feel better to keep some sort of padded plastic or cardboard container in my bad to slip the device into.

There's a plastic layer on top of the iRex screens - same as with any other current e-ink screen. The only difference is that they are larger and may more easily get twisted or otherwise damaged. I haven't noticed a higher ratio of iRex device owners with damaged screen though. Personally I've found them as stable as the other devices I've owned.

I have an iPod Touch as well, and I don't know if it's because it's glass or what, but it has virtually *no* scratches after bumbing around in a bag on an almost daily basis for close to two years. Perhaps they've given it some scratch-resistant treatment. Anyway, it's a very nice and clear screen.

I crashed the screen of my first e-ink reader (a cybook) by falling on top of it (it was in its cover), and since then I've been quite paranoid about taking *any* e-ink device I've owned around with me. That's what I use the Touch for

[oncdoc]

today is oct. anyone see this yet at BB?

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by badbob001

CPU and Ram-wise, pretty much the same as the DR1000S, which hopefully will make development easier and offer feature parity. This is certainly not a repackaged iliad.

They've said to me before that the UI has been redesigned based on feedback from the DR1000, but otherwise a lot of the applications should be easily portable between the two.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by oncdoc

today is oct. anyone see this yet at BB?

Not in their online store. Not at my local BB (Durham, NC)

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by badbob001

On the kindle, does having the bezel much whiter than the screen make the screen darker, lighter, or no difference? I wonder if irex's decision to make the dr800sg's bezel of a similar shade to the actual screen a design decision to make the screen appear whiter in the psychological sense. I think one needs first hand experience with a device to judge this and not rely on a flash photo. Any users with both the kindle and iliad?

Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same_color_illusion

Square A appears to be darker than square B...


but's it's only in your mind (it helps to use your hands to block out the surrounding squares or cut two holes on a piece of paper and apply it to the first image).

It's totally subjective, but on the Kindle applying a solid black (or dark color) skin to the bezel increases the contrast on the screen - makes the text look darker & sharper.