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

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by jessTay

When is the exact date of release?

I haven't seen an exact date.

I think I saw another thread say they'd be available at the end of the month in Barnes and Nobles, but my understanding was that they're initially only going to be available at BestBuy. Who knows how "official" any of that information is.

IMO, it's released when you can walk out of the store with one in your hands.

[jessTay]

if I were to go down to buffalo and buy one of the readers, do you think it would still work the same back in Canada since the network is supposed to work world-wide?

[badbob001]

Originally Posted by jessTay

if I were to go down to buffalo and buy one of the readers, do you think it would still work the same back in Canada since the network is supposed to work world-wide?

In theory, the hardware supports most worldwide networks, but you still need to wait for irex to make agreements with each carrier for you to actually connect. It's not like some sort of worldwide wifi.

Now, if the device supports a sim card, then you can in theory purchase your own connection. Another alternative is to have the device depend on an external device for connection. On that note, this news item is interesting:

Plastic Logic eBook reader to target business users
...
At a presentation during the Semicon Europa, Plastic Logic which runs its production in Dresden, showed a prototype of the reader and provided technical details. The reader will be designed to combine with a smartphone or similar mobile broadband device for wireless connectivity.
...

Could this mean bluetooth support in the Plastic Logic device? While bluetooth tethering seems archaic, having that option allows it to support more connection situations.

Also most likely the wireless hardware in the irex is in the form of a mini pci module, which in theory means you can swap in a wifi mini pci module and then hack in wifi drivers, though I haven't seen anyone do such a hack to the kindle.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by badbob001

Could this mean bluetooth support in the Plastic Logic device? While bluetooth tethering seems archaic, having that option allows it to support more connection situations.

It can also be cheaper if you already have a connected phone. For instance Verizon charges $60 for 5GB of internet access a month when using a standalone 3G modem. When using ones smartphone as a modem that same service is only $30 on top of the $30 for unlimited 3G access with the phone itself.

[jessTay]

gah I guess I'll just ask for money towards one for christmas and then sit tight till everything is sorted out canadian wise

[jessTay]

[Faenad]

B&N have a big press event planned for the 20th of October. I hope that they will launch the Irex on the same date. At least we should have more information.