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Foxit Software gets into hardware biz with an eBook reader
We don't spend a lot of time covering hardware at Download Squad. But this story is just too cool to pass up. Foxit Software, the company behind one of our favorite PDF readers, plans to release an eBook reader that will take on the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader. The Foxit eSlick is due out in January and it will sell for $229 at launch before settling in at $259. That's about a hundred bucks cheaper than the competition.The eBook reader will weigh about 6 ounces and measure just .4 inches thick. It sports a 6 inch, 600 x 800 pixel display that should look a lot like the Amazon Kindle screen (since it's manufeacturer by the same copany). You'll be able to read PDFs and listen to MP3s. But there's no wireless connectivity which means you won't be able to automatically download books, blogs or newspapers without connecting the reader to a computer first. Foxit may offer wireless features on future models.
The eSlick will have 128MB of built in memory plus an SD card slot for expansion and it will ship with a 2GB card. The machine doesn't draw much power, which means you can flip 8,000 pages without recharging.
What do you think? Is the Foxit eSlick a welcome addition to the world of eBook readers? Or should Foxit stick to making software?
[via PC World]
Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsOjNKDec 19th 2008 10:41AM
Still too expensive, still no backlighting and why are the ergonomics of a BOOK so hard to get right?
The best design is still the 10 year old Rocket eBook model which is currently being sold by eBookWise for a lot less with a huge library of available titles, its not super light but its great in almost every other way. I've got 2! http://www.ebookwise.com
StuartDec 20th 2008 4:14PM
Backlighting on an e-Ink display defeats the purpose of the technology. It's supposed to not require power to display what you're reading, otherwise it's just another lcd.
Besides, if you were reading a real book and it got too dark to see the pages, what would you do? Answer: turn on a light.
HarpywifeDec 19th 2008 11:11AM
omg, another ebook device. Could someone please make one that reads all formats? or how about getting Mobipocket to release the client for the ipod touch/phone? If you can't use www.fictionwise.com with the device it's dead before it is even released.
OjNKDec 19th 2008 11:46AM
Eh, these are just like MP3 players, 75% or better of their use is piracy. As long as it can handle txt, html and pdf it has all the formats it needs.
DiRTDec 19th 2008 3:10PM
Color and cbr support or nothing.
SethDec 20th 2008 8:27AM
color eink tech is a long way off and as far as I'm concerned eink and paper are all I want to read off for any long text. I agree it's ridiculous that no one can get the book form factor right. Given foxit's history w/ software I expect them to do pretty well making the firmware on this device just right, including format support. Whatever happens I hope it's very hackable. One of the best things about the sony reader is that it runs linux which sony has open sourced. Of course for me the bigest selling point is price, so of course foxit takes the cake. I can't wait to read the first review of this device, then hopefully go buy one.
Bryan NystromDec 22nd 2008 12:01AM
To me, the price is worth it if does a decent job at formatting and displaying PDF documents, something the other readers are terrible at. My usage is more for reading PDF versions of technical manuals and books than for reading fiction and non-fiction books you would normally read on a Kindle or Sone eReader device.