Another day, another ebook reader
September 23, 2009 by Robin Parrish
Filed under Electronics
Seems like hardly a day passes by without a new ebook reader hitting the market. Today, IREX took the wraps off of its new ereader, the DR 800SG. What’s IREX bringing to the table? An easy-to-use design, nearly endless ebook format options, and wireless connectivity.
IREX’s new ereader measures 8.1″ and utilizes a stylus for input. (Engadget points out that IREX is planning a touchscreen device for 2010, and a color reader for 2011.) The DR 800SG connects wirelessly to Barnes & Noble’s ebook store and ebook libraries for wireless borrowing — all without need of any wireless contract. It has 2GB of built-in storage, and expansion via memory card slots. There’s no button keyboard, just an on-screen version that you have to use the stylus with.
The DR 800SG’s best quality is how open-source it is, with support for ebook formats including PDF, EPUB, Newspaper Direct, Fictionwise, eReader, and TXT, with IREX promising to add more formats as they become standardized.
The device will be in some Best Buy stores this October for $399. International consumers will have to wait until 2010.
Image: IREX Technologies.
