The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Telcos to offer Asus e-book reader in Q1 2010, hint execs

Multiple wireless options on board

Asus' upcoming e-book reader will incorporate Wi-Fi, 3G and WiMax technologies, company executives have apparently claimed.

They've said almost nothing else about the device, mind. Even the screen size - said to be 9in - and the price - hoped to be under £100 - come from speculation and gadget buyer desire rather than official leaks.

That price is highly unlikely if the e-book reader combines all three wireless connectivity modes, but there's nothing the unnamed executives said that indicates the reader will contain all three.

Asus, like all other Taiwanese manufacturers, is obsessed with multiple model numbers, so we can surely expect readers with none, one, some or all of these connectivity options. We'll have our eye on the first of these potential SKUs, but there's no guarantee any or all will make it to specific territories.

The WiMax models will only go to territories with commercial WiMax infrastructure, and it seems that the 3G model will be pitched at carriers who can then give it away with expensive airtime packages. This may happen in March 2010, the executives said. ®

More from The Register

Android is a mess and needs sprucing up, admits chief
Can Google really fix it? It isn't in control any more
New Lumia 925: This, loyalists, is the BIG ONE you've waited for
Nokia veep drills high-end master plan for El Reg
Android device? Ooohhhh, you mean a Samsung phone
Koreans nabbed nearly all the Q1 profits – more even than Google
Review: HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook
All roads lead to Chrome?
Borked your iDevice? Pay EVEN MORE to have it fixed by Applecare
Or scream at their hapless techies on their forums
Euro PC shipments plummet into bottomless pit of DOOOOM
11th quarter of decline, 20pc drop on last year - Gartner
Report: AT&T dropping Facebook phone after dismal sales
Turns out folks won't buy that for a dollar