Cool-er e-book reader to gain 3G, Wi-FI models
Mid-2010 launch
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The Cool-er e-book viewer is about to get even cooler, with manufacturer Interead planning to release 3G and Wi-Fi models.
A “next generation of connected Cool-er e-readers” will be available from mid-2010, the firm said, with the device’s 3G connection resulting from Interead’s golden handshake with US network carrier AT&T.
Interead’s announcement suggests that it is planning to launch one Wi-Fi Cool-er and a separate 3G model, though we hope one sporting both wireless technologies will be available.
Since AT&T is providing the 3G connection, only North American users will be able to take advantage. However, Interead mentioned that TV shopping channel QVC will be selling the next-generation Cool-ers – so there is always hope that QVC UK will be in on the deal.
In related news, Interead has signed a deal with firm NewspaperDirect to make over 1300 newspapers and magazines available to Cool-er devices.
Specific launch dates and prices for the new Cool-er models haven’t been announced. ®
COMMENTS
Looks like a rebadged Netronix EB600
Checked the website
http://www.netronixinc.com/product_e-book.htm
The upgraded version loks like theri EB 600 "Grace" or "Swiftie"
Key "Upgrades" seem to be Win CE as an optional OS (But Linux 2.6 still seems solid), doubled number of page turns (16k from 8k) and hand writing input (margin notes at last?)
If they are sourcing a lot of the ebook reader hardware this sounds like the perfect place for MS to cripple Linux in this market with their "how much to dump Linux entirely" offer.
E-Ink certainly improves battery life but I wonder if it could go even further (with the same size battery and battery tech). Once a page is rendered then picking up control inputs from the buttons or touch screen would seem to be the only things that need checking. lowering (stopping) the clock rate should knock down power even further.
What does an un-rebadged Netronix go for? It's still quite a lot for not that much.
What a wanky product name
Could call it a "Will" and be totally shit.
Is it just me?
I don't want a reader that's full of all singing all dancing go and fetch the paper downloading music playing note-taking touch sensitive crap... I want a reader full of books.
There's absolutely and utterly *no* need for over the air download, wifi, 3g, anything more than a USB connection - after all, how many people will want one of these who don't already have a computer and associated web access? Lose the connectivity, keep the battery life.
And if you're going to stick a music player in there, why not a phone? Sat-nav? Games, keyboard, camera... wait, that's a phone, these days, no? And why make it A4 size? I've got something I can use to view full-size or enlarged pdfs - it's a laptop.
Pah.
Something that can cope with raw text or maybe epub, and - if you must - reflow pdfs. Make it visible as a memory device on usb and you're sorted.
Sony Pocket looks the best at the moment...
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