The End Of Software - Anibal's Blog

Plastic Logic

The device isn't released yet.

Price: Unknown. Trials are expected to begin in the second half of the year.

Fujitsu Flepia

WIRED  Color screen. Wireless capability. Includes a browser and Windows Windows CE 5.0 (Japanese version) that allows email and use of Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and other Office applications.

TIRED  Super expensive! You probably need to get a third job to support your reading habit if this is your e-book reader.  

Price: $1,025 approx. (99,750 Japanese yen)

iRex iLiad

WIRED  Wi-Fi capability and USB/ethernet connectivity makes it easy to download books. Allows users to add notes and sketches to existing documents. Runs a Linux operating system that allows third-party applications to be created and run on the iLiad.

TIRED  More expensive than the Kindle and the Sony Reader. Access to pulp fiction and best-sellers is limited, as the iLiad cannot download files from the Sony or Amazon book stores — for commercial books, it only supports Mobipocket files.

Price: $600 for iLiad Book Edition

Amazon Kindle

WIRED Good-looking design is easy on the eyes. The wireless connectivity, provided by Sprint in the U.S., makes downloading books easy — no syncing with your PC required. Amazon's retail clout ensures a wide selection of books, blogs and periodicals.

TIRED Some users have complained about the low-contrast text. The book content is shackled by DRM that makes it impossible to use on any other device you own, unless you use Amazon's Kindle application. Will display PDF files, but Amazon charges a conversion fee of 10 cents per file if you want to send them wirelessly. No touchscreen, and keyboard-based typing can be tedious. Available in one color only.

Price: $360

Samsung's Papyrus

Touchscreen capability, 512 MB of memory but no SD card slot, and an e-ink screen

Price: $300

Foxit eSlick Reader

WIRED   Excellent PDF support — to be expected from a company that has its roots in PDF software development. Built-in MP3 player. Low price.

TIRED   Yet another e-reader! Doesn't support popular e-book formats. Requires  USB connection to your PC to download new titles.

Price: $260 promotional price. Shipping starts April 10.

Sony Reader

WIRED  Sleek, attractive design. Choice of colors including silver, black and red. No extra charge to access or convert PDF files. Partnership with Google gives users access to about 500,000 public titles from Google Books.

TIRED  No wireless connectivity requires users to be tethered to their computers to download a new book. The proprietary software used to download books from the Sony store is clunky. No browser available.

Price: $350 for touchscreen model

 Hanlin eReader

WIRED  Runs a Linux-based operating system and offers an SDK so functionality can be extended.

TIRED  Zero points for looks. No wireless capability to download books. Not clear how compatible it is with the Amazon or Sony e-book stores.  

Price: $300