eReader status checks

Now that the iPad is out and the reviews are flooding the www; it’s a good time to remember some of the other strong players in the market.

Available;

iRex – http://www.irextechnologies.com/

Kindle – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C

Nook – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?cm_mmc=Redirect-_-nook.com-_-Storefront-_-nook

Sony – http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644523779&XID=O:sony%20ereader:dg_read_gglsrch

Available but really hard to find;

Fujitsu Flepia – The only full color e-ink style device.  Not in the North American Market Yet.  This link is to a REVIEW - http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/hands-on-with-fujitsu-flepia-color-e-book-reader/

Things to look forward to;

Pixel Qi – This company makes screens but are often rumored to be coming out with their own product – http://www.pixelqi.com/

Plastic Logic Que – The original ship estimate was April 2010, that’s now moved out to ‘Summer’ – http://www.plasticlogic.com/ 

Skiff - http://www.skiff.com/skiff-reader.html

enTourage eDGe – This is not a dedicated eReader.  The dual screen (1 standard screen & 1 e-ink screen) make this a working unit - http://www.entourageedge.com/

Units with LCD type screens are not listed.

Plastic Logic QUE – preorders sold out

The Plastic Logic QUE preorders are due to start shipping Wednesday, March 17, 2010. 

If you preordered early, you can happily expect the unit soon.  If you waited, sorry – the preorders are sold out. 

Here’s a link to their site and while you’re there check out the growing list of content providers; http://www.plasticlogic.com/index.php

It’s nice to see Plastic Logic is setting expectations and delivering on them; it speaks of an organized and well-run company.  

If you’re unhappy that you missed the pre-orders don’t worry, they’ve partnered with Barnes & Noble.  This means that you can actually touch and explore the QUE when it appears in select locations this summer and nothing is better than a ‘hands on’ look.  So, waiting has its benefits too.

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The above is the opinion of the Author’s.

Plastic Logic QUE – Shipping expected May 17, 2010

Both offerings from Plastic Logic QUE (4mg and 8mg) are showing an expected shipping date of May 17, 2010. 

Link to site -  http://www.que.com/

Plastic Logic’s Que and Barnes and Noble

Credit-Que.com

Not everyone reads fiction and not everyone reads for pleasure.  Lots of people have to work and part of that is reading the associated documentation.  It can range from text-rich Financials to image-rich Presentations and all of it needs a large screen with fast, clear rendering, as well as business compatible file format support.  iRex was alone in that niche and it remains as the standard for the business world.  Plastic Logic wants in.

And what better way than to partner with Barnes and Noble? It comes with a huge distribution base and a substantial eBook offering. Their Nook is optimized for the pleasure reader, the Que will satisfy the business reader.

Nook, barnesandnoble.com

I look forward to walking into my local Barnes and Noble and seeing both units working together; the Nook, like a zesty little sports car and the Que, like a grander and more stately sedan.

Link to Plastic Logic Press Announcement, http://www.plasticlogic.com/news/QUEPressRelease_102709.pdf,

Link to Plastic Logic (if the 1st link doesn’t work), http://www.plasticlogic.com/news/QUE/que_presskit.html,

Link to Barnes and Noble Nook, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp?cm_mmc=Redirect-_-nook.com-_-Storefront-_-nook

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The above is an opinion of the Authors.