iRex iLiad e-book reader gets reviewed
iRex's iLiad e-book reader has been available to order for some time now, but just in case you haven't yet made up your mind about dropping all those Euros, the folks at Ars Technica have now delivered an expectedly thorough review of the device. As you might have guessed, however, they found the iLiad to be a bit of a mixed bag, with the device's annotation capabilities the real stand-out feature, although most likely won't find that alone enough to justify the $876 or $950 price tag (depending on the configuration). Still, you will apparently get an "excellent" screen for all that cash, and plenty of connectivity options -- even including a few unofficial ones.
Filed under: Handhelds
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
eng177 @ Feb 19th 2008 1:45PM
This thing clearly fails miserably to be a Newton.
Superprime @ Feb 19th 2008 1:51PM
your comment fails miserably
Bad Beaver @ Feb 19th 2008 2:12PM
Hm. Boy, there is no competition. The Newton was designed to be a powerful, sturdy, highly reliable, fully autonomous, ultramobile pen-based computer. This is not. It's a reader you can take notes on. Nevertheless, I am seriously looking forward to the next gen of iRex though, with some little improvements (flip time, maybe color, and does it have bluetooth?).
eng177 @ Feb 19th 2008 3:54PM
Wow - you guys really missed the joke. This was in re: an article earleir saying a new PMP "failed miserably" to be an ipod touch. Just a snarky comment about how Apple-centric EG has beome.
Jagannath A @ Feb 19th 2008 1:49PM
"what is this German ??"
LOL
Mile @ Feb 19th 2008 1:59PM
Is there a federal law that says these ebooks can't be in color?
Even my newspaper has color now. What? I should read it in black and white?
Seoultrain @ Feb 19th 2008 2:10PM
These use e-ink displays, which use a lot less power and have the reflective properties of paper. I believe there are color e-ink displays out there, but seeing as we are still early in ebook development, all are black and white. Just be patient.
Mile @ Feb 19th 2008 8:30PM
Don't low rank me for not being satisfied with B&W.
How dare yuo!
Jagannath A @ Feb 20th 2008 1:03AM
its not because you want color that we rank you down but its because of your ignorance coupled with arragance that gives you this ranking.
we all love color e-ink displays.. there are few technology demonstrators that were even covered by engadget.. but it would take time for going mainstream.
you cant get technology on demand... it just happens.
Mark @ Feb 19th 2008 2:26PM
I think they ought to start using the key-phrase "e-Ink" in the names of the readers so the general public can start to discern the difference between it and your average LCD Palmtop.
Saturn @ Feb 19th 2008 2:42PM
The problem with iLiad is its battery lifetime: only up to 12 hours (so, it is usually less than that). Which, I believe, is because of its "beyond e-book" functionalities.
That takes down e-ink greatest features: no use of battery while you do not change the page. Cybook Gen3 and Sony Reader have a battery lifetime of 7,000~8,000 page turns, which can last weeks/months without recharging.