Spring Designs has introduced Alex, the first e-book based on the Google Android carrying full browsing capabilities as well as dual screen interaction technology, the Duet Navigator. The Alex combines the ability to read on a monochrome EPD screen while displaying the dynamic hyperlinked information on the secondary screen in full color. Alex is the first Google Android-based e-book device to provide full Internet browsing over Wi-Fi or mobile networks such as 3G, EVDO/CDMA and GSM.

There is no word yet on when the Alex would be made available since Spring Design is still in talks with major content providers. Hopefully something definite would come out at the end of the year.

(Source) Press

Tags: alex, capabilities, CDMA, content providers, dual screen, e-book, Google, Google, interaction technology, mobile networks, Portable Devices, spring design, spring designs

A new brand of ebook reader came out recently — the jetBook e-book reader. Released by ECTACO, this ebook reader has a built-in MP3 player for some audiobook listening if you don’t want to or can’t scroll through the digital pages of an ebook. Equipped with a 5-inch screen, jetBook comes preloaded with translating dictionaries so you can look up foreign words on the go. Moreover, you can also load it with pics. Although jetBook is packed with features, I believe it’s facing tough competition. At US$349.95, I think jetBook will find it a bit hard to convince buyers to purchase one of its product rather than the Amazon Kindle, but then again, it all depends on one’s tastes.

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Tags: e-book, Portable Devices, reader