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Alex Reader
Spring Design Alex Reader Overview
The past 2 years, Spring Design has been quietly working in perfecting their ereader, grabbing a few ideas from smartphones along the way. The result – a mobile, dual screen Android reader with patented “touch and extend” capability called Spring Design Alex Reader.
The Spring Design Alex Reader may bear resemblances with the Barnes and Noble’s Nook, but it’s an entirely different – and may even be the more dynamic — device. (Based on the lawsuit filed by Spring Design, Barnes and Nobles infringed intellectual copyright laws instead of the other way around). The first e-reader to have full Internet browsing capacity and dual screen integration technology, the Alex sets new standards in web referencing. Throw in text-hyperlinking capability, fastest refresh rate, and video playback, and you have a device well-designed to become the most powerful ereader on the market.
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Features – Hardware and Software
The Spring Design Alex Reader features two touch screen displays. The large 6-inch monochromatic EPD display comes with standard features of current e-ink readers, as its main use is for reading digital content. Users can download Adobe digital content from Google Books or purchase ebooks, magazines, and newspapers from Border’s Kobo-based store and other Alex partner bookstores.
The secondary panel, located below the EPD panel, features a 3.5-inch full-color display with 320 x 240 –pixel LCD and can be used for browsing the web over WiFi or 3G. It runs Google’s Android 1.6 and a number of other capabilities including video playback and photo slideshow. The touch-sensitive panel also houses the virtual keyboard and a slide bar, which makes text entry, skipping to a page, or navigating the menu bar a lot easier. Page turn buttons are also found on the sides.
Patented “touch and extend” capability (dubbed the Duet Navigator) enables users to view two panels simultaneously. Web Grab and text reflow capability allows users to capture and send selected content from online sites to the EPD screen for better viewing. With the Alex’s Link Notes technology, users can also hyperlink notes or multimedia.
To conserve battery life, users can simply turn off the LCD display when not using it. With wireless off, the device can stay on power for 2 weeks without recharging. Micro SD slot lets you insert an external storage device into your Alex.
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The Bottom Line
The Spring Design Alex Reader is opening new possibilities with the way we access and cache content from sources, and so enhances and personalizes our reading experience. A well-rounded device with groundbreaking capabilities, it certainly is worth its $359 price.
Alex Reader Pros & Cons
Pros
Though carrying two screen panels, the Spring Design Alex Reader remains light. Small yet compact, it can run any Android applications such as web browser and email client. Developer toolkits (Web Grab, Link Notes, and Duet Navigator) let you cache and display on the e-ink panel any web content with a tap of the finger.
The Spring Design Alex Reader is also going to house the new ARMADA 166e chip from Marvell Technology, which is reported to have the capacity to reduce current refresh rate norm to 0.3 seconds. If this is so, the Spring Design Alex Reader is on its way to becoming the faster e-reader on the planet. Smaller than the traditional chip board, the ARMADA chip is also the key to the Alex’s increased power efficiency and reduced cost.
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Cons
Spring Design Alex Reader’s layout gives the device an oddly longish appearance. Some think the device would have looked nicer if the LCD screen slides up behind the main display when not in use.
Purists also find the Android platform a distraction from the main focus of the device as an ereader. A court’s rejection of Spring Design’s request to embargo Nook sales may create legal conflicts in the future that may prevent Alex’s release.
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Alex Reader Features
Main Features
• Dual screen display includes a 6-inch e-ink screen for reading and 3.5-inch LCD display for web browsing.
• QUE bookstore carries more than a million titles
• Versatile 1.6 Android OS
• Onscreen keyboard
• “Touch and extend” technology
• Supports WiFi, 3G, EVDO/CDMA and GSM
• 0.3 EPD refresh rate
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Key Features
• Hyperlink texts and multimedia
• Dual screen integration capacity
• Access to Adobe ePub Books from Google Books
• Annotate, highlight features
Bonus Features
• Video playback
• Photo viewing
• MP3 player
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Is anyone besides me concerned that Spring Design has now missed their second scheduled launch date? I am very interested in this device but the delays and the fact that nothing has been said since January about the partnership with Borders is a bit disconcerting to me. Is anyone else out there waiting to purchase the Alex?
(raising hand)..I’ve been checking their site everyday..I’m fast losing my patience/enthusiasm with them. I’ve emailed them twice in 2 months with no response yet.
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