Best E-readers.com

Android Readers: A quick overview of all ereaders with Android OS.

By Best-eReaders, April 13, 2010

Android is an open mobile platform for mobile devices that is based on Linux kernel. It includes an operating system and user interface. It allowsusers to tap into Android apps and vice versa. More importantly, it gives users access to a million free, public-domain Google Books. No surprise it’s become the operating software of choice by many eReaders.

Here’s a rundown of current and upcoming Android eReaders:  

1. Barnes & Nobles Nook

B&N’s Nook is the first electronic book reader to run the Android platform. A dual-screen device, it has a 6-inch eInk screen used for reading and a smaller a color LCD touchscreen pad for navigation. The Nook allows you to lend books to friends (up to 14 days for free), borrow books from your local library, and read Google books.   

2. Spring Design Alex

The Alex Reader is an upcoming eReader that is closely similar to the Nook in design. The Alex will also feature a 6-inch eInk screen and, below it, 3.5-inch LCD screen. Powered by Google Android 2.0, the second screen will have full web browsing capability. You can use the second screen to surf the web, check email, visit online bookstores, watch YouTube, or tap a number of Android appls. An open systems device, the Alex can download any book or document using ePUB, PDF, DRM, .text, or HTML format.

The Spring Design Alex is already available for pre-order. Launch date is a tentative June 2010.

3. Gigabyte EB10

The EB10 will be the first eReader from Gigabyte, manufacturer of motherboard and PC peripherals. Featuring 6-inch PVI screen, the Android device will have the ability to receive RSS feeds and it will have open access to ebooks. The device will be powered by Samsung 667MHz .

4. Notion Ink Adam   

The Notion Ink Adam will sport Pixel Qi’s dual mode panel display, allowing you to switch between two viewing modes. For reading, you can switch on the device to eInk-style black and white display. For surfing the web, watching videos, or playing games, you can switch to LCD mode.  The Adam will run Android 2.0 and will be powered by Nvidia Tegra 2 processor.

5. Entourage Edge

Entourage Edge is another upcoming dual-display eReader/tablet with Android-powered resistive touchscreen. On one side is the 9.7-inch eInk screen for reading your books and documents. The eInk display supports ePUB and PDF files and can take notes with the help of a stylus.  On the other side is a 10.1 inch color LCD for browsing the web, watching videos, and other heavier tasks. Designed to replace textbooks, the device comes with a pair of mic for recording lectures.

Android is the perfect choice for many eReaders because it is already fully developed and comes with all the features you see on tablets, plus it works well with touchscreen devices. Android eReaders also have access to Google Books, Google Voice, and Google Reader. In a nutshell, Google Android makes eReaders a more convincing proposition.