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[The Elonex 710EB is currently available in the UK only]

Elonex’s entry reader, the eBook, did not make a splash last year. This was not a bit surprising. One of the rebranded versions of the Korean Netronix EB600, the device scrimped on features.  The Elonex eBook was sold exclusively in Waterstone’s (UK), but did not stay in the shelves long.

Its predecessor, the 511EB, has more staying power. It still sells in the UK and is said to have a devote following in Europe and Australia. Now, Elonex hopes to break into the American market with a cheap color eReader called the Elonex 710EB. Will third try’s a charm for the company?

Features – Hardware and Software

With its 7-inch screen, the upcoming Elonex 710EB sports roughly the same size as the Sony Reader Daily Edition, though the 710EB looks narrower and longer. To be able to render color, Elonex foregoes the traditional eInk screen for TFT LCD screen. Typical of LCD screens, the 710B eReader is backlit, making it excellent for night reading like the iPad. Its screen resolution, however, is less than the Apple tablet’s, just 800 x 480, which may make images and text less sharp and vivid than the Apple tablet’s.  

Specs and features of the Elonex 710EB are not fully known this time. What’s known is that the device can support ePub, RTF, TXT, and PDF formats. Unlike its predecessors, the 710EB is not content with just being a dedicated eReader and so packs some tablet capabilities. In addition to displaying books, the device can play MP3 music and audio books, display photos, and play videos, as well as surf the Web and send/receive emails over a WiFi network. The Elonex 710EB runs on ARM processor and, based on the company’s video demonstration, seems to use Google Android OS as well. Elonex says the device has about 8 hours of battery life.

The Bottom Line

If you have been waiting for a color eReader, the Elonex 710EB reader will be available for pre-order on July 31, 2010. With its short battery life and glaring screen, the device may not be the top choice of serious readers. On the other hand, casual readers may find the combination of color support, video playback, web browsing capability, and low price ($184) simply irresistible.

Pros

The Elonex 710EB looks slim and light. After all, there’s no hardware keyboard to bog it down with extra weight. Like the Sony Daily Edition, the 710EB reader is all screen. Its longish design makes it easy to hold in the palm of your hand. Touchscreen provides tactile interface, but it’s still not known if the device will have multi-touch capability.

Cons

The Elonex 710EB’s use of TFT LCD screen does make it able to bring color to books, videos, and photos, but this tradeoff comes with a price. The screen suffers from glares and lacks the paper-like quality of eInk. Battery life is significantly shortened. The Elonex Ebook could power 7500 turns on a single charge; the 710EB eReader has 8 hours of battery life only. Serious readers may find the extra features like video and advanced web browser distractions than necessities.

Main Features

• 7-inch color TFT screen
• Runs on ARM processor
• WiFi-enabled

Key Features

• Longish design
• ePub file compatibility
• Supports RTF, TXT, and PDF formats
• Displays videos and photos