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While some pundits are busily declaring eReaders are dead, here comes Velocity, full speed on, with a new eReader. The company has always produced classy-looking and quality desktops. The new Velocity CRUZ Reader, with its stylish look and refined performance, may enhance their reputation.

However, the Velocity CRUZ Reader is not following the dedicated eReader route. Instead, like the Pandigital Novel, the device is eschewing eInk screen for a full-color touch capacitive LCD screen and tablet capabilities – hoping to attract both readers, casual readers, and, even, non-readers. In addition to reading, the Velocity CRUZ Reader also lets you look at pictures, surf the web, play games, listen to music, watch videos, catch the latest news, update your Facebook, and more.

Features – Hardware and Software

With its black aluminum frame encasing a 7-inch screen, the Velocity CRUZ Reader looks like a smaller, squarish version of the

iPad. The device is ideal for palm reading or browsing: measuring only 7.55 inches and 5.6 inches wide, it easily fits into the palm of your hand. It’s about 0.6–inch thick (nearly twice the thickness of the Kindle 3), but Velocity says it’s very light. (For now, we have to trust their word for it.) The device sports a 7-inch premium resistive touchscreen with 4:3 contrast and 800 x 600 pixel resolution. To make readability better and easier on the eyes, the Micro CRUZ displays eBook text in black on white background. Images in eBooks, magazines, photos, web pages, and movies are displayed in their true, full color.

Velocity has partnered with the recently launched Borders eBookstore to bring more than 2 million eBooks to users. You can shop and buy books directly from the eReader over any WiFi network. Downloaded books are synced across devices; if you purchase Angela’s Ashes from your PC, the book will also appear in your CRUZ Reader library.

The Velocity eReader displays your library in an attractive, full-color cover form. If you want to continue reading a book, tap the library icon on the home menu; the book automatically opens up to your last page read. Based on Velocity’s video demonstration, page turn is impressively fast. Press the mid-right center of the screen and it gives you the next page in a second or less. There’s a Day (black text on white background) and Night Mode (white text on black background) to make reading as comfortable as possible regardless of the lighting environment. There are five font resizing options available: smallest, smaller, medium, large, and larger. Text reflow looks pretty good. Built-in accelerometer is tilt-activated, so no manual shifting of page orientation for you. The device can read ePub, Txt, PDF, and HTML texts.

Though powered by the Android OS 2.0, the Velocity eReader doesn’t have an access to the Android Market Place. Users can shop and buy apps instead from Velocity’s own CRUZ Market.

The Velocity CRUZ Reader also comes with 256MB built-in storage, support for up to 2GB SD or SDHC cards, and 6+ hours of battery life (24 hours on standby).

The Bottom Line

As a multimedia device, the Velocity Cruz Reader looks pretty good. But we wouldn’t buy it as a single purpose e-reader because of the same reasons we don’t count the iPad as an ereader. The Velocity Micro Cruz Reader is already available for pre-order with a price tag of $199.99. Shipping begins September 30^th.

Pros

The eReader seems pretty responsive, turning pages and loading books and applications fast, though we do have to reserve full judgment until we get to test the actual device. Touch capability already lets you access menus and applications fast; the inclusion of shortcut buttons on the right side of the device makes it all the more easier. Battery is user-replaceable.

Cons

Onboard memory is very meager. Given that you will likely be storing movies and installing apps to the device, too, that means you have to carry extra SD card with you when you travel. Battery life of 6 hours (for reading) is very limited, too – not enough to get you through to the last page of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. You may need to charge on a daily basis, which is quite inconvenient really. You won’t have much flexibility as to what books to get to your library; the device supports 4 text formats only. How good the virtual keyboard is still unknown; Velocity seems to have forgotten about it in their video demonstration.

What’s in the box:

• Velocity Micro Cruz Reader
• USB cable
• 2GB SD Card
• Docking Station
• User manual

Main Features

• 7-inch resistive color touch screen
• Dimension: 7.55" X 5.6" X .57"
• 256MB onboard memory
• Expansion slot supports up to 2GB SD, SDHC cards
• Runs on Android OS
• 802.11 b/g connectivity

Key Features

• Packed with multimedia entertainment
• Fits nicely in the palm of your hand
• Sleek and stylish

Bonus Features

• Dictionary
• Alarm Clock
• 2GB SD card
• Docking station