Features – Hardware and Software

The Viewsonic VEB625 has two main features that discern it from the VEB620. One, it comes with built-in 802.11 b/g WiFi modem, and so has wireless access to stores and book downloads over any WiFi network. There are some minor tradeoffs though. For one, the VEB620 is 1.4 ounces heavier than 9.1-ounce VEB620. Battery life is also impacted. You only get 6,500 page turns per single charge while the Viewsonic 620 gets 8000 refreshes. Device width and length is the same as the 620; however, the 625 is slightly thicker at 0.43 inches.       

The second significant difference is that the Viewsonic 625 offers touchscreen interface with annotation and freehand highlighting. You can use the stylus to add freehand notes, underline text passages, or highlight sections of text. There’s also a virtual keyboard which you can use to add notes or search your library.     

The Viewsonic 625 is also available in black or white.  

The Bottom Line

The Viewsonic VEB625 is also intended for Europe release like its VEB620 brother. Lightweight and multi-linguistic, the device does hold some potential as a traveling companion, but Viewsonic needs to upgrade the device’s features to make it more compelling.

Features – Hardware and Software

Instead of a rounded wheel, the VEB620 now sports a square D-pad. Gone is the gray pattern that contrasts the device’s silver finish. The shortcut buttons are now found below the screen. Weighing 7.7ounces only, the VEB 620 is one of the lightest eReaders around.    

The Viewsonic VEB620 also sports a 6-inch screen with 800 x 600 pixel resolution that is framed by 7.4 x 4.9 x 0.4 – inch chassis. However, there’s a noticeable improvement in clarity and sharpness of text – that’s because Viewsonic doubled the grayscale level from 8 to 16.

There’s a big improvement in built-in memory, too. The device can now hold up to 1500 books (2GB) and add 1000 more via SD card.

The Viewsonic VEB620 supports ePub, FB2, HTML, HTM, PDF, TXT, and RTF and can play MP3 files. Fonts can be resized into Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, or Extra Extra Large. A single charge still gets you 8000 pages or about 20 Harry Potters.

The Bottom Line

The Viewsonic VEB620 is targeted for European release. It is definitely an improvement over the VEB612, though it does need more software tweaks to make it competitive with other no-frills eReaders like the Sony Pocket Edition. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a super light eReader that’s readily accessible in Europe, the Viewsonic VEB620 is the key.

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. It displays eBook content in black and white, but 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.

As expected from an Augen, the device is intended to shake up things in the eReader segment through low pricing. With its MSRP of $99.99, the Augen Book Reader is for those looking for a bargain eReader that also offers some alternatives to reading.

Features – Hardware and Software

The Augen Book Reader is actually larger and thicker than the Kindle 3, measuring 8.9 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches, and heavier, as it weighs 10 ounces. TFT LCD screen is also wider at 7 inches. However, screen resolution of 800 x 480 is slightly lower; the Kindle 2 sported 600 x 800 pixels. Nonetheless, color and images are bright, and with no touch added layer to the screen, the Augen eReader doesn’t have much reflection as the iPad. Also, brightness settings can be adjusted to make reading more comfortable. Under direct sunlight, simply tilt the screen away from the light source to make the text fairly readable.

There are page turns on both sides of the device, allowing one-handed use by either right- or left-handed users. Under the screen is a QWERTY keyboard for searching on the web, typing emails, and the like. On the rightmost bottom is the Menu and Home button; it comes in an arc shape that half encircles the small D-pad.

A device designed to provide multiple alternate entertainment to reading, the Augen Book Reader comes with a full web browser and video and music player. Built-in WiFi provides flexibility in accessing the Internet.

Like the Kindle, the Augen Book Reader is equipped with a text-to-speech function; the device can read out loud ebooks and PDF-based documents. Though the device doesn’t support book annotations, you take down notes and edit text on WordPad. 

The device can display Adobe ePub and PDF, TXT, DOC, CHM, RTF, FB2, HTML, MOBI, and PRC text files; BMP, GIF, JPG, and PNG image formats; MP3 and WMA audio formats; and AVI and MP4 video formats.  2GB onboard storage can hold up to 1400 books at a time. If you plan to store hundreds of videos and music, too, there’s an SD expansion slot; it can support up to 32GB. The Augen eBook Reader can last up to 8 hours on a single charge – good enough for 2 to 3 full movies and several chapters of books.

The Bottom Line

The Augen eBook Reader has the potential to corner the budget segment of eReaders.

That it is currently out of stock in Kmart, one of the few stores that carry the device, offers a glimpse at this. However, Augen needs to fix the device’s firmware bugs and add new features if it hopes to attract more consumers.

Features – Hardware and Software

The Kindle 3 carries over lot of Kindle 2 reading-centered features, including social networking, free 3G access to Kindle Store (and its wide selection of competitively priced books and other reading materials), 60 second book downloads, free 3G access in over 100 countries, and cross-platform book sharing.

On the other hand, the Kindle 3 makes big improvements on the Kindle 2 over (1) ease of carrying the device, (2) ease of using it, and (3) readability of the device.

The Kindle 3 still sports a 6-inch eInk screen. To make the Kindle 3 more portable, however, Amazon has reduced its size to a svelter 7.5 x 4.8 x 0.335 inch form factor. The size reduction also allowed for a lighter weight of 8.7 ounces. The result is a smaller, thinner, and lighter device. Though the size got smaller, the memory got twice larger. The Kindle 3G + WiFi has 4GB memory, which can carry up to 3500 books at a time.

The battery life is also doubled: with the wireless turned off, the Kindle 3 can last up to a month, making it even more ideal for traveling. You don’t need to bring a charger even if you’re planning to spend a long vacation away from home.

The Kindle 3 has also been given a facelift to achieve a more ergonomic design. Amazon seems to have given a lot of thought as to what to scrape out and what to retain. The page turn buttons flanking both sides of the screen are now just one-quarter of an inch wide and are labeled with > and < arrows instead of words (as found on the Kindle 2).

The buttons come in a rocker style that press towards the edge, making them easier to press and quieter, too. The joystick got smaller, and is now found under the screen along with the Home and Menu buttons. The number buttons have been removed (to access the numbers, press the symbol button), and the keys are arranged more closely to each other.

Nearly half of the improvements on the Kindle 3, though, have to do with readability. The Kindle 3G is sporting a new eInk Pearl screen offering 50% more contrast. You can breeze through the menu, and the pages turn noticeably faster, too, than on the Kindle 2. You can now change the font type (choices include Condensed, Serif, and Sans Serif) or the line spacing (choices include small, medium, and large).

The Kindle 3 also supports non-English fonts including Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Cyrillic. Built-in PDF reader is better than ever, allowing you to add highlights, notes, and look up definition of words in the dictionary. It can also access password-protected files.

The new Kindle reader still offers free 3G access in the US and in over 100 countries all over the world. Also, Kindle owners will now be able to enjoy the benefits of WiFi, such as accessing the web or store when outside a 3G area.

The browser is now WebKit-based, and can be accessed either over 3G or WiFi. When browsing the web, you can set the page into text-only mode to make reading easier by choosing the Article Mode.

It’s not just the normal-vision readers who are going to benefit from the enhancements and new features of the Kindle 3G + WiFi. The device can read out loud item descriptions and menus, too, and so is great for people with low or impaired visions.

The Kindle 3 is available in Graphite and White.

The Bottom Line

Amazon’s decision to not add a touchscreen and color support to give the Kindle 3 better readability is quite laudable. Without any argument, Kindle 3 is the eReader that provides the most value for your money.

For those who want a sub-$150 eReader or who have no need for 3G accessibility, the WiFi version is just as formidable as its 3G brother. With its thinner form factor, more ergonomic design, improved readability and even bigger storage, the Kindle WiFi is positioned to out-perform every other eReader out there. And with its incredibly low price of $139, the Kindle WiFi is more enticing than ever.

Features – Hardware and Software

Amazon has given the Kindle WiFi a complete redesign. The first thing people will notice is its smaller form factor. Amazon has trimmed the Kindle in all corners, cutting out as much 21% unnecessary spaces. The result is a more streamlined, tighter look. The Kindle 2 measures 8 x 5.3 x 0.36 inches. In contrast, the Kindle WiFi measures 7.5 x 4.8 x 0.34 inches only. That doesn’t sound like much, but when you hold the device, you’ll feel the difference more dramatically: it feels lighter, thinner, and much easier to hold with one hand.

To allow for the smaller form factor, Amazon also removed the row of numbers button and resized the page turn buttons to just 1/3 of an inch wide. The navigation buttons have been re-organized to allow for a more ergonomic arrangement. The Menu, 5-way buttons, Back, and Home buttons are now located under the screen directly next to the QWERTY keyboard.

The keyboard buttons are more rounded and arranged closer next to each other, making typing a lot faster. The slimmer page turn buttons now come in a rocker style, which responds to presses easily without making any annoying noise. Instead of Word labels, the page turn buttons are now labeled with > and < arrows only.

What’s more notable is the way Amazon has made the Kindle WiFi’s readability much better than ever. The screen has 50% better contrast that its predecessor. It is also zippier, offering a 20% faster page turn rate. 4GB onboard storage is double the size of the Kindle 2, and it can hold up to 3500 reading materials. Battery life is also doubled; it can now last up to a month with the wireless turned off.

Amazon has added a lot of new features, too, including the ability to modify line spacing (options include small, medium, and large) and typeface (options include regular, condensed, and sans serif). The device also supports several languages (Japanese, Korean, Cyrillic, Chinese).

The Kindle WiFi has free access to AT&T networks. It is available in Graphite only.

The Bottom Line

The Kindle WiFi is already available for pre-order. It’s a very solid eReader that will be hard to resist. Amazon has really done a great job.

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Features – Hardware and Software

The Elonex 600EB reader is actually one of the many variants of the Netronix EB-600. The device shares the same hardware with the NUUT, Soribook, Pocketbook 301, eClickto, eSlick, and Astak Mentor Lite.

The device sports a black rubberized case that frames a 6-inch monochromatic eInk screen. That’s the same size as the Kindle’s and Sony Touch’s screen, but the 600EB ereader is smaller and narrower than both – thanks to its minimalist design. It comes with a 187 mm x 177 mm frame and a girth of 9 mm (that makes it about 1mm thicker than the Sony Touch).  There’s neither physical nor virtual keyboard; only a power button and a 4-directional keypad for library or in-book navigation. An SD slot for expanding your 512MB library storage can support up to 4GB worth of files.  

Elonex has an agreement with Borders UK, allowing device owners to access around 45,000 ebooks in the store. You can also shop from any online store that supports the ePub format. The device supports three of the most popular ebook formats: TXT, PDF, and HTML.  

As for its battery life, the device can deliver up to 8000 pages on a single charge.

The Bottom Line

The Elonex EB600 may be short on features like 3G and library book lending, but this no-frill device will suit anyone looking for an intuitive and easy-to-use device.

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.

Features – Hardware and Software

Like the Kindle DX White, the Kindle DX Graphite sports a 9.7-inch eInk screen display that excellently displays a broad range of reading materials. Instead of Kindle’s trademark off-white casing, however, the Kindle DX 2’s screen is enclosed by a graphite casing. 

Though both Kindle DX versions share similar features and capabilities, from a readability perspective, the Kindle DX Graphite is overall a better device than its white twin. The Graphite offers 50% more screen contrast and a higher contrast ratio of 10:1, making text and images look a lot sharper and clearer. Also, perhaps taking a page from the B&N Nook, Amazon’s choice of graphite casing is just perfect. The graphite enclosure provides to make the dark text of the Kindle DX Graphite stand out more against the white screen background.

The Amazon Kindle DX Graphite offers all the goodness you find in the Kindle DX. It also comes with built-in accelerometer, text-to-speech function, PDF reader, long battery life (2 weeks with wireless off, 1 week with wireless on), basic web browser, and a large library space capable of storing up to 3,500 ebooks and other reading materials. There’s the access to Twitter and Facebook, library collections organizer, and support for 6 font sizes. Further, the Kindle DX Graphite is an excellent choice for those who travel abroad much and for those who live outside of the US as the device comes with AT&T-powered global 3G access. Whether you’re in the US or abroad, you can enjoy wireless downloads and wireless syncing. As with other Kindle models, you can enjoy use of 3G without worrying about monthly bills.

Content Formats Supported: Kindle (AZW), PDF, TXT, Audible (formats 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.

The Bottom Line

Instead of bending to the pressure of the media to add video playback capability, games, touch screen, or other features not related reading, Amazon simply focused on improving the Kindle DX’s readability. The Kindle DX Graphite is a testament to Amazon’s great emphasis on perfecting the reading experience.

The iRiver ebook reader has clearly taken its design inspiration from the Kindle. You get the Kindle’s feel and appearance – the 8 x 5x 0.4-inch frame, the smooth matte finish, and the integrated keyboard below the 800 x 600 6-inch eInk screen, the page turn buttons flanking both sides of the screen. Yet without wireless 3G services and built-in eReader, can the iRiver Story eBook Reader hold up its own candle against its more advanced counterparts?
Features – Hardware and Software
 

What the iRiver Story eBook Reader doesn’t have is the richness of Kindle’s grey levels.
Nevertheless, text and images are still clear and comfortable to read on the Story’s 8 grayscale screen.

Getting content to your Story is a simple drag and drop affair from a PC or Mac. There’s a 2GB hard drive that can hold up to 1500 ebooks – that more than a year or two of reading, even for a voracious reader. If you want to expand your library, there’s an SD card slot located at the base of the device; it can handle up to 32GB cards.

Also found at the bottom of the eReader are: a mini-USB port, power/lock switch, and a headphone jack. A glance at the back of the iRiver ebook reader reveals the integrated speaker, which is useful for listening to audiobooks, recorded memos and lectures (the Story has a microphone, too), and music.

The Story can handle up to 9000 pages or 24 hours of audio per charge. Unlike the Kindle, the device easily gets along with other devices in the market as it supports both Adobe DRM and non-DRM. The wide ebook format support (ePub, DOC, XLS, PPT, etc) is great news for any reader. The Story can also display graphs and images in documents as well as comics and graphic novels in JPG, BMP, and GIF formats. Pages can be set into portrait or landscape mode. 

There are also handy extra features that students and professionals will love: the Story lets you create notes, edit texts, and runs searches.     

The Bottom Line

With its huge storage space, long battery life, and note-taking and other handy supplementary features, the Story is for any reader who wants good return for their money.