New iRex machine on the way? Cheaper and easier to use iLiad?
iRex will make a major announcement on Sept. 22, ahead of a scheduled one from Sony on October 2. And it’s supposed to mention "both hardware and software."
What’s coming? A cheaper, easier to use iLiad? Perhaps even with Kindle-simple purchasing of books? That’s what I’m hoping. Or how about a machine with rugged, flexible display tech, ahead of everyone’s expectations?
Another possibility: Specialized apps
In another direction, I can also see iRex placing still more emphasis on specialized business markets or newspaper customers.
I hated to say good-bye to my iRex review unit, with its large screen and an approach far, far more open than Sony’s or Amazon’s. One way or another, I’m hoping that iRex can make a go of the iLiad or variants. The company says that iLiad Book Edition is sold out. But I don’t know how many units of it were made in the first place.
Clues about the forthcoming announcement
From Karel Byloo’s entry in the i-to-i blog, via MobileRead:
As you might have noticed, we have a banner up on our Web site with the tagline Seeing is Believing and the date 22 September. We have been working hard on some very exciting things and on Monday we will share with you more details on what we have on the horizon. In the meantime I can add that it involves both hardware and software.
For now stay tuned, as I will add more information and details as they become available.
Related: Earlier TeleBlog mentions of the iLiad, plus In-store POD for A&R chain in Australia, while e-books may not be doing so well at Dymocks.
September 18th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
It makes me wonder if iRex is doing this to blunt Sony? That is, iRex knows what it — iRex — has and figures Sony might have the same thing(s) too. So if they announce first, Sony becomes “Oh, that again.”
OTOH, it’s only the real geeky set that even knows iRex exists (at least here in the U.S.).