TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home
News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics
Another possible e-book device from TechCrunch
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009By Paul Biba
Now here’s an intriguing possibility. TechCrunch is designing their own touch-screen web tablet. Here’s what they say:
The idea is to get a new type of device into people’s hands for as cheap as possible (we were aiming for $200, it looks like $299 is more realistic). It fits perfectly on your lap while you are sitting in front of the TV, so you can look up stuff on Wikipedia or IMDB as you channel surf. It plays Flash video flawlessly so you can watch movies and TV shows on Hulu or Joost or wherever. Or listen to music on MySpace Music. Or use TokBox to have a video chat with your parents. Then check email and call it a day. Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Hulu, Wikipedia, Google Docs and Gmail are the killer apps for this device.
Because the device skips the resource-sucking parts of the operating system and focuses on one application - the browser - very low end hardware can be used and still give users a desktop-like Internet browsing experience.
The device is running Ubuntu Linux, so maybe FBReader would work. Read the rest of the article, with lots of details, at the link above. I would be very tempted to buy one. Thanks to reader Michael Harris for the link.
CTL 2go Convertible Classmate PC reviewed
Friday, January 16th, 2009By Paul Biba
It’s getting harder and harder to choose a netbook or low end portable PC nowadays. Too many good units to choose from! Laptop Magazine has just reviewed the CTL and given it 4 out of 5 stars. The unit sells for $499. This looks like an awfully strong candidate for a portable PC and e-book reader as well. Here’s their conclusion:
The CTL 2go Convertible Classmate PC is one of the first netbooks to employ touchscreen technology successfully. Its sleek skin over Windows XP simplifies program launching, and preloaded applications allow kids to take full advantage of the tablet’s functionality. When you put aside its sluggish hard drive and cramped keyboard, this is a setup that we would love to see emulated in netbooks aimed at adults. While its $499 price is slightly higher than most 8.9-inch systems (a similarly configured Acer Aspire one costs $379), its smooth tablet implementation and durable chassis make the 2go Convertible a great educational tool.
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Buyable now in trade paperback...
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"The rise of e-books": Panel discussion
TeleRead's David Rothman will be on an e-book panel. 
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