Irex introduces simpler variant of e-reader Iliad

Eindhoven-based Irex Technologies has its latest e-reader introduced, a device for reading digital books. The Iliad Book Edition costs 499 euros and is available from May 9.

When purchased, the reading device is already equipped with fifty classics stuffed upranging from Emma to Frankenstein. More books can be purchased, whether or not for a fee, from a catalog of fifty thousand works via the supplied software. The e-books can be placed on the device via the USB interface. Unlike its predecessor, the Iliad Book Edition no longer has onboard facilities for wireless communication. Optionally, communication with the device can be made via an Ethernet connection.

The Iliad Book Edition has a screen with a diagonal of 8.1 inches and a resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels. This screen can also display 16 different shades of gray. The e-reader has a 400MHz Xscale processor and 64MB of ram on board. The ‘reader’ is also equipped with 256MB of flash memory; Expansion is possible via USB, MMC or CF cards. The Iliad Book Edition measures 21.7 x 15.5 x 1.6 centimeters and weighs 435 grams. The device has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery on board, which is good for roughly fifteen hours of reading pleasure.

The reading device is also equipped with the possibility to take notes with a special pen while reading a book by means of the built-in Wacom technology. These notes can be transferred to the PC and shared with others. The reader can also search his entire digital library, browse through books and zoom in and out as desired.

The original Iliad was launched almost two years ago and since then several publishers and newspapers have decided to make their books and newspapers available digitally; NRC Handelsblad and the French publisher of financial media Les Échos have taken this step, among others.