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Good PDF Reader Device With Internet Browsing?

Posted by timothy on from the all-things-to-one-guy dept.

ranjix writes "I need a handheld device which would allow me to read ebooks and/or browse the internet while actively and intensely laying in the hammock (and Yes, I do have a hammock in my mom's basement). I'll try to sum up the basic requirements: (good) PDF reader (and ebooks of whatever sort), WiFi connectivity and Internet browser, screen minimum 4.5", readable in sunlight, etc, fairly responsive, at least 4-5 hours battery. Obviously I looked at the usual suspects: Kindle/Amazon tries to grab one into the proprietary formats and their own network (while other ebook readers don't really browse the internet), laptops/netbooks are pretty hard to hold, and the UMPC arena seems a hodge-podge of 'to be released' (Viliv S5? Aigo whatever?) with 'seriously expensive' (Sony, OQO) or plain 'we recommend you don't buy' (Samsung Q1Ex). Is there anything else I could use in the given circumstances?"

4 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. Touch Book from Always Innovating by RicRoc · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I have pre-ordered a Touch Book from Always Innovating for just this kind of thing.

    http://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/

    Runs Linux on:
    Texas Instruments OMAP3530 with Micron 256MB (RAM) + 256MB (NAND) Memory
    8.9 inches 1024x600 A+ ressure sensitive touch screen
    Main storage: 8GB SD card (replaceable!)
    USB: internal and external

    Should be shipping this month!

    --
    Who?
    1. Re:Touch Book from Always Innovating by carlzum · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Great features and a competitive price, $300 for touch-screen and $400 with keyboard. My only question is, what is an A+ screen? I can't find much information about the display, other than the resolution. The images appear to have a glossy display, that would be a disadvantage in sunlight and for black and white text.

  2. Re:iRex iLiad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I too have an iLiad and would recommend AGAINST getting one. The hardware for the iLiad is great, the software from iRex is horrible. Just for example, the hardware has (stereo) sound capabilities. That's good. The software doesn't. That's stupid.

  3. Re:iRex iLiad by SpinyNorman · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Nothing with an e-ink screen is going to browse the internet "properly", but nothing without really fits the bill either.

    Maybe not yet, but check out this dual-mode reflective/transmissive LCD screen from Pixel Qi.

    It has the best of both worlds - in reflective mode it's like an e-ink display, readable in full sunlight, and in transmisssive mode it's a fast color display suitable for watching movies.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm8WoItVRn0
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oawX3wenxNc