Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Asus Plans Dual-Display E-Reader

Posted by kdawson on from the blurring-the-lines dept.

adeelarshad82 writes "Yet more confirmation has emerged that Asus plans its own e-book reader. An Asus representative in the UK appears to have confirmed this, with the additional details that there may be a value-priced as well as a premium version. The article guesses at the price point for the low-end model — around £100 ($192). Unlike current e-book readers, which take the form of a single flat screen, the Asus device has a hinged spine, like a printed book. This, in theory, enables its owner to read an e-book much like a normal book, using the touchscreen to 'turn' the pages from one screen to the next. Asus showed off a prototype of the device at the CeBIT trade show in March." Reader NeverBotedBush adds, "Asus's e-reader will likely have color touch screens, a speaker, a webcam, and a microphone, along with the capability to make inexpensive Skype calls." The color screen rules out using E Ink technology, so long battery life seems to be unlikely.

4 of 199 comments (clear)

  1. So let me get this straight... by Anachragnome · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    A touch screen (finger-print analysis)
    A camera (visual surveillance)
    A microphone (audio surveillance)
    Skype calls (call tapping)
    A speaker (subliminal suggestion?)

    Does it come with a free copy of of George Orwell's "1984"?
    Oh, right...thats been yanked already.

    But seriously, this combination of tech in a fucking BOOK reader? Call me Tinfoil Tom, but doesn't this make any of you just a wee bit nervous?

    1. Re:So let me get this straight... by Anachragnome · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      How is it this is moron modded informative while I'm modded flamebait when he is quite WRONG?

      The patent on the the technology: http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20080267456

      Or did I get modded flamebait because somebody got their feelings hurt?

      Stupid, useless mod system.

  2. Re:That's Great, But... by MrMista_B · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    It's called a 'book'.

  3. Re:Still not going to be Mainstream... by grumbel · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I have that netbook (the red one in the video), and it doesn't even approach the readibility in sunlight of a Sony Reader I borrowed.

    Sure about that? I don't think PixelQi screens have hit the market yet.

    If I'm lying on the couch using my netbook, once the sun moves round I have to close the curtains.

    That doesn't sound like a PixelQi screen. I have an OLPC which uses a earlier version of the PixelQi technology and that one gets better the more sunlight you have, not worse (you lose color in direct sunlight, but triple your resolution). The only disadvantage the OLPC screen has is that it isn't white like normal paper, but more greyish like recycling paper.

    Also, black and white (maybe with 2 greys) is fine for most of what I do

    Its not good enough for the Internet and when I have the choice between carring an eBook and a Laptop or just a LCD based eBook, i'd take the LCD based eBook any day.