The iRiver e-reader integrated with the Google eBooks platform debuts in U.S.
Elena Vnorovscaia / Chişinău / Moldova.ORG / -- First Google eBooks ereader will be available at Target stores nationwide. The iRiver e-reader is the first integrated with the open Google eBooks platform — more than 7,000 publishers, hundreds of thousands of ebooks for sale, more than 3 million free — permitting consumers to buy and read Google eBooks over Wi-Fi, and store their library in the cloud.
The one advantage is has over Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, etc, is that Google has no vested manufacturing interest, so it's free to offer Google eBooks on any device that wants it.
The manufacturer says that the device has some impressive specs, including a six-inch XGA (768 by 1024) E Ink display that the company claims as a world's first—the display has about 64% more pixels than rivals. At 7.3 -ounces, it's also lighter than competitive devices And iRiver claims a battery life that will let one flip up to 14,000 pages or up to six weeks of standby on a single charge.
Another detail is that the device has the i.MX508 eReader application processor from Freescale Semiconductor that is based on ARM Cortex technology for faster page turning.
"We built the Google eBooks platform to be open to all publishers, retailers and manufacturers. Manufacturers like iRiver can use Google Books APIs and services to connect their devices to the full Google eBooks catalogue for out-of-the-box access to a complete ebookstore," said Pratip Banerji, product manager, Google Books.
"You can also store your personal eBooks library in the cloud - picking up where you left off in any eBook you’re reading as you move from laptop to smartphone to ereader to tablet."
Available on 17 July, the iRiver Story HD will cost $139.99.
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