Netronix EB300 Ebook Reader

The larger version of the ebook devices from the Taiwanese Netronix, Inc. is the EB300, a relatively huge 9.7" display screen compared to other comparable e-readers. This would be the first e-reader to challenge the notion that the standard 6" screen is not sufficient for reading volumes of favorite best sellers (correction: iLiad by iRex launched late 2007 has 8.1" display). Time will tell if 6" screen is better. Its counterpart, the Netronix EB100, targets readers who prefer the smaller 6" display.
For now, the price or its availability (worldwide?) of the EB300 as well as the EB100 are not yet announced.

As usual with other new ebook devices, this product is light and thin, equipped with anti glare with its non-backlit E-ink display. Battery is used efficiently with a life of 5000 pageturns, 3000 short of the EB100 version, thanks to its larger display. You need a 3.5mm earphone jack to enjoy listening to MP3 on this device.

The Netronix EB300 features the functionality to slideshow image files, connect via WiFi, Bluetooth and 2 ports of USB 2.0, and navigate using 4 buttons and a touch-screen.

Netronix EB300 Product Specification:

• Size: 7.7" x 10" x 0.6"
• Display: 9.7" E-ink display, 1200 x 825 pixels at 170 dpi, 4 levels of grayscale.
• Operating System: WinCE 5.0.
• Language: English, Chines (Big5/GB), Japan, Dutch, Spanish, French.
• Ebook formats: TXT, PDF, RTF, HTML/CHM.
• Image formats: BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG.
• Sound format: MP3, AAC.
• Font Format: TrueType Font (TTF).
• Connectivity: 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2 ports of USB 2.0 (one port can be used to power-charge).
• Input: Touch Screen & 4 functional buttons
• Storage: SD card expandable up to 2GB
• Memory: 64 MB SDRAM, 4GB NAND Flash.
• Battery Life: 5000 pageturns.

Netronix EB100 Ebook Reader

Netronix INC, a company from Taiwan, has featured two new ebook readers on their website - the standard-size 6" EB100 and the larger counterpart 9.7" EB300. Netronix is partly owned by Prime View International (PVI) who recently acquired the Philips' E-ink business and plan to produce significant amount of e-ink displays in the fourth quarter of this year, which hopefully will bring down e-reader prices.

As for the EB100, there's no information on its price or availability, yet.

The Netronix EB100 features include the standard power-saving capability with an 8000 pageflips for a single charge, natural and anti-glare screen with no TFT backlit mode. The product runs on a Linux 2.6 OS and supports multiple languages: English, Chinese (Big5/GB), Japan, Dutch, Spanish, and French).

Netronix EB100 Product Specification:

• Size: 5.0" x 7.8" x 0.4".
• Weight: 210 g.
• Screen: 6" Eink display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution (170 dpi), 4 grayscale-level, optional TouchScreen.
• Operating System: Linux 2.6.
• Processor: Samsung S3C2440 AM9 400 MHz.
• Memory: 128 MB SDRAM, SD card expandable to 4GB.
• Connectivity: USB v1.1 (MiniUSB), optional WiFi.
• Sound: 2.5mm stereo earphone connector.
• Ebook Format: TXT, PDF, RTF, HTML, CHM.
• Image Format: BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG.
• Font Format,: TrueType Font TTF).
• Language Supports: English, Chinese (Big5/GB), Japan, Dutch, Spanish, French.

Check out the Netronix website for updates on their EB100.