Skiff e-Reader

Friday, January 29, 2010, 10:59
Gadgets
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It seems that this is the year of e-Readers. Out of the many e-Readers announced at CES this year the one which grabbed attention of experts is the Skiff e-Reader. Users can look at it as an alternative for Amazon kindle. This is really true in US, where operators have spotted the opportunity to adopt the integrated devices of Apple and build a new revenue system. The device is specially designed to read newspapers and magazines.

Like the upcoming QUE e reader from plastic logic, Skiff also uses e-Ink display with flexible, non-glass substrate. The idea behind constructing such display is that the screen can be bent and will snap back without cracking. The display 11.5 inch touchscreen that is larger than Amazon kindle DX and brings different approach to digital newspaper. It offers a 1600 x 1200 pixels UXGA resolution which can be either controlled by stylus or by finger.

The Skiff promises to have a sharp layout and excellent graphic so that the newspaper and magazines delivered over air, by Herst’s digital publishing service, will appear mire like their equivalent. However, it may not be the case that the newspaper you are reading on Skiff is exactly same as that of public issue. Advertisements in your Skiff copy are added by this digital publishing service.

The device weighs below 1 pound and hence highly portable. It is very thin with a thickness of just over 0.25 inches. The battery is so efficient that it needs charging once a week if device used on average. It provides a wireless connectivity as it is Sprint 3G and Wi-Fi enabled. Though the device is thin, company has not made any compromise in case of strength.

Skiff reader is made to race with Amazon kindle and the company has made all efforts to make it superior. Though other features are not announced yet, the device looks quiet promising. Other features included are 4GB on board storage, SD card expansion and 3.5mm headphone jack. There is no idea about the launch date and pricing of the device but if you are looking for kindle option then here it is!