Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Linux-based e-book boasts "brightest and fastest" e-paper
Jul. 31, 2007

A France-based e-book specialist is readying a Linux-powered successor to its earlier Windows CE-based e-book reader devices. Bookeen's third-generation Cybook device, featuring "groundbreaking" Vizplex e-paper technology from E Ink, is a customized version of a Chinese-language e-book reader that debuted last December.


Bookeen's Cybook (left) is a customized version of eRead's STK-101 eBook (right)

Being derived from the same basic design, Bookeen's Cybook Generation 3 and eRead's Star eBook STK-101 devices share many features and specifications, including size, weight, and 6-inch screen sizes. Both run a 2.4.18 Linux kernel on a 200MHz ARM920T-based Samsung system-on-chip (SoC), while the Bookeen's device appears to offer double the boot ROM (8MB), the same amount of system RAM (16MB), and double the internal flash storage capacity (64MB).

According to Bookeen co-manager Michael Dahan, the most significant hardware differences between the two e-book readers are in their screens and mechanical housings.


The Cybook's display is based on E Ink's Vizplex e-paper
(Click to enlarge)

In particular, the Cybook's screen is based on E Ink's "Vizplex" e-paper technology, instead of the standard E Ink screen used in eRead's device. The company claims its use of Vizplex will equip its Cybook Generation 3 e-book reader with "the brightest and fastest switching epaper display of the market."

Vizplex, according to Dahan, provides a display that is "brighter with lower screen refresh latency" in comparison to E Ink's standard display technology. While both simulate newsprint presentation based on a 4-level grayscale, Vizplex "is truly like a sheet of paper, it can be viewed from nearly any angle and in a wide range of lighting conditions, including direct sunlight," he adds.


(Click to enlarge)
Other differences between the devices appear in the device's Linux-based software stack, adds Dahan, who notes that the Cybook's "entire application layer [was] developed by Bookeen." Key features are said to include:
  • Multi-format support
  • Mobipocket DRM support
  • Optimized and accelerated interface
  • Enhanced layout quality (header, footer, margin)
  • Better ergonomics
  • Multi language support -- occidental, but also, for example, Cyrillic (all
    languages except right-to-left like Hebrew and Arabic)
Additionally, the Cybook's embedded OS is upgradeable. The next release will gain enhancements such as "shorter booting time" and "better power management," Dahan said.

Bookeen notes that its agreement with Mobipocket, an Amazon company, to license and distribute the e-book titles in Mobipocket e-book format, enables the Cybook Generation 3 to be used with over 50,000 titles. This spans a "vast amount of copyrighted books ranging from bestselling Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code to the latest Hillary Clinton biography," according to the company.

Cybook owners are also free to read personal and public domain content. "On the Cybook, you don't need to convert your files to an exotic format or upload them to any proprietary web site. You simply transfer your files directly to the device and read them natively," said Laurent Picard, Bookeen co-founder.

Availability

The Cybook Generation 3 e-book reader has been released for production, and is expected to be available from the company's online store beginning in September. Pricing starts at $350, according to the company.



Related stories:


(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

mobile phones!

other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• Wind River buys Mizi Research
• Home automation panel runs Poky Linux
• "Green" integrated PC runs Linux
• Intel acquires Linux distro developer
• Linux Space Cube ready for blast-off
• Nettop is "almost fanless"
• Tutorial sounds alarm for Nokia tablets
• CG Linux distro supports multicore MIPS64
• Embedded Linux guide updated
• Patent dispute threatens GPS imports
• MIDs offer Atom, HSDPA
• Software connects Linux MIDs to PC media
• Linux radio keeps it simple
• Motorola U9 takes fashion "beyond thin"
• Location-aware social net app targets MIDs


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Updated! Linux Mobile Phones Showcase
• World's cheapest Linux-based laptop?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• First Atom-based notebook runs Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• "PDA phone" runs Linux
• Intel offers $80 "Little Falls" Atom mobo
• Netflix Player runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• Summit debuts for Linux end users
• "UbuntuLite" reviewed
• Linux in the SME
• Linux: not yet photo-friendly
• Linux to gain anti-virus software
• Linux gains backup utility
• Testing Lenny
• HP offers Linux on low-end mini-notes
• Dell shipping five Hardy Heron systems
• IBM pushes "Microsoft-free" desktops


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.