In case you’re the type of guy who’s excited about the iPad, you might want to check out Apple’s iPad page, where the first iPad commercial is now playing. First played during the Oscars, the new commercial really didn’t show anything new, although the smooth interface is still pretty cool to watch. Or maybe we’re just hyped about the song. Or how it’s amazing that the screen doesn’t smudge with all the finger-flicking. Anyway, the video ends with a reminder that it’s due out on April 3rd, but if you’ve been following the iPad, we’re pretty sure you already knew that.
Just when we thought everyone has moved past the readers, here comes Asus with their first one. Dubbed as the DR-900, Asus’ e-book reader sports a 9-inch, 1024 x 768-resolution mono-color touchscreen, plus built-in connectivity options that allow it to go online to fetch you something else to read.
After months of endless rumors and speculation, Apple finally lifted the veil and officially released their tablet-slash-oversized-iPod touch device. We all thought it would be the “iSlate,” but they turned the tables on everyone and gave it the most obvious name that everyone thought of, but never considered: the iPad. So what exactly is it? Apparently, the rumors were true: the iPad will run on a souped-up version of the iPhone operating system (iPhone OS 3.2), a new Apple-developed processor called the A4 chip, it looks like an oversized iPhone and features just about every function you can pack into a net-connected touchscreen tablet.
Here’s the last Apple-tablet piece we’re (probably) going to run before the expected launch tomorrow: Evidently, Apple’s tablet (the iSlate?) will run on a modified version of the iPhone’s operating system. This bit of news comes from Terry McGraw, CEO of publisher McGraw-Hill during a CNBC interview.
Endless Ideas has come out with a new 6-inch reader called the BeBook Neo that features the usual touchpanel ePaper display, but without the 3G connection that a lot of current readers will be touting. Instead of having instant anywhere access, or at least “anywhere-you-can-find-a-3G-signal-from-your-specific-network” access, the BeBook Neo comes equipped with standard Wi-fi and a download interface that supports international eBook stores.
They’re a bit late to the party, but Asus has finally unveiled an ebook reader with a refreshingly different feature set. Tagged as the DR-570, the upcoming reader will look to stand out from the crowd with a bright, colored OLED screen—a nice change compared to a number of other products that tout grayscale E-Ink screens.
Amazon’s 9.7-inch Kindle DX reader can now be shipped to buyers outside of the US. According to Amazon, international users can also expect to get the full range of the Kindle DX’s perks, including free global wireless (via a 3G connection) for downloading books straight to the reader, the whole digital library (or at least the ones that give their eBook rights for the particular country you’re in) that includes “over 340,000 English language books plus US and international newspapers and magazines.” That means international users can now download Tuesdays with Morrie right after a Monday with Māoris (in case you’re in New Zealand).
A few days into the year and it looks like Pine Trail-based netbooks and e-book readers are going to take up much of this quarter’s headlines. Another e-reader, this time from Skiff and Sprint, who teamed up to deliver a sleek new 11.5-inch touch-sensing slate called the Skiff Reader.
Interead, the company behind the COOL-ER line of e-book readers (they also make reading “cool”—at least according to their tagline. But we’re not going to argue with that), have announced that they’ll be unveiling new readers at this year’s CES. Three new reader models are lined up for the year, including a compact model with a 6-inch screen, a version that comes with Wi-fi, and another that comes with a 3G mobile data connection.
Sony has announced that their flagship Reader, the Daily Edition, is now shipping. Designed for reading newspapers and magazines, Sony’s newest Reader sports a larger 7-inch touchscreen display and a 3G connection that allows for downloading regular content from Sony’s Reader Store with a free connection via AT&T’s network.
After months of endless rumors and speculation, Apple finally lifted the veil and officially released their tablet-slash-oversized-iPod touch device. We all thought it would be the “iSlate,” but they turned the tables on everyone and gave it the most obvious name that everyone thought of, but never considered: the iPad. So what exactly is it? Apparently, the rumors were true: the 
Amazon’s 9.7-inch 
Sony has announced that their flagship Reader, the 
