eReaders in Development Table

Value Rating: Includes price and our assessment of what you get for your money. There are some very pricey eReaders out there which aren't good value, and cheap ones which don't deliver. Of course of readers which aren't out yet, we're making big assumptions and guesses here based on the info which is known.

Features Rating: Includes the eReader's capabilities, display quality, wireless connection, formats, ease of file transfer, etc. Of course of readers which aren't out yet, we're making big assumptions and guesses here based on the info which is known.

Usability Rating: How fun and easy it is to use, how often it crashes or how badly buttons are designed. This is the most subjective of the measures, generated from our testing experience as well as user comments from across the net and blogosphere. Of course of readers which aren't out yet, we're making big assumptions and guesses here based on the info which is known.

Screen Size / Greyscales: The personal eBook reader size is fairly standard at 6 inches diagonal, or 600x800 pixels as many judge this an ideal paperback-type size for casual, one-handed reading. Bigger isn't necessarily better. The number of greyscales is important if you'll be displaying pictures; early readers did 4, recent ones do 8, and the best models do 16.

Connectivity: Most eReaders use a USB 2.0 cable to connect and charge to a computer, but a few have WiFi/Bluetooth and only the Kindle 2 has a cellular 3G data connection allowing wireless ebook downloads and basic web surfing.

Memory: This is built-in memory that comes with the eReader out of the box. Most readers allow you to add more memory via various slots.

Battery life: Most eBook readers list this in page turns/refreshes, as maintaining an e-ink display "on" draws no power, but when you add functions like wireless, touchscreen, etc., battery life diminishes rapidly, so consider estimates rough.

Weight: eReaders currently weigh surprisingly little, usually less than a paperback.

Audio: Nearly all eBook readers have a headphone slot, and some even have speakers.good if you like background music.

Input Device: These vary from physical keyboard, to touchscreen to D-pads.

Screen Refresh: How long it takes to refresh the entire e-ink screen.

File formats supported: The number of format types the eReader supports. This is perhaps not a very useful metric, as if you only use PDFs and MOBI files for instance, it doesn't matter how many more are supported. See eBook reader Basics for if you require more detailed info.

Release date : When the current model was released--useful as it gives an indication. Newer is usually better, but some older models like the Sony PRS-505 remain a good value favorite with high specs.

Notes: Some prominent notes on distinguishing features--see detailed review pages for more.

Price: These are prices in dollars for eReaders in development. However, most of the time these are not known or could change. Of course of readers which aren't out yet, we're making big assumptions and guesses here based on the info which is known.

 

 

Readers (click to see review)	Skiff Reader	Plastic Logic QUE	MS Courier	iRex DR800	MID Hybrid
Our Ratings Value: Features: Usability:
Screen size / greyscales	11.5'' unknown greyscales	10.7'' 8 greyscales	two facing 7'' LCD screens	8.1'' 16 greyscales	Unknown--full e-ink and small LCD screens
Connectivity	cellular 3G, WiFi, USB 2.0 cable	USB 2.0, Bluetooth, WiFi, optional 3G	? USB 2.0 cable	USB 2.0 cable, WiFi, cellular 3G	USB 2.0 cable, WiFi, bluetooth, cellular 3G
Memory	4 GB	4G or 8 GB	Unknown	2GB	Unknown
Battery	~1 weeks	Unknown, "days"	? pages (~? weeks)	6,000 pages (~1+ week)	Unknown--eink 20,000 turns
Weight	17.6 oz	17 oz	Unknown	14.2 oz	Unknown
Audio	Headphone jack and speakers	None	Headphone jack and speakers	Headphone jack and speakers	Headphone jack and speakers
Input device	Touchscreen	Touchscreen	Touchscreen	Touchscreen/ stylus	Directional pad and keypad
Screen refresh	Unknown	~ 1 second	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
File formats supported	Unknown	16	Unknown	16	Unknown
Released	"Later this year"	15 Apr 2010	Unknown, still in rumor stage	Jan 2010?	Unknown
Notes	Biggest and first flexible metal foil eReader--potentially revolutionary	High spec, large model aimed at business, widely anticipated but not quite as good as the hype	Dual book-like screens on netbook--not e-ink display	Mid-size eReader, first from iRex w/reasonable price and 3G	Versatile mobile phone/eReader hybrid--looks great, but will wait to see final specs and price
Price	Unknown (probably very pricey)	$649 for 4GB model or $799 for 8GB+3G model	Unknown	$450	Unknown, 399+ euros likely
Link to purchase
	Skiff Reader	Plastic Logic QUE	MS Courier	iRexDR800SG	MID Hybrid
Readers (click to see review)		eDGE	Apple iPad	Alex	Asus Eee	Astak Mentor 9.7
Our Ratings Value: Features: Usability:
Screen size / greyscales		9.7'' e-ink and 10.1'' color LCD touchscreen	9.7 inch LCD screen	6'' e-ink and 3.5'' color LCD touchscreen	two LCD screens	9.7'' 16 greyscales
Connectivity		USB 2.0 cable, WiFi, Bluetooth, optional 3G	USB 2.0 cable, WiFi, Bluetooth, optional 3G	USB 2.0 cable, WiFi, cellular 3G	Unknown, 3G option likely	USB 2.0 cable
Memory		Unknown	16, 32, and 32 GB models	Unknown	Unknown	512K
Battery		16+ hours, or 6 hours with LCD on	up to 10 hours	Unknown	Likely short with two LCD screens	8,000 pages (~2 weeks)
Weight		44 oz	24	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Audio		Headphone jack, microphone, and speakers	Headphone jack, microphone, and speakers	Headphone jack and speakers	Speakers	Headphone jack and speakers
Input device		Touchscreen	Touchscreen	Touchscreen	Touchscreen	Touchscreen
Screen refresh		Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
File formats supported		13+	17	Unknown	Unknown	5+
Released		Feb 2010?	late March 2010 for WiFi version, April for 3G	early 2010?	Unknown	early 2010?
Notes		Dual book-like screens on feature-packed netbook-like design	Long-rumored LCD tablet which can also be used as eReader	Dual screen design potentially revolutionary	Likely cheap, mini-netbook with power-hungry dual LCD screens	Ambitious large model in development, possibly cheap rival to the DX
Price		$490 claimed	$499-$829 depending on memory/ connection	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Link to purchase
		eDGe	Apple Tablet	Alex	Asus Eee	Astak Mentor
Readers (click to see review)	Pocketbook 901	BeBook 2	Readius	Liquavista Pebble	Owen E1
Our Ratings Value: Features: Usability:
Screen size / greyscales	9.7'' 16 greyscales	6'' unknown greyscales	5'' 16 greyscales	6'' color	5'' unknown greyscales
Connectivity	Unknown, probably only USB 2.0 cord	USB 2.0 cable, WiFi and/or 3G internet	USB 2.0 cable, cellular 3G	Unknown	USB 2.0 cable, WiFi and/or 3G internet
Memory	Unknown	Unknown	256 MB	Unknown	Unknown
Battery	10,000 pages (~2 weeks)	Unknown	30 hours	Unknown	Unknown
Weight	12.3 oz	Unknown	4.1 oz	Unknown	Unknown
Audio	Unknown	Headphone jack	Headphone jack	Unknown	Headphone jack
Input device	Directional pad	Touchscreen	5 buttons	Touchscreen	Directional pad
Screen refresh	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Very fast	Unknown
File formats supported	17	23?	3+	Unknown	Unknown
Released	Unknown, early 2010?	Unknown, likley early 2010	2010?	Unknown	Unknown
Notes	Ukrainian reader aims to be cheap Kindle DX alternative for education market	This long-delayed model is one to watch, but we'll need to see if Endless Ideas can keep it affordable.	Phone plus roll out e-ink eReader in still in development	Announced for "2010/2011", new color reader w/"electrowetting technology (higher reflectivity, but color/video option)	New Chinese-produced eReader with little to distinguish it
Price	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown, likely expensive initially	Unknown
Link to purchase
	Pocketbook 901	BeBook 2	Readius	Liquavista Pebble	Owen E1
These are the main eBook we know of which are in development but nearing completion. If you want to see a table of all eReaders, including hard-to-get models and country specific ones, see our Worldwide Table, or if you are from a different region, try our US Table, UK Table, European Table , or Asian Table. Online eBook reader prices and terms change frequently; check company website for the latest. eReaderGuide.info is not responsible for any losses resulting from the information provided (see Disclaimer). If you do spot a factual discrepancy, please email us and we'll update the site.