Plastic Logic Display Que Reader At Consumer Electronics Show
UK based company Plastic Logic has finally revealed its Que e-book reader which could now go into competition with the Amazon Kindle reader. The lightweight device, with touch screen controls incorporated was displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
More than a decade of research and development has gone into the Que at Cambridge University in the UK. It’s estimated that the R&D program cost more than $ 200m.
The reader incorporates 3G wireless connectivity and has a large format black and white screen. It is considerably more expensive than Amazon’s Kindle and is targeted at “mobile professionals”.
Two different models are available. The 4GB model retails at $ 649 and the 8 GB has sells for $ 799. The Kindle 2.0 and the larger Kindle DX (which is probably more comparable with the Que) sell for $ 259 and $ 489 respectively. The 4GB model has sufficient memory for around 35,000 documents. The 8GB model will hold 75,000 documents – which is equivalent to the contents of 75 filing cabinets.
According to Plastic Logic, the Que is “more than an eReader”. It features a huge 10.7 inch shatterproof display – currently the biggest of any e-book reader in the world. Apart from the sheer size, the display is notable for the fact that it is manufactured from plastic instead of glass. It is therefore more durable, surprisingly flexible and lighter.
The overall dimensions of the device are 8.5 X 11 X 0.33 inches and it weighs in at less than a typical periodical – around about one pound. It is not dissimilar to carrying a pad of letter sized paper around with you.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Que is more than an e-book reader, Plastic Logic have entered into partnership with Barnes and Noble who will supply books for the device. Agreements with newspapers, for example USA Today, have also been put in place.
Barnes and Noble will make 700,000 books available for Que users.At the moment Amazon have around 400,000 Kindle books available for their Kindle reader – but this selection is increasing at a rate of over 500 titles daily.
The Que will begin shipping in mid-April 2010. Customers can purchase it from either the Que website or from the Barnes and Noble website.
