Invention Review Blog: Smart E-Book Readers: iPad, JE100, JE200, SmartQ V7, Archos 5 / 7

We know what is a e-book reader but what is a smart e-book reader?

1.0 Definition

As of Mar 2010, we accept that a smartphone is a mobile phone offering additional functionalities, or "PC-like functionalities."

Wiktionary states that a smartphone is an "electronic handheld device that integrates the functionality of a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or other information appliance."
About.com explains that a smartphone should have these features: an Operating System, Software (eg. one that view MS Office documents), Web Access, QWERTY keyboard, Messaging, among others.

As for e-book reader "is an electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital books and periodicals and uses e-ink technology to display content to readers. The main advantages of these devices are portability, readability of their screens in bright sunlight, and long battery life." (Wikipedia).

Here, we propose that a Smart E-book reader is an electronic handheld device that includes the functionalities of an E-book reader, personal digital assistant or other information appliance. Furthermore, the electronic display is capable of being e-ink-like and LCD-like."

2.0 Smart E-Book Readers in Singapore

3.0 iPad, JE100 or JE200

If not for iPad, one may not put too much emphasis on the form factor, SmartQ v7 and Archos 5/7 are fine.

However, with the launched of iPad, that is pretty much the benchmark when one consider an alternative, in this case, an alternative Smart E-book reader. So far, only JE100 and JE200 can give iPad a run for the money.

JE200 is retailed in Singapore for S$360 while an iPad at this moment is about three times the price of JE200.

4.0 Software

JE200 runs on Windows CE 5.0 and there are thousands of compatible software that can be loaded on this device. I tried running both DOS and Windows XP software on this device and it did not work, otherwise we would have a lot more applications that is able to run on this machine than iPad/iPhone applications.

Software compiled by Jointech include:

MS Reader
SoftMaker Office 2008
ePub Reader
Pocket WinRAR
Foxit Reader (PDF)
Process TaskList
MobiReader for reading .Mobi and .PRC eBooks
Haali Reader
AlReader v2.5.090627
MMCE Comic and eMagazine Reader

5.0 JE200 Hardware

JE200 looks very much like a mini iPad. At 300gram, this is a comfortable device to hold and the touch-screen is sensitive to both finger touch and stylus and is satisfactory.

6.0 JE100 & JE200 Retailers in Singapore