New Sharp color e-book reader with 4.3" screen

Bob Russell · 12-19-2006, 05:48 PM

Sharp's new device, the RD-CX100, is a dictionary and e-book reader with a color screen. It appears to be an LCD display, and has the recognizable Sharp look to it.

Some of the features:
* Linux based
* 4.3" color screen
* FM Receiver
* Audiobook support
* E-book support
* Multi-lingual dictionary
* Brushed aluminum clamshell with keyboard
* About $330 price

Some important qualities are not yet clear, such as what e-book/audiobook formats are supported, screen resolution, battery life, storage capacity, etc.

We'll have to also determine whether or not it's available outside of Japan. So many of these gadgets are just a Japanese tease, because they can't be obtained except through importers who do some basic language conversions on these types of devices.

From Engadget.

derekweb · 12-19-2006, 06:08 PM

Well, if it's based on Linux, odds are that if it's imported in some method there should be an unofficial "conversion" kit for the software linguistics. So whether or not it's done when you buy it,... I'm SURE there has to be a motivated Linux guru that can do that kind of conversion.

Now. How do you fix the keys on the keyboard itself?! ~grins~

rlauzon · 12-19-2006, 07:13 PM

This looks very much like an updated, and more consumer-focused, version of my Zaurus SL-C760.

Fantastic screen.
Awful battery life.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 12-20-2006, 10:23 AM

I was going to say myself, it looks like a clamshell PPC, and with those installed apps, sounds like it, too. Isn't that really what it is? Or will it somehow be impossible to port other apps into it?

'Course, I have nothing against clamshell PPCs (owned a Diamond Mako myself once). Depending on features and price, I'd consider it.

segatang · 12-20-2006, 11:17 AM

As my knowledge, the ebook format would be the "XDMF" of sharp.
Recently, there is no edit tool of XDMF for end-user.

yvanleterrible · 12-20-2006, 12:06 PM

What! An other format! EBabel's getting worse and worse.

arivero · 12-21-2006, 10:46 AM

Yep, it is just a Zaurus. Good because it implies Zaurii Linuxes will keep developing.

Antartica · 12-22-2006, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Russell

Some important qualities are not yet clear, such as what e-book/audiobook formats are supported, screen resolution, battery life, storage capacity, etc.[/URL].

The screen resolution seems to be:

480(W) x 272(H) Dot

As is specified in the specs page:

http://www.sharp-korea.co.kr/04produ...ec.asp?pid=373

P.S.: No, I don't understand korean; that was the only data I could gather from that page X-).

rlauzon · 12-22-2006, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antartica

The screen resolution seems to be:
480(W) x 272(H) Dot

That would put the screen at less than half the resolution of my SL-C760.

Since the backlight is what sucks up the power, it would seem that they made their reader less desirable than my Zaurus, without any benefit.

12-19-2006, 05:48 PM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	New Sharp color e-book reader with 4.3" screen Sharp's new device, the RD-CX100, is a dictionary and e-book reader with a color screen. It appears to be an LCD display, and has the recognizable Sharp look to it. Some of the features: * Linux based * 4.3" color screen * FM Receiver * Audiobook support * E-book support * Multi-lingual dictionary * Brushed aluminum clamshell with keyboard * About $330 price Some important qualities are not yet clear, such as what e-book/audiobook formats are supported, screen resolution, battery life, storage capacity, etc. We'll have to also determine whether or not it's available outside of Japan. So many of these gadgets are just a Japanese tease, because they can't be obtained except through importers who do some basic language conversions on these types of devices. From Engadget.

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12-19-2006, 06:08 PM	#2
derekweb Groupie Posts: 160 Karma: 3134 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: United States Device: Palm Treo 700p & iPaq hx2755	Well, if it's based on Linux, odds are that if it's imported in some method there should be an unofficial "conversion" kit for the software linguistics. So whether or not it's done when you buy it,... I'm SURE there has to be a motivated Linux guru that can do that kind of conversion. Now. How do you fix the keys on the keyboard itself?! ~grins~

12-19-2006, 07:13 PM	#3
rlauzon Wizard Posts: 1,018 Karma: 67827 Join Date: Jan 2005 Device: PocketBook Era	This looks very much like an updated, and more consumer-focused, version of my Zaurus SL-C760. Fantastic screen. Awful battery life.

12-20-2006, 10:23 AM	#4
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I was going to say myself, it looks like a clamshell PPC, and with those installed apps, sounds like it, too. Isn't that really what it is? Or will it somehow be impossible to port other apps into it? 'Course, I have nothing against clamshell PPCs (owned a Diamond Mako myself once). Depending on features and price, I'd consider it.

12-20-2006, 11:17 AM	#5
segatang Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 81 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Taiwan Device: Kolin i-library	As my knowledge, the ebook format would be the "XDMF" of sharp. Recently, there is no edit tool of XDMF for end-user.

12-20-2006, 12:06 PM	#6
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	What! An other format! EBabel's getting worse and worse.

12-21-2006, 10:46 AM	#7
arivero Guru Posts: 607 Karma: 2157 Join Date: Oct 2005 Device: NCR3125, Nokia 770,...	Yep, it is just a Zaurus. Good because it implies Zaurii Linuxes will keep developing.

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