Cruz Reader does "night-mode"
News on an interesting new device today from Velocity Micro that calls itself the “Cruz Reader”, despite clearly being a full-featured Android tablet that happens to have the Kobo application installed on it. I suspect the news about iPad’s threat to the eReader market might have something to do with it.
As you can tell from the video below, the demonstrator is clearly comparing this device to dedicated eBook readers in general and is attempting to make all sorts of claims about its superiority compared to the typical devices on the market. The only problem is he neglected to mention that this so called “reader” isn’t using e-ink and therefore comes with the drawbacks associated with the LCD technology.
Still, it’s a pretty cool device and I thought worthy of taking a look at. You’ll be able to use apps, games, browse the web, and do the typical tablet activities.
We can expect to see more similar type devices in the near future as the success of the iPad has invited more than a fair share of competitors to the arena. Definitely a good thing, although it can be confusing to keep up with.
Ebookstores like the Kobo and the Kindle will be in prime position to benefit from these new tablet devices. With their apps gaining more users through the increased exposure provided by the tablets, Ebookstores will do phenomenally well, with no need to depend on an actual device.
Any serious eBook retailer without an app on both the iPad and the Android should seriously start working to make one. These devices will be where the future of eBooks lies.
