SquareTrade

New Netronix e-readers make our bloodshot eyes happy.

We see the appeal of loading up your library of Tami Hoag novels and trucking them with you all over the map, iPod-style.  But the Amazon Kindle can't be the best design ever, right?

Right.  Two new e-readers have just popped up on Taiwan-based Netronix's website: the Linux-based 6" EB-100, which looks very Kindleish, and the fairly slick 9.7" EB-300 (pictured) which we're much more excited about.  It runs Windows CE 5.0 off 64MB of SDRAM and holds 4GB of NAND storage, with SD card slots to expand.  That 1200 x 825 screen goes to 170 dpi and yep... it's touch-enabled, which should make flipping pages super-easy.  The software supports TXT, PDF, RTF, HTML, BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, MP3, and AAC files, and the whole thing comes in at half an inch thick.

The EB-300's WiFi and Bluetooth might not compare to the Kindel's 3G networks support, but the screen resolution and onboard memory - not to mention the black finish - totally outpace Amazon's proprietary e-reader. 

Unfortunately, neither of Netronix's new toys (or the Kindel, for that matter) are available at the moment.  But when they are, they're all eligible for a SquareTrade warranty, with optional Accidental Damage coverage.  Because $400 is too much to waste on a book you can't power up.  Particularly if you're just a chapter or two from the end.

Now, when do we get the Text-to-Voice e-readers?

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Readius e-reader unfolding in 2008.

Reuters is reporting the triumphant return of the Readius, an e-reader we first saw a prototype for two years ago.  But now it's back, it's not just an e-reader anymore, it's actually got a target release date, and it's a lot cooler than it was before, too.

How?  Well, see that screen?  It's about the size of two business cards (5" diagonal) and folds over the main device - itself the size of a normal mobile phone - when not in use.  Yep: it's a flexible video display.  Polymer Vision out of the Neatherlands (staked in part by Philips) has been playing with these for a while, and the Readius is going to be their coming-out party.

But that's not all! The Readius is also a 3G HDDPA tri-band phone, which means worldwide calling and fast downloading of that e-book you want to read.  How you're going to call out with only eight buttons on the entire device puzzles us slightly, but if what they're saying about a 30 hour battery life (for reading) is true, then someone send a memo over to Apple's iPod division.  The Dutch battery technology is superior. 

As a direct competitor to the Kindle, we have to say that so far, the Readius out-cools Amazon's e-reader, particularly if it's more liberal with file type compatibility.  And naturally, you'll be able to put a SquareTrade warranty on it with (or without) Accidental Damage coverage, just in case that flexible screen isn't so sturdy.

There's no word yet on price or what kind of interface the Readius will be using, though it promises to access eBooks, podcasts, blogs and music with ease.  We'll find out more when it gets closer to shipping time in mid-2008.

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Amazon Kindle Hacked, the Gift of Reading restored.

That certainly didn't last long.  In less time than it takes for a New Jersey teenager to unlock the bejeezus out of his iPhone, "reverse engineer" Igor Skochinsky has hacked Amazon's Kindle.  The digital book reader uses proprietary .AZW files (only available on Amazon.com, naturally) based on the format Mobipocket uses for its own eBooks.  The trick being that you can read Mobi eBooks on just about any PDA, smart phone, or computer you own, while the much-hyped $399 Kindle is Amazon-only.

Well, Mr. Skochinsky has fixed that little problem for you.  Google his name and find his blog, and he'll tell you exactly how he unlocked the Kindle so you can read the electronic book of your choice, no matter which format it's in. 

If you're thinking that might void the Kindle's warranty, you're right.  We wouldn't be able to cover those kinds of mods, either, though an unmodified Kindle would definitely be eligible for a SquareTrade warranty, new or used.  Which might come in handy, because if Amazon's offering one, we sure can't find it.

And while we applaud Mr. Skochinsky's pioneering spirit, we also have to point out that, on average, the eBooks available on Amazon are often cheaper than what you'll find on Mobipocket.  A lot cheaper.  Like, half-price.  If it's a toss-up between paying $10 for I Am America (and So Can You!) and paying $19, we're very sorry Mr. Cobert, but our patriotic duty is clear.

Amazon Kindle warranty, Amazon Kindle insurance