New Rocket e-Book Readers soon available

The new Rocket eBook was revealed this week by RCA in Indianapolis. The REB 1100 and BEC 1200 handheld eBook devices were developed by Gemstar subsidiary NuvoMedia. the REB 1200 is an advanced full-colour version of the SoftBook Reader while the REB 1100 is an advanced Rocket eBook reader. Both should be available in October. The REB1100 has a monochrome LCD touch-screen measuring 5.5" inches diagonally. It will come with 8 megabytes of memory, enough to store approximately 20 full-length novels, and has a user-accessible upgrade slot for a 64-megabyte Smart Media memory card. At 17 ounces, it is 5 ounces lighter than its predecesor. It's recharngeable battery lasts about the same, 40 hours. The biggest change in the new device is the built-in modem which will allow users to download a book without a computer or internet access. You just plug it into a standard phone jack. It also has a USB cable and infared link. Although it was originally stated to have MP3 music capability, it is not sure right now whether that option will come standard. I imagine the Napster turmoil brewing right now might have an effect upon this. The display of the REB 1100 does have a "musical note" icon on it. The REB 1200 will be the first dedicated ebook reader with a full colour screen, which will improve the viewing of charts and graphics. The screen is also larger than the REB 1100, 8.5 inches diagonally. It weighs 33 ounces, almost a pound less than the SoftBook Reader. Like the REB1100, it comes with 8 megabytes of memory, enough for about 5,000 pages of color content and text. This memory can be increased using Compact Flash memory cards. The REB1200 also includes a 56K modem and an Ethernet port.

Lightning Source, Ingram's print on demand and e-publishing unit, has entered into an agreement with Penguin Putnam to digitize the publisher's book list. This adds another big publisher to Lightning Source's already impressive list which includes Simon and Schuster and Times Warner.

Speaking of Simon and Schuster, it was announced this week that Simon and Schuster will be simulaneously releasing its fall list in paper (probably hardcover) and e-book. This sounds like a great leap forward in publishing except that Simon and Schuster will be pricing both editions at the same price! So for say $25 you can get a hardcover edition or an electronic edition! Some deal!?! Is it fear of success of e-books or just

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