Alex ereader from Spring Design is a multipurpose device
March 17, 2010
It is remarkable to discover that not all ebook reader devices turned out be like the Amazon Kindle. An ereader with large keyboard is definitely not for us. On the other hand, early signs indicate that the Apple iPad will be mostly used as a an ereader, even though it is a tablet computer that can do whatever a PC can do. Perhaps a device that is more capable than a basic ereader, but less capable than the iPad would be just the right thing? That's what Spring Design believes. Let's take a look at the company's Alex ereader.
Spring Design's Alex is a multi-purpose ebook reader. The device has two displays: the larger, black-and-white screen is for reading ebooks, magazines and documents, and the smaller color screen is for the menu system and Internet access. The black-and-white ebook display is pretty standard technology in ereader devices. The exciting thing with the Alex is the small screen which is actually a window to the tablet PC hiding inside the device.
The Alex is running on Google's open source Android operating system that has quickly become popular software in advanced smartphones. If you have used any Android-powered smartphone that has touch screen, you have an idea how feature-rich a tablet device running on Android could be. Web browser, email, status updates, social networking, YouTube, photos, videos, music, and games can easily be made available for any Android-powered device. The Alex, for instance, comes with Web browser, email and multimedia player.
So, the 3.5-inch touch-sensitive color screen on the Alex ereader is the window to the full power of Android, making it possible to turn the device into a mobile computer. Kind of. You still have to remember that there's not much processing power in an ebook reader. Primarily, the Alex is an ereader and the 3.5-inch touch screen is used to control the ebook display.
Nonetheless, Spring Design's Alex lets you access the Internet via Wi-Fi hotspots or mobile network. It can be connected to a PC via USB. 2GB of storage space is available on the device and if that's not enough, microSD memory cards provide more space.
The ebook ereader is compatible with Epub, PDF, text, and HTML documents. Spring Design is selling the Alex for $399, but the iPad and other devices may affect the prices soon.
Key features and specifications of the Alex ereader:
- Reader display (large black-and-white screen) resolution 600x800 pixels. Size 6 inches.
- Menu display (small color screen) resolution 320x480 pixels. Size 3.5 inches. Touch screen that is tapped with fingers.
- Epub, PDF, plain text, and HTML-formatted ebooks are compatible with the ereader.
- Powered by Google Android software.
- Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless Internet access.
- Built-in mobile network connection (SIM card and data plan required).
- Web browser capability on the color screen.
- Text, bookmark and voice annotation on ebooks.
- Video player that can play MP4 and Flash videos.
- MP3 player.
- Email, calculator and other applications. The device can run a number of applications created for the Android operating system.
- Stereo speakers.
- 2.5mm headphone jack.
- Built-in microphone.
- USB 2.0 port for PC connectivity and for charging the device.
- 2 GB of internal storage space.
- MicroSD memory card sot for additional space
- Dimensions: 120 x 225 x 14 mm. Weight 310 grams / 11 ounces.
- Rechargable Lithium-polymer battery. Battery life about 7500 ebook page turns or 6 hours of media playback.
Hands-on video: Spring Design Alex ereader
Video by CrunchGear
