Return of the eBook?

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iRex is keen to offer its content to readers through its own portal service. The idea is that you’ll be able to subscribe and then get downloads automatically, for example the daily newspaper sent in time for the morning commute via you broadband connection. That puts the iLiad into the category of devices I don’t really want to carry – one which relies on a subscription to a service that will only deliver to a single device.

But the iLiad is not limited just to this kind of use. It has slots for Compact Flash and SD cards, and you can use these or a link to your computer to put your own content on. The iLiad supports PDF, XHTML, TXT and MP3 formats, with more to be added. These are all nicely non proprietary and open up the possibility to read Project Gutenberg books, for example.

My take so far? Well, the iLiad is certainly very compelling as an idea, and having seen the technology in action I can confirm it is stunningly high quality. But the hardware doesn’t quite do it for me. It is a bit large for the pocket, and I’d have to carry it as well as whatever PDA or smartphone I also needed at the time as it can’t duplicate their functions. The same goes for anyone else needing to work on the move – this is a reader, not a fully fledged computer.

iRex says the iLiad should be available in April so keep an eye on the company’s web site for details on pricing. However, as with all early examples of a new technology I’d expect it to be somewhat costly at first. In fact, it probably isn’t going to be aimed at general consumers with any seriousness for some time to come.

That said, E-Ink looks set to make some waves over the next year or so, and I’ve got my eye on it!

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