Sharp has come up with quite a few interesting handheld devices over time (just think about all of those e-dictionaries the company rolled out, at least on the Japanese market), so the fact that they've decided to tackle the eBook reader segment as well shouldn't come as much of a surprise, although the name (Galapagos) is rather strangely chosen, given the type of device we're talking about.
Anyway, these eReaders will represent the mobile access terminals to the company's Galapagos service, a cloud-based media service business that will offer access to a whole lot of content, including here e-Books, via a special e-store set to start in December.
This new e-bookstore provides an "Automatic Scheduled Delivery Service" (fee-based service) for periodical publications.
The most recent editions of newspapers and magazines a user has subscribed to can be delivered and read by the user's e-book readers.
In addition, free trial versions of recommended e-book content can also be delivered to the e-book reader, letting users immediately purchase content of their favor.
According to Sharp, two different e-book reader models have been developed, namely a mobile type featuring a 5.5-inch LCD screen that reads like a paperback book, and a home type featuring a 10.8-inch high-resolution HD LCD that allows users to enjoy magazines formatted across a two-page spread.
What's interesting to mention is that the 5.5-inch model comes with a track ball that can be used much like a PC mouse and can flip the pages with one hand.
Equally important to note is the fact that both models sport Wi-Fi, for fast and easy access to the Galapagos service (via the Internet, of course).
Sadly, Sharp's provided no info regarding possible plans of extending the Galapagos offerings outside Japan (but we certainly hope they do), and pricing details are also unknown.
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