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So far it hasn't been difficult to tell where eBook readers end and handheld tablets begin. For starters, eBook readers that boast a touch screen -- like the Nook -- only devote a small portion of the device to touch functionality. And secondly, the main display flips through static images.
The eBook readers of tomorrow, however, might look and act decidedly different. Sharp on Monday announced it has developed a new eBook format called "Next-Generation XMDF," which is an extension of the original XMDF (ever-eXtending Mobile Document Format) commercialized in 2001, which itself is based on XML.
Sharp says this next-gen version comes with a "more sophisticated user interface" and includes support for both audio and video. With that in mind, it's easy to see how this could one day blur the line between eBook readers and tablets, and to make sure XMDF gets some mileage, Sharp also said it plans to launch its own reader device later this year, though stopped short of providing any details.
Image Credit: Sharp
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