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WikiReader puts Wikipedia in Your Pocket

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While not a banana, a good chuck of knowledge in your pocket might be the next best thing. Openmoko today announced the availability of the WikiReader, a palm-sized device that contains more than three million English language articles from Wikipedia, accessible at any time you please--no internet access required.

The WikiReader was crafted by former Apple Computer and surfboard designer Thomas Meyerhoffer. It has a large monochrome touch interface screen. Articles are scrolled, iPod Touch-like, with the swipe of a finger, and hyperlinks selected with a mere tap. Buttons are available for searching, reviewing your history, and pulling up a random entry. It is claimed, the WikiReader will operate for “months” on a pair of AAA batteries.

Updates for the WikiReader will be available quarterly, and available for free download at the WikiReader website. Openmoko will also offer a yearly subscription plan that includes an updated microSD card.

The WikiReader is available at WikiReader.com and Amazon. The cost is $99. Annual updates via microSD card will cost $29.

 

Image Credit: Openmoko

COMMENTS
avatarpointless

Whats the point? most people have access to internet and computers and don't need another unnecessary rubbish.
Those big companies are trying to squeeze out every last bit of penny out of us. Even if a person doesn't have a computer, he wouldnt need this in the first place. there are other more important things in his life like getting food!

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avatarFrom the description of the

From the description of the battery life I would assume this device has an eInk screen. I just couldn't see an LCD pulling that sort of life off, even if it doesn't have backlighting or color. The nice thing about eInk is that once info is on the screen, it takes no power to keep it on the screen, so basically the entire device can be off except in circumstances where a button is pressed. If it does have an eInk screen, the price is probably justified, just look at the price of any other product with this technology. You also know that it has an 8GB or so micro-SD card, so there's the additional price of that factored in. I initially scoffed that they were charging for updates, but their update process involves them sending you 2 additional micro-sd cards per year, so they're charging for the media more than the info. If you can download the large files they let you update the device yourself for free.

The device is definitely not meant for us gadget hounds, we have more than enough ways to access wikipedia already. But I could see it being useful as an always available reference for the normal person, as it's not reliant on data access or staying charged every day. That's hard to say about any other device that lets you do the same thing. 

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avatarI don't think so...

I don't think it's E-ink. You'd be surprised how little power those monochrome LCD screens draw, like digital watches, you know that kind of thing. Plus, I think e-ink screens are a little pricier than this device.

The link I've posted mentions some details about the screen and the device itself.

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/openmoko-wikireader-wikpedia,news-4844.html 

~Goose

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avatarCan I put a cover in it that

Can I put a cover in it that reads "Don't Panic!" in large friendly letters?

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avatarDumbest. Product. Evar.

Dumbest. Product. Evar.

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avatarHaha...

You can already download wikipedia and put it on a smart phone or something..

I'd like to see this on an ebook reader or something.

~Goose

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