Hands-On: Spring Design's Dual-Screen Android Alex eBook Reader
The capacitive LCD touchscreen runs the full Android OS, including support for UI customization, photo galleries, and full-color video playback. When you read an ebook, the interface lets you quickly skip around to any page, using an on-screen slide bar. An on-screen keyboard also makes text entry practical.
One downside is that the Alex is noticably thicker than the Kindle -- the added heft needed for the second screen and bigger battery.
Alex is expected to be available by the end of this year.
Marvell also showed off an even smaller Star Trek PADD-sized eBook. The device was just a mockup, but Marvell officials say the size is quite possible given the smaller foot print of its new ARMADA 166E chip. The company said it expects eBook readers in the next year to dip to near the $100 level as volumes ramp up and OEMs realize the savings from using the ARMADA 166E.