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Welcome to the world of Readius.
The first pocket eReader
Welcome to the world of Readius.My name is Karl McGoldrick, and I am the CEO of Polymer Vision - a passionately innovative team with one goal in life. That goal is to solve the problem of getting larger displays into pocket sized mobile devices. We believe that in this way we will create a whole new experience for consumers to enjoy existing and future forms of digital content while on the move.
Our exclusive rollable display technology is the core around which we build our plans, and in the Autumn of this year we will launch Readius, the first pocket eReader. Readius offers the advantages of eReaders as known today - but now all neatly wrapped into a pocket sized device.
Readius is very much a data centered mobile product, designed around eBooks, eNews, RSS feeds, and receiving email messages. It is optimised for mobility by allowing instant access to hundreds of books from your pocket, while the integrated 3.5G data connection ensures high speed downloads of pre-ordered content and instant news updates on the go.
Complimentary to Readius is www.readius.com, the portal through which users will personally select and manage their content. Some content is free while other content is available on subscription or for 'one off' purchases.
Polymer Vision is an open company, so through this blog I invite you to share your thoughts and ideas about Readius and readius.com. My commitment is to respond. If not personally, I will bring in the key people from Polymer Vision to do so.
Once again, welcome on board and I am looking forward to the discussions.
With best regards, Met vriendelijke groeten, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, Meilleures salutations, Distinti saluti, Saludos cordiales,
Comments
Market launch
Hey,
I have another question: Is there a approximately date for the market launch of Readius?
Thank you very much,
Joshua.
Market launch
Hi Joshua,
Market launch date has not been communicated yet and will depend on region as well. The start will be in Europe, other regions will be addressed during 2009.
Regards, Thomas
I'm living in Germany, can
I'm living in Germany, can you tell me anything accurately about the market launch in this region?
Thank you very much,
Joshua.
Germany
We did not communicate details of our launching plans yet so I cannot give you further updates at this stage. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive future updates about Readius market launch. Thomas
some idea for China
Frankly, I am very interested in the rolling displayer thing, but I hope it could be just an E-Reader, nothing more. I've got my mobile phone, I've got my internet access, I don't need those functions... Maybe your company could give us a pure Reader :)
Some idea for China
Hi,
The primary function of the GSM connectivity is to allow the user to download information 24 hours a day anywhere in the world. As such it supports the ereading function of Readius.
Thomas
Some questions
My name is Antony and I can hardly wait to see readius takes over the ebook market.
I have couple questions before I buy readius on its launch date and I hope I don't confuse anyone here. First of all, I'm wondering if I can use readius as a mobile phone besides ebook reader. And also, is it possible to use readius to display my own pdf document files or it only support ebook formats? If it is possible, how far can it support pdf and other type of documents?
Some questions
Hi Antony,
Thanks for the questions. Readius first of all is an eReader; pocket sized and with world wide connectivity via GSM/HSDPA technology for instant downloads of information. With the GSM technology inside the user is also able to make and receive phone calls with a headset on. This is however a secondary feature of Readius, the focus is on ereading.
Readius currently supports PDF, HTML and ASCII (text) files and we are working on further format support. For PDF format it would be best to format the page to the display size of Readius to avoid scrolling left and right.
Regards, Thomas
Massages and display
Hello,
I would ask, if it will be possible to write fast sms on the readius. And is the display lighted? You said, it's necessary to have a headset to use the call-function. So are no integrated speakers in the readius?
Thank you very much,
Joshua Gawlitza
Messages and display
Hi Joshua,
Readius' primary function, being an eReader, is to display information for reading purposes. A virtual keyboard can be shown on Readius but it will not allow for fast typing. To keep energy consumption as low as possible we decided not to add lighting to the product. Readius does have an integrated speaker but no microphone.
Thomas
Phone capabilities
Hello, In the few videos of the Readius I've come across, the presenter discusses it's capabilities as a mobile phone. I haven't found any information relating to that on your website. Although I notice that some of the images show a "place call" option in the UI.
Have you dropped that functionality?
Thanks,
Justin
Phone capabilities
Hi Justin,
Readius first of all is an eReader. Because it has GSM connectivity inside for world wide connection and fast download of information the user will be able to make phone calls as well (via headset). However the phone functionality is a complimentary feature and not the key function of Readius. That is the reason why it is not being communicated so prominently.
Screen
Hi, I love your design and I want one, but I have a question. I already have an ebook reader, an old one, and when I bought it the most important for me was that the screen had back light. I saw some devices without it and it was difficult to read in them. How is the readius screen? It´s possible to read it whit ligts off? Thank you.
Screen
Dear Arya,
Readius' rollable display incorporates epaper which is a black and white display effect optimised for reading. One of the advantages of our display is that it reflects ambient light giving the user a paper like reading comfort. This means that the display can be read very well when outside in the sun (something very difficult with an LCD display). However it also means that, just as with reading from paper, you will not be able to read in a dark room without external light as back lighting is not possible with this technology.
Phone or pocket PC?
I've noticed that the Readius is to use Windows CE as its operating system. The specs on the hardware seem consistent with a current Pocket PC. Will the Readius have all the functionality and flexibility of a Pocket PC? I currently use such a device and would be loathe to give up all that functionality for a larger screen.
Phone or pocket PC?
Readius is neither a pocket PC nor a phone, its an eReader and optimised for reading applications. The main reason for chosing Win CE is that it allows for a lot of flexibility in the UI. eReaders like Readius require special UI because of the specific characteristics of the epaper display.
Regards, Thomas
Phone or Pocket PC
I'm still not certain I understand. I do understand that it it built around being a reader. What I'm trying to get is what else it might be capable of doing. I currently run a number of applications on my phone such as TomTom (with the internal GPS), Google Maps, a few games, etc. They all run under Windows CE aka Windows Mobile. Will they be able to run on the Readius? If so, I'll be in line to buy one the day it comes out. I the concept, I just want to make sure I don't lose the functionality I currently enjoy.
Phone or Pocket PC
Since the Readius has a special UI, standard Windows Mobile applications will not run on Readius. The applications could be modified to fit Readius but that will require some porting effort by the application maker. I hope this answers your question?
Typing
I think I know the answer to this, but figured it doesn't hurt to ask. Is there a way to type on the Readius? On the Kindle, it is easy to search and purchase books straight from the device. If the Readius had typing abilities, it could be used in the same way, and could also be used to reply to emails using the email feature. With so few buttons, it doesn't seem likely, but can you please verify? Thank you very much. Regardless, this looks like a great product.
Typing
Hi there,
Being an eReader, Readius first of all is an information consumption device. However short text input can be done via the on-screen keyboard in combination with the 5 touch buttons on the product or via the PC application (for example for initial configuration of applications). Contact information and agenda on a PC can also be synchronised with Readius, offering a convenient alternative way for direct text input on the device itself.
Regards, Thomas
Readius and Amazon
Your device is intriguing. I'm in the US, and can't wait to see one in person.
Will Readius owners be able to download Amazon books that are designed for Kindle? Given that Amazon has 150,000 e-books now, they seem to have cornered the market. Or, are they working with other devices as well as their own? (Given that you all use e-Ink.)
Also, thanks for this blog. Very forward-thinking.
Cathy
Re: Readius and Amazon
Dear Cathy,
The Kindle eBooks that Amazon publishes can be read on the Kindle only and is software protected, so no option to download the files to ie. a Readius or Sony. The business model for Amazon appears to be to sell books, Kindle is an additional tool to stimulate book sales.
The model that Polymer Vision has created around Readius is completely different. It has always been our intention to create an open platform with minimum restrictions such that users can select and read content from various sources.
Regards, Karl
3G Provider? And very EXCITED!!!!!
I have a Sony first gen reader (500) and haven't upgraded because I haven't liked the look and size of Amazons or the lack of connectivity with Sony's 2nd gen. This device looks extremely promising for both size/design and connectivity.
I have searched around and haven't seen any details on the 3G support in the US launch (2009?). Amazon works its 3g access costs into its book price. Since you seem to have much more open features like RSS, email, etc the amazon approach doesn't seem likely.
So will the device be linked to a certain network like the IPhone, and if not is it limited to GSM or will CDMA work?
Looks awesome
-Jeremy
3G Provider?
Dear Jeremy,
Readius will support GSM technology since it offers the widest coverage in the world and is fast growing in the USA as well. Regardless of commercial deals with Mobile Network Operators, Readius can be used in any GSM network. If you are interested to be updated about the Readius market launch then please subscribe at: http://www.readius.com/subscribe.
Regards Karl
WiFi
Readius and WiFi
hi Harm,
thank you for the compliment.
Readius is designed to be the most mobile friendly solution of any eReader type product. So outside of having a large paper-like reading display and long battery life, two other key factors are small form factor (pocket sized) and connectivity. We have addressed the former by pioneering rollable display technology. For the latter, we want Readius owners to have mobile connectivity always and everywhere, and not just if you happen to be in a particular coffee shop. So we indeed chose for a high speed 3.5G cellular solution as opposed to WiFi.
regards, Karl
UK
It is exiting that the Readius will be coming to Europe this autumn. In the UK I would hope it will have a successful niche market. Clearly price will be an important factor in its success. As will marketing given ebook readers are few and far between here, whilst smart phones are aplenty. A real opportunity to take advantage of both these factors.
You will I hope keep us informed on dates and pricing, when you're able to.
And do PM me if you or your team are coming to London!
Re: UK
Toby, yes, these will be communicated in plenty of time using - amongst other paths - this blog. Also note that you can personally receive updates about the market launch by subscribing at: http://www.readius.com/subscribe. best regards, Karl
Re: UK
Languages and Dictionaries
dictionaries
Languages
Hi, this is Thomas van der Zijden. Indeed we consider language support a very important aspect for Readius. Readius will support 5 languages in its menus at market launch being: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian. For content we work with partners and on formats that will allow us to display a wide variety of content on Readius, not just in english but in different languages. We will make announcements about the content closer to market launch.
This sounds way cool
Availability of Readius
Hello, this is Thomas van der Zijden, VP Marketing and Sales. Readius will be launched in Autumn 2008. To receive further updates about the market launch, please subscribe at: http://www.readius.com/subscribe.