Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

New Products

Sharp GALAPAGOS E-Book Readers

654416.jpg

Sharp Corporation will launch a new cloud-based media service business, named “GALAPAGOS”, to provide a new user experience, while evolving to meet each customer's changing needs with a network service and device specifically designed for the Japanese market. The first effort in this area will be an e-bookstore service that is planned to begin in December of this year. Two compatible tablet terminals have been developed specifically as e-book readers and will be introduced at the same time.

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.

Two models of the e-book readers have been developed–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.

Sharp will continue to provide for evolving e-book lifestyles by further enriching the content available through the service, and by expanding the functions of compatible terminal devices.

E-bookstore Service (overview)

Start of service December, 2010 (Planned)
Content lineup (at time of launch) Approx. 30,000 newspapers, magazines, and books

GALAPAGOS E-book Reader/Tablet Terminal (overview)

Mobile type Home type
Display 5.5-inch LCD
(1,024 x 600 pixels)
10.8-inch
(1,366 x 800 pixels)
Color Red or Silver Black
Communication function Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b/g) Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b/g)

Major Features

  • “Automatic Scheduled Delivery Service” for periodical publications, including newspapers and magazines. Content from the most recent editions can be read whenever desired.
    • Users can receive and enjoy the most recent editions of newspapers and magazines, automatically delivered at a pre-arranged time. (Prior service registration subject to fees is required)
    • The users can categorize and organize the downloaded content by categories, including “unread / recommended”, “most recently read”, “favorite”, and “scheduled delivery”.
    • The free trial version of e-book content will be automatically delivered from the e-book store. Contents that the users find interesting can be purchased immediately.
    • The downloaded content will be stored on an e-book, and users can enjoy the e-book content even in a place without wireless network services.
  • Rich graphic capabilities and easy-to-use interface that give full consideration to the book culture of Japan.
    • Complies with XMDF e-book format, to support Japanese expressions such as vertical writing and ruby. When users enlarged content on previous mobile terminals, the display needed to be scrolled to see the content fully. Content complying with XMDF format enables adapting to a change of font sizes without altering the content and picture layout.
  • Evolution of the terminal devices with periodic software updates.
    • Automatic software updates of the media tablet will enable users to enjoy not just XMDF format content, but other e-book content services also, including various software applications. Users can enjoy the evolution of terminal devices with periodic software updates.

Other Features

  • Track ball feature in the mobile type with 5.5-inch screen. Users can rotate the track ball like a PC mouse and can flip the pages with one hand.
  • Sharp's e-book application software for PC “GALAPAGOS Station” enables users to organize downloaded content on PCs. Users can mark and add comments on the e-book content.
  • PC data, including documents and maps, can be converted to XMDF format, and can be viewed on the media tablet.
  • Web browser will display websites for PCs on a high resolution LCD screen.
  • Pre-installed social network service application enables sharing readers' comments and e-book list with friends.

About GALAPAGOS
“GALAPAGOS” was chosen as the name for Sharp's cloud-based media service business, as a symbol of the “evolution” of services and terminal devices that constantly bring fresh, new experiences to the user. The name comes from the famous Galapagos Islands, which were visited by Charles Darwin (1809-1882), a British geologist and biologist. The observations he made while on the islands played a key role in the formulation of his “theory of evolution”.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Status Audio Pro X Wireless Earbuds Lifestyle

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

Balanced Armature and Dynamic drivers, hybrid active noise reduction, AI-powered Voiceloom speech enhancement, and more take the Status Audio Pro X wireless earbuds up...

Campfire Audio Relay Dongle DAC Campfire Audio Relay Dongle DAC

Dongle DACs

Campfire Audio launches the Relay portable DAC/amp with AKM SEQ 4493 chip, balanced outputs, and high-res support at $229. Strong tech, but tough competition...

GoldenEar T44 Hybrid Floorstanding Loudspeaker Lifestyle Black GoldenEar T44 Hybrid Floorstanding Loudspeaker Lifestyle Black

Floorstanding Speakers

GoldenEar’s T44 hybrid floorstanding loudspeaker offers powerful sound and deep bass without the need for a subwoofer.

Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 and 4.2 Bookshelf Speakers Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 and 4.2 Bookshelf Speakers

Bookshelf Speakers

Full range sound from bookshelf speakers? Check out the new Radiant Acoustics CLARITY 6.2 and 4.2 loudspeakers featuring PURIFI USHINDI woofers and custom AMT...

FiiO SP5 Desktop Speaker FiiO SP5 Desktop Speaker

New Products

FiiO expands its desktop audio lineup with the new SP5 active speakers, featuring upgraded amplification, premium drivers, and wide-format connectivity for under $750.

AVID Relveo Turntable Lifestyle AVID Relveo Turntable Lifestyle

New Products

AVID launches the Relveo, its first all-new turntable in 12 years. Handmade in the UK and priced at £6,900 ($11,000 US), the Relveo targets...

Gift Ideas?

Amazon Prime Day is July 8-11, 2025

Daily Deals

Amazon Prime Day is a four-day shopping event from July 8-11, 2025 offering the biggest discounts of the year on consumer electronics.

You May Also Like

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers