PocketBook eReader

PocketBook Int.
Type Private
Industry Consumer electronics
Digital distribution
Founded 2007
Founder(s) Ihor Popov
Oleh Naumenko
Headquarters Kiev, Ukraine
Area served Worldwide
Key people Ihor Popov (President)
Oleh Naumenko (Vice-President)
Oleh Denysyuk (CEO)
Products LCD Android models, E-ink eReaders
Revenue $ 151 million (2010)[1]
Employees 200 (Sept. 2011)
Website pocketbook-int.com/us

PocketBook is a series of devices primarily for e-reading by PocketBook International, a Hong Kong based multinational company headquartered in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. USA headquarters are located in Overland Park, Kansas (a Kansas City suburb).

The brand was introduced in 2007. The actual production started in late 2008. OEM manufacturer for PocketBook has been Taiwanese Netronix and, since Summer 2010, is Foxconn. As hardware production is outsourced, PocketBook is focused on its design and software development. It is a long-standing leader as comes to the amount of supported text formats,[2] though there do exist file converters. PB promotes legality of digital media by running Store.Obreey.com (from Ukrainian обрій, obreey (horizon)), Bookland.net[3] and Ebooks Shop.

Contents

History

In September 2011, PocketBook Int has rented new factory at Foxconn with annual production capacity 2 million units.

The company has planned to open 20 branded stores in the U.S. in 2011 but 3 were opened as far as can be learned from official information, in addition to a dozen operating at major malls in Ukraine and Russia.

Overview

All current devices may be charged from wall outlet but the company includes wall charger only for LCD models. Devices may also be charged via included USB cable.

Supported file formats

Supported languages

PocketBooks support more than 20 languages for menu and virtually any language for e-reading including Asian languages. In-text translation between English and 24 other European languages is available as well.[4] Oxford and ABBYY Lingvo dictionaries are downloadable from Store.obreey.com and Bookland.net. As of end 2010, the Pro series offered at least 22 languages in its text-to-speech function.[5]

TFT LCD models

PocketBook A 10"

PocketBook A 10" was first introduced at IFA 2011 and noted by IT experts for its distinctive design.[6]

PocketBook IQ 701

This was the first LCD model to be released from PocketBook International. The IQ 701 has an aluminum frame,[7] with a plastic shell. An Android 2.1.1 OS upgrade is now available. Android "rooting" firmware is currently available, which allows a user to attain privileged control (known as "root access") within Android's Linux subsystem .[8]

Specifications:[9]

E-Ink models

Most PocketBook devices use the E-Ink Corporation electronic ink technology. 3rd generation Vizplex display technology provides the convenience of reading (no flicker and no letters shape changes, regardless of lighting conditions and angle of view, the ability to read in direct sunlight) and ultra low power consumption. The battery lasts without being recharged for 7 to 14 thousands of page turnings. As the device does not consume energy when displaying an already opened page , the energy consumption is usually calculated by the number of page turnings. 16 shades of gray allow you to view black and white images.

PocketBook Pro 912

Same as 902, except:

PocketBook Pro 903

Available in Germany and some other countries. Same as 902, except:

PocketBook Pro 902

PocketBook Pro 612

Same as 602, except:

PocketBook 611 Basic

2012 budget model.

PocketBook Pro 603

Available in Germany and some other countries. Same as 602, except:

PocketBook Pro 602

PocketBook 360 Plus

According to reports this model is twice as fast as PB 360 which is evidenced by RAM and CPU specification and faster screen. The PocketBook 360 was one of the fastest e-readers on the market in 2010.[10] This reader is notable for the novelty to the e-ink market - ability to play 3D games like Doom 2.[11][12]. Other differences include better materials.

Discontinued models

301+, 302, and 360

See also

References

  1. ^ "Russia's e-book boom is a page-turner", The Daily Telegraph, February 25, 2011, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/russianow/technology/8345760/Russias-e-book-boom-is-a-page-turner.html 
  2. ^ "Hands on review of the Pocketbook PRO 902 9.7 inch e-Reader", Good E-Reader, January 03, 2011, http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/hands-on-review-of-the-pocketbook-pro-902-9-7-inch-e-reader/, retrieved January 5, 2011 
  3. ^ BillyOzks (August 22, 2010), "Pocketbook e-reader with Android", TheTechJournal, http://thetechjournal.com/electronics/tablet/pocketbook-e-reader-with-android.xhtml, retrieved March 1, 2011 
  4. ^ Dave Cunningham (November 19, 2010), "ABBYY Lingvo Dictionaries Bundled with PocketBook E-Readers", OCR World, http://www.ocrworld.com/software/4-news/327-abbyy-lingvo-dictionaries-bundled-with-pocketbook-e-readers.html, retrieved January 5, 2011 
  5. ^ "...PocketBook...the first to support text-to-speech in 24 languages", Engadget, November 24, 2010, http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/24/pocketbook-spills-the-transflective-colored-beans-announces-mir?icid=sphere_blogsmith_inpage_engadget 
  6. ^ Brian Heater (September 3, 2011), "Pocketbook A10 hands-on (video)", Engadget, http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/03/pocketbook-a10-hands-on-video/ 
  7. ^ "PocketBook IQ Review", Best Ereaders, http://www.best-ereaders.com/2010/12/20/pocketbook-iq-review/, retrieved February 27, 2011 
  8. ^ PocketBook IQ Firmware Repack; January 11, 2011.
  9. ^ PocketBook IQ 701 specifications
  10. ^ Chris Davies (March 15, 2010), "Pocketbook 360° reviewed: fastest ereader around", SlashGear, http://www.slashgear.com/pocketbook-360%C2%B0-reviewed-fastest-ereader-around-1577593/ 
  11. ^ Donald Melanson (April 8, 2011), "Doom 2 gets ported to PocketBook 360 Plus e-reader (video)", Engadget, http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/08/doom-2-gets-ported-to-pocketbook-360-plus-e-reader-video/ 
  12. ^ BillyOzks (April 10, 2011), "Doom 2 On PocketBook 360", TheTechJournal.com, http://thetechjournal.com/electronics/gaming-electronics/doom-2-on-pocketbook-360.xhtml 

External links

Formats
Reading
Software
Editing
Sources
Free
Paid