Philips spinoff iRex has finally released solid details about its eBook reader that was announced late last year, giving it both a name- the “iLiad” (model number ER 0100), and a release date- next month. This monochrome e-ink touchscreen display will be going up against heavyweight Sony’s similar Reader device, although the iLiad sounds like it should be able to hold its own, sporting a 400MHz XScale processor, 64MB RAM, 224MB user-accessible internal flash memory, WiFi, Ethernet, 3.5-millimeter audio jack, and slots for SD and CF cards as well as USB drives. iRex claims over a week of three-hour-a-day reading sessions are possible between charges, and also promises to expand upon the PDF, XHTML, TXT, and MP3 formats that will supported at launch. No word on pricing so far, but it will have to be equivalent to the $300 to $400 Sony is expecting to charge for its model if the iLiad expects to remain competitive. [Warning: PDF link].

Update: Ouch! Reader Axel writes that he corresponded with iRex a few days ago, who informed him that the iLiad will cost a steep 650 euros, or more than twice the anticipated price of the Sony.

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Lest you think that Sony is the only company rocking a plasma display with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, we should point out that Panasonic has them as well, in the form of the 42-inch TH-42PX60U and 50-inch TH-50PX60U. Both have resolutions similar to the Sony we peeped earlier today; the 42PX60U is 1024×768, and will sell for about $2,499 when it hits stores later this year. The 50-inch TH-50PX60U (pictured) is 1366×768 and will go for about $3,500.

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The resolution on Sony’s new WD-42PX2 and WD-42PX2S plamas aren’t that wonderful (1024 x 768), and the screens are only 42-inches, but hey, at least they have a totally  contrast ratio of 10,000:1 and a $3,000 US pricetag. Seriously though, we get this is an industrial display probably intended to be used for advertising and the like, but that’s the best you got, Sony? We kind of expected more from you, even if the application here is extremely limited and decidedly non-consumer.

[Via AV Watch]

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From Engadget