iXL eReader

We all say that adults buy gadgets like little kids – well now little kids want gadgets just like adults!!!

Along side the growing demands for eReaders for adults,  started a demand for eReaders for children as well.

And what do you know? – Fisher-Price, picked up the glove and is coming out with its first kids e-reader this summer, the iXLpriced at  $79.99.

The iXL eReaders has a cool color touch-screen, which is unlike most e-readers for adults.

This device is tiny and compact and weighs just a pound. The screen is 3.5 inches diagonally. The product appears durable enough to handle the inevitable wear and tear from kid use.

the iXL has six app-like boxes for different features. Your kids can use it to read, draw,listen to music and even trace letters.

The device is designed for readers aged 3 to 6.

The iXL has many cool feature to it:

• The option of having a story read aloud, each word is highlighted as it is read out loud so kids can easily follow the words being read out loud.

• There is an animation that appeared after each page is read, this is great for younger children that cant read – they can simply look at the picture…

• Helps build vocabulary the iXL gives animated definitions of certain words. when your child does not understand a certain word all they have to do is press the word – and an animated definition will show then the meaning.
• Spelling aid – if your kid does not understand a certain word all the need to do is press that word – if they press once they will get the first letter of the word, if they press another time they will get the spelling of the word.

Although the words were a bit small, the device is child friendly, the app symbols where very clear

There is no wireless capabilities as of now so In order to download content you need to use a USB connection & a Cd which contains the software.

all in all this seems like a really cool gift for you children – something that can bring fun and excitement back into reading and writing – turning them into a game rather then a chore.

We are all for it and can’t wait to examine the product when it comes out

More kids eReaders:

The “VTech FLiP” – will be reviewed in the near future.

E-reader technology is moving ahead, in the future we can expect – faster speeds, color, and video capabilities.

In fact we can expect color e-readers with low-power displays within the upcoming year!!!
It is most likely that these devices based on the color technology would ship around the first quarter of 2011.

Although today’s e-readers are great for serious book readers, their lack color, video, web viewing, or photos has them in a disadvantage. And even with products such as the iPad (which have launched on march 2010) which is a great multimedia devices, E readers have the advantage of being lighter, more portable, longer battery lives and easier to use.

One of these new E Readers is the  Gen 4.5 fab which is expected to be shipping its 5.7-inch color display E Readers in time for this holiday season.

We will be sure to keep you up to date when these new exiting color E Readers start coming out to the market.

We can hardly wait!!!!

Kindle 2 gets native PDF support

Over thanksgiving Amazon announced an upcoming firmware update for its 6 “  Kindle – A native PDF support.

In the Past Kindle users could read  PDF files on the  Kindle 2 by converting  them to a Kindle format using Amazon’s conversion process.

However now with this new firmware, which can be installed wirelessly using Amazon’s  Whispernet, you can Download PDF files to the Kindle 2 -  either mailing the PDF files to your Kindle address or by connecting the USB cable to transfer them directly.

The new firmware update also  improves the Kindle 2’s battery life which gives users  up to 7 more days of use  (with wireless on – up to 4 days).