Despite its ugly appearance, Foxit’s upcoming eSleek Reader will get a close look because of two key things: Its $230 price makes it attractive against the more expensive Kindle and Sony Readers and because, according to rumors coming out today, it might be the first large hardware eInk device to play eReader files.
In the comment for a post at JKontherun, a rep from Fixit announced they’d be offering support for eReader software around the time of the device’s release. eReader freeware program files are well regarded by users in the digital community because they can be played on a number of different devices like iPhones, Windows Mobile phones, and any Symbian handset. This would allow people who already own large libraries of eReader books (like the G-Lab’s own Charlie Sorrel) to play them on a larger display and on the easier-to-read eInk tech. If this move works for Foxit, it could open up other eInk hardware makers to allow other file formats on their own devices.
Currently, one of our biggest gripes with the current generation of readers is their unfair DRM content stranglehold they have on content. Amazon’s Kindle can only play downloaded books from its site, and Sony’s Reader works the same way. While eReader files also have DRM properties, the fact you can play them on more than once device makes them valuable and user friendly. Plus, DRM is going out of style, right?
The eSleek Reader will also come with a PDF creator that converts doc files, powerpoints, and XLS files to the eInk format. Like we mentioned previously, the eSleek Reader won’t include a wireless feature like the Kindle, but the company has said it will probably add this in an upcoming version.
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