Toshiba BookPlace DB50 eReader released
The PocketBook A7 is not the only eReader that looks forward to competing with the Kindle Fire and the Toshiba BookPlace DB50 is another contender to enter the market in this segment. The Android 2.3.4 based slate will start selling in Japan this February.
TechCrunch reports that the eReader runs a special version of Linux, although its details have not been mentioned. Also, this device has been tweaked with a modified version of the Android Gingerbread OS. It measures 190 x 120 x 11 millimeters and tips the scale at 330 grams. The front panel of the tab is dominated by a color TFT LCD LED backlit multi-touch display spanning 7 inches. It renders clear visuals in 600 x 1024p resolutions.
The slab acquires multitasking properties from the Freescale i.MX535 CPU that processes at a speed of 1GHz in addition to being supported by 1GB RAM. Besides the touchscreen, its front panel is embedded with five buttons, namely home, menu, back, continue and volume for input flexibility. The eReader comes with onboard memory of 8GB which can be increased with the assistance of the expansion slot that lends support to a microSD card.
And what’s more, the device has been integrated with a mono speaker to facilitate MP3 playback. Its wireless communication options are inclusive of Bluetooth 2.1 as well as IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi. Additionally, the tablet sports a microUSB 2.0 card slot for connections to peripherals and computer systems. It should cough up the juice for about 7.5 hours on a single charge.
The Toshiba BookPlace DB50 priced at $284 (approx. Rs. 13,980), will be available in Japan starting February 10. Buyers will be given a coupon worth $64, which can be used in the company’s eBook store.
