Skiff Reader Preview
Overview
Designed specifically for newspapers and magazines, the Skiff Reader features the largest epaper display yet. It is expected to be available later this year from Sprint stores, although the price and release date have not yet been set.
Skiff is more than an ereader. The press release reveals more . . .
"Launching in 2010, Skiff provides a complete e-reading solution that includes the Skiff Service platform, Skiff Store and Skiff-enabled devices. Skiff will sell and distribute newspapers, magazines, books, blogs and other content.Skiff gives periodical publishers tools to maintain their distinct visual identities, build and extend relationships with subscribers, and deliver dynamic content and advertising to a range of dedicated e-readers and multi-purpose devices."
Preliminary Specs
The Skiff Reader doesn't lack for size. Its outer dimensions are 9 x 11 inches (228.6 x 279.4 mm). And it features a spacious 11.5-inch touchscreen that has a pixel resolution of 1200 x 1600 with 174 ppi.
It is a slim 1/4-inch thick (6.8 mm), and weighs about 17.5 ounces (498 grams).
The Skiff comes with 3G wireless from Sprint, and has Wi-Fi too.
It's built with a new "Metal Foil" display technology for durability.
It has 4GB on internal memory (3GB usable) and supports SD and SDHC memory cards.
The Skiff Reader has a full touchscreen that responds to finger swipes and taps, and it also works using a stylus.
More key features include: USB port, built-in speaker, headphone jack, 1 week average battery life, shatterproof screen, highlighting and annotating, zooming.
On thing to watch keep an eye on, the way everything is phrased in the press releases, it looks as if the Skiff service may use its own proprietary DRM for content purchased through them, meaning content won't display on non-Skiff devices and software. Hopefully this won't be the case. And there's no mention of format support.
Skiff Partners
Hearst Corporation
Given this unique partnership, the Skiff Reader and Skiff platform will provide content from a diverse range of publications. Some are listed below; more can be found here.
Hearst owns 15 daily and 38 weekly newspapers, some include: Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, Albany Times Union, The News-Times, and San Antonio Express-News.
Hearst Magazines is one of the largest publishers of monthly magazines on the planet, with over 200 international titles, some include: Cosmopolitan, Country Living, Esquire, Food Network Magazine, Good Housekeeping, House Beautiful, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, O - The Oprah Magazine, Popular Mechanics, Redbook, Seventeen, SmartMoney, Town&Country, and Veranda.
LG Display
The Skiff Reader incorporates a new epaper technology from LG Display that uses a thin, flexible sheet of stainless-steel foil for the foundation of the screen instead of glass like most other displays. This is said to make the screen shatterproof and crack-proof.
Sprint
The Skiff company has signed a multi-year deal with Sprint to provide 3G wireless connectivity for the Skiff Reader. And they've also made plans to sell Skiff devices from the 1000 Sprint stores located throughout the US, as well as online via Sprint's website.
Marvell
The new and popular CPU for ebook readers is the Marvell ARMADA 166E, and the Skiff wouldn't be complete without one. The chip integrates the epaper display controller and the microprocessor together. Combining these two elements into one unit reduces costs and energy-consumption while improving overall ereader performance.
