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HP concept eBook Reader: will the 'page turner' churn the market?

HP recently revealed its concept eBook Reader at the 'Making Connections' event in Shanghai. Though the company claims it uses 'cutting edge' technology the only differentiating feature from others already on the market is a nifty page turning feature. Sliding your finger across a touch sensitive pad on the bottom results in the text being turned and distorted as it if were on an actual page. The eBook reader runs on Linux, with HP Labs specific software, and books are transferred via USB.

Still, HP has a lot of work on its hands if it intends to compete against Sony and Iliad who are already selling their own readers. Firstly, HP's device won't be hitting the market for at least a couple of years giving their rivals plenty of time to upgrade their own products. Secondly, while the HP reader will tie into their Snapfish photo sharing website the device won’t have Wi-fi meaning albums need to be downloaded to flash cards in order to be viewed. And thirdly in a truly baffling move HP has decided to shun the PDF format and instead develop its own file format for use on the device.

So while their concept is quite clever will HP's eReader capture the market when it eventually comes out is one thing that waits to be seen.

[Via pocket-lint ] [Via coolest-gadgets ]