Buy WikiReader [was: WikiReader]

[Xavier Cremaschi]

In our geeky daily life we are able to access to Wikipedia anywhere 
(home, work, transport), on high-res full color devices (computer, 
phones...).
Because hi-tech and Internet/Phone are everywhere.

This device gives you :
- offline access to Wikipedia
- on a cheap device (it could be cheaper if the company were bigger I 
presume)
- which uses AAA batteries, available anywhere in the world.

We (US/EU/Jap) almost don't care about these 3 points, so I can 
understand the "omg fuck**g useless I've already got a wikipedia apps on 
my iPhone, with images, colors and ponnies!".

But (IMHO) this device represents a new way to distribute Wikipedia.

Let's see the existing ones :
- a computer + internet : you need electricity, phone, Internet, a 
computer (+ knowledge to use it)
- a computer + dvd : the same but you have removed the phone/Internet 
dependency
- a smartphone (with or without provider) + an ebook reader software : 
usually naked phone are a bit costly, but it could be cheaper than a 
computer. You will need specific batteries when yours will die.
- a true ebook reader : ~= smartphone+software but easier to use I 
presume (I don't know if there is an existing ebook reader able to read 
Wikipedia but it seems a good solution)
- a real book (still a good way, maybe a bit heavy because of Wikipedia 
size)

The wikireader :
- AAA batteries
- 3 buttons, and supposedly easy to use
- open soft and hard (I presume), sturdy

Ok this is the english version of wikipedia and it is sold in US/EU/Jap 
(not the best market for it), but it's not *that* bad for a start : 
geeks make you earn a bit of cash, and could start tweaking the 
device... (ebook reader feature someone ?)

Xavier Cremaschi.