UK startup to launch stylish ebook reader

Interead, a UK-based startup, will next week officially launch a compact, low-cost ebook reader at the BookExpo America exhibition in New York. The Cool-Er, which will retail at £189 in the UK, weighs just 178g and has a 6in E-Ink Vizplex screen. It's powered by a 400MHz Samsung S3C2440 processor and offers 1GB of built-in storage (expandable to 4GB via an SD card slot). A 1000mAh lithium-polymer battery provides power for 8,000 page turns on this Linux-based device.

Offered in a range of eight metallic colours, the thin and light design takes some cues from Apple's original iPod. The Cool-Er doesn't have built-in wireless connectivity, but connects to PCs or Macs via a USB cable. The product is complemented by the company's own online ebook store, Coolerbooks, but any industry standard Epub, Adobe Digital Edition, PDF or text ebook can be read. It can also play MP3 audio files.

The Cool-Er can be pre-ordered at the Coolreaders website now, and is expected to ship in early June.

PCW will be publishing a full review of the Cool-Er soon, meanwhile you can read our first impressions on our Test Bed blog.

Update: Full review now online