FCC Tests Secure, Android-Loaded Pandigital E-Reader

The Android operating system seems to be ending up on a whole slew of different electronics, and it looks like a certain company will use the OS to make another contribution on the e-reader market.

There is no question that, at the present time, the two e-book readers that got the most attention are the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes and Noble Nook.

In fact, the latter's color version of the e-reader runs Android and is jut short of being considered a full-fledged tablet.

Still, even with these two names dominating the market, there is still a number of other e-reading products out and about.

Pandigital is one company that has been trying to grab a noticeable slice of the industry, although it hasn't managed to do so until now.

Still, it might just be that a more powerful push will be made soon, now that a prototype has been reviewed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission).

The electronic has not been given a price or release date, but some data exists, enough for possible buyers to get an idea of what to expect.

Measuring 7 inches, the black product is said to run Android, although the exact version is unspecified and, of course, Android Market access will not be present.

In other words, those that do want to run apps on it, instead of just using its standard e-reader functions, will have to use the SlideMe third-party application store.

As far as e-book availability goes, the product will, thankfully, have access to Barnes and Noble's online database.

The hardware isn't fully detailed, but it is known that the Planet, as it is called, comes with an HDMI output (meaning that multimedia support exists) and two webcams (one the front and back, respectively), plus, of course, wireless connectivity via WiFi.

Finally, virus protection is present, as are a bunch of bundled applications, like QuickSuite Viewer, Facebook etc.