14 DAY TRIAL // Pocketbook might be an interesting name to follow when it comes to eReading products. The company apparently has a new digital reading device, called the Pocketbook Ultra, which according to insider information is expected to arrive in May.
When it comes to eReaders, innovation is not achieved as fast as it happens with tablets, as companies are slow to adopt new trends. Take for example the Carta E-ink screen, you won’t see many devices sporting this technology, except for the Kindle Paperwhite and the recently launched Tolino Vision.
Anyhow, some of you might be familiar with Pocketbook as the company recently introduced the new Aqua eReader, a device that has been certified for the IP57 standard. This means the eReader will come out unharmed if you keep it underwater (max 1 m / 3.28 feet) for up to 30 minutes.
And now Pocketbook appears to be working on a new eReader which comes with its particular set of eye-catching feats.
As the two devices mentioned above, the Kindle Paperwhite and Tolino Vision, the Pocketbook ultra is expected to arrive with Carte E-Ink screen.
Several listings spotted on a German retail websites and detailing the product also show us the Ultra will have a rear-facing camera, but also OCR software (Optical Character Recognition) which should allow users to covert scanned documents into text documents you can search in.
Judging by the filings, the Ultra should come boasting a crude green paint-job and ship out to customers for €199 / $273. The price tag seems a little high but, considering these are pretty rare features among eBook readers, the Ultra might as well be worth your money.
Other details are pretty scarce, but the eReader is also expected to arrive with a touchscreen display and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Pocketbook doesn’t usually ship its products to the US, so we don’t expect to see the pricing for the United States appear any time soon. Yet, if the Pocketbook Ultra turns out to be quite popular with consumers, there’s no reason why other eBook makers won’t start offering cameras and such on their products, too.
In related news and talking about innovation in the eReader department, not so long ago we brought you news about the upcoming Kindle Paperwhite 3, which is expected to renounce the Carta E-Ink screen and use Mobius technology.
Mobius is a flexible screen made of plastic material that weighs 50% less compared to its glass-based TFT counterparts. So, who knows, it might be worth waiting for the next-gen Paperwhite before making a decision on which eReader to pick up.