Another Amazon Kindle passes through the FCC via front company
Last week, The Digital Reader uncovered a tablet on the FCC that appears to be the next version of Amazon’s Kindle Kire. FCC filings for the device were made by Harpers LLC, a supposed front company for Amazon. The Digital Reader noted that the offices of Harpers LLC are actually offices for Corporation Service Company (CSC), which filed paperwork on behalf of Amazon.
Today, a similarly mysterious tablet called the EY21 made an appearance on the FCC. This time FCC filings were made by Hannaford LLC, which appears to be a front for Amazon just like Harpers LLC. Proof? The address for Hannaford LLC leads us to Corporation Service Company (note address on lower right of this page) – the same company that resides at the address of Harpers LLC.
FCC filings for the EY21 describe the device as an “e-Reader” and SAR reports provide data speeds for the EY21 downloading ebooks. Unlike the tablet from Harpers LLC, the EY21 features 3G data support on AT&T bands (WCDMA bands II and V) in addition to WiFi capabilities. This means that the EY21 will be able to download books wirelessly over a cellular network (presumably AT&T’s).
It appears that the EY21 is an eInk-based ebook reader similar to the traditional Kindle or Kindle Touch, while the tablet from Harpers LLC is a more robust and versatile tablet like the Kindle Fire. This would fit with Amazon’s strategy last year when it released the Kindle Fire along with more traditional Kindle and Kindle Touch eInk ebook readers.
Pandigital’s 7-inch STAR tablet appears on the FCC with Android 2.2
Pandigital, maker of the Novel line of eBook readers, passed a new Android-based eBook reader through the FCC today. Branded as the STAR, the device features a 7-inch screen with an 800 x 480 resolution, front (0.3MP) camera, 2GB of internal storage, and HDMI mirroring capabilities. The STAR runs Android 2.2 and supports Barnes and Noble’s eBook store. The device can also connect to peripherals via USB, allowing users to attach a mouse or keyboard. It appears that Pandigital will release a miniature keyboard with the STAR as well (photo below in gallery).
With features like HDMI mirroring and a front-facing camera, the STAR is definitely more tablet than eBook reader. The device does come with the Barnes and Noble app preinstalled, but it lacks support for the Android market.
Internal photos of the STAR show a Pandigital-branded processor and unidentifiable memory. The device was manufactured by Nanjing Panda Information Industry.
No word yet on pricing or availability, but with so much competition is the tablet market now we hope that Pandigital releases the STAR with an attractive price point.
Barnes and Noble’s new touchscreen NOOK wins FCC approval
Barnes and Noble unveiled its new touchscreen NOOK eBook reader earlier this week, and today the device won FCC approval for its WiFi capabilities. Coincidentally, the new NOOK received FCC approval at about the same time that Kobo’s Touch eBook reader received the nod from the FCC.
FCC documents don’t reveal anything new about the NOOK, which is referred to in FCC filings as the BNRV300. Barnes and Noble has already released specs for the device, which include a 6-inch touchscreen eInk display with an 800 x 600 resolution, 2GB of internal memory with additional memory supported via microSD card, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, and a microUSB port. The new NOOK measures 6.5” x 5.0” x 0.47” and weighs only 7.5 ounces. The device’s battery is expected to last up to 2 months on a single charge with WiFi off. The NOOK also has access to Barnes and Noble’s eBook store, which currently offers over 2 million titles.
You can preorder the NOOK for $140 here. The device is expected to ship on June 10th.
Kobo Touch Edition eBook reader hits the FCC
Touch is the new must-have feature on eBook readers, as evidenced by recent product announcements from Barnes and Noble and Kobo. Today, Kobo’s touch-enabled eBook reader, which is appropriately named the Kobo Touch Edition, won FCC approval for its WiFi capabilities. The Kobo Touch is expected to compete head-to-head with B&N’s new NOOK, which will be released on June 10th.
The Kobo Touch features a 6-inch eInk display, 2GB of internal memory, a Freescale 508 processor, WiFi and an SD card slot. The device measures 4.5” x 6.5” x 0.4”, and weights 7.05 ounces. The Touch supports EPUB and PDF formats, and eBooks can be purchased from the Kobo Store that offers 2.3 million titles.
You can preorder the Kobo Touch here for $130, with an expected launch date of July 30th.
Pandigital’s 7-inch Android-powered Planet eBook reader hits the FCC
Pandigital has been churning out eBook readers at a steady pace, and today the company passed a new Android-powered eBook reader called the Planet through the FCC. The 7-inch Planet features a 7-inch TFT LCD screen, WiFi and access to the Barnes and Noble Bookstore. Additionally, the tablet goes beyond typical eBook reader features with front and rear facing cameras, HDMI output and a microphone. The device comes with a host of preinstalled apps, including Facebook, Dictionary, Antivirus (!) and OfficeSuite Viewer apps. However, it does not appear that the Planet has access to the Android Market.
The Planet joins Pandigital’s current Novel line of Android eBook readers. Pandigital hasn’t release any word on pricing or availability yet.
New Pandigital Novel 6-inch eBook reader hits the FCC with support for the Barnes and Noble Bookstore
Pandigital passed a new version of its 6-inch Novel eBook reader through the FCC today. The device, pictured above, features an eInk display, 2GB of internal memory, WiFi, web browser, dictionary, and a microSD card slot. As you can see above, the front of the Novel features a large directional pad, along with page turn buttons on the left and right side of its screen. The Novel measures 5” x 7.25” and features a 1530 mAh battery.
No word on pricing or availability.
