Samsung Announces Launch of Highly-Anticipated eReader for the US Market

With the success of the Amazon Kindle and the interest in the yet to be released Apple iPad, there is no doubt that many manufacturers are trying to figure out the recipe to cash in on Wireless Reading Devices. Samsung is no different and think that they may have found a unique twist on their eReader that may give them a leg up on the rest of the competition. The Samsung eReader comes with:

• 6” E-ink display (600×800) with 8-Gray scale for easy readability both indoors and out
• Built-in front speakers or the convenient head-phone jack
• Samsung’s text-to-speech (TTS) technology
• Built-in MP3 player
• Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
• Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity
• EmoLink technology (enables users to share content between Samsung eReader devices)
• 2GB of internal memory
• Micro SD card slot increases the device’s storage capabilities by an additional 16GB

Stay tuned for more information on release and pricing for the Samsung eReader as we get it and don’t forget to jump after the break for the entire Samsung press release.

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, announced today the imminent availability of its first-ever eReader product for the US market. Initially previewed at CES 2010 in January, the Samsung eReader makes reading a personal experience. Not only can users easily access content, but they can also write notes and thoughts directly on the page, highlight content that matters to them and share notes with friends and peers. Samsung combined over one million electronic titles, advanced handwriting capabilities and WiFi connectivity into a single, easy-to-use device that allows users to read, write and share on the go. The Samsung eReader is an authentic eReading companion in the digital age.

“We are very excited to be entering the explosive eReader market with a device that brings the best of a traditional reading experience into the digital age”

Samsung Electronics America also announced that its parent, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., has formed a partnership with Barnes & Noble to provide the eCommerce storefront for the Samsung eReader. Users can access Barnes & Noble’s expansive digital library of more than 1 million eBooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers.
“We are very excited to be entering the explosive eReader market with a device that brings the best of a traditional reading experience into the digital age,” said Reid Sullivan, Senior Vice President at Samsung Electronics America. “Samsung prides itself on identifying and fulfilling unmet consumer needs through innovation, and the eReader is emblematic of that approach. We are partnering with the best in the business to offer access to an extensive array of content, and have developed innovative features and technologies designed to make reading that content as personal and intimate an experience as reading a hard copy book has always been.”

The most visibly distinguishing feature of the Samsung eReader is its electromagnetic resonance (EMR) stylus pen. This innovative EMR stylus grants users the writing capabilities that are typically associated only with traditional paper books, such as making annotations in the margins and recording one’s own thoughts and interpretations while reading. eBooks, newspapers and even images can be easily modified with direct handwriting and memos on content, while voice recording functionality enables users to create audio memos and annotations. With the included journal, scheduler and memo applications, users can utilize the stylus to write and save entries, which are made available for thumbnail viewing and easy search. An electronic dictionary is also available both in and out of eBook reading.

Samsung’s compact, portable eReader, features a slider form factor and incorporates a 6” E-ink display (600×800) with 8-Gray scale for easy readability both indoors and out. It supports e-pub, PDF/a, TXT, bmp and jpg formats. Utilizing the built-in front speakers or the convenient head-phone jack, consumers can experience Samsung’s text-to-speech (TTS) technology, which reads text aloud and allows users to continuously enjoy their favorite content even while driving or during crowded commutes. The built-in MP3 player allows users to transport and enjoy their favorite music, audio books, podcasts and other audio content on a single device.

The Samsung eReader allows for connectivity between public and private spaces, with both a Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) network that allows for direct purchase and download of content without a PC connection, and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity allowing for audio transmission to wireless headphones. Samsung’s unique EmoLink technology enables users to share content between Samsung eReader devices. In addition, a built-in dedicated program will sync the eReader scheduler with users’ personal PC Outlook.

With 2GB of internal memory, the Samsung eReader can easily store 1,500 books or 24,000 pages of memos. An external Micro SD card slot increases the device’s storage capabilities by an additional 16GB.
Through Samsung’s partnership with Barnes & Noble, users can easily download more than one million eBooks and ePeriodicals, with most bestsellers at $9.99. Users will have the ability to browse, sample, purchase and download a wide variety of content from the world’s largest eBookstore in seconds, over a Wi-Fi or PC connection. Samsung eReader users will also be able to take advantage of breakthrough Barnes & Noble features, such as the industry-first LendMe™ technology which enables consumers to lend a wide selection of eBooks to friends free of charge for up to 14 days. Just choose the book you want to share and send it to your friend’s Samsung eReader or a host of other computer and mobile devices with free Barnes & Noble eReader software.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, digital imaging products, refrigerators and washing machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.