ILiad: Difference between revisions

iRex iLiad
Manufacturer	iRex Technologies
Compatible networks	MyiRex account
Dimensions	155x217x16 mm (WxHxD)
Mass	389 g (13.7 oz)
Operating system	Linux, 2.4 kernel
CPU	400 MHz Intel XScale
Memory	64 MB RAM
Storage	256 MB internal, 128 MB available; Expandable by USB, MMC, CF cards
Battery	Lithium ion battery
Display	124×152 mm (W×H),; 768×1024 pixels,; 160 ppi density,; 16-level grayscale; Electronic paper
Connectivity	WiFi 802.11g,; 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet LAN (via travel hub),; USB port, audio jack
Data inputs	WACOM touchscreen,; Graphical user interface,; next/prev/quick access buttons

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The iLiad was an electronic handheld device, or e-Reader, which could be used for document reading and editing. Like the Barnes and Noble nook, Sony Reader or Amazon Kindle, the iLiad made use of an electronic paper display. In 2010, sales of the iLiad ended when its parent company, iRex Technologies, filed for bankruptcy. ^[1]

Description[edit]

Main specifications:

8.1-inch (21 cm) electronic paper display, area for displaying content is 124x165mm
resolution of 768x1024 pixels, 160 dpi
16 levels of grayscale
USB connector for external storage
CompactFlash Type II slot for memory extension or other applications
MultiMediaCard slot for MMC memory cards
3.5 mm stereo audio jack for a headset
WiFi 802.11g wireless LAN
10/100 Mbit/s wired LAN
390 grams (14 oz) weight
400 MHz Intel XScale processor
64 MB RAM
256 MB internal flash memory, 128 for user, 128 for system
Linux-based operating system, 2.4 kernel
SDK provided, so functionality is easily extended^[2]

It measures 155 × 216 × 16 mm (width × height × depth), the size of an A5 document, or roughly a 6"×9" steno notebook. The display used is an active matrix electrophoretic display, which uses E Ink Vizplex Imaging Film manufactured by E Ink Corporation. Underneath the E Ink screen is a digitizing tablet by WACOM which requires a stylus for input. When it was introduced, the Iliad had largest screen size of existing e-paper products, but the newer iRex Digital Reader 1000's 10.2-inch (26 cm) display is the largest sold as of early 2011.

The iLiad can display document files in several formats, including PDF, Mobipocket, XHTML and plain text. It can also display JPEG, BMP and PNG images, but not in color. As of May 3, 2007 Mobipocket is supported, making the mobipocket digital rights management (DRM) content available on this platform. iRex's product page for the iLiad states that "Support for additional E-book formats will become available over the coming months."

Through its wireless service, iDS, the iLiad can also directly download content. Les Echos, a French financial newspaper, is distributed this way, as is Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad. Users can connect to their computer over a wireless network to sync new data onto the iLiad's internal memory or an inserted MMC, SD, or CF card.

The distributor of the iLiad is iRex Technologies, a Philips spin-off company. It was initially advertised in December 2005, to be launched in April 2006, but was delayed until July, when it started to be sold as a beta product. It was released to the general public near the end of July, and since then has undergone considerable software revisions.

Its list price in Europe is €649, and in US $699, however it is no longer available in North America due to FCC regulation non-compliance.

Advanced features[edit]

One of the advanced features of the iLiad is the ability to add notes to existing documents. With the integrated Wacom tablet and stylus, it is possible to write directly on almost any document and those notes will remain on that document whenever it is viewed on the iLiad. Using the desktop software, those notes can be merged into the original document. This provides malleability, an important feature of physical books that is missing from most ebook products, allowing users to annotate, highlight, and personalize the text.

Third-party development[edit]

Because of its open Linux operating system, the iLiad was able to run third party applications created for it. Developers and users wishing to create or run third party applications had the ability to request shell access from the manufacturer.

Developers were able to improve on the device's functionality by porting viewers such as FBReader, and programs such as abiword and stardict. Full screen PDF reading was made available by community-supported iPDF releases. Some independent users reported successful porting of mobile web browsers to iLiad's Linux platform, although with limited functionality and many bugs.

Version 2[edit]

In September 2007, iRex Technologies released an update to the iLiad. While officially called "iLiad 2nd Edition", it is generally noted as a minor update to the original.

The update includes:

Redesigned backplane
Increased battery capacity
Software version 2.11
Updated travel charger
Included case

The 2.11 software, which contains stylus calibration, extended battery life, and other things, is also available to first-generation iLiads.

Book edition[edit]

In May 2008, iRex Technologies added a third installment to the iLiad line of products, this time branded under the name iLiad Book Edition. This is the iLiad Version 2 without WiFi and a new silver look. The technical cutbacks reduce the price to $599 (€499), which is cheaper than the original. It also comes with 50 free classics, including works from well-known writers Jules Verne, Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, and Leo Tolstoy.

Bankruptcy[edit]

In early June 2010, iRex Technologies of the Netherlands filed for Bankruptcy protection. According to CEO Hans Brons (2010), the decline in sales were a direct result of a delayed response from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve the device. ^[3]

References[edit]

^ "E-Reader Maker IRex Files for Bankruptcy". 11 June 2010. Archived from the original on 21 September 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
^ "http://support.irexnet.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=31"
^ iRex files for bankruptcy following lackluster sales, electronista, MNM Media, LLC, 9 June 2010

External links[edit]

List of third-party applications
French newspaper Les Echos on the iLiad
Dutch specialist in e-Paper for education, training and knowledge management
A discussion thread containing large device images
Feedbooks: e-books and news for the iLiad
Dream reader: iRex iLiad Some stats and photos of iRex iLiad. Include 11 photos of iLiad showing math formulas in the comment section.

[irexBankrupt-1] "E-Reader Maker IRex Files for Bankruptcy". 11 June 2010. Archived from the original on 21 September 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2011.

[2] "http://support.irexnet.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=31"

[3] Rex files for bankruptcy following lackluster sales, electronista, MNM Media, LLC, 9 June 2010

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|E-Reader}}
 {{Other uses|Iliad (disambiguation)}}
 {{lowercase|iLiad}}
@@ Line 6: / Line 7: @@
 | image = Irex Iliad (V2).jpg
 | imagesize = 182
-| manufacturer = iRex Technologies<ref>[http://www.irextechnologies.com iRex Technologies]</ref>
+| manufacturer = iRex Technologies
 | networks = MyiRex account
 | size = 155x217x16 mm (WxHxD)
 | weight = 389 g (13.7 [[ounce|oz]])
 | os = Linux, 2.4 kernel
-| cpu = 400 MHz [[Intel XScale]]
+| cpu = 400&nbsp;MHz [[Intel XScale]]
 | memory = 64 [[megabyte|MB]] [[RAM]]
-| storage = 256 MB internal, 128 MB available<br />Expandable by [[USB]], [[MultiMediaCard|MMC]], [[CompactFlash|CF]] cards
+| storage = 256&nbsp;MB internal, 128&nbsp;MB available<br />Expandable by [[USB]], [[MultiMediaCard|MMC]], [[CompactFlash|CF]] cards
 | battery = [[Lithium ion battery]]
-| input = [[Wacom]] [[digitizing tablet|touchscreen]],<br />Graphical user interface,<br /> next/prev/quick access buttons
+| input = [[Wacom (company)|WACOM]] [[digitizing tablet|touchscreen]],<br />Graphical user interface,<br /> next/prev/quick access buttons
 | display = 124×152 mm (W×H),<br />768×1024 [[pixel]]s,<br />160 ppi density,<br />16-level [[grayscale]]<br />[[Electronic paper]]
-| connectivity = [[WiFi]] [[802.11g]],<br />10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet [[LAN]] (via travel hub),<br /> [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] port, audio jack
+| connectivity = [[WiFi]] [[802.11g]],<br />10/100&nbsp;Mbit/s Ethernet [[LAN]] (via travel hub),<br /> [[Universal Serial Bus|USB]] port, audio jack
 }}
-The '''iLiad''' was an electronic handheld device, or [[E-book|e-Reader]], which could be used for document reading and editing.  Like the [[Barnes and Noble nook]], [[Sony Reader]] or [[Amazon Kindle]], the iLiad made use of an [[electronic paper]] display. In 2010, sales of the iLiad ended when its parent company, iRex, filed for bankruptcy. <ref name="irexBankrupt">http://paidcontent.org/article/419-e-reader-maker-irex-files-for-bankruptcy/</ref>
+The '''iLiad''' was an electronic handheld device, or [[E-book|e-Reader]], which could be used for document reading and editing. Like the [[Barnes and Noble nook]], [[Sony Reader]] or [[Amazon Kindle]], the iLiad made use of an [[electronic paper]] display. In 2010, sales of the iLiad ended when its parent company, iRex Technologies, filed for bankruptcy. <ref name="irexBankrupt">{{Cite web|url = http://paidcontent.org/article/419-e-reader-maker-irex-files-for-bankruptcy/|title = E-Reader Maker IRex Files for Bankruptcy|date = 11 June 2010|access-date = 28 June 2011|archive-date = 21 September 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110921020023/http://paidcontent.org/article/419-e-reader-maker-irex-files-for-bankruptcy/|url-status = dead}}</ref>
 [[Image:Bouquin électronique iLiad en plein soleil.jpg|thumb|iLiad in sunlight]]
 [[Image:Soleil et ombre sur un bouquin électronique iLiad.jpg|thumb|iLiad e-book reader equipped with e-paper display]]
@@ Line 34: / Line 35: @@
 * 3.5 mm stereo audio jack for a headset
 * [[WiFi]] [[802.11g]] wireless [[LAN]]
-* 10/100 Mbit/s wired LAN
+* 10/100&nbsp;Mbit/s wired LAN
 * {{convert|390|g|0}} weight
-* 400 MHz [[Intel XScale]] processor
+* 400&nbsp;MHz [[Intel XScale]] processor
-* 64 MB [[RAM]]
+* 64&nbsp;MB [[RAM]]
-* 256 MB internal flash memory, 128 for user, 128 for system
+* 256&nbsp;MB internal flash memory, 128 for user, 128 for system
 * Linux-based operating system, 2.4 kernel
 * SDK provided, so functionality is easily extended<ref>"http://support.irexnet.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=31"</ref>
-It measures 155 × 216 × 16 mm (width × height × depth), the size of an A5 document, or roughly a 6"×9" steno notebook.  The display used is an [[active matrix]] [[electrophoretic display]], which uses [[E Ink]] Vizplex Imaging Film manufactured by [[E Ink Corporation]].  Underneath the E Ink screen is a [[digitizing tablet]] by [[Wacom]] which requires a [[Stylus (computing)|stylus]] for input.  When it was introduced, the Iliad had largest screen size of existing [[e-paper]] products, but the newer iRex [[Digital Reader 1000]]'s {{convert|10.2|in|cm|adj=on}} display is the largest sold as of early 2011.
+It measures 155 × 216 × 16 mm (width × height × depth), the size of an A5 document, or roughly a 6"×9" steno notebook. The display used is an [[active matrix]] [[electrophoretic display]], which uses [[E Ink]] Vizplex Imaging Film manufactured by [[E Ink Corporation]]. Underneath the E Ink screen is a [[digitizing tablet]] by [[Wacom (company)|WACOM]] which requires a [[Stylus (computing)|stylus]] for input. When it was introduced, the Iliad had largest screen size of existing [[e-paper]] products, but the newer iRex [[Digital Reader 1000]]'s {{convert|10.2|in|cm|adj=on}} display is the largest sold as of early 2011.
-The iLiad can display document files in several formats, including [[PDF]], [[Mobipocket]], [[XHTML]] and [[plain text]]. It can also display [[JPEG]], [[BMP file format|BMP]] and [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]] images, but not in color.  As of May 3, 2007 Mobipocket is supported, making the mobipocket [[digital rights management]] (DRM) content available on this platform.<ref name="irextechnologies.com">http://www.irextechnologies.com/products/content/books</ref> iRex's product page for the iLiad states that "Support for additional E-book formats will become available over the coming months.<ref name="irextechnologies.com"/>"
+The iLiad can display document files in several formats, including [[PDF]], [[Mobipocket]], [[XHTML]] and [[plain text]]. It can also display [[JPEG]], [[BMP file format|BMP]] and [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]] images, but not in color. As of May 3, 2007 Mobipocket is supported, making the mobipocket [[digital rights management]] (DRM) content available on this platform. iRex's product page for the iLiad states that "Support for additional E-book formats will become available over the coming months."
-Through its wireless service, iDS, the iLiad can also directly download content. [[Les Echos]], a French financial newspaper, is distributed this way, as is Dutch newspaper [[NRC Handelsblad]], and more content is expected.  Users can connect to their computer over a wireless network to sync new data onto the iLiad's internal memory or an inserted MMC, SD, or CF card.  More wireless and network functions are to be delivered in upcoming firmware updates.
+Through its wireless service, iDS, the iLiad can also directly download content. [[Les Échos (France)|Les Echos]], a French financial newspaper, is distributed this way, as is Dutch newspaper [[NRC Handelsblad]]. Users can connect to their computer over a wireless network to sync new data onto the iLiad's internal memory or an inserted MMC, SD, or CF card.
-The distributor of the iLiad is iRex Technologies, a [[Philips]] spin-off company.  It was initially advertised in December 2005, to be launched in April 2006, but was delayed until July, when it started to be sold as a beta product.  It was released to the general public near the end of July, and since then has undergone considerable software revisions.
+The distributor of the iLiad is iRex Technologies, a [[Philips]] spin-off company. It was initially advertised in December 2005, to be launched in April 2006, but was delayed until July, when it started to be sold as a beta product. It was released to the general public near the end of July, and since then has undergone considerable software revisions.
 Its list price in Europe is €649, and in US $699, however it is no longer available in North America due to FCC regulation non-compliance.
@@ Line 54: / Line 55: @@
 ==Advanced features==
-One of the advanced features of the iLiad is the ability to add notes to existing documents.  With the integrated Wacom tablet and stylus, it is possible to write directly on almost any document and those notes will remain on that document whenever it is viewed on the iLiad.  Using the desktop software, those notes can be merged into the original document. This provides malleability, an important feature of physical books that is missing from most ebook products, allowing users to annotate, highlight, and personalize the text.
+One of the advanced features of the iLiad is the ability to add notes to existing documents. With the integrated Wacom tablet and stylus, it is possible to write directly on almost any document and those notes will remain on that document whenever it is viewed on the iLiad. Using the desktop software, those notes can be merged into the original document. This provides malleability, an important feature of physical books that is missing from most ebook products, allowing users to annotate, highlight, and personalize the text.
 ==Third-party development==
-Because of its open Linux operating system, the iLiad is able to run third party applications created for it.  Developers and users wishing to create or run third party applications can request [[shell (computing)|shell]] access from the manufacturer.
+Because of its open Linux operating system, the iLiad was able to run third party applications created for it. Developers and users wishing to create or run third party applications had the ability to request [[shell (computing)|shell]] access from the manufacturer.
-Developers have been able to improve on the device's functionality by porting viewers such as [[FBReader]], and programs such as [[abiword]] and [[stardict]].  Full screen PDF reading is made available by community-supported iPDF releases.  Programs for recreation, including audio playback, [[sudoku]], and calendars, are rapidly growing community content available for use on the iLiad.  Independent users have also reported successful porting of mobile web browsers to iLiad's Linux platform, although with limited functionality and many bugs.
+Developers were able to improve on the device's functionality by porting viewers such as [[FBReader]], and programs such as [[abiword]] and [[stardict]]. Full screen PDF reading was made available by community-supported iPDF releases. Some independent users reported successful porting of mobile web browsers to iLiad's Linux platform, although with limited functionality and many bugs.
-iRex as a company has had a lukewarm relationship with its Open Source developers.  Most of the complaints toward iRex center around speed of release of [[SDK]]s and other information. They have, however, also been quite forthcoming on some projects and some of the changes the community has made have been integrated back into the company's software distribution, perhaps the most notable being that of stylus and input calibration, an external development project led by [[Jay Kuri]] and published as part of the main distribution in early 2008.
 ==Version 2==
-In September 2007, iRex Technologies released an update to the iLiad.  While officially called "iLiad 2nd Edition", it is generally noted as a minor update to the original.
+In September 2007, iRex Technologies released an update to the iLiad. While officially called "iLiad 2nd Edition", it is generally noted as a minor update to the original.
 The update includes:
@@ Line 76: / Line 75: @@
 ==Book edition==
-In May 2008, iRex Technologies added a third installment to the iLiad line of products, this time branded under the name iLiad Book Edition. This is the iLiad Version 2 without WiFi and a new silver look.  The technical cutbacks reduce the price to $599 (€499), which is cheaper than the original.  It also comes with 50 free classics, including works from well-known writers [[Jules Verne]], [[Charles Dickens]], [[Lewis Carroll]], and [[Leo Tolstoy]].
+In May 2008, iRex Technologies added a third installment to the iLiad line of products, this time branded under the name iLiad Book Edition. This is the iLiad Version 2 without WiFi and a new silver look. The technical cutbacks reduce the price to $599 (€499), which is cheaper than the original. It also comes with 50 free classics, including works from well-known writers [[Jules Verne]], [[Charles Dickens]], [[Lewis Carroll]], and [[Leo Tolstoy]].
 ==Bankruptcy==
-In early June 2010, iRex Technologies of the Netherlands filed for [[Bankruptcy#The Netherlands|Bankruptcy protection]]. According to CEO Hans Brons (2010), the decline in sales were a direct result of a delayed response from the [[FCC]] to approve the device. <ref>[http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/06/09/fate.of.products.uncertain/ iRex files for bankruptcy following lackluster sales], electronista, MNM Media, LLC, 9 June 2010</ref>
+In early June 2010, iRex Technologies of the Netherlands filed for [[Bankruptcy#The Netherlands|Bankruptcy protection]]. According to CEO Hans Brons (2010), the decline in sales were a direct result of a delayed response from the U.S. [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to approve the device. <ref>[http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/06/09/fate.of.products.uncertain/ iRex files for bankruptcy following lackluster sales], electronista, MNM Media, LLC, 9 June 2010</ref>
 ==See also==
-*[[List of e-book readers]], similar devices
+* [[Comparison of e-readers]]
 ==References==
 <references/>
-{{Commons category|iLiad}}
+{{Commons category|ILiad|lcfirst=yes}}
 ==External links==
@@ Line 95: / Line 94: @@
 * [http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5582 A discussion thread containing large device images]
 * [http://www.feedbooks.com/ Feedbooks: e-books and news for the iLiad]
-* [http://mgccl.com/2007/10/28/dream-reader-irex-iliad Dream reader: iRex iLiad] Some stats and photos of iRex iLiad. Include 11 photos of iLiad showing math formulas in the comment section.
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110821212123/http://mgccl.com/2007/10/28/dream-reader-irex-iliad Dream reader: iRex iLiad] Some stats and photos of iRex iLiad. Include 11 photos of iLiad showing math formulas in the comment section.
 {{Linux devices}}
+{{Ebooks}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Iliad}}
-[[Category:Dedicated e-book devices]]
+[[Category:Dedicated ebook devices]]
 [[Category:Electronic paper technology]]
 [[Category:Linux-based devices]]
-[[de:ILiad]]
-[[es:ILiad]]
-[[fr:ILiad]]
-[[nl:ILiad]]