Sony is set to launch a flexible e-reader device for universities that will see more efficiency and participation in classrooms.
The e-reader is 7mm thick, weighs 358 grams and has a 13.3 inch, 1,200×1,600 resolution touch screen with 16 shades of grey – the size of the normal A4 document but without margins.
Additional features include 4GB of internal memory, Wi-Fi connection, and a microSD memory card slot.
Since the device is meant to mimic real paper, it will have smaller features than the existing tablets or e-readers.
“Through actions such as replacing paper texts and materials used in universities with ‘Digital Paper,’ we aim to make classes more efficient and increase the learning effectiveness,” the company said.
Sony said the device will only handle PDF format although file creation will be supported as well. Highlights and notes can also be added.
They aim to start selling the device by March 2014 and field tests at various universities such as Waseda University, in Tokyo, will be conducted before then.
The e-reader will be sold in bulk along with cloud hosting and other support because Sony intends to market it as a solution and not a consumer product.
