Aluratek Libre Air eBook Reader -- Ubergizmo

Aluratek Libre Air eBook Reader -- Ubergizmo:

"Since there isn’t any backlight, you will find that reading on the Libre Air is similar to that of a book, so your eyes won’t strain that easily. This also helps with the battery life, and paves the way for a third-party accessory for those who love reading in the dark – a clip-on light of sorts."

An LCD screen with no backlighting? Pass. Overpriced at $129. Someone out there needs to get the $50 market locked up.

Borders to sell variety of e-readers; low-end Aluratek Libre Pro at $119

Borders will be selling the Aluratek Libre Pro for $119, making it the least expensive of the bookstore-affiliated e-readers. It has a 5" Mono reflective light LCD screen--like e-ink but faster. Borders will also sell a wide variety of other e-readers, including the Kobo Reader for $149.

I'm pleased that Borders is taking an e-reader-agnostic approach to selling hardware for their e-book catalog. I hope the other big-box bookstores are watching closely.

Borders to sell up to 10 different ereaders; announces deal with Aluratek | TeleRead: Bring the E-Books Home

Available July 2, 2010 -- Borders.com

Borders Partners with Aluratek on Libre eBook Reader Pro | Pulse On Tech-Digital Reader News

Aluratek Libre Pro e-reader

The Aluratek Libre Pro e-reader is on sale at NCIX.com

$139.99 CAD
Savings Code 50398-1230. SAVE $30.00 off our regular price of $169.99 if you buy today! Special price ends 4/20/2010.

Its has a 5"-640x480 LCD screen and supports ePub, PDF, and the other basic formats. It comes with a 2GB SD card, and can be upgraded. It also plays MP3s.

There is a so-so review at PCWORLD. Its a bit short and I'm not particularly swayed by their complaint about battery life.

I'm tempted by this one but apparently the unit doesn't come with a back-lit screen. Apparently the Aluratek people wanted to look like e-ink without actually using the technology. Since I do much of my night-time reading solely in the warm comforting glow of the TV or computer screen this can be a deal breaker.

Apparently there is a market out there for add-on night lights for e-ink readers -- those clip-on LED lights that are still marketed for reading dead-tree books in bed. If I'm going to plunk down some green for a new reader I do not want to have to pay $20-30 bucks extra for a 3W lamp.