Emmy, the WiBrain started the drooling all over again! I think in the next couple of years, the move from laptops and desktops to the smaller handheld PCs is going to be the way to go!

I think what I’m looking for in a reader is multi-functionality. I shudder at the idea of dropping a few hundred dollars on anything I can only read on *ahem* Kindle *ahem*. Maybe when I graduate, perhaps, but right now in BudgetLand, I have to get the maximum bang for my buck.

This one, WiBrain B1 UMPC, is expected to retail in the US eventually and should be cheaper.

They use tablet OSes, e.g. XP Tablet ed., so they have the handwriting recognition. They are a little pricey just as a ebook reader, but it fits just about all of your feature requirements and I can see this being something I go to all the time.

I’ve got this site (dearauthor.com) bookmarked. And it reads very nicely.

Because I’ve been spoiled by the iPhone and Kindle connect anywhere, it is bit frustrating if I have to look for a hotspot. And I’m always a bit leery about possible privacy leaks so I use it mainly for media. The speakers aren’t bad at all. The camera thing isn’t bad for snapshots. The lens pops up out of the top but looking at yourself is a bit icky, so I doubt if I would be using it for video conferencing.

There’s a media program called Canola that has a very pretty interface– how’s that for shallowness. There’s also a bejeweled knock off game I like. There’s not a lot of memory on board so you need a memory card right away.

If there is anything else you want to know please feel free to email me– click on my DS above should work and I would be happy to let you know.

And good to know about the iPhone working outside :)

Gosh, for someone who had maybe read 3 books on screen prior to 2007, I’ve acquired a lot of toys.

I like the idea of the iTouch because I don’t have to change cell phone carriers (although their plans are pretty reasonable for what you get). With some devices like the Nokia N800 you can use Skype to make phone calls in areas where WiFi is available, and that’s not a bad alternative for somebody like me who doesn’t use my cell phone very often. But that doesn’t really help in an emergency, say if you’re in the middle of nowhere.

The idea you posted about creating a port similar to iTunes is an excellent idea. Making “playlists” of sorts for our books would be great because they’re so easy to sync quickly that way with music playlists. A lot of my college textbooks are beginning to come out in ebook form, so being able to take them all along on my PDA makes my back and shoulders very happy!

I would hope that they would allow us to transfer our existing books (MobiPocket, MS Reader, etc.) the same way iTunes allows us to transfer music. Down with DRM!!!

One problem that I have with both my Palm and my laptop is the inability to read the screens very well outside. If I go outside to read, I’d like to be able to see the screen without having to squint and constantly shift the thing to be able to read. I also use prescription polarized sunglasses, which I know contributes to the problem, but I hope the technology gurus come up with a way to fix this!

Something else that isn’t technically iPhone related…has anyone seen the privacy shields that 3M makes? You can put them on your laptop or computer screen so that nobody can see what you’re doing until they’re right behind you. They are sort of “polarized” so that you have to be at just the right angle to see the screen. I think it would be awesome if 3M would manufacture the covers for Palms and Readers and such.

Because I saw THAT and thought I WANT