woodsd@ingr.com (Scott D. Wood) (06/29/90)
[From a posting in the group "comp.sys.laptops" on Usenet]
Info obtained in 4-June-90 Electronic Engineering Times:
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Tokyo -- The Sony Corp. has developed an integrated portable elec-
tronic "book reader" that weds a 3-inch CD-ROM drive and 256 x 200
pixel LCD display. The so-called DD-1 Data DiscMan adheres to the
electronic book specs outlined by the Electronic Book Community in-
dustry association, founded five months ago. Using rotating 3-inch
CD-ROM media, the system delivers 200 Mbytes of data on CD platters
that cost under $2 each to replicate in volume.
The initial DD-1 system delivers five dictionaries to the user,
using retrieval software contained on a slip-in IC decoder.
The $379 unit has a three-hour rechargeable battery lifetime. It
is equipped with a video output jack allowing the electronic book
to be displayed on an outboard TV screen or video display. The DD-1
can also be used to enjoy 3-inch CD audio platters in stereo.
- - - -
Not bad, eh? Imagine the uses for this thing! Reference materials,
manuals -- you name it, and highly portable too.
The software interface better be pretty simple and straight forward,
maybe "hypercardish" to increase its usability. It should also have some
sort of <wince!> *standard* computer interface so it's REALLY usable. But
hey, sounds like a great start to me. Of course some sort of "heads-up"
virtual display (like those funky "data-glasses" -- still in R+D) would
be GREAT! This is about as close as we'll get to "wetware" (see alt.cyber*)
in the near future. If anyone knows more about this or other neato similar
devices - please follow up.
Scott Wood