KPURCELL@liverpool.ac.uk (Kevin 'fractal' Purcell) (06/30/90)
I saw this is comp.sys.laptops, so I took the liberty to repost it here:
Subject: Portable CD-ROM reader...
From: woodsd@ingr.com (Scott D. Wood)
Date: 27 Jun 90 21:55:13 GMT
Info obtained in 4-June-90 Electronic Engineering Times:
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.
Scott>I bet they mean one of the new solid-state ROM/RAM "credit-card" mems.
The $379 unit has a three-hour rechargeable battery life-
time. 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.
Scott>Not bad, eh? Imagine the uses for this thing! Reference materials,
manuals -- you name it, and highly portable too. The software inter-
face better be pretty simple and straight forward, maybe "hypercard-
ish" to increase its usabilty. 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.
Bye, Scott.
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It has more useful info that my last post.
Kevin Purcell ................................... kpurcell @ liverpool.ac.uk
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