Creative to enter eReader market with Zii based device

Creative announced plans to enter the eReader market with an upcoming device named the MediaBook. Even though the company intends to brand it as an eReader, the lack of an e-ink display makes us believe that this device will be more like a portable media player with a large display and not really a device that can compete against the Kindle or Nook.

This product will be based on the company's Zii technology and will feature a touchscreen, text-to-speech functionality and an SD memory card slot. Creative VP of strategic business, Willie Png, explained the MediaBook will harness video, pictures, text and services in one device that supports a media-rich experience. The site says Creative is in talks with international and local publishers, and hints this product may be used in schools as Creative is not new to the educational business in Singapore.

As of now, Creative is already in talk with 10 international and local publishers to provide content for the MediaBook. On the menu are fiction, newspaper, magazines, education materials and textbooks. Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) - Singapore largest publisher which publishes 17 newspapers and more than 100 magazines could be one of the local content provider. "We are discussing with Creative how SPH, as a significant content provider in Singapore, can provide what it has - stories, images, videos or radio programmes - for the e-reader."

Wow, would the MediaBook change the future for Creative? Unlike the current e-books that is available now in the market, the Creative's MediaBook seem to be an all-in-one multimedia tablet. Besides reading your e-books and newspaper on the device, you will also able to Facebook and Twitter on the go, watch videos and view photos on the large touchscreen.

More info at epiZENter.