Openmoko, Inc. announced that its WikiReader touchscreen electronic encyclopedia can be turned into a portable eReader that can display digital books from Project Gutenberg.
For more information visit: www.openmoko.com ; www.gutenberg.org
Unedited press release follows:
WikiReader Can Now Deliver Over 33,000 Digital Books from Project Gutenberg
Clever encoding enables massive Project Gutenberg library to run on WikiReader pocket-sized touchscreen device
TAIPEI, Taiwan–Openmoko’s WikiReader, a popular palm-sized touchscreen electronic encyclopedia which contains more than 3 million English language Wikipedia articles, now can be turned into the world’s most portable eReader able to display the contents of Project Gutenberg, the oldest digital library. Its more than 33,000 digital books can now be downloaded and added to the WikiReader by visiting http://www.thewikireader.com/update/.
Thanks to the efforts of Tom Bachmann, an Openmoko community developer, each and every eBook from Project Gutenberg, from the Bible to Walden has been converted and compressed so users can download the entire Project Gutenberg library onto a 4GB microSD card and slip it into the 4″ x 4″ 4 ounce WikiReader device for reading anytime anywhere without a need for Internet connection.
“Openmoko is making a real difference with the WikiReader,” says Mr Bachmann. “By creating an open device with the right technology and the right price, they have helped me fulfill a personal longtime goal: delivering a huge library of [Project Gutenberg’s] 33,000 books to people’s pockets.”
Once loaded with the Project Gutenberg library, WikiReader uses the same framework for parsing as it does for Wikipedia or WikiQuotes, allowing users to search book content by words, refer to their own history of searches or discover a random book.
“I love that people will be able to carry the whole Project Gutenberg library in their pocket on WikiReader,” said Project Gutenberg founder Michael S. Hart. “We are continuing to expand, reaching over 40,000 eBooks in the near future, and look forward to WikiReader including them in future releases.”
“Project Gutenberg is important not only because it is an astounding collection of literature, but because it shows the power of simple hardware running open source software,” says Sean Moss-Pultz, CEO of Openmoko.
The WikiReader is the perfect holiday gift. You can grab the right answer at the right time or simply explore new topics and feed your thirst for knowledge for business, pleasure, or on your travels, or even augment your children’s textbooks. It’s the Internet without the Internet.
Instantly useful, simple, and elegant, the lightweight battery-operated WikiReader is comfortable and fun for all ages and highly portable with simple three-button design, touchscreen and ergonomic rounded housing making it perfect for pocket, purse or backpack. WikiReader is available at Amazon.com and http://thewikireader.com for $99. During December, Openmoko is running a promotion on their site that extends a 30% discount to previous WikiReader owners.
About Openmoko
Openmoko, Inc. combines creative and technical people to create original forms of consumer products. Privately funded and based in Taipei, Taiwan, Openmoko is dedicated to development of brilliant open source mobile technologies.