The popular palm-sized electronic encyclopedia dubbed as WikiReader is once again in the news. Openmoko is set to reveal the spring 2010 update for WikiReader. With this offering, customers can expect a better on-screen keypad that lets users search for Wikipedia entries more quickly. The company also introduced math equations to the scientific articles of Wikipedia.
“We’ve been listening to requests from customers for better rendering quality, improved scrolling and we fixed these issues as our top priority for the Spring 2010 update. Math equations that were previously removed are now rendered as crisp bitmap images enabling us to use scientific and math annotation. We did more housecleaning and removed some bits of code that were still visible in a number of articles after our conversion and compression of millions of articles to the WikiReader format. And the newly implemented keypad is animated for a better typing experience.The initial feedback from users around the world has been very positive. We’re really excited about hearing from, and directly satisfying our customers’ requests,†explained William Lai, Product Manager of Openmoko.
The upgrade includes the newest update to the database of 3+ million English language Wikipedia articles. This can be acquired on the WikiReader at any given time without the need of an Internet connection. The enhanced keypad on WikiReader can be espied as floating keys like that of the iPhone. The latest software also enhances the navigation with fluid scrolling and highly requested back feature to return quickly to the previously searched articles. Users are also offered additional content like updates to recent events and discoveries. These include Water on the Moon, G-20 Pittsburgh Summit, NBC Universal, Typhoon Ketsana, Windows 7, the American Recovery, the Tiger Woods event and much more.
“The Spring 2010 update is the first step in a series of upgrades representing Om’s commitment to deliver a simple, immersive Wikipedia experience for each and every curious mind in our world today. Wikipedia is a truly international resource and we developed the WikiReader to enable people of all ages to access information no matter where they are.We intend to continue to develop the WikiReader to make looking for information fun, whether for learning, for use as a travel guide, or simply to settle a bar bet,†stated Sean Moss-Pultz, CEO of Openmoko.
WikiReader has the ability to work for months on its two AAA batteries according to the company. The monochrome screen of the product employs a touch interface. Articles and hyperlinks are selected with a stroke of the finger and a simple tap respectively. Readers can read certain topics via the Search, History and Random buttons. Updates for the WikiReader can be found are quarterly intervals and can be downloaded for free through the company’s official website.
Customers can shell out $29 (approx. Rs.1,348) in order to buy two pre-loaded microSD cards per year packed with updates. The WikiReader bears a cost of $99 (approx. Rs.4,602).
