AT&T To Power New Kindle Rival
AT&T Inc. on Wednesday announced that it would provide the wireless cellular connection for Plastic Logic’s e-book reader.
Mountain View, Calif.-based Plastic Logic is aiming to unveil its new e-reader in 2010. The device is intended to be a worthy competitor to Amazon.com’s widely popular Kindle reader, which features connections from Sprint Nextel Corp.
The deal with AT&T makes the Plastic Logic Reader a step above Kindle in terms of international connectivity. AT&T’s network is compatible with overseas carriers, while Sprint Nextel’s is not.
“This alliance is a pillar in our strategy to provide mobile business professionals with a device that delivers a great reading experience, and is fully connected through 3G and Wi-Fi to deliver easy access to digital content,” said Richard Archuleta, CEO of Plastic Logic.
“There is tremendous market potential for electronic reading devices and we look forward to powering this revolutionary device,” said Glenn Lurie, president-Emerging Devices and Resale, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.
Financial terms of the AT&T deal with Plastic Logic have not been disclosed, the companies said in a written statement.
Earlier this week, Plastic Logic announced a deal with bookseller Barnes and Noble Inc.
But Archuleta told the Associated Press that the device is not only intended as an e-reader for books, it will also be tailored for business professionals to display documents in a nearly full size display.
"If somebody is just looking to read a book, and that’s all they’re going to do, they probably don’t need all the capabilities in our product," Archuleta said.
He added that the firm is currently discussing options with “every newspaper in the US” to gain partnerships that will allow the e-reader to display their content.
Gannett Co.’s USA Today and the Detroit Free Press have already announced partnerships with Plastic Logic.
Like Kindle, Plastic Logic’s reader will feature Wi-Fi capability.
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