World's first 7.8 inch open Android e-reader with 300 PPI HD screen
Update 26-07: the Illumina XL HD will include bluetooth!
Icarus has been in the e-reader industry since 2010. From the moment Icarus was launched in the e-reading market in 2010, our philosophy has been the opposite of that of Amazon and Kobo: the choice where to get books from should always be with the reader and never with the manufacturer. That is why our e-readers have been 'open' from the start, supporting open standards and not based on lock-in systems. In 2014 we have moved to the Android operating system for our e-readers, which enables them to run all reading apps on the market. With an Icarus e-reader you can buy books in your favorite web shop, download free books, read via All-You-Can-Read subscriptions and more.
Icarus is headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, produces in China and sells globally.
The Illumina series is Icarus' range of Android-based reading devices and consists of devices with screen sizes ranging from 6 - 9.7''.
We are now launching a Limited Edition of our Illumina XL e-reader. This Illumina XL HD is the first 7.8'' e-reader with a 300 PPI screen and running on Android.
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- there are hardly limits to what books you can reader on this device, as it not only supports downloaded and purchased e-books, but also subscription services and other e-book ecosystems (including Google Books, Kindle) via apps. Also you can read news articles, run your favorite apps and more.
- with a resolution of 1872 x 1404 letters are sharp and crisp and contrast is amazing
- powered by a 1.8Ghz processor with 1Gb of RAM, this is Icarus' fastest e-reader to date
You can enjoy reading inside as well as outside, even in direct sunlight. See below image taken on a extremely sunny (31 degrees Celsius) day in direct sunlight:
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Full specification:
- 7.8" E-Ink Carta HD touchscreen (1872 x 1404)
- Integrated frontlight (adjustable intensity and can be turned off)
- Wi-Fi
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Bluetooth for connecting to other devices
- Android 4.2: install your own apps
- 1.8Ghz processor with 1GB RAM
- 16 Gb internal memory
- Supports ePub and PDF with Adobe DRM and in addition FB2, RTF, MOBI, TXT, HTM
- Supports other ebook ecosystems, newspapers, articles and many other content through apps / Google Play Store
- Audio support (MP3) and 3.5mm headphone jack
- Battery: 2,800mAh Lithium Ion
- Sleep / wake up function (with Icarus Sleep Cover for Illumina XL HD, sold separately)
- 200 x 145 x 9mm, 275 gr.
The recommended retail price of the Illumina XL HD (Model number E785BK) is EUR 199.95 (approximately $220).
In this campaign you can purchase it at a discount (different perks available).
This video gives a demo of some of the main functions (engineering sample):
This video shows what comics look like on the Illumina:
A comparison of a 212PPI screen (left) and 300PPI screen of the new Illumina XL HD (right).
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The 300PPI screen is much sharper and contrast is much better.
The Illumina XL HD will only be sold via:
What We Need & What You Get
In this campaign we are looking for 20k in funding. This will allow us to produce the first batch of the Illumina XL HD e-reader.
- This campaign is a flexible one. Even if we should not reach our goal, we will produce the first batch of this product.
- The first production batch is limited to 200 pieces. A second batch will be available in October/November 2017.
Risks & Challenges
We are producing e-readers for 7 years now, so we are well aware of the important aspects in ramping up production and continuously improve production on existing products.
The engineering samples show very solid performance (see the videos in this campaign page).
Even if we do not reach our campaign goal, we will produce our first batch to deliver to all backers.
Other Ways You Can Help
Some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean they can't help:
- If you cannot or are not willing to make a contribution, please help us in getting the word out, using your social networks etcetera.
FAQ
Q: what if you do not reach your campaign goal?
A: we have set a flexible campaign goal, but even in the case that we do not reach our
Q: what is the difference between the standard cover and the sleep cover?
A: the sleep cover has a function that puts the e-reader to sleep when you close the lid. When you open it the e-reader wakes up again.
The company
The Icarus brand belongs to Distriread B.V., one of the pioneering companies in the e-reader market in the Netherlands. DistriRead originated from the company iRex that developed one of the first E-Ink e-readers many years ago. Since 2008 DistriRead is active in the e-reader market and in 2010 the Icarus brand was founded. Icarus products are sold worldwide by a network of distributors and major retailers and e-tailers like Amazon, Mediamarkt, Fnac, Expert, Coolblue, Paradigit, Vobis, Bol.com to name a few.
The Icarus team is composed of a mix of people with a combined experience in the consumer electronics industry of more than 20 years.
DistriRead is located in the city of Eindhoven, the tech capital of the Netherlands.
DistriRead B.V. | Waldeck Pyrmontstraat 1a | 5652 AD | Eindhoven | The Netherlands | +31 40 304 00 10 | info@icarusreader.com