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Illumina XL - 8 inch Android e-reader

Buy, download or lend books anywhere and read them in paperback size!

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Illumina XL - 8 inch Android e-reader

Illumina XL - 8 inch Android e-reader

Illumina XL - 8 inch Android e-reader

Illumina XL - 8 inch Android e-reader

Illumina XL - 8 inch Android e-reader

Buy, download or lend books anywhere and read them in paperback size!

Buy, download or lend books anywhere and read them in paperback size!

Buy, download or lend books anywhere and read them in paperback size!

Buy, download or lend books anywhere and read them in paperback size!

Roberto Damen
Roberto Damen
Roberto Damen
Roberto Damen
4 Campaigns |
Eindhoven, Netherlands
$13,755 USD 82 backers
24% of $57,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 4 Projects Mountain Filled 4 Projects

Update 26th of November: only a few days left!

Only a few days left to enjoy our special offer on Indiegogo. The Illumina XL will continue to be on sale after the campaign ends, but at normal retail price of $199. Take advantage of this special offer while it lasts!

Update 19th of November: slightly delayed but shipping before Christmas

Unfortunately we are slightly delayed due to a delay in shipment of a key component by one of our suppliers, but we will be able to ship in time for Christmas.


We let YOU choose where you get your books from

If you look at today's e-reading market there are limited options for avid readers. E-readers based on E-Ink technology offer the most comfortable reading experience (no eye fatigue, perfect reading indoors, outdoors and even in bright sunlight, long battery life). However, most e-readers sold (Kindle, Kobo) lock you into their company's ecosystem, forcing you to buy books with them. Their business model is about getting customers into their system and making money on lifetime e-book sales.

New and innovative ways of reading books based on e-book subscriptions (for instance Scribd, Skoobe, Mobifo, Bliyoo) and library apps are growing rapidly in the last years as people come to realize that they prefer to have access to many books but at a fixed price per month. This is similar to the rise of apps such as Spotify and Netflix. These all you  can read apps however can not be used with those mainstream e-readers. 

From the moment Icarus was launched in the e-reading market in 2010, our philosophy has been the opposite: 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 today - and in the future. 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.


The all new Illumina XL 8" Android e-reader

Based on our successful Illumina 6" e-readers, Icarus is proud to present the all new Illumina XL:

The Illumina XL is compact, lightweight and comfortable to hold, despite its 8 inch E-Ink screen. This screen size is equivalent to a paperback paper book, the most popular format for reading in the world. Thanks to the slim bezel, 9mm thickness and one-button design (home button) we managed to keep the dimensions to a minimum. Weighing 275 grams, it weighs only 75 grams more than much smaller 6" devices.

The 8 inch screen offers 75% more screen surface, so more content fits on one page (meaning you need to flip pages less than with traditional 6" e-readers). Or you can increase the font size to make reading more comfortable.



The integrated front light enables comfortable reading even in low light situations and of course the XL has a touchscreen, Wi-Fi and plenty of storage for your books.

What makes the Illumina XL truly unique, it its compatibility with all e-book platforms. From e-book web shops to all-you-can-read subscriptions, from public libraries to public domain books and more. 



Out-of-the box our Illumina XL e-reader - running on Android 4.2 - can run apps from all reading platforms, such as Scribd, Skoobe, Kindle, Kobo, Mobifo, Bliyoo and many more. Public libraries have Android reading apps to, so with our e-readers you can also lend books at your library. If you own a library of books of a closed ecosystem already (for instance Kindle) you can easily access it on the Illumina using the Kindle app. By using cloud storage apps like Dropbox (pre-installed) or others, you can access your library stored in the cloud.

Below you find some screenshots of apps running on the Illumina XL:


The Illumina XL is also future proof: as Android is the dominant mobile device operating system you can rest assured that any future reading app will be available on Android.



Full specifications:

  • 8" (20.32cm) E-Ink touchscreen (1024 x 768)
  • Integrated frontlight (adjustable intensity and can be turned off)
  • Wi-Fi
  • Android 4.2: install your own apps
  • 1Ghz Dual Core A9 Cortex with 512MB RAM
  • 8 Gb internal memory
  • Micro SD card slot for expanding the memory with maximum 32Gb
  • Supports ePub and PDF with Adobe DRM and in addition FB2, RTF, MOBI, TXT, HTM
  • Audio support (MP3) and 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Battery: 2,800mAh Lithium Ion
  • 200 x 145 x 9mm, 275 gr.


Icarus is active worldwide, from Amsterdam to Munich, from Toronto to New Delhi. Thousands of customers have purchased our e-readers over the last years. We offer e-readers for all customer groups, from casual readers to avid readers and professionals that use e-readers for sustained reading and creating a paperless office. Our customer base values our fairly priced but advanced devices and favors open systems versus being locked in. Now is the time for you to join them!


What We Need & What You Get

We have finalized the design and specification phase for our e-reader and have first engineering samples available. In order to proceed to the next stage and mass produce the e-readers we need to invest in raw materials and components. We have invested $75,000 so far and need an additional $57,000 in order to finalize that phase.

The first e-readers will be produced in November 2015, shipments to the Indiegogo contributors will take place in the first half of December 2015.

Update: some visitors have asked what happens with their contribution if we do not reach the funding goal. The answer is very simple: we will still ship you the e-readers you selected as a perk! We are producing the Illumina XL in any case, but if we reach or exceed the funding goal we will increase the production volume to satisfy the demand.


We have a couple of great perks for our contributors:



This is a flexible funding campaign, we will use the funds to move the product into the production phase. 

Timeline

The Illumina XL is ready to hit the mass production phase, which will enable us to deliver the product still before Christmas, which is a big gifting occasion for e-readers.

  • November 2015: first mass production run
  • December 2015: shipments to backers
  • January 2015: second production run


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 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. |  Luchthavenweg 81 - 1.39a  |  5657 EA  |  Eindhoven  | The Netherlands  |  +31 40 304 00 10  |  info@icarusreader.com


FAQ

Q: Why would I not just read on my phone or tablet?

A: For casual reading on the go you could use a phone or tablet. But only E-Ink devices offer you a comfortable reading experience if you are reading for longer periods as the screen does not lead to eye fatigue. Also if you want to read outside on a LCD screen this is very difficult due to the reflections. If you are serious about reading, the best device to do so on is an e-reader.

Q: How can I read Kindle books on the Illumina XL?

A: For reading Kindle books on the Icarus e-reader, simply run the Kindle App. This will allow you to access your existing library and to read those books.


Q: How can I read Kobo books on the Illumina XL?

A: For reading Kobo books on the Icarus e-reader, simply run the Kobo App. This will allow you to access your existing library and to read those books.


Q: How can I use apps like Skoobe so I can read unlimited books at a monthly fee?

A: Simply install the Skoobe app on the Illumina. It will be available in the apps section of your e-reader after installation. In a similar way you can install and run other reading apps


Q: Is it possible to listen to audio books

A: Yes, the Illumina XL supports the MP3 audio format and has a 3.5mm audio jack


Q: Do you ship to my country too?

A: We ship our e-readers worldwide via Fedex and DPD. Shipping to the US, Canada and the European Union is free. For other countries there is a $25 shipping charge.



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Choose your Perk

Thank you! - Good Karma

$5 USD
Thanks a million for taking the time to support our project! You have just made a contribution in making reading freedom a reality.
3 claimed

Early Bird Package

$169 USD
The Early Bird Package includes one Illumina XL e-reader ($30 less than retail price). Free shipping to the United States and Canada and within the European Union. Shipping costs of $25 for the rest of the world.
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
11 out of 150 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Early Bird Package with cover

$179 USD
This package contains the Illumina XL e-reader (retail price $199) and a black leather cover (retail price $29). You save almost $50 on the retail price! Free shipping to the United States and Canada and within the European Union. Shipping costs of $25 for the rest of the world.
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
66 out of 100 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Free leather cover

$199 USD
Buy a Illumina XL and get a free black Perfect Fit leather cover (retail value $29) for your Illumina XL.
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
2 out of 100 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Illumina XL e-reader

$199 USD
Be one of the first to read in absolute freedom with the new Icarus Illumina XL e-reader (E853BK). Free shipping to the United States and Canada and within the European Union. Shipping costs of $25 for the rest of the world.
Estimated Shipping
December 2015
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.

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