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April 19, 2010 — In addition to this week's NewsBreaks article and the monthly NewsLink Spotlight, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) offers Weekly News Digests that feature recent product news and company announcements. Watch for additional coverage to appear in the next print issue of Information Today. CLICK HERE to view more Weekly News Digest items.

Spring Design Now Shipping Multimedia Alex eReader

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Spring Design, Inc. (www.springdesign.com) is now shipping the dual screen multimedia Alex eReader. Weighing only 11 ounces, the Android-based Alex eReader supporting ebooks in EPUB, PDF, HTML, and TXT formats, offers full internet browsing using WiFi connectivity, and later this year will also feature 3G and EVDO/CDMA connectivity. 

Alex offers multitasking, enabling users to enjoy music while they read, supplement their ebook on the EPD screen (electronic paper display) with video on the LCD screen (liquid crystal display), search the web, or use email so users may connect with each other in book clubs and social media.

The Alex eReader costs $399 and measures 4.7" by 8.9" and less than a half inch deep. It comes with headphones, AC connector, USB cable, and protective cover.  The USB 2.0 connector makes it easy to transfer photos, videos or other files to the Alex MicroSD card offering expansion of user libraries up to 32GB.  Spring Design will offer periodic over the air updates for the Alex.  

Spring will shortly being to announce multi-language versions of Alex for countries speaking Chinese, Russian, Korean, and Hebrew.  Alex is the first eReader to offer international versions of the product through its local country partners connecting to local bookstores. Spring Design Inc., founded in 2006, is located in Fremont, Calif. with engineering offices in Taiwan and China.

In addition, Grammata, a Spanish company specializing in the design, content, and sale of eReaders and Spring Design announced that Grammata will open an online ebookstore and sell the Alex eReader in Spain online and in retail stores starting July 2010 starting with 1,000 titles.  Grammata is currently consolidating digital books from various Spanish publishers and expects to offer 15,000 to 45,000 Spanish language ebooks for sale and selected copyright-free classics at no cost through its online store at www.grammata.es.

Source: Spring Design, Inc.