Cybook Opus (CYBPE10W)

There is a new kid on the block - Bookeen Cybook Opus (CYBPE10W).

It's the lighter and smaller (4" x 3" - 101mm x 76mm vs Gen3's 4.8" x 3.6" - 122mm x 91mm) brother of well-known Cybook Gen3.

The screen is smaller, but the pixel size is the same, which means there is higher DPI (200 vs 166 dpi).

It still does grok HTML, TXT and PDF, but don't support Palm-based text formats (PRC and PalmDoc), whose fell into oblivion with marginalization of Palm platform. Bad luck for Palm users with tons of eBooks in old format.

Opus also dropped the support of audio playback, which isn't the must-have feature for hardcore readers.

The SD card slot is replaced by microSD card slot. The Opus have more memory and 2x faster CPU, 2x mode RAM and much bigger internat datastore for eBooks (1GB vs 64MB).

It's also cheaper model and cost only €250 (€30 less than smallest Cybook Gen3).

[Overview | Tech Specs | YouTube video | DailyMotion video | Shop]

Cybook Gen3 Power Management

Cybook Gen3 has outstanding power management. The device is equipped with 1000mAh battery and solid state eInk display, but the technology isn't all. The clever power management is important too.

During eBook reading session (without mp3 listening) the Cybook Gen3 works in two modes - normal mode and sleep mode.

Normal mode uses full power of it's 200MHz processor to quickly display next page. Then you have to read new page, so Cybook could switch to sleep mode when processor need virtually next to nothing power (battery could power sleeping Cybook for about a week). When you click 'next page', Cybook wakes up from sleep, switch to normal (speedy) power mode, display another new page and goes to sleep again.

Using this technique the Cybook is able to save lot of energy and allow it's extraordinary 8000 page flips per on fully charged battery.

There is another power mode - the off mode. When you finish reading, you simply turn Cybook off. When in off mode, the device battery can support memory for about a year.

Cybook Gen3 Video

There is a nice video demonstration of Cybook Gen3 prototype showing text and image readability, book and image library as well as other parts of user interface. At 4:30 is the demonstration of eInk display readability from about 15° (!) angle.

Cybook Gen3 Specifications

Cybook Gen3 is a new generation eBook reader. It's using new and revolutionary eInk technology for displaying data. High resolution eInk display can be seen easily in direct sun and can be read at virtually any angle.

eInk is extremely power-efficient solid state display - the battery is used only to clear display or change displayed information. During reading process the Cybook Gen3 is mainly in sleep mode, waking up only to display next page.

As the Cybook Gen3 need battery only to change pages, the battery life is simply amazing. The following comparison information is from official Bookeen page:

Casual reader: 80 pages/day ~ 100 days (3 months)
Average reader: 160 pages/day ~ 50 days (1-2 months)
Heavy reader: 320 pages/day ~ 25 days (3 weeks)

Happy reading!