We had a chance to get a demo of the forthcoming electronic reader from Plastic Logic, scheduled for a limited release to selected partners in 2009 and full commercial release in early 2010. Like the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader, the Plastic Logic Reader uses E-Ink technology to display crisp and clear readable text, but unlike the aforementioned eReaders which have glass displays the Plastic Logic's screen is constructed of a plastic polymer substrate making it more rugged (as well as flexible, although the product representative indicated focus group study showed consumers preferred a rigid casing). The device's screen is also larger than the typical 6-inch eReader currently on the market at 8.5 by 11-inches, the size of a sheet of standard A4 paper -- yet is thinner and weighs about the same at 13 ounces.

Marketed towards business professionals, the Plastic Logic Reader is intended as a true "paper replacement," allowing documents to be transported, read, manipulated using finger gestures and annotated using a soft keyboard. Featuring support for Microsoft Office documents, PDF files and other file formats as well as newspapers, magazines and books either transferred via USB or downloaded wirelessly from a number of not-yet-announced content partners. Also unknown at this point is the amount of onboard storage, but the rep we spoke with indicated they wanted to make the device robust enough to bring "thousands of documents" with you on the go.

Because of its larger physical size, the company anticipates a higher price point than current eReaders on the market; they're targeting a $300-$850 price range for the device. Obviously the reader's success is going to depend much on what that final MSRP will be, but the unit we saw in action was an impressive next step for E Ink readers. We'll be watching for this one to come to market and curious to find out when the world will be ready for the flexible version of this eReader.

Below are two videos of the Plastic Logic device, the first a demo from the product rep and the second a very quick look at the actual plastic display outside of its casing to show how incredibly thin and flexible the actual screen is.

 

 

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