The e-book reader market has a new addition - the stylus-driven touchscreen e-book reader IREX DR800SG, rolled out on Wednesday by the e-paper technology pioneer IREX Technologies! 

Already having a proven track record of selling e-readers to European enterprise customers, IREX is venturing into the US e-reader market with an initial focus on consumers, with its $400-priced DR 800SG to be available in late October from retail partner Best Buy and wireless service provider Verizon.

The beige-colored new IREX e-reader, with an 8.1-inch e-paper display, features a Qualcomm 3G wireless adapter which connects to the Verizon Wireless network; and a business and connectivity model that is different from that of its rival product, the Amazon Kindle.

Capable of downloading files in almost all open and DRM-based ebook formats, the DR800SG software runs on open-source operating system Linux. It enables users to import new content both wirelessly and through a cable link with a PC. In addition, the users can also view purchased content on other devices or introduce their own content from their PCs.

Kevin Hamilton, IREX’s North America CEO noted that in order to make it convenient for users to purchase content with the DR800SG, the company had partnered with Barnes & Noble. 

Talking about the DR800 SG at its New York launch, Hamilton said: “Our device is really a reading tool for people who love to read.”