Now you can carry Wikipedia in your pocket! Three million articles!
February 3, 2010 Post a Comment Thursday, February 4th, 2010, Netcast 1019
The WikiReader is the portable version of Wikipedia. You don't need a computer, smart phone, WiFi, or anything electronic to use it. Pocket sized at about 4” x 4" the WikiReader has just 3 buttons, and an on/off switch. The interface is pretty basic and the instructions are even more basic. Turn it on, type what you’re searching for on the virtual keyboard and you’re on your way. After playing with the Random button for a few minutes information about a parental lock that isn't mentioned in the manual came up. Maybe that's supposed to be part of fun. Your searches are saved in “history”. If you press the "History" button twice you have the option to save or to erase your browsing history. That's not mentioned in the instructions either. The device has a removable 4 GB MicroSD card which I discovered when I checking if the WikiReader could be updated. The instructions do tell you that the "Search" button serves two functions. One push brings up the virtual keyboard and the second push hides the keyboard and returns you to the previous screen. The virtual keyboard is a bit tiny and I miss having the key you hit enlarge for a split second as confirmation that you hit the proper one. And from time to time touch detection gets stubborn and you have to hit a key or a link within an entry a few times before it goes to where you want it. Reading on the monochrome screen isn't bad and you get to pick different contrasts and type sizes when you first start typing. Also the WikiReader shows only text, no pictures or photos. It’s not backlit so you to be in a lighted place in order to read the screen. Two AAA batteries that are included power it. The company says you can expect about 90 hours of battery life, which is probably several months or more depending on how often you use the device. Automatic shutoff after several minutes of inactivity helps extend battery life. The WikiReader can be updated for free via the WikiReader site by taking out the MicroSD card from the battery slot and connecting it to your computer. I believe the site said that it can take many hours for the updated 3 million entries to be downloaded! Or you can pay $29 (+shipping) to have a new 8 GB MicroSD card with updated content sent to you twice a year. That’s an easier way and it’s not a bad price since it includes two 8 GB SD cards. Price is $99.
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