Skiff LCC, a subsidiary of Hearst Corp, plans to release the "Skiff Reader," an electronic book (e-book) reader with a 11.5-inch screen within 2010.
It features a larger screen and a thinner body (1/4 inch or 6.35mm) than any existing e-book readers. We interviewed Skiff President Gilbert Fuchsberg on the e-book reader and the company's business strategy.
Q: Could you explain about the e-book reader business of Skiff?
Fuchsberg: We are engaged in everything including the development of the e-book reader and the establishment of a service platform and digital shops. Our goal is to collect various types of electronic documents such as newspapers, magazines, books and blogs, optimize them and deliver them to consumers.
To stay competitive in this business, we have to respond to the expectations of publishers, advertisers and consumers while collaborating with device makers and wireless carriers. We plan to launch the Skiff Reader within 2010.
Q: Which companies did you tie up with to develop the e-book reader?
Fuchsberg: We have disclosed only a few names of our partners so far. In the next few months, we will announce the names of our partners related to services, technologies and manufacturing.
I will give you an example. Sprint Nextel Corp will provide its 3G wireless communication service for the Skiff Reader. In addition, we will sell the e-book reader at their directly-managed stores.
Sprint Nextel is the first US telecommunications carrier that we signed such a deal with. By the way, the Skiff Reader will be available at volume retailers and online stores, too.
Also, we are in close cooperation with Marvell Semiconductor Inc. We co-developed a processor that is based on our IPs (intellectual properties) and can drive high-resolution e-paper at low power consumption and at low cost. The processor is mounted in the Skiff Reader.
(Continue to the next page)
Nikkei Electronics Asia magazine is available each month free of charge to engineers, managers and other qualified readers.
Nikkei Electronics |
Nikkei Monozukuri |
Nikkei Automotive Technology |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
| The magazine for electronics designers and managers. | Design You Won't Regret - How to Reduce the Risk of Accidents | The comprehensive automotive technology magazine. |
Copyright © 1995-2010 Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
All editorial content and graphics on this Web site may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the copyright owner.
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010