While the WikiReader might seem like a bit redundant to the smartphone crowd, but it’s no doubt an invaluable tool to those without Internet access — or the Luddite crowd. The self-contained device contains more than 3 million Wikipedia entries and was just updated to include 15 languages. The International, 8GB version carries a $99 pricetag and is available from both Amazon and Openmoko’s store, while the retailer BJ’s as the 4GB, English version for only $69 as a back-to-school special.
WikiReader Handheld Encyclopedia Now Supports Wikipedia in 15 Languages
Packed With the World’s Knowledge, This Powerful Touchscreen Device Also Hosts Wikiquotes and Wiktionary
TAIPEI, Taiwan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–WikiReader by Openmoko, the popular palm-sized electronic encyclopedia containing more than 3 million English language Wikipedia articles is now more universal than ever. In addition to delving into vast resources of information on the English language version of the Wikipedia, users may now go to http://thewikireader.com to download any of 14 other language versions of Wikipedia including Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Norwegian, Greek, French, Finnish, Danish, Dutch, German, Spanish, Welsh, Russian and Hungarian along with the virtual keyboards with characters to support them.
“Now virtually anyone around the world can use WikiReader to feed their thirst for knowledge”
WikiReader was created from the belief that people don’t go to Wikipedia because they want to be on the Internet; they go there because it’s the world’s best resource for finding answers and discovering new questions. WikiReader is “Wikipedia in your Pocket.” It’s the perfect portable companion to your daily life.The lightweight battery-operated WikiReader is comfortable and fun for all ages and highly portable with a simple three-button design, glass touchscreen and ergonomic rounded housing making it perfect for pocket, purse or backpack. A sophisticated compression technique enables WikiReader to store and deliver more than 3 million Wikipedia articles, making it a self-contained device that requires no external connections, no subscriptions, and no Internet connection. The device turns on instantly, runs for many months before two new AAA batteries are need, and is designed for lightning-fast searches for serious fact-seeking or simply expanding one’s knowledge, settling bar bets or augmenting school textbooks. An additional Random button brings up unexpected topics, providing hours of infotainment.
Openmoko, creator of WikiReader, encourages the use of multiple language Wikis on a single microSD memory card or storing them on numerous MicroSD cards and swapping them out in the easily accessible WikiReader microSD slot. Versions range from 32MB for the Chinese Wikipedia to 5GB for the English language Wikipedia. WikiReader currently supports microSD cards up to 16GB in size.
WikiReader recently made its retail debut at all 180 BJ’s stores in the United States at a special back-to-school price of $69 for a WikiReader with a 4GB microSD card. An International 8GB version of WikiReader is available at Amazon and the company’s own web store at http://thewikireader.com/store.htm and costs $99.
“Now virtually anyone around the world can use WikiReader to feed their thirst for knowledge,” said Openmoko CEO, Sean Moss-Pultz. “We are dedicated to putting knowledge at the fingertips of inquiring minds from the heart of Manhattan to Madrid, even to remote mountains in Nepal, where WikiReaders are now being used in community centers.”