The "Words Gear" is a new portable book reader/media player from Panasonic sporting a 5.6" display with a resolution of 1024 x 600. The "E Sensor" that sits next to the screen is a touch-sensitive control device shaped like the letter E, allowing you to control the device's functions with one finger.

The Words Gear can handle audio, video, still images, and electronic books stored on cards inserted in its SD card slot. It supports "SD-ePublish," which supports CPRM, for copyright protected content. The battery life is about 6 hours.

Slated to launch in tandem with the new device is a new company jointly established by Panasonic, Kadokawa Mobile, and Tokyo Broadcasting, dubbed the "Words Gear Corporation." The company will be handling the production and distribution of content for the device, primarily via saidoku.com, whose "image character" is none other than Kaori Manabe. Hubba hubba.



Inspired by:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/0926/pana.htm

Press Release 1:
http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/jn060926-1/jn060926-1.html

Press Release 2:
http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/jn060926-2/jn060926-2.html