Hanvon Ebook Readers

The Hanvon Ebook Readers have been around for a while. But, they are a seemingly well guarded secret.

Click to View the Hanvon WiseReader Range

Whilst the rest of the world believes the hype that Kindles and Nooks look set to take over the world, Hanvon have slowly and surely continued to expand their customer base. The reason? Simple - Hanvon E-book Readers offer something unique, and for some, something extremely useful.

Though Hanvon showed at this year's 'Las Vegas Gadget Fest' it was not their reading devices that got all the attention, but rather their innovative face recognition technology and their new digital drawing pads.

That doesn't matter for the happy customers that want to read both English and Chinese material electronically. For them, who cares if no-one else has heard of the Hanvon WiseReader or their otherHanvon Ebook Readers. Handwriting recognition and dual language capability are treasured by those that will use the features. Others may follow the bandwagon to the Kindle but Hanvon will still enjoy their huge support and loyal customers regardless, as there is little competition in such a specific niche of the Ebook Reading Device world.

For students, scholars and anyone with an interest in reading Chinese (in both traditional and simplified script) these reading devices are a really useful tool. The WiseReader in particular is really popular, being able to write notes on the touchscreen using a stylus, and have that writing recognised is a great tool for revision, research and more.

For the price of a Kindle, the Hanvon WiseReader N518 offers customers a completely different approach to the ebook reading device.

There is no wireless connectivity, but then there is also no problem of format or choice of from where to download material. The screen on this e-reader, like nearly all those available at present, uses the E-ink paper-like display system. It is not the highest resolution screen of its type, with only 8 shades of gray rather than the more defined 16 used by the Sony Touch and Kindle DX. But for a small screen portable reader that is likely to be used primarily for reading text, rather than viewing images, it is more than adequate.

In fact, when you consider that the German parliament are considering bulk buying the WiseReader for all MPs you have to think there might be something rather good about this particular reading device. After all, Germany is pretty good and creating its own technology too!

The WiseReader range includes several different models, but to date the N518 is the most widely available outside of China. 

This is likely to change though.  Currently the biggest seller of ebook readers in China, the trends that take hold are likely to spread to the rest of us with time.  Their new 6" version the N618 that offers wifi capability will be a real contender if and when it hits the world stage.

For now the N518 is doing pretty well regardless of its shortcomings.  After all if you want handwriting recongnition incorporated into a reading device Hanvon has to be first choice.  This is a key part of their work for over two decades, and something at will they do excel.

As you would expect from the price the N518 Havnon E-reader has audio functionality so you can use it as an mp3 player, with headphones.

There are limitations, for example it is not compatible with MAC use, but Hanvon have expanded on the range of WiseReaders and confirm that five new models should be available worldwide in 2010.  However we do not know yet what name they will actually be branded as!

While the N518 has its good points, the new WiseReaders due out from Hanvon later this year are probably going to have more chance at really making an impact in the world market for Ebook Readers.

Higher screen resolution, wifi capability and a growing number of file format types supported will all help make Hanvon a better known make outside of China.

Hanvon N500

This will be a lot like the WiseReader we already know, but with the addition of a full QWERTY keypad to augment the onscreen stylus and handwriting recognition.

Hanvon N618

The wireless enabled, 6" screen version of the N518, likely to be the most popular choice.

Hanvon N628

Expanding further with wireless EDGE/TD/GPS and even more file formats supported.

Hanvon N638

Another wifi reader with 6" screen but this time with the higher 16 shade screen resolution we have come to expect since the Kindle 2.  The touchscreen is gone but a full QWERTY keypad is back.

Hanvon N800

An 8" screen puts this in competition with the Sony Daily Edition. Wifi and handwriting recognition make this a contender for the business market.

Only time will tell whether Hanvon can make as big an impact on the world market for Ebook Reading Devices as they have already done in China.  But with a loyal following for their niche products already, and some of the best tablets available too, who knows, maybe the HanvonEbook Readers really will excel in 2010.