Microsoft Announces Version of eBook Reader for the Tablet PC

June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft today announced Microsoft Reader Tablet PC version 2.5, a new version of its popular electronic reading application that takes full advantage of the Tablet PC platform to make on-screen reading an integral part of the Tablet PC user experience. Reader 2.5 was announced and an early version demonstrated today at the TECHXNY trade show.

Building on core Microsoft technologies such as ClearType display technology and Reader's ability to deliver an on-screen reading experience that approaches the convenience and quality of paper, Reader 2.5 is optimized for the Tablet PC and takes full advantage of its core design capabilities, reflected in the following features:

• A large screen for increased readability
• Support for rich digital inking, making it easy to annotate, mark up and edit electronic books and documents
• Screen rotation between portrait and landscape modes for more natural, comfortable reading
• Pan and zoom capabilities for embedded graphics

"One of the key uses of the Tablet PC will be on-screen reading," said Jeff Raikes, group vice president of Productivity and Business Services at Microsoft. "Users will find it very compelling not only for reading and responding to e-mail, but also for working with longer documents, periodicals, eBooks and Web content.

"Tablet PC users are information workers: highly mobile and focused on ways to use their Tablet PCs to improve personal productivity. Microsoft Reader makes it easy for Tablet PC users to read and annotate important business documents, look up information in reference books, and read eBooks any time and anywhere."

Reader 2.5 builds on the existing strengths of Reader 2.0, combining the technical foundation of ClearType with a design that adheres to the traditions of classical typography and features its benefits. It offers a clean, uncluttered layout; ample margins; proper spacing, leading and kerning; plus powerful tools for marking, annotating and editing electronic documents. With Microsoft Reader, users can read electronic content on multiple devices, including notebooks, desktops and Pocket PCs. More than 10,000 eBook and periodical titles are available for Reader users.

"With Reader 2.5, we are seeing the next step in the progression and advancement of on-screen reading," said John Frederiksen, general manager of the eReading group at Microsoft. "The Tablet PC and Reader will enable users to move back and forth seamlessly between business-specific and casual reading, without sacrificing document richness, access to editing and content tools, or mobility. We expect that the reading uses of the Tablet PC will be as varied as the users themselves. We believe that the Tablet PC will spur a new wave of electronically published content by the time Tablet PCs are available later this year."

Microsoft Reader is available as a free download (connect-time fees may apply) from Microsoft and will be shipped with many Tablet PC models when they become commercially available.

SOURCE Microsoft