April 07, 2004

By: Mary Rodgers
Website: http://www.1st-in-ebooks.com

Palm Reader Pro with built-in Webster's New World Dictionary gives eBook readers instant access to thousands of words

Palm, Inc. today announced Palm Reader Pro, the next generation of its award-winning eBook reader that puts a built-in Webster's New World Dictionary at readers' fingertips. Palm Reader Pro also enhances the user's reading experience with a new collection of fonts from Agfa Monotype Corporation, one of the leading providers of digital content for graphics professionals.

Palm Reader Pro is available now from Palm Digital Media, the leading publisher and distributor of eBooks for handheld computers and recent winner of Pocket PC magazine's Best Product award for eBook readers.

To use the dictionary, the user simply holds the stylus on a word for a few seconds until the definition appears. Unlike some eBook readers with built-in dictionaries, Palm Reader Pro offers users the capability to look up definitions within definitions. In addition, Palm Reader Pro will intuitively find root words or related words if a definition is not found.

"A built-in dictionary, along with more font choices, is one of the most requested features from our users," said Mike Segroves, director of Business Development for Palm Digital Media. "Our built-in dictionary function is extremely easy to use and convenient, and especially handy for reference and non-fiction titles, where users are more likely to come across technical terms and other unfamiliar words. The new fonts and sizes let readers choose a display that meets their personal needs and preferences."

The built-in Webster's New World Vest Pocket Dictionary, published by Hungry Minds, Inc, a John Wiley & Sons, Inc. company, contains more than 12,500 of the most-needed words, including cross references, alternate spellings, and an up-to-date vocabulary of current terms. Users also can upgrade to Webster's New World School and Office Dictionary, which contains more than 65,000 definitions, or the 160,000-word Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition.

Mike Violano, vice president, International Sales and Rights, at Hungry Minds, said, "This is a great marriage of Webster's New World -- the preeminent dictionary of American English -- and Palm's global market-leading handheld computer. Everyone needs a great eDictionary at his or her fingertips, and this makes it a reality."

Palm Reader Pro incorporates new font-smoothing technology that works with bitmapped fonts on color or gray-scale devices. It also supports the Agfa Monotype eBook Font Pack, which contains Serif, Sans Serif and Condensed fonts designed specifically to enhance the eBook reading experience. The fonts come in four sizes -- 10, 12, 18 and 24 point. The eBook Font Pack is available for both the Palm OS and Pocket PC versions of the Palm Reader software.

"We are proud to support Palm Reader and to enhance the user experience with our highly legible fonts," said Bill Davis, vice president of Business Development of Agfa Monotype. "Our typefaces have long been the favorites of publishers for print books, and with our eBook Font Pack, users now have the chance to select a type style that satisfies their eBook reading preferences."

Palm Reader Pro is currently available for Palm Powered handhelds using Palm OS Version 3.0 and higher. Palm Reader Pro for Pocket PC is expected to be available in January. Like Palm Reader 1.1, Palm Reader Pro includes features such as auto-scrolling, bookmarks and customizable viewing orientations.

About The Author:

Mary Rodgers is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-ebooks.com.  A source of information on creating, writing and publishing an e-book.