One of the things I learned at CES was that the best time to really poke around a show is the day before when they are setting up. Of course this isn't always easy, as press usually isn't allowed in during this time. However, once you get in you generally don't get thrown out. So the trick is getting in. Suffice it to say I found a way to get into the show floor here, and was lucky enough to run into Peter Zieleman, Marketing Manager, and Johan Hagenbeuk, CEO, of BE Book. They were just setting up their...

Engadget links to a video interview with Endless Ideas CEO Johan Hagenbeuk in which he confirms (in Dutch) that the price for the Bebook Mini will be 199 euro. The 5 inch Mini will be almost exactly the same model as the classic 300 euro model, but will have a smaller screen, faster processor, more memory and more levels of greyscale. Endless Ideas hopes it can start shipping Minis in August. The company mentions it has "easily" sold more than 25,000 units of the Bebook, and that the countries it sells the most units in are the UK, Germany, France...

I want one of these!! From the BeBook blog: Introducing the 'mini' BeBook (5") The BeBook mini, all the features of the large version and more, but a slightly smaller screen (1" / 2,5cm smaller). Perfect for travelling, this reader fits in any pocket. Full specs and a very competitave price level will follow shortly....

Tweet from the company. March 6 unveiling at Cebit. Also see press release. The details are in line with reports from several weeks ago. Price of the current BeBook, an E Ink e-reader. is $280. Will Adobe DRM will be available. The press release reads, "The ePub DRM standard will also be implemented within the next few months." Another case of confusing Adobe proprietary tech with generic ePub stuff? Or is the IDPF up to something?...

Home Depot. Caterpillar. Sprint. Nextel. Those are among the big companies that, as reported in the New York Times, announced layoffs yesterday. What does this dismal economy mean for you and your e-book reading? Are you buying fewer books? Settling for less than the ideal e-reader or book-capable cellphone for your needs? I won't take anything for granted. One small publisher tells me that sales are actually up. Could people be turning to e-books for escape, especially with prices less than for paper books? We're a global blog, so comment no matter what your location, which perhaps you can provide. Speaking of affordability...

The BeBook reader has drawn a favorable review from Mike Cook at Project Gutenberg News. Here is an excerpt: The Reading Experience / ConclusionAs the BeBook uses the super bright Vizplex E-Ink screen, the reading experience is naturally very good. When I place it next to my PRS-500, it's like night and day. Navigation is very straight forward and the folder/sub folder catalogue system makes storing and navigating through many books very easy. I'm still amazed at how many file formats are supported. Being able to load up a Windows .CHM help file is very cool and MOBI support...