Icarus has quietly announced a brand new e-reader that is going to be released this August. It features a 7.8 E Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1404×1872 with 300 PPI. It will have 16GB of internal memory, 1GB of RAM and the processor is currently unknown. It will not have expandable storage via SD card but does have a front-lit display, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a 2800mAh battery. You will be able to connect up to the internet via WIFI.
One of the most exciting elements about this e-reader is that it runs Google Android, so you will be able to use the default app store or install your favorite app market, such as Good App Store for E-Ink or Amazon. There is no word yet on what version of Android the XL HD is currently running, because the Icarus product page just went up today.
There are only a handful of 7.8 inch e-readers currently on the market and none of them run Android, this gives Icarus a tremendous competitive advantage. It remains to be seen if people will embrace this new model. Good e-Reader will be reviewing it in the near future.
Update: Icarus has just launched an Indiegogo Campaign to sell the e-reader internationally. You can purchase it today for $179 USD.
Michael Kozlowski is the Editor in Chief of Good e-Reader. He has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past ten years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and Verge.