WikiReader--Wikipedia to go offline

"wiKiReader"

WikiReader is a project to deliver an offline, text-only version of Wikipedia on a mobile device. The project is sponsored by Openmoko and its source code has been released.

The project debuted an offline portable reader for Wikipedia in October 2009. It costs US$99 and updated article snapshots on microSD card can be delivered by mail semi-annually for $29/year. The updates is also available as free downloads on WikiReader's website. Unlike Wikipedia itself, the device features parental controls.

The device can also run programs written in Forth; a simple calculator program is included.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Display: Monochrome Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), 240 x 208 pixels.
• Interface: Capacitive touchscreen with on-screen keyboard. Four hardware keys.
• CPU: Epson S1C33 E07 microcontroller with 8KB+2KB internal memory
• Firmware: 64 KB Flash memory
• Memory: 32MB SDRAM
• Storage: Removable microSD card (SD and SDHC supported, 512MB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB supported)
• File formats supported: native format; a converter from MediaWiki's XML export format is available.
• Dimensions: 100 x 100 x 20 mm (3.9 x 3.9 x 0.8 inches)
• Weight: 120 grams (4.2 oz)[
• Languages: English
• Warranty: 90 days
• Power: Two AAA batteries
• Battery life: 90 hours; equivalent to 1 year of normal use according to manufacturer
• The International, 8GB version carries a $99 pricetag and is available from both Amazon and Openmoko’s store, while the retailer BJ’s as the 4GB, English version for only $69 as a back-to-school special.
• Retail Cost: ~$19 to $100

Package Contents

• WikiReader
• 2 AAA batteries
•  User Manual

Why Take Wikipedia Offline? 

“Providing a free encyclopedia to everyone on the planet.”

People don't go to Wikipedia because they want to be on the Internet; they go there because they want to find answers and discover new questions. Of course, the best answers are never ends in themselves. They raise our curiosity and lead us down new avenues. They don't stop conversations but, rather, sustain them.

Similarly, each WikiReader experience is the beginning of something new. With more than three million interconnected articles in a completely offline, handheld package, the WikiReader is discovery, investigation, entertainment, and inspiration all rolled into one.

Turning a WikiReader on is easy. Turning it off is a different story.