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November 29, 2010

E-Bookstore Service to Launch on December 10, 2010

Sharp to Begin Taking Orders for “GALAPAGOS” Tablet Terminals on December 3, 2010
E-Book Enables New Reading Styles, Including
Automatic Scheduled Delivery Service of Newspapers and Magazines

Sharp Corporation will launch its TSUTAYA GALAPAGOS e-bookstore service featuring an extensive selection of periodical publications, including newspapers, and magazines that are automatically delivered to the tablet terminals in a highly legible and comfortable-reading format. Also, prior to the start of this service, Sharp will begin accepting preorders for its “GALAPAGOS” tablet terminals on December 3, 2010.

E-Bookstore Service

Store name TSUTAYA GALAPAGOS
Start of service December 10, 2010
Content lineup Approx. 20,000 newspapers, magazines, and books
Compatible terminals “GALAPAGOS” Tablet Terminals
Expanded entertainment-related content, including audio and video, is scheduled to be available in the spring of 2011.
  Support for Sharp’s smartphones is slated to begin in the spring of 2011.
Content lineup will grow in numbers and gradually expand in variety.

E-Book Readers/Tablet Terminals*1

Nickname GALAPAGOS
Model name Mobile type Home type
EB-W51GJ-R EB-W51GJ-S EB-WX1GJ-B
Color Red Silver Black
Display 5.5-inch LCD
(1,024 × 600 pixels)
10.8-inch
(1,366 × 800 pixels)
Price (tax included) 39,800 yen 54,800 yen
Date of introduction in Japan December 10, 2010*2
Preorder starting date December 3, 2010

Major Features

1. “Automatic Scheduled Delivery Service” for periodical publications, including newspapers and magazines. Content from the most recent editions can be delivered and read whenever desired.
2.   Rich graphic capabilities and an easy-to-use interface that give full consideration to the book culture of Japan.
3. “Evolution” of the terminal device via growing rich contents and services.
*1 Available from the Sharp Tablet Terminal Store. For details on purchasing the GALAPAGOS, click on the link: “How to Purchase and Get Started with the Tablet Terminal.”
*2 Shipments to preorder customers will begin on December 10, 2010.
Note: A wireless LAN Internet connection (Wi-Fi) is required to use the tablet terminal and related e-bookstore services. A separate contract with an Internet service provider may be required to gain access to the Internet. Customers are responsible for any Internet access fees. In addition, a valid credit card is required to purchase content from the e-bookstore service.
For more details about the product:
http://www.sharp.co.jp/mediatablet/ (in Japanese only)

GALAPAGOS E-Book Reader/Tablet Terminal Specifications

Model name EB-W51GJ-R/-S EB-WX1GJ-B
Display LCD panel 5.5-inch wide-format touchscreen TFT LCD (LED backlight) 10.8-inch wide-format touchscreen TFT LCD (LED backlight)
Screen resolution 1,024 × 600 pixels 1,366 × 800 pixels
Number of colors 65,536 colors (max.)
Operating system Based on Linux
Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11b/g compliant (supports AOSS/WPS)
Controls Power ON/OFF button
HOME key
BACK key
Trackball
Power ON/OFF button
HOME key
BACK key
Card slot microSD/microSDHC Memory Card x 1*3
Sound function Built-in speaker (monaural)
Input/output connections Headphone output (3.5-mm-dia. stereo mini-jack) x 1
miniUSB port (USB 2.0 compatible; doubles as input jack for AC Power Adapter*4) x 1
Operating time on battery power (approx.) 7 hours*5/*6 10.5 hours*5/*6
Battery charging time (approx.) 2.5 hours*5/*7 7 hours*5/*7
AC power adapter  AC 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz
Operating temperature/humidity range 10°C to 35°C
20% to 80% RH (non-condensing)
External dimensions (approx.) 92 W x 167 H x 12.9 D mm 177 W x 286 H x 14.7 D mm
Weight (approx.) 220 g 765 g
Built-in functions*8
Desk home screen application to connect directly to available services
  Bookshelf content management application
  Web browser
  mixi for SH and twit SH dedicated SNS (social network services) applications
Game Pack special game collection application
Main accessories
8 GB microSD Memory Card (freebie)
  AC Power Adapter
  USB cable
Note: These products are designed and manufactured for use in Japan. Private individuals may take these units overseas for personal use. However, only use in the United States is currently supported.

“GALAPAGOS Station” PC-based Application Software*9

Enables users to write reviews and share impressions of e-books they have finished reading.
  Lets users export (synchronize) PDF files or text data to the clipboard of the tablet terminal.
  Data on the PC such as documents or maps can be converted to XMDF format*10 and viewed on the tablet terminal.
  Enables users to manage content purchased using the tablet terminal.
Individuals who do not own a tablet terminal can experience the e-bookstore service for themselves and also read selected content on a trial basis.

Optional Accessories (sold separately)

Product name Model name Suggested retail price
(tax excluded)
AC power adaptor*11 EA-EB01GJ 1,980 yen (1,885 yen)
*3 Memory cards up to 32GB in capacity are supported. SD Memory Card copyright protection function is not supported.
*4 Used when recharging or when connecting to a PC via the USB cable.
*5 Actual battery operating time and charging time will vary depending on usage conditions.
*6 Operating time with Energy Saving Mode set ON when viewing XMDF content consisting of text only (Page Effect disabled), turning to a new page every 40 seconds. As shipped, operating time on battery power for the EB-W51GJ is approximately 4.0 hours and for the EB-WX1GJ approximately 6.5 hours when viewing XMDF content consisting of text only (Page Effect disabled), turning to a new page every 40 seconds.
*7 For charging using the accessory AC Power Adaptor. May require a long charging time immediately after purchase or when the unit has not been used for a long period of time.
*8 No email software is installed.
*9 Available for download free of charge from the GALAPAGOS Services website <http://gpservices.sharp.co.jp> (scheduled to be available in December 2010). Please confirm system requirements and other application details on the download site.
*10 Will become printable image data (graphic file).
*11 Same as unit that comes bundled with the tablet terminal.




The following information is true and accurate at the time of publication. Manufacture, sale, price and specifications of products may be subject to change.


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