The FINANCIAL — Toshiba Corp. (6502) on June 21 unveiled a touch-screen mini-notebook PC that doubles as an electronic book reader, joining a growing number of electronics makers trying to enter the emerging new mobile device category pioneered by Apple Inc.'s iPad.
"The Libretto W100, which will be released in late August in Japan, runs on Microsoft's Windows operating system. It features two touch-screen displays, and when held vertically and used as an electronic reader, it looks like an open book," Nikkei.com informs.
A Toshiba spokesman said that the company is trying to respond to growing demand for multi-purpose mobile computers. "In addition to being a very capable mobile PC, the new Libretto also meets other needs" such as electronic books, he said.
Sony Corp. said last month that it will release its electronic book reader in Japan by the end of this year and set up an e-book content distribution business with three local companies, as the country's market for electronic books looks set to take off with the domestic launch of the iPad.
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