Verizon Wireless powering iRex ereader service

Verizon Wireless will partner with Royal Philips Electronics spinoff iRex Technologies to power the firm's touchscreen ereader device when it goes on sale in the U.S. later this year. Verizon's 3G network will enable consumers to download premium books, newspapers and magazines when the iRex DR800SG goes on sale next month at Best Buy stores for $399. According to The New York Times, the iRex DR800SG boasts an 8.1-inch touchscreen and connects to Barnes & Noble for digital books and NewspaperDirect for periodicals. The device also contains a 3G Gobi radio developed by Qualcomm, enabling consumers to purchase content when they travel abroad.

Market research firm iSuppli forecasts consumers will purchase about 5.2 million ereader devices worldwide in 2009, up from slightly more than a million in 2008. North America presently generates about half of all ereader sales. The Verizon/iRex deal follows on the heels of similar ereader agreements between Sprint and Amazon as well as AT&T and Plastic Logic.

For more on the Verizon Wireless/iRex deal:
- read this New York Times article