Bobbles and Toys

Mountain View-based Plastic Logic's Kindle-killing eReader has been much in the news this week, first with the announcement that Barnes & Noble will manage its electronic bookstore, then with the announcement that AT&T will power its wireless connectivity.

Which means this is a good time to revisit the question: What exactly is the eReader?

Here's a video the Associated Press shot at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January.

Key takeaways: It's made of plastic, rather than glass, for lighter weight and thinner body. It's a large format device, with much more space for displaying newspapers, magazines, and books. It uses a touch screen: "a much more natural way to read books, newspapers, or any kind of document," says the trade show presenter. It will be for sale in the United States starting in January next year. No price has been announced, but the presenter says the cost will be competitive with other comparable devices.