iRiver Story HD

iRiver Story HD Review

When Google first launched its commercial eBookstore back in December, the company emphasized that the books could be read on a variety of devices, from smartphones and tablets to other companys' eReaders. There was no need for a flagship device when the ecosystem was open to (almost) everyone. Still, it can't be denied that eReaders integrated with a specific eBook store make it easier to buy, load, and read books. Thus, Google partnered with iRiver to create the Story HD, the first eReader fully tied into Google's store. But can this $139 device compete with market juggernauts Nook and Kindle?At first glance, it's hard not to compare the Story HD to the Kindle 3G given that they're about the same size--7.5 x 5.0 x 0.37 inches vs. 7.5 x 4.8 x 0.34 inches, respectively--and come with physical keyboards. The iRiver is a bit lighter, though, weighing 7.3 ounces to the Kindle's 8.7.iRiver made some distinctive design choices, but we're not convinced that they make the device better. Unlike most eReaders, the Story HD's turn buttons do not flank the 6-inch E Ink display or even the device. Instead, a 2-inch flip bar sits between the display and the keyboard. This button has multiple functions: It turns pages and acts as a D-pad for moving through the interface, but makes it hard to use the eReader one-handed.