Christopher Null writes:

E-readers take CES by storm

Never mind 3D televisions. If there's one gadget that's positively exploding at CES this week, it's electronic book readers.

I've demoed more than half a dozen new readers all hoping to eat the lunch of the Kindle and Nook this week -- and that doesn't even count all the Chinese companies trying to horn in on the market and find American distributors. (Hanvon, Netronix, anyone?) Some of these devices are more successful than others -- and the shakeout this holiday season is bound to be brutal. Nonetheless, here's a digest of what's about to hit the market.

Sprint Skiff
Arguably the most dazzling new e-reader shown off this week, this device features an 11.5-inch screen, the largest on the market, and an insanely thin chassis (barely a quarter-inch) that has a flexible, damage-resistant screen inside. Perhaps more impressive is the Skiff's software, which lays out periodicals in the way they were intended. Designed more for magazines and newspapers -- complete with embedded ("tasteful") advertising -- it's the closest thing to the electronic paper that we have right now. No pricing or release date announced yet (it won't be cheap!) -- but Sprint also showed off a color e-reader (in very early beta) that's a tantalizing hint of things to come.

Plastic Logic Que
Thought by many to be the e-reader to beat, the Que is indeed impressive, with a big, quick-to-update 10.5-inch screen, and a striking black plastic (of course) case. The big sell here? The Que isn't just an e-reader, it's a latter day PDA, complete with calendar and a document management system. Just "que" your files over to the reader and it converts them for display on the device -- PowerPoint, PDF, Word docs, spreadsheets, and more. Very, very pricey: The cheap one goes for $649, and the more expensive version hits a whopping $799. On sale in April.

Spring Design Alex
Like the Barnes & Noble Nook, it's got two screens: The top is a standard 8-inch e-reader, the bottom a full color touchscreen that can browse the web, lets you watch video, displays photos, and more. A little awkward in its design, the Alex's Android-based system should appeal to geekier readers who want to delve deeper into the stuff they're reading as they go. $399: Pricey but not excessive. On sale February 22.

enTourage eDGe
Wacky punctuation aside, this is a wild ebook reader, with two screens connected, laptop-style, by a hinge. Close it shut when you're on the road, then crack it open -- like a real book -- when you're on the couch. The e-reader, 9.7 inches diagonally, is on the left, an Android-based netbook (with a 10.1-inch screen) is on the right. At nearly 3 pounds it's far heavier than other e-readers, but it's nothing if not versatile. $490, shipping in February.

Copia
Copia is an e-reader platform, not a device, but the company behind Copia -- DMC Worldwide -- is also launching six e-readers to support it. The Ocean and Tidal readers come in various sizes, most featuring touchscreens, but the real idea here is to make reading social, with discussion groups and shareable notes tied in to each e-book available on the system. Interesting idea if the critical mass emerges. Availibility in April at $199 to $299, depending on the reader.

Samsung E series
No fewer than four e-readers are on tap from Samsung in a variety of sizes, most with a unique feature: Whip out the stylus and you can write notes on the device in longhand. Designed with the PDA fan in mind, they're otherwise a relatively straightforward lineup, with book sales through Google and wireless features. Available "early this year" for $299 to $699, depending on the model.

iRiver Story
Perhaps the least impressive new reader in the field, this Kindle knockoff is handsome but not ready for prime time -- it won't even offer wireless at launch. Available at the end of January for $279 (tentatively).

Christopher Null is a longtime technology and business journalist, a hardcore tech guy, and an entrepreneur. In addition to his blog, he writes for a number of top technology and business magazines, including PC World, Wired, Maximum PC, and Executive Travel.