It’s an exciting time to be an eBook geek. Manufacturers are chucking millions at a product category that doesn’t actually exist yet, determined to make sure that when it does they’ll be at the sharp end of consumer need. It’s a mad dash into the ether, and long may it continue because there’s some truly stonking kit emerging. 

 Meet the horrifically monikered Readius. The screen is flexible meaning it can fold away in your pocket, which is kind of cool in itself, but more impressively the Readius (shudder) is also a mobile, too. Unfold that screen and as well as getting reacquainted with Ishmael, you can make a call, check your email over 3G, peruse your calenders and contacts, and have access to your favourite mags and newspapers. Take a look for yourself here.

 Now, I’m not suggesting the Readius (argh) is in anyway going to set the world alight – at best it’s half a phone and a rather small eBook reader, but that folding screen is rather nice and the idea of combining the rather specialist eBook reader with something more utilitarian definitely appeals. 

 Imagine that fold away screen with LiquaVista’s forthcoming colour screen capable of running video and suddenly we’ve got something sexier than Megan Fox’s birthday suit. Imagine a phone that unfolds when you want to read an email, or a book. That allows you to play video or browse web pages on a nice big screen, but still fits nicely in the pocket. 

Everybody always bangs on about convergence – but to be honest I don’t want my MP3 player to be my phone, because I don’t want to take my phone to the gym, and I don’t my MP3 battery running down because my mum calls. But combining the benefits of an eBook reader with a phone – a device I always have with me anyway, appeals. 

So hoorah for the Readius (gag). More of this please