Txtr Beagle eReader Launches with Magyar Telekom in Hungary, Bundled with Smartphones
Over a year ago, the Txtr Beagle was presented at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The concept behind this eBook reader is clear: cut costs at all costs. Even back then, the device didn’t exactly ignite enthusiasm with us, because due to its focus, you have to forego many features that are typically standard in software, and there are also several hardware drawbacks.
The Beagle was originally supposed to launch worldwide with various mobile providers and be sold for just around 10 euros with subsidized contracts. This is necessary because the Beagle doesn’t have a USB port and can only be loaded with content via Bluetooth from a smartphone.
For a long time, Txtr’s efforts seemed to go nowhere, as no mobile provider could be found. Consequently, the Beagle was hastily sold in March for 69 euros without a mobile contract – far too expensive for a device with these specifications. Later, the price was reduced to 20 euros, which seemed slightly more reasonable. At some point, however, sales were stopped again, leading us to assume that the Txtr Beagle was permanently discontinued.
Txtr Beagle in a Smartphone Bundle
We were wrong! As Buchreport reports, the reader has just launched in Hungary, specifically with (Magyar) Telekom. The Beagle is available in combination with various entry-level smartphones: Samsung Galaxy Young, Sony Xperia M, and LG P710 Optimus L7 II.
The Beagle is available for around 30 euros
The costs for the Txtr Beagle, including the contract, amount to around 30 euros, although this can vary slightly depending on the device and plan. If you want to buy the minimally equipped eReader without a contract and subsidies, it will cost about 67 euros. This places the Txtr Beagle at about the same price level as it was a few months ago in its home market. However, back then the device was available without a contract, making the Hungarian offer not quite a bargain.
That the Hungarian Telekom is including the Beagle in its lineup is initially rather surprising, especially since the majority shareholder (Deutsche Telekom) already offers its own eBook reader (Tolino Shine). The move to partner with an external provider is simply due to the lack of an available product. Txtr has had its own shop in Hungary for some time, which the Tolino providers and Deutsche Telekom do not have.
Txtr naturally wants to bring other mobile providers on board and is reportedly in further negotiations. It will now remain to be seen whether the concept of a (heavily) subsidized eBook reader proves successful.
