If I were to ask 10 random people to name an E-Reader, I’m guessing every single person would provide “Amazon Kindle” as their first answer (if they could come up with an answer at all). There WAS only one popular alternative: Sony Reader Daily Edition. You’ll soon be able to add the iRex to that list.

The Kindle and Kindle DX both rely on wireless connectivity through the Sprint network for downloading E-Books, Magazines, Newspapers and other publications. The Sony Reader utilizes AT&T. Guess who is going live with the iRex? You got it- Verizon Wireless.

The iRex DR800SG will be a $399 E-Reader with an 8.1-inch touchscreen that will be available through Best Buy retail stores. And Best Buy isn’t taking this lightly – they are training thousands of employees on the ins-and-outs of all these popular E-Readers and opening up areas of the store specifically to showcase the devices. This could be a huge hit come holiday season.

Part of the reason the Amazon Kindle is so popular is it was first to market. Another reason is because Amazon started as an online book retailer and the company is synonymous with books. Another company synonymous with books missed a HUGE opportunity with the iRex: Barnes & Noble. Apparently iRex Technologies was working on a deal that would have made the E-Reader a Barnes & Noble branded product but an agreement was never reached. Such as shame as the name recognition alone could have propelled the iRex manufactured device into huge popularity.

[Via NYT]