There is a growing number of hardware devices available for reading ebook data. I have had the opportunity to evaluate NuvoMedia's Rocket eBook and Softbook Press's Softbook, and while not fitting my strict definition of ebook hardware above, I have also explored the possibility of using Newton MessagePads and PalmPilot devices as ebook readers. A good Internet starting point for learning more about ebooks is the Open eBook Initiative. User groups and Web pages focused on MessagePads are not difficult to find. With a minimum of moving parts, these devices consistently function properly and sell for prices equal to their original cost.
Some versions allow the viewing area to be oriented into portrait or landscape modes.
For creating ebook data from etexts, there are two applications available. A simpler application is the freeware application called Paperback. This program takes a plain text file, converts it into an application that is ultimately displayed the screen. It has much fewer features when compared to NewtonPress but it works quite well. Like the MessagePads, they come equipped a calendar, to-do list manager, a note pad, and a contact database.