Abstract: Enables a synergy between a consumer's Smartphone such as an IPHONE® and an inexpensive, energy-efficient electronic-reader type device, to provide the consumer the features of a more-expensive and higher-energy-use device by relegating capabilities requiring keyboard use e.g., physical or electronic, touch-screen, wireless-connection, telephony-connection e.g., 3G/4G, microphone, speaker, and more to the Smartphone while supporting where desired full-power standalone document-display features to the electronic reader. Apparatus includes an electronic-reader device with an electronic-ink screen and a small number of buttons to perform standalone features such as “display next page”; a low power transceiver, memory, processing hardware, and associated software and battery. The electronic-reader device is especially designed to prevent inappropriate distribution of copyright-protected material.

Abstract: Enables a synergy between a consumer's Smartphone such as an IPHONE® and an inexpensive, energy-efficient electronic-reader type device, to provide the consumer the features of a more-expensive and higher-energy-use device by relegating capabilities requiring keyboard use e.g., physical or electronic, touch-screen, wireless-connection, telephony-connection e.g., 3G/4G, microphone, speaker, and more to the Smartphone while supporting where desired full-power standalone document-display features to the electronic reader. Apparatus includes an electronic-reader device with an electronic-ink screen and a small number of buttons to perform standalone features such as “display next page”; a low power transceiver, memory, processing hardware, and associated software and battery. The electronic-reader device is especially designed to prevent inappropriate distribution of copyright-protected material.