Please can someone tell me if the Cybook still scheduled for release in September?

I noticed in other threads that some members were due to get evaluation units and Bookeen seem to be very quiet considering September is approaching quickly.

I very nearly bought an Iliad before I went on holiday but had to invest in more dead tree books as they were out of stock. I am coming up to another big Amazon order but would like to hold out if there is any chance of getting a Cybook :pray:

Since seeing the Cybook I have decided the Iliad is porbably a bit too pricey and doesn't really function as well as a dedicated ebook device.

Thanks,

Richard.

Yeah, I'm curious too! And for the Asus EEE also.

Please can someone tell me if the Cybook still scheduled for release in September?

That was the latest we heard, but I wouldn't be surprised if it slipped. History shows that these things are always late. Bookeen are totally dependent on external suppliers.

Since seeing the Cybook I have decided the Iliad is porbably a bit too pricey and doesn't really function as well as a dedicated ebook device.


It's a different device, certainly. The iLiad is larger, which is both a plus and a minus. The CyBook will have a much longer battery life. The CyBook is a dedicated bookreader; the iLiad a general-purpose computer. I have an iLiad and will definitely be buying a CyBook. They are complementary devices.

We at NAEB are under the impression we will be getting our evaluation units shortly.

Derek

That was the latest we heard, but I wouldn't be surprised if it slipped. History shows that these things are always late. Bookeen are totally dependent on external suppliers.



It's a different device, certainly. The iLiad is larger, which is both a plus and a minus. The CyBook will have a much longer battery life. The CyBook is a dedicated bookreader; the iLiad a general-purpose computer. I have an iLiad and will definitely be buying a CyBook. They are complementary devices.

Yeah, I'm curious too! And for the Asus EEE also. See Asustek to start volume shipments of Eee PCs in September (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20070820PD203.html). This link was just reported on umpcportal. Note that the "mainstream" version will apparently be $349.

We at NAEB are under the impression we will be getting our evaluation units shortly.

Derek
LOL. I thought you were under the impression that you were getting them in June, July, Late July/Early August.

Yes! Exactly so! And we're *STILL* under the impression! :D :D :D

Derek

LOL. I thought you were under the impression that you were getting them in June, July, Late July/Early August.

Hi Derek,

Please can you tell us if the units you are receiving are production units or still pre production prototypes?

Also if you are not under NDA are you going to do a review of the device?

That ASUS device looks interesting, it would suit my partners needs for the occasional bit of surfing and email perfectly, but for an ereader I have my heart set on E-Ink and a book like form factor.

Thanks,

Richard.

Can you clarify, Derek - are the NAEB devices going to be the same CyBook device that will be sold via the Bookeen website, or something different? I notice, for example, that the NAEB website says that your units will be white, whereas the standard Bookeen model appears to be black.

See Asustek to start volume shipments of Eee PCs in September (http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20070820PD203.html). This link was just reported on umpcportal. Note that the "mainstream" version will apparently be $349.

Thank you wallcraft! That thing was supposed to be $200USD now it's up to $369USD(according to the link) ? Not as interesting anymore considering the $450CAD (around $400USD)I saw advertized at WalMart's.

HYPE!!?!!

Thank you wallcraft! That thing was supposed to be $200USD now it's up to $369USD(according to the link) ? Not as interesting anymore considering the $450CAD (around $400USD)I saw advertized at WalMart's.

HYPE!!?!!

I bet that $369 price includes WinXP.

One model will be $199, one $299 and the others are, IIRC, $369 and $399. So the barebones 7" model will still be under $200. Or so it says on the website of that link.

Derek

Thank you wallcraft! That thing was supposed to be $200USD now it's up to $369USD(according to the link) ? Not as interesting anymore considering the $450CAD (around $400USD)I saw advertized at WalMart's.

HYPE!!?!!

They are going to be exactly the same as what Bookeen is showing on their website. Originally, as in when we were setting up the Specifications page on our site, Bookeen was planning on offering both a white and a black version but if I understand correctly, the quality of the white cases was an issue. So you can have any color you want as long as it's bad, beautiful black! :D

Derek

Can you clarify, Derek - are the NAEB devices going to be the same CyBook device that will be sold via the Bookeen website, or something different? I notice, for example, that the NAEB website says that your units will be white, whereas the standard Bookeen model appears to be black.

Heb,

We are getting engineering samples. That means, from what I've studied about such processes, they are fully functional as far as the base system is concerned and the hardware. However, Bookeen, has, to the best of my knowledge, custom app software that needs to be loaded in. Remember, the hardware and the base software would naturally be installed by the device manufacturer anyway... And if I understand the generic process used by many developers who use OEM systems, once the production run starts, the hardware/OEM manufacturer will load in the final custom software before it leaves the manufacturer.

We WILL be reviewing the devices and posting that review on our website. Also, I have a Sony PRS-500 to compare it to. And I'm set up to take images of the ereader in action. Did I mention I have several LED booklights to show the coverage and glare or lack of? Should be quite comprehensive.

Derek


Hi Derek,

Please can you tell us if the units you are receiving are production units or still pre production prototypes?

Also if you are not under NDA are you going to do a review of the device?

That ASUS device looks interesting, it would suit my partners needs for the occasional bit of surfing and email perfectly, but for an ereader I have my heart set on E-Ink and a book like form factor.

Thanks,

Richard.

Thanks for the clarification, Derek. Late or not (and I think it most likely will be late given that you've not yet had your engineering samples) I'm very much looking forward to getting a CyBook. Can't wait for your review!

Thanks for the clarification, Derek. Late or not (and I think it most likely will be late given that you've not yet had your engineering samples) I'm very much looking forward to getting a CyBook. Can't wait for your review!
Me too. The review and comparison with the Sony Reader is really what's going to drive my final decision. I'm leaning heavily in the Cybook direction because of the easy USB connection, Vizplex screens and Mobipocket rather than BBeB. I just want to be sure its a quality device.

Me too. The review and comparison with the Sony Reader is really what's going to drive my final decision. I'm leaning heavily in the Cybook direction because of the easy USB connection, Vizplex screens and Mobipocket rather than BBeB. I just want to be sure its a quality device.
I won't doubt it'll be a quality device. But will it be available any time soon or will delays cause it to be late? We've been speculating on this and no official word yet.

I'm sure it'll arrive eventually. I'm not that bothered whether it's end of September of end of December - I'll buy it whenever it appears.

Thanks for the info Derek, it will be really interesting to see how much better the Viziplex display will be compared to the Sony reader.

Have you also got an Iliad for comparison by any chance? I just drew out the screen sizes on a piece of paper and I am pretty amazed just how much bigger the Iliad screen is.

It sounds like they are going to struggle to his Septmeber though if you are only just getting an engineering sample. I am hoping to get a device by October as I am treating myself for my birthday! :D:crowngrin So if the Cybook is delayed past September I can see myself ordering an Iliad instead.

I've got an iLiad and a Sony Reader (which has the same size screen as the CyBook), heb, and you're absolutely right; the large screen of the iLiad does make it a completely different reading experience.

On the other hand, the compact size of the Reader makes it much better for travelling with, and its "instant on", compared with the 45 second boot-up time of the iLiad makes it a lot more suited for when you only have a few minutes to read.

I plan to buy a CyBook as soon as they are released, and will use the iLiad at home, and take the CyBook to work and on trips with me.

Both types of device have their place.

Given that I will be using the device primarily at home so the battery life and size shouldn't be as bigger issue I suppose the main factors will be cost and whether the viziplex screen is much better.

I have to say that the development by the user community on the Iliad seems to be picking up and producing programs that are both very interesting and useful which is also making the device more tempting.

£430 is still a lot for a device to read books on though, I find the 350 euros for the Cybook a lot more paletable!

Ok, just a question on the whole vizplex screen thing. Everyone makes it seem like it'll be a HUGE difference. From what I picked up, it's just a slight increase in contrast (20% - or 1/5th) and (perhaps more importantly) a notably faster page-turn speed.

Does the current eink screen contrast cause any problems? I mean, I've only seen pictures and it seems pretty good to me. Ok, I'm used to recycled-paper books which are kinda grey/brown-on-black in the first place... but still. It's still readable on a sunny day outside right? In an aeroplane with only the little overhead light? Or in bed with a weak (say 20-40W bulb) bedside lamp as only illumination?

Personally, I don't particularly care about the page-turn speed... as long as it's under 1s for a normal, text page. Actually, is it possible to, say, press the "next page" button 5-times in a row fast (without waiting for each page to load) - in for example the sony reader or the hanlins? I mean if you can't then it would be a significant advantage to have pageload times reduced...

The current screens are just fine. Speaking personally, I don't even notice the page turn speed of either the iLiad or the Sony Reader - it's certainly faster than the time it takes to turn the page of a paper book.

The light levels you need for an eInk screen are pretty much the same as those you need for a paper book - I don't think that the slight increase in screen reflectivity with the VizPlex screens is going to change that at all.

Yes, you can press the "next page" 5 times in a row on the Sony and it'll do them one after the other.

After sending an email to bookeen as an interested consumer, they replied a few days later.. Here is the email.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for getting in touch with us and for your interest in the Cybook.

You will be able to directly order the new Cybook from Bookeen web site in the second half of September.

More information from our web site and newsletter next month…

With our best regards,

Bookeen Team

P.S.:

We might accept pre-orders around mid-september.

We will ship to the US.

The previous Cybook shipped to over 40 countries.

Bookeen – www.bookeen.com

Ubibooks – www.ubibooks.com


Hopefully this is a definitive go for september release. Seems like it. Sent from "Bookeen Contact <contact@bookeen.com> "

I don't read that as a definite September release at all - simply that they'll be accepting orders in September. We'll just have to wait and see.

The current screens are just fine. Speaking personally, I don't even notice the page turn speed of either the iLiad or the Sony Reader - it's certainly faster than the time it takes to turn the page of a paper book.

I agree. While I have nothing against a faster refresh, I can live perfectly well with the Sony Reader right now. :D

I keep repeating to myself: "I don't NEED a new reader, I have the Sony Reader."

No matter how many times I have repeated that to myself, I keep wanting a Cybook. I couldn't even really afford the Sony Reader, but I bought it anyway. Heck, not only that, but now is the best time to have the Sony Reader because of all the books we have and the all the great Mac software we finally have for it..

But I still feel myself drawn to the new and different ebook readers. I think I have an addiction to all things "ebooky." :(

Note: By the way, I LOVE my Sony Reader, so I have no reason to want another, but I do. <sigh>

I keep repeating to myself: "I don't NEED a new reader, I have the Sony Reader."
[ snip ]
I think I have an addiction to all things "ebooky." :(

Yep, its been known to happen.
Speaking as a prime candidate for "e-book devices anonimous" myself, I can only offer you this advice: Stop repeating that utter nonsense to yourself.
"I don't need a new reader" indeed...

Ofcourse you need a new reader!!

What's more, my old e-book devices have turned cranky unhappy technophobes into cheerfull and bright, highly valued contributing members of society.
Give your old Sony to some poor unhappy sap, stand back and watch what happens.
Don't be too surprised if you can hear a heavenly choir start to sing and if you see rays of sunshine bursting through the clouds, well that is normal too.
As a happy byproduct, you are stuck with a brand new ebook reader.
Wow!

Ps, If the wife starts nagging tell her it was either this or a new hobby like collecting pre-20th century Albanian lampposts.

But I still feel myself drawn to the new and different ebook readers. I think I have an addiction to all things "ebooky." :(


Just be glad it's not an addiction to all things gadgetty *he says while looking at a pile of wires and various objects of a generally black, white or gray colour in numerous shapes and sizes...* it can always be worse... :grin2:

In my own case, it's a desire to standardize on MobiPocket as a format I can read on all my devices. I already have an iLiad for reading at home, and a Windows Mobile Smartphone for reading "on the go"; the CyBook looks as though it'll make a perfect "medium sized" device to take away on trips, etc.

I agree. While I have nothing against a faster refresh, I can live perfectly well with the Sony Reader right now. :D

Ditto :grin2:

I keep repeating to myself: "I don't NEED a new reader, I have the Sony Reader."I have a Sony Reader, and do like it, but my need for HTML support is absolute. Despite the way e-readers are currently conceived and marketed, much of the content I'd like to read consists of articles that I'd like to get offline without having to print. The Cybook's HTML support, drag-and-drop file management, and Mobipocket compatibility (e.g. purchasing books from Amazon rather than CONNECT) make it a thoughtful upgrade, assuming that PDF support really is forthcoming.

I have a Sony Reader, and do like it, but my need for HTML support is absolute. Despite the way e-readers are currently conceived and marketed, much of the content I'd like to read consists of articles that I'd like to get offline without having to print. The Cybook's HTML support, drag-and-drop file management, and Mobipocket compatibility (e.g. purchasing books from Amazon rather than CONNECT) make it a thoughtful upgrade, assuming that PDF support really is forthcoming.

About PDF support on the Cybook: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=94946&postcount=8

@Hadrien:

Actually, my comment about whether or not PDF support is "really forthcoming" was based on the post you linked to. I suspect that PDF support won't make it in the shipped product, but will follow as a flash upgrage. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

I've just received this newsletter :

La sortie du nouveau livre électronique Cybook Gen3 a été reportée au mois d’octobre 2007. Bien que nous ayons déjà livré des appareils d’évaluation, nous avons dû réaliser des ajustements sur la production en masse du Cybook Gen3.
En contrepartie, ce délai offre à Bookeen la possibilité d’inclure dès la sortie du Cybook Gen3 le support du PDF. Nous profitons de ce délai pour enrichir l’offre logicielle du Cybook Gen3. Le PDF est un format majeur que nous envisagions de supporter lors d’unefuture mise à jour logicielle. Ce nouveau timing nous permet de l’inclure directement dans le Cybook Gen3 lors de sa sortie.
Pour sa sortie, le Cybook Gen3 pourra donc lire des livres Mobipocket cryptés et afficher des fichiers aux formats HTML, Text, PalmDoc et finalement PDF. Une nouvelle version du logiciel Mobipocket pour PC sera également disponible en téléchargement d’ici quelques semaines sur le site Mobipocket.com. Ce nouveau programme détectera et synchronisera automatiquement le Cybook Gen3. Acheter, télécharger et transférer un livre numérique sur le Cybook Gen3 devient un vrai jeu d’enfant.
En parallèle, Bookeen a ouvert son propre blog pour évoquer ses actualités et initier des discussions. Nous voyons vraiment ce blog comme un endroit pour échanger et communiquer avec la communauté des lecteurs et des passionnés de livres numériques. Ce sera également une source d'informations de première main sur nos développements. Pour illustrer ce credo, un premier clip vidéo montrant le Cybook Gen3 en action a été mis en ligne sur le blog.
Très cordialement,
L'équipe Bookeen
Pour en savoir plus au sujet de Bookeen et du Cybook, visiter www.bookeen.com.
Pour discuter et recevoir les dernières news, visiter le blog officiel de Bookeen.

Trad (from Babelfish) :

The exit of the new electronic book Cybook Gen3 was deferred to October 2007.
Although we already delivered apparatuses of evaluation, we had to carry out adjustments on the mass production of Cybook Gen3.
N the other hand, this time makes it possible to Bookeen to include as of the exit of Cybook Gen3 the support of the pdf.
We benefit from this time to enrich the software offer by Cybook Gen3. The pdf is a major format which we plan to support at the time of a future software update. This new timing enables us to include it directly in Cybook Gen3 when coming out.
For its exit, Cybook Gen3 will be able thus to read encrypted Mobipocket books and to post files with formats HTML, Text, PalmDoc and finally pdf. A new version of the Mobipocket software for PC will be also available in remote loading from here a few weeks on the Mobipocket.com site. This new program will detect and synchronize automatically Cybook Gen3.
To buy, download and transfer a numerical book on Cybook Gen3 become a true play of child. In parallel, Bookeen opened its clean blog to evoke its current events and to initiate discussions. We see really this blog like a place to exchange and communicate with the community of the readers and impassioned numerical books.
It will be also a source of first hand information on our developments. To illustrate this creed, a first video clip showing Cybook Gen3 in action was put on line on the blog. Very cordially, the Bookeen team to know some more about Bookeen and of Cybook, to visit www.bookeen.com. To discuss and receive the last news, to visit the official blog of Bookeen.

Here's the English version they sent out, for those whose Babel-glish is a bit rusty. :grin:
The launch of Bookeen's awaited Cybook Gen3 ebook reading device has been delayed until October 2007. We have already delivered several engineering samples and are making slight adjustments in the final steps of mass production.
As a benefit, the PDF format will be supported on the Cybook Gen3 directly with the first product release. We are using this delay to enhance our software offer. PDF support was a major step for Bookeen and was planned as being part of a next upgrade. The new timing allows us to have PDF up and running for the release.
For its first release, the Cybook Gen3 will support encrypted Mobipocket ebooks and display HTML, Text, PalmDoc and finally PDF files. A new version of the Mobipocket reader for desktop will be also released in the next weeks by Mobipocket.com. This new program, which runs on a PC host, will detect and synchronize automatically with the Cybook Gen3. Buying, downloading and transferring an ebook file to the Cybook Gen3 becomes a child's game.
In parallel, Bookeen has opened its own corporate blog to provide hot news and start discussions. We really see this blog as a place to exchange and communicate with the ebook community. It will also be the place to get some hints and insider information about Bookeen developments. To illustrate this credo, a first video clip showing off the Cybook Gen3 in action has been released on the blog.

I find it amusing to compare the two. :pleased:

There's a new thread to discuss these developments here (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14217), if anyone wishes to hop over. :nice: