In an attempt to calm some of the fires that Irex have just started with their announcement. And to provide a resource to Irex (either directly, should they get someone on here or indirectly via someone like Henrycat).

What functionality would you like to see on a consumer version.


html/xml*
txt*
pdf (encrypted as well as unencrypted)
Touchscreen*
mp3*
Power Management to allow up to 10000 pageturns
(essentially stated features of the ER0100)

mobipocket/dotreader/other reader support from day one.
Readers for other things such as common spreadsheet formats.
Zoom and Landscape viewing across all viewers (Henrycat has implied that not all viewers can do this atm)
Page buffering to speed up page turns. (Don't remember Henrycat saying this had been fixed only that it was being looked into)

Open source/open development platform. *

Price: lower would be good :cool:

Possibly not possible but would be nice (As someone has had a convo with Irex's bloke in the US who said that the comsumer model hardware/OS would essentially stay the same, just with software updates):
Using AA/AAA type batteries (I once owned a phone which had a battery pack. But if nessessary could take 4 AA type batteries. It would be nice, though probably not possible if this did something like it)
Colour screen
Some form of inbuilt light


Everything marked with in this colour is basically moot. If what Jeff (Irex's guy in the US) told sammykrupa and no changes will be made to the B2B hardware/software other than updates.

The battery life indicated in the product release flyer i.e. "10,000" page turns or such...

For me, the the most crucial feature according to their importance are:
- epaper display
- price
- PRICE
- *PRICE*
- being able to display and scroll text
- memory for books at least 8MB (it means 8 books in plaintext, which is enough for even a long trip)
- very basic connectivity with PC (ideally it would work as an USB memory stick)
- AAA (or even AA) batteries would be nice. Because if a battery runs out I can replace it with a spare and continue reading.

I really, really wish there was "budget" version featuring e-paper display and a very basic functionality.
- for people like myself with a limited budget
- for people that want to take their reader for the road. I really can't imagine tossing 700 Euro device into the rucksack and going for the trip without worying it will get lost, damaged, stolen, wet, ...

The single most important feature that will make the difference between the biggest success of e-readers to date and a total flop, is the ability to write applications for the thing. If you lock the reader down like Sony did with its Librié and its upcoming Reader you can start picking up the shards of your enterprise right now, IRex. Keep the Iliad open and watch the fun, while your sales sky-rocket and the Sony Reader becomes the biggest market bomb in history.
And I'm not saying to open the device completely (although that would be a nice move on your side), but you could use some sort of platform for developers, like the Java J2ME or the new UIQ3 that's been used by the newest Smartphones. This would ensure that your device stays safe, and gives any potential developer a nice platform to work with.
So conclusively: STAY OPEN!!!

I really, really wish there was "budget" version featuring e-paper display and a very basic functionality.
- for people like myself with a limited budget
- for people that want to take their reader for the road. I really can't imagine tossing 700 Euro device into the rucksack and going for the trip without worying it will get lost, damaged, stolen, wet, ...

Good point, but I think thats unlikely as it's new technology. If/once it's established the entrypoint will lower.


So conclusively: STAY OPEN!!!

/me agrees vigerously!

How about they include everything they originally said was going to be there, like power saving, etc, etc?

good idea...i'd still like to drag out of them how they arrived at their 21 hour with wifi and 10000+ pageturns...they must have a hidden "final" unit somewhere and have held it in a safe for half a year...:-)

Very good point. I can't believe I left that off. I have updated the original list.

put in a color display :)
http://www.eink.com/press/downloads/index.html
There are a few prototype images of the color eink display

another good item would be some kind of reading light since the screen has no background light from itself, for example if you are on a holiday on a camping (for those who do, including me) and don't want to turn your site into a lighting heaven

OK Updated again. Kick me if I have missed something.

--edit-- Sorry doubleposted.

What I would like to see is the ability to add a wireless keyboard and include some basic word processing software - even something equivalent to Windows Notepad would be acceptable.

I like to stretch out on my couch and write. I currently have a 2 lb Fujitsu Lifebook, but would love to drop below the 1 lb threshold. From the videos I have seen of the handwriting entry mode, I think the screen refresh speed for word processing would be acceptable.

Duane

Yea I would love a keyboard function. I dont know how bluetooth works but it would be nice to have a wireless keyboard and a wireless earphones. Aso I think a address book and daily planner would be a must. I dont really care about colour too much since I dont read to many comics. Finnally internet acces. Have it show internet pages without going through thier server. Scrolling could be done by increments of page. If you want to scroll a little redraw the page with 3/4 old page and 1/4 new. Or if you want scroll 2/3 or 3/4, stuff like that. Just my 2 cents

Good work guys, keep the buzz going about the iLiad, just like the guys from iRex want... One has to admire such great ability to manipulate the masses with vapor marketing strategies... :(

Yea I would love a keyboard function. [snip]
Finnally internet acces. Have it show internet pages without going through thier server.

Things like that are much overrated.
My Cybook has all that (and more) and I never use any of it.

Typing a note seems nice but is quite useless if you can't print it directly from the device. Transfer it to a pc for printing and you'll soon realise that typing the note directly on the pc makes a lot more sense.

E-mail? The cybook has that. But again, managing your e-mail from a pc is a lot more easy and besides that, you keep all your mail in one place.

Browsing? O yes, Cybook has that too. No java, no mpeg, small screen and long loading times.
Again, a pc makes more sense.

Mp3 then? Cybook has it all...Ever tried reading "War and peace" while listening to Rammstein?
Nah, if you want to listen to music just get a dedicated mp3 player. the sound will be better and it'll cost you no storage capacity or batterylife on your e-book reader.

Spreadsheet. Yep, Cybook even has that as well. It is about as usefull as a the consience of a politician.

Use your ebook reader what it is for: reading ebooks.
That is why there are only a few things important for me.
Batterylife
Plenty different textformats, txt, pdf, cbr, html etcetera.
Batterylife
Clear display
Batterylife
Errrm..did I mention batterylife?

Good work guys, keep the buzz going about the iLiad, just like the guys from iRex want... One has to admire such great ability to manipulate the masses with vapor marketing strategies... :(

"If you can't say anything nice...."

Good work guys, keep the buzz going about the iLiad, just like the guys from iRex want... One has to admire such great ability to manipulate the masses with vapor marketing strategies... :(

I still think the community here is responsible for overhyping this thing. There's no nefarious vaporware strategy on their part. Maybe inexperience in PR.

Sorry High 5 I fiddled with your post slightly to my response more readable.

Things like that are much overrated.
My Cybook has all that (and more) and I never use any of it.

Typing a note seems nice but is quite useless if you can't print it directly from the device. Transfer it to a pc for printing and you'll soon realise that typing the note directly on the pc makes a lot more sense.

E-mail?
Browsing?
Spreadsheet.

I utterly agree it's an e-book reader not a PDA or a laptop.

A basic note function would be good. Viewers for spreadsheets/etc would also be good.

Mp3 then? Cybook has it all...Ever tried reading "War and peace" while listening to Rammstein?
Nah, if you want to listen to music just get a dedicated mp3 player. the sound will be better and it'll cost you no storage capacity or batterylife on your e-book reader.
Use your ebook reader what it is for: reading ebooks.


War and peace and Rammstein? Odd mix. I tend to prefer something lighter like classical music when reading. Depends on the book though.

I kinda agree and kinda don't. I like having dedicated products (phone, pda, mp3 etc etc) but they can be annoying to carry around 10 gadgets (My boss has remarked that I have more computing power in my pockets than I do on my desk).

And it's not always possible to take everything with you so having basic functionality is a plus in my book.

I can imagine taking the iLiad with me to a job interview. I can't imagine taking my iLiad, MP3, etc etc. At least not without giving the wrong impression.

That is why there are only a few things important for me.
Batterylife
Plenty different textformats, txt, pdf, cbr, html etcetera.
Batterylife
Clear display
Batterylife
Errrm..did I mention batterylife?

Thats my basic list as well. Anything else on top of that is nice but not nessessary.

i would definately like to have the ability to:
- underline
- mark pages in any way i want (scribble on them)
- textmarkerfunctionality
- notes linked to mark or page
- linking to different documents
- a way to print and export all that

Very important:
- good bookmark management

And nice to have:
- A letter recogition like PDAs have it.

A carrying case would be nice to protect against scratches etc. I don't want to transport it unprotected in my backpack. :rolleyes5