Exclusive: BeBook 2 unveiled

Alexander Turcic · 03-06-2009, 04:01 AM

We've just gotten our hands on a picture showing off the upcoming BeBook 2 e-reader. The reader - which features WiFi and/or 3G connectivity, touchscreen navigation, and ePub support - will be showcased to the world at the CeBIT fair today. If you happen to be there, make sure to snap some juicy photos for us (Berlin room, ground floor of the exhibition center, opposite of hall 6). We'll much appreciated it.

David Munch · 03-06-2009, 07:04 AM

Looks nice.

zelda_pinwheel · 03-06-2009, 07:11 AM

wow, they completely redid the hardware ! looks much cleaner than the last version. it will be really interesting to see the software and the screen quality, and hear the price. looks like a really nice new model !

GeoffC · 03-06-2009, 07:49 AM

Looks promising. I like the layout of the buttons ... though I keep wondering if the bottom is actually the best place for a page turner - the way I hold my ebook I often feel it would be better at the top ....

Ralph Sir Edward · 03-06-2009, 09:28 AM

I hope this doesn't dead-end OpenInkpot.....

TadW · 03-06-2009, 09:48 AM

I tried to decipher what is written on the sample screen. Some interesting bits:

- "BeBook supports the most ebook formats from pdf, mobi, lit, epub, doc, html, txt, prc, fb2, jpg files to over 300,000 of *free* rss newsfeeds."

- "No shopping limitations: buy or download books, news or magazines anywhere (anywhere!) and read them on your Bebook!"

- "512MB internal memory and SD card slot"

- "open software standard (lifetime firmware updates are free!)"

JSWolf · 03-06-2009, 09:52 AM

Still a 6" screen?

Ea · 03-06-2009, 10:21 AM

I can't wait to find out more. I'm on the verge of buying the current 'old' model - do I really need the extra features? 3G might be nice, but can I actually use it for something in Denmark? What if the price drops on the old model? When will it be out and what will the price be? So many questions...

Ah, well, I must hold out a little longer.

Over · 03-06-2009, 10:25 AM

I was hoping for a bigger screen...

But I like the design.

-Thomas- · 03-06-2009, 10:29 AM

I've given them a short visit and talked a little with their CEO. Unfortunately he didn't allow me to take pictures...

He basically confirmed things already leaking out:

6 inch screen, e-Ink (of course)
ePub and PDF (both with and without DRM). I didn't ask for other formats, but IIRC the home screen also listed files in other formats
Touchscreen (one you can use with your fingers. Looks like the same one from the PRS-700. Screen contrast is suffering a little...)
Built-in 3G connection. WiFi is only available over an addon SD card (which will also be supported by the BeBook 1 anytime soon)
They're currently developing an OTA bookstore for the device. You will be able to shop for DRMed ePub books over 3G connection. (They won't integrate with other bookstores like Lexcycle does but are negotiating with publishers directly)
Built-in web browser
RSS support

I've also asked them about some possible integration with Feedbooks ("the French guys" as he called them

), but it looks like they're not planning anything on that. You could of course use the browser and download Feedbooks.com content from there.

Wetdogeared · 03-06-2009, 11:08 AM

That touch screen looks a lot whiter and crisper than my PRS700, are you sure the contrast isn't so good? Maybe it's the side-lighting on the 700 that causes the degradation.

WDE.

TadW · 03-06-2009, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the heads-up, Thomas. Why would they not want to have pictures taken if it's on display anyhow? Doesn't make sense.

DaleDe · 03-06-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wetdogeared

That touch screen looks a lot whiter and crisper than my PRS700, are you sure the contrast isn't so good? Maybe it's the side-lighting on the 700 that causes the degradation.

WDE.

It is definitely better than the 700. The contrast is slightly less that a unit without touch screen but the sharpness is the same and unless you set two devices side by side you would never notice. The screen surface is the same, non-reflective as before. The surface allows full writing on it, scribbles and responsiveness is reasonable. It is a resistive touch screen. I have seen it, by the way.

Dale

Wetdogeared · 03-06-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDe

It is definitely better than the 700. The contrast is slightly less that a unit without touch screen but the sharpness is the same and unless you set two devices side by side you would never notice. The screen surface is the same, non-reflective as before. The surface allows full writing on it, scribbles and responsiveness is reasonable. It is a resistive touch screen. I have seen it, by the way.

Dale

Thanks Dale.
Plus note taking with a stylus. Sounds promising, and sounds like they've been listening to consumers.

carandol · 03-06-2009, 11:56 AM

Do I take it this is a completely new product built by Bebook, rather than a re-badging of someone else's design?

03-06-2009, 04:01 AM	#1
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 16,250 Karma: 3572626 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Sony PRS-650	Exclusive: BeBook 2 unveiled We've just gotten our hands on a picture showing off the upcoming BeBook 2 e-reader. The reader - which features WiFi and/or 3G connectivity, touchscreen navigation, and ePub support - will be showcased to the world at the CeBIT fair today. If you happen to be there, make sure to snap some juicy photos for us (Berlin room, ground floor of the exhibition center, opposite of hall 6). We'll much appreciated it. Attached Thumbnails

03-06-2009, 07:11 AM	#3
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,828 Karma: 908606 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	wow, they completely redid the hardware ! looks much cleaner than the last version. it will be really interesting to see the software and the screen quality, and hear the price. looks like a really nice new model ! __________________ blog.ex-elibris.fr : les liseuses, les ebooks, nos lectures, la technologie… I don't want none of that mischief on my eels! - pdurrant since i would never want to disappoint wde and vr, we are thrilled to present the next exciting avatar in zelda's wardrobe, by vivaldirules himself.

03-06-2009, 07:49 AM	#4
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 26,684 Karma: 16550486 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Looks promising. I like the layout of the buttons ... though I keep wondering if the bottom is actually the best place for a page turner - the way I hold my ebook I often feel it would be better at the top .... __________________ > My Cats

03-06-2009, 09:28 AM	#5
Ralph Sir Edward Gentleman & Cynic Posts: 4,832 Karma: 7205202 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 5 generation native Texan Device: BeBook/Openinkpot, CYbook 3rd gen awaiting RTF software upgrade	I hope this doesn't dead-end OpenInkpot..... __________________ Another proud Tarnover graduate! Remember, no matter what they say, people don't want the truth, just their prejudices reinforced. -RSE

03-06-2009, 09:48 AM	#6
TadW Uebermensch Posts: 2,533 Karma: 889242 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Italy Device: Kindle	I tried to decipher what is written on the sample screen. Some interesting bits: - "BeBook supports the most ebook formats from pdf, mobi, lit, epub, doc, html, txt, prc, fb2, jpg files to over 300,000 of free rss newsfeeds." - "No shopping limitations: buy or download books, news or magazines anywhere (anywhere!) and read them on your Bebook!" - "512MB internal memory and SD card slot" - "open software standard (lifetime firmware updates are free!)" __________________ "It doesn't matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don't read anymore." - Apple's Steve Jobs, Jan 15, 2008

03-06-2009, 07:04 AM	#2
David Munch Scholar Posts: 676 Karma: 3001550 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Denmark Device: iPad 2	Looks nice.

03-06-2009, 09:52 AM	#7
JSWolf Mobile Reader Geek Posts: 34,205 Karma: 13801264 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Sony Reader PRS-650, iPad	Still a 6" screen? __________________ Jon 2013 Reading List

03-06-2009, 10:21 AM	#8
Ea Wizard Posts: 3,498 Karma: 5169119 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kindle 3\|iPad 2\|iPhone 4\|Sony 600	I can't wait to find out more. I'm on the verge of buying the current 'old' model - do I really need the extra features? 3G might be nice, but can I actually use it for something in Denmark? What if the price drops on the old model? When will it be out and what will the price be? So many questions... Ah, well, I must hold out a little longer.

03-06-2009, 10:25 AM	#9
Over Wizard Posts: 1,450 Karma: 3949068 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cascais, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Kindle DXi, Kindle 3, iPad and iPhone 4	I was hoping for a bigger screen... But I like the design.

03-06-2009, 10:29 AM	#10
-Thomas- Addict Posts: 325 Karma: 1725 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Münster, Germany Device: iRex iLiad v2	I've given them a short visit and talked a little with their CEO. Unfortunately he didn't allow me to take pictures... He basically confirmed things already leaking out: 6 inch screen, e-Ink (of course) ePub and PDF (both with and without DRM). I didn't ask for other formats, but IIRC the home screen also listed files in other formats Touchscreen (one you can use with your fingers. Looks like the same one from the PRS-700. Screen contrast is suffering a little...) Built-in 3G connection. WiFi is only available over an addon SD card (which will also be supported by the BeBook 1 anytime soon) They're currently developing an OTA bookstore for the device. You will be able to shop for DRMed ePub books over 3G connection. (They won't integrate with other bookstores like Lexcycle does but are negotiating with publishers directly) Built-in web browser RSS support I've also asked them about some possible integration with Feedbooks ("the French guys" as he called them ), but it looks like they're not planning anything on that. You could of course use the browser and download Feedbooks.com content from there. __________________ Best regards, Thomas Newest project: Automatic Downloader Framework - download newspapers etc. while connecting to iDS March 8 - 14: Read an E-Book Week

03-06-2009, 11:08 AM	#11
Wetdogeared Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,629 Karma: 4513889 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Device: S0ny PRS-300/350/505/700/T1	That touch screen looks a lot whiter and crisper than my PRS700, are you sure the contrast isn't so good? Maybe it's the side-lighting on the 700 that causes the degradation. WDE.

03-06-2009, 11:56 AM	#15
carandol Evangelist Posts: 423 Karma: 40938 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: BeBook	Do I take it this is a completely new product built by Bebook, rather than a re-badging of someone else's design?

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