Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)

[Charybdis]

They wrote: (Breaking news directly from Astak)

There is a European Distributor named Longshine in Germany. They will handle sales to retail stores in Europe. Or you can go onto our website www.astakshop.com and purchase the product when it reaches the released date.

The 5 inch unit should be released in late September.

The 6 inch is projected to clearly release in late August.

The 9.7 inch is due to be released in late November.

The Mobipocket format has been delayed for the time being. The problem is in porting the format onto the device. At this point, all new releases will be ported with eReader and .pdf.

Prices are still not set as we are still adding features and making modifications in the final design.

Anywhere in the world can buy from this website: www.astakshop.com. But... be aware... shipping can be pricey and we do not do our own shipping. The shipping charge is whatever it is set at by UPS or FedEx. We DO get a considerable discount. We don't know final shipping costs as we need the exact final model to determine the weight.

Now the questions are:
1) can we purchase the device in Europe at the same time when it will be available in USA, or do we need to wait?
2) what will the price, and the price of shipping?
3) is the 5 inch screen big enough? What do you think?
4) why does an ebook reader contain MP3 player? There are very cheap MP3 players today, but even the cheapest mobile phone can play MP3. And actual batterylife will decrease when playing mp3 files.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by nekokami

I imagine Jon wasn't doubting the value of RPG books in ebook format. He's on a crusade to try to convince people not to use the term "eReader" to mean anything other than books in the proprietary eReader format (now owned by Fictionwise). I personally think it's a lost cause and that the way he tends to correct people only causes confusion (as shown in this thread).

Actually, RPG eBooks are mostly PDF and as of right now, the only device that's anywhere 1/2 decent for that sort of thing would be the ilIad. The rest just won't hack it. A 6" screen with no search facility just won't do well at all.

[squonk]

hallo here back again , ciao luigino all good ? well, i wrote 2 emails to 2 firms in Friuli , that could be interested to build up these kind of devices.... no answer !!!!!!
mmm the idea to build a european machine is good , Luigino, using the epson e-paper, however.....

[squonk]

....15" epaper, rolling like old papyrs.......

[squonk]

and we could call it Magna Charta..................

[squonk]

large enough for pdf files ?

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by alanastoz

Here's the exact link for you Luigino.

http://www.astak.com/5Ebook_Reader.html

There' getting closer and closer!

By the way for anyone who feels they can't wait and wants to bbuy a cybook instead BEWARE
They have AWFUL AWFUL customer service after you buy their product. It took me four emails and three weeks to get an answer about a product fault.
there is NO WAY that Astak or anyone else for that matter could be worse.
The Mentor/Litebook is going to be worth the wait.

I'm sorry, but how can you possibly make that statement? Yes, Bookeen has had some problems. (I tend to think most of them stem from supply-delivery issues which may well be the fault of Netronix. You *do* know, don't you, that Netronix is the supplier of the Astak units?)

Most of what you're posting comes across as an attempt to sabotage Bookeen's sales in favor of Astak. Why? Are you an employee of Astak? (Yes. I've had problems getting response from Bookeen support. Yes, I am a corporate officer of NAEB and, therefore, a reseller of Bookeen Cybooks. Full disclosure.)

Derek

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by Luigino

Are you sooooooo sure?.... :-) what if it'll be USD $230?... :-)

More likely $248.95. And I'm betting 248.95 Euros outside the US.

Derek

[nekokami]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Actually, RPG eBooks are mostly PDF and as of right now, the only device that's anywhere 1/2 decent for that sort of thing would be the ilIad. The rest just won't hack it. A 6" screen with no search facility just won't do well at all.

People do read PDF files on laptops, too, y'know.

I get by with full-size PDF files on my iLiad quite well. Hopefully one of the Astak units will provide a similar screen size for a lower cost.

[alanastoz]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

I'm sorry, but how can you possibly make that statement? Yes, Bookeen has had some problems. (I tend to think most of them stem from supply-delivery issues which may well be the fault of Netronix. You *do* know, don't you, that Netronix is the supplier of the Astak units?)

Most of what you're posting comes across as an attempt to sabotage Bookeen's sales in favor of Astak. Why? Are you an employee of Astak? (Yes. I've had problems getting response from Bookeen support. Yes, I am a corporate officer of NAEB and, therefore, a reseller of Bookeen Cybooks. Full disclosure.)

Derek

If you want the full story i have against the problems with bookeen i am happy to give the full sordid story if you really want but I have nothing good to say bout them.
AND did you notice that this is a thread about ASTAK's models? Thats how it started by Bob Barry from Astak. If you favour the cybook, great sell it but MY opinion is they have lousy customer service after they sell their units and other forums have similar complaints. especially when they are so rigid in their currency.
BTW yes i will sell Mentors if i possibly can. Full disclosure right back at you.

[alanastoz]

To ALL you wonderful people out there. I need an explination. Does anyone know what cTick means?
I feel like an idiot but i have no idea!
Help

[alanastoz]

Originally Posted by Luigino

Could be but I don't think so...



Perfect! So you can also help me with something graphical about my website I'm working on and I can pay back making some special food recipes... :-DDDD

Hey guys, get a room

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by alanastoz

If you want the full story i have against the problems with bookeen i am happy to give the full sordid story if you really want but I have nothing good to say bout them.
AND did you notice that this is a thread about ASTAK's models? Thats how it started by Bob Barry from Astak. If you favour the cybook, great sell it but MY opinion is they have lousy customer service after they sell their units and other forums have similar complaints. especially when they are so rigid in their currency.
BTW yes i will sell Mentors if i possibly can. Full disclosure right back at you.

D00D,

You're the one who decided to drift into bad-mouthing Cybooks. And no, having lived my own share of customer-service problems, I don't really need yours spelled out.

Derek

[cbell]

I'll be particularly interested to see the pricing for the different options for each size of Astak's eBooks reader (wifi, bluetooth, touchscreen).

[Mindy]

Originally Posted by Charybdis

They wrote: (Breaking news directly from Astak)

The 5 inch unit should be released in late September.

The 6 inch is projected to clearly release in late August.

The 9.7 inch is due to be released in late November.

Erm, so now the 6" will be released before the 5"? Anyone else find this a bit odd?
(not that I'm especially fussy now I have my Cybook [and, just to wade in, have found it brill & Bookeen helpful with my sole query to date] but still maintaining a healthy (?) curiousity)