01-08-2010, 04:21 PM | #1 |
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Introducing the Bebook Neo
I managed to meet with Peter Zieleman of Endless Ideas, and he told me about the new Bebook ebook reader. They really could have somehting here.
The Neo is a rebranded Onyx Boox with a new firmware. They've fixed the existing bugs (wifi, for example), and will be ready to release it in the next few weeks. The projected retail for the Neo is 299 to 329 euros. Their new firmware added a couple neat features. First, you can now use the OTA ebookstore downloads provided by RM 9.1. And second, they're adding an Ebookmall to the menu. They're working with every interested ebook store to enable that store to sell you ebooks on the Neo. And, the Ebookmall menu is organized geographically. You can select your country and you'll see a list of stores that can sell you ebooks. The Neo still has Wifi, and there is a reason for that. They don't think 3G connectivity will work in Europe. Do you remember the 3G equipped Bebook2? They had a bad experience with trying to sign contracts with European cellular providers. It turned out that it wasn't practical, and the Bebook2 was dropped. The attached picture is of the Ebookmall. So far that's the only part of the GUI that's been changed. Last edited by Nate the great; 01-08-2010 at 04:23 PM. |
01-08-2010, 04:30 PM | #2 |
Evangelist
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Thanks Nate. That has answered a huge number of questions. So this IS the BeBook 2 then only it's the BeBook Neo. It explains all the delays.
Did you see the Liquavista/BeBook protoype. |
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01-08-2010, 04:32 PM | #3 |
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Hmm, that means a Wacom touchscreen layer. Does that mean that you cant do touch screen with your finger?
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01-08-2010, 04:40 PM | #4 |
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01-08-2010, 05:00 PM | #5 |
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Yep, I'm sure there are lots of people who don't mind but I'm afraid its a no go for me while I'm reading. I like turning pages with my finger on the touchscreens like the PRS 600, but I had been waiting to see reviews of the BeBook 2 and the PocketBook 302, before making a decision. Now I'm down to the PRS 600 / 900 and the PocketBook 302.
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01-08-2010, 05:08 PM | #6 |
<Insert Wit Here>
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Yup, it's always a trade off. The current sort of decision available to the manufacturers for touch seems to be:
Screen Clarity, Finger access, Stylus access... pick any two, the third will suffer. |
01-08-2010, 05:12 PM | #7 |
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Are you sure you want to turn the page by swiping? I would find that most irritating. I can hold my BeBook '1' or Mini in one hand and simply rock my thumb to turn pages. To lift a hand to swipe would mean using both hands to hold the reader. A big turn off for me. This goes back to my comment on the BeBook forum about being able look at a range of models in one place I guess.
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01-08-2010, 05:29 PM | #8 |
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I know what you are saying about finger swiping ... its definitely not for everyone. I'm sure lots of PRS 600 users just use the physical buttons for page turns. Its also having to use the stylus for the menu system that would put me off. I know you can probably do most of menu stuff by using the buttons but I'm a touchscreen geek.
I'm sure the BeBook guys will produce great firmware and it will be a great product for people who dont mind using the stylus. I'll come back to BeBook when they get that colour reader out |
01-08-2010, 07:15 PM | #9 |
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Too bad the photo is not all that wonderful. Nothing really shows that it does black well.
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01-08-2010, 08:22 PM | #10 |
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I wonder why just about every new e-reader startup is trying to mimic the Kindle's appearance, which is pretty ugly in my opinion. It's the service and Amazon promotion that sells the device, not its hardware design. Sony looks much better from an aesthetic standpoint.
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01-08-2010, 08:34 PM | #11 |
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does this look strangely like the new Bookeen one? This is netronics right?
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01-08-2010, 08:39 PM | #12 |
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01-08-2010, 08:40 PM | #13 |
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01-08-2010, 08:41 PM | #14 |
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01-08-2010, 08:49 PM | #15 |
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