Opus First impressions of the Opus

HarryT · 07-31-2009, 07:45 AM

I've got my Opus. First impressions are very favourable.

The first thing that struck me was how small it is. The screen may only be 1" smaller than the Gen3, diagonally, but the who machine looks tiny, and really does fit comfortably into a trouser pocket. It's supplied with a very sturdy carrying pouch, with rigid stitched leather (or close approximation thereto) front and back, and elasticated sides. This should certainly provide perfectly adequate protection for carrying it in a pocket or handback.

The machine itself is a matt "off-white", with three controls along the bottom - a smaller version of the standard 5-way nav control that the Gen3 has in the centre, a "back" button to the left of it, and a "menu" button to the right. There are long narrow page turn buttons on the right of the screen - the upper one is "page forward", the lower "page back". If you prefer to hold the machine in your left hand, you simply turn the device upside down and the accelerometer (which works very well) inverts the screen, and automatically reverses the controls, so that the "up" and "down" still work as you'd expect them to. That's it - no side controls like the Gen3 has.

There's a mini USB connector (same as the Gen3) in the bottom of the machine, and the microSD slot is in the centre of the top.

As far as usage goes, it boots in roughly 15 seconds, and the library screen looks exactly like that of the Gen3. I've not tried using folders yet, so I don't know how the library screen handles them. It's supplied with about 100 sample books, half French and half English - all classics (not very well formatted).

The ePub files open quickly, and page turning is rapid - certainly a lot faster than the Gen3. Some people will, I'm sure, be pleased to note that the "progress bar" is gone - we now have page numbers ("15 of 205") and the book title on the progress bar (no battery indictator, I'm afraid - that's still only shown on the Library screen). Firmware version is "Version 1.9. Build 942".

While reading, the menu button displays a menu with:

- Back
- Forward
- Go To...
- Font Size...
- Show Status Bar
- Advanced...
- Back to Library

That's really all I can think of for now. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask and I'll answer if I can.

HarryT · 07-31-2009, 08:02 AM

Yes, it has folders

.

By default, the Library screen looks identical to that of the Gen3, showing thumbnails of books covers and the book's title, author, date, and size.

Clicking the "menu" button displays:

- 5 items per page
- 10 items per page
- 20 items per page
- Folder View
- Sort
- Filter
- Show File Formats
- Delete
- Advanced...

Selecting "Folder View" gives you a "File System" type view, showing all the folders in the file system. Opening a folder first shows you all the sub-folders, with a ".." item at the top to go up a level, and then the standard thumbnail images of all the books in that folder.

Selecting the "Delete" menu item allows you to delete the currently-selected item, with a "Do you want to delete ..." confirmation.

A nice enhancement.

pakiyabhai · 07-31-2009, 08:07 AM

you lucky dog !

congratulations on the new opus ! I was worried about the cover but I am happy that they have actually provided one here. I have heard the screen looks much more crispier in this one ?

Is that true ?

Groucho · 07-31-2009, 08:11 AM

How's reading compared to the 6"-Cybook? Is the screen to small or does it all work out fine?

EowynCarter · 07-31-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

As far as usage goes, it boots in roughly 15 seconds, and the library screen looks exactly like that of the Gen3. I've not tried using folders yet, so I don't know how the library screen handles them. It's supplied with about 100 sample books, half French and half English - all classics (not very well formatted)

Nice. Full books or not? I always felt the gen3 didn't have that many demo books.

Quote:

Firmware version is "Version 1.9. Build 942".

Still on 928 on my gen 3.

I need ePub there.

Quote:

How's reading compared to the 6"-Cybook? Is the screen to small or does it all work out fine?

Ok for Epub, as you can change the size. For pdf's well...

Groucho · 07-31-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Ok for Epub, as you can change the size. For pdf's well...

I know!

But if you need to "thumb" through (the ePubs) more often using bigger fontsizes reading probably isn't much fun.

Gaurnim · 07-31-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groucho

How's reading compared to the 6"-Cybook? Is the screen to small or does it all work out fine?

We didn't test for an extensive duration, but when I looked at it during the rendez-vous earlier this month, it seemed perfectly readable.
We'll have to wait for the impressions of people using it for an extended duration to hear what they think about it.

HarryT · 07-31-2009, 08:38 AM

Some pictures taken with my phone. Apologies for the extremely poor quality.

HarryT · 07-31-2009, 08:43 AM

It seems to be extremely "readable". The screen is very crisp and sharp.

fjtorres · 07-31-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, it has folders

.
Selecting "Folder View" gives you a "File System" type view, showing all the folders in the file system.

Just to verify, please:
You get to see/navigate the actual file system, rather than a file system-type view of the library database?
How does it manage the external storage? As a brach of the file system, a separate drive/destination (like the hanlins) or some other way?
Do non-supported files show up or are they filtered into invisibility?

Thanks, and have fun with your toy...

Jellby · 07-31-2009, 08:55 AM

Do you get the stupid page numbers at the margin with ePUB? Can you change margins, font, anything else?

HarryT · 07-31-2009, 08:56 AM

It's a view of the actual file system (or appears to be, at least).

I don't currently have a microSD card, but I'm guessing that it will appear as a "folder" at the root level of the file system.

HarryT · 07-31-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellby

Do you get the stupid page numbers at the margin with ePUB? Can you change margins, font, anything else?

No stupid margin page numbers - the page number is on the status bar. All you can change is the font size (the same 12 size selections as the Gen3 has), but if you convert your Mobi books to ePub with Calibre, it's very easy to select the font, margins, etc, at that stage.

Sweetpea · 07-31-2009, 09:01 AM

Hmm, it would have been nice if you'd made a picture with your CyBook and the Opus side by side...

It really looks like a very nice device.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It seems to be extremely "readable". The screen is very crisp and sharp.

I just wanted to say that the screen is fuzzy!

(or it could be your phone camera can't handle the focus

)

zelda_pinwheel · 07-31-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Hmm, it would have been nice if you'd made a picture with your CyBook and the Opus side by side...

we've got a photo like that from the meetup, if you want to see it.

Quote:

I just wanted to say that the screen is fuzzy!

(or it could be your phone camera can't handle the focus

)

07-31-2009, 07:45 AM	#1
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	First impressions of the Opus I've got my Opus. First impressions are very favourable. The first thing that struck me was how small it is. The screen may only be 1" smaller than the Gen3, diagonally, but the who machine looks tiny, and really does fit comfortably into a trouser pocket. It's supplied with a very sturdy carrying pouch, with rigid stitched leather (or close approximation thereto) front and back, and elasticated sides. This should certainly provide perfectly adequate protection for carrying it in a pocket or handback. The machine itself is a matt "off-white", with three controls along the bottom - a smaller version of the standard 5-way nav control that the Gen3 has in the centre, a "back" button to the left of it, and a "menu" button to the right. There are long narrow page turn buttons on the right of the screen - the upper one is "page forward", the lower "page back". If you prefer to hold the machine in your left hand, you simply turn the device upside down and the accelerometer (which works very well) inverts the screen, and automatically reverses the controls, so that the "up" and "down" still work as you'd expect them to. That's it - no side controls like the Gen3 has. There's a mini USB connector (same as the Gen3) in the bottom of the machine, and the microSD slot is in the centre of the top. As far as usage goes, it boots in roughly 15 seconds, and the library screen looks exactly like that of the Gen3. I've not tried using folders yet, so I don't know how the library screen handles them. It's supplied with about 100 sample books, half French and half English - all classics (not very well formatted). The ePub files open quickly, and page turning is rapid - certainly a lot faster than the Gen3. Some people will, I'm sure, be pleased to note that the "progress bar" is gone - we now have page numbers ("15 of 205") and the book title on the progress bar (no battery indictator, I'm afraid - that's still only shown on the Library screen). Firmware version is "Version 1.9. Build 942". While reading, the menu button displays a menu with: - Back - Forward - Go To... - Font Size... - Show Status Bar - Advanced... - Back to Library That's really all I can think of for now. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask and I'll answer if I can.

07-31-2009, 08:02 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Library Enhancements... Yes, it has folders . By default, the Library screen looks identical to that of the Gen3, showing thumbnails of books covers and the book's title, author, date, and size. Clicking the "menu" button displays: - 5 items per page - 10 items per page - 20 items per page - Folder View - Sort - Filter - Show File Formats - Delete - Advanced... Selecting "Folder View" gives you a "File System" type view, showing all the folders in the file system. Opening a folder first shows you all the sub-folders, with a ".." item at the top to go up a level, and then the standard thumbnail images of all the books in that folder. Selecting the "Delete" menu item allows you to delete the currently-selected item, with a "Do you want to delete ..." confirmation. A nice enhancement.

07-31-2009, 08:38 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Some very poor pictures Some pictures taken with my phone. Apologies for the extremely poor quality. Attached Thumbnails

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07-31-2009, 08:07 AM	#3
pakiyabhai Zealot Posts: 129 Karma: 14 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: pakiyabhai	you lucky dog ! congratulations on the new opus ! I was worried about the cover but I am happy that they have actually provided one here. I have heard the screen looks much more crispier in this one ? Is that true ?

07-31-2009, 08:11 AM	#4
Groucho Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: none	How's reading compared to the 6"-Cybook? Is the screen to small or does it all work out fine?

07-31-2009, 08:43 AM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It seems to be extremely "readable". The screen is very crisp and sharp.

07-31-2009, 08:55 AM	#11
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,515 Karma: 18512745 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	Do you get the stupid page numbers at the margin with ePUB? Can you change margins, font, anything else?

07-31-2009, 08:56 AM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It's a view of the actual file system (or appears to be, at least). I don't currently have a microSD card, but I'm guessing that it will appear as a "folder" at the root level of the file system.