EZ Reader Plus

jrw914 · 05-01-2010, 09:31 AM

Is there a US release date for the EZ Reader Plus? Previous comments said March, then April, but it doesn't seem to be out yet.

The Plus seems like it will compare favorably to the Pocketbook 360... 6" instead of 5, 16 grey levels instead of 4, a few better formats (like LIT). Should I keep waiting for the Plus, or are there arguments to be made for other models at the same price range (~$240)? Thanks.

oncdoc · 05-03-2010, 06:52 PM

yes I want to know as well. will there be a thumbwheel. I love that thing on the ppro

Robertb · 05-03-2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrw914

Is there a US release date for the EZ Reader Plus? Previous comments said March, then April, but it doesn't seem to be out yet.

The Plus seems like it will compare favorably to the Pocketbook 360... 6" instead of 5, 16 grey levels instead of 4, a few better formats (like LIT). Should I keep waiting for the Plus, or are there arguments to be made for other models at the same price range (~$240)? Thanks.

Dear jrw914:

When the plus is released it will have: 16 level gray scale, the Epson controller with 400MHz processor for far faster page turns, 16GB expandable memory, 64MB SD-RAM, USB 2.0, AND the User Replaceable Rechargeable Battery. To me that last item puts it in a far better class... and sets it far above the sealed-in battery on the Sony.

We are all waiting for the Program Manager to give the go-ahead to get these in our warehouse and start selling. There is an inventory of the EZ Reader Basic he wants to clear out or we lose money. THAT is the hold-up.

Robertb · 05-03-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oncdoc

yes I want to know as well. will there be a thumbwheel. I love that thing on the ppro

Dear Oncdoc:

You and me and everyone seems to love the Pocket PROs scroll wheel. It is a wonderful thing to have. However, to keep the cost to the exact same price as the EZ Reader Basic they elected to stay with the same housing as the Basic has. While they may make a last minute change... I do not expect the scroll wheel (sadly) on the PLUS. Costs are a funny thing, oncdoc... we all want them as low as can be... but sometimes that limits what you can add and a complete plastic redesign and PC Board redesign woulda cost quite a bit!

DaleDe · 05-03-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oncdoc

yes I want to know as well. will there be a thumbwheel. I love that thing on the ppro

No. There will not be.

Dave_S · 05-04-2010, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oncdoc

yes I want to know as well. will there be a thumbwheel. I love that thing on the ppro

The Hanlin V3+ is already being sold by several vendors, and it looks externally just like the Hanlin V3. That means no scroll wheel on the V3+.

kpetzing · 07-27-2010, 11:20 AM

Oh, not having the thumb wheel may be a deal-breaker for me. Unless in the new version the buttons don't click? That clicking from changing pages gets annoying.

RichyRich · 07-29-2010, 10:11 AM

The scroll wheel is what set the Pocket Pro above the others for me. Granted I liked all the supported formats, but I mainly seem to use Mobi and EPub, so the scroll wheel or lack thereof will definitely be a major factor in any future purchase considerations.

Xanthe · 07-29-2010, 11:34 AM

The Program Manager should probably have bit the bullet and released the Plus earlier; that $139 Kindle 3 is going to be a killer.

bzyzny · 07-29-2010, 05:38 PM

yeah, the competition is stiff now. maybe astak is trying to strike a deal with a content provider so that they can sell the new ez reader at a loss and make up the difference thru book sales. at least, i think that would be their best bet since thats what amazon and B&N are doing. only other option is to make the firmware and software features super amazing so its worth the higher price. either way i wish i new when it is coming out because im tired of waiting and might just get the new kindle or the nook. i wish you the best of luck astak, i had the pocket pro before and loved it, would hate to see you exit the ereader market.

Solicitous · 07-29-2010, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xanthe

The Program Manager should probably have bit the bullet and released the Plus earlier; that $139 Kindle 3 is going to be a killer.

Well combine the fact that the price with the new e-ink screen with higher contrast ratio and you are spot on.

Having the EZ Reader Plus at $199 would be viable had the new Kindle not been released with wifi and the new screen. Had it just been a slightly smaller K2 then things would be different. I'm looking for a second reader right now (tax man owes me money) and the 6" will come in close to $300AUS, I looked at the Kobo ($199AUS) but the new Kindle is coming at delivered with power adapter at $190AUS. As much as I like the Hanlin built readers I'm finding I can pay 1/3 less and get far more (the screen is a big plus on the Kindle IMHO, don't care too much about file formats, I tend to buy most of my stuff from Baen anyway).

Sylver · 07-30-2010, 05:46 AM

Honestly, I don't understand the mindset of the Astak management. For about 3 months, we ve been hearing the Plus is coming - every time Robert said it would take just a couple of weeks. They waited, and waited, saw the Nook dropped to $149, and saw K3 wich Pearl came out at $139, and still are seriously hoping to dump the old EZ Reader modle out first and then sell the plus at one third more expensive than the K3 and the nook? By the end of the year, there is likely a sub $100 six inch ereader on the market, the Plus will lose more ground. The hold off of the Plus is really becoming insane and suicidal.

Xanthe · 07-30-2010, 09:38 AM

True. The Kobo is going to have to drop in price soon, because there's no way that is worth $149 compared to the $139 Kindle, even with Amazon's proprietary format.

I understand the problems Astak has with at least trying to make some profit on their products, but I think the focus should have been more on gaining greater name recognition first for a product that seems to give more value for the money (I don't have an Astak reader, but I'm just comparing its features to that of my own reader, and I had planned on buying the Plus) rather than letting it remain a niche product known only to people who frequent ebook forums and websites.

theducks · 07-30-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylver

Honestly, I don't understand the mindset of the Astak management. For about 3 months, we ve been hearing the Plus is coming - every time Robert said it would take just a couple of weeks. They waited, and waited, saw the Nook dropped to $149, and saw K3 wich Pearl came out at $139, and still are seriously hoping to dump the old EZ Reader modle out first and then sell the plus at one third more expensive than the K3 and the nook? By the end of the year, there is likely a sub $100 six inch ereader on the market, the Plus will lose more ground. The hold off of the Plus is really becoming insane and suicidal.

They probably are stuck with a warehouse full of the older 6" readers, whose sales dropped out when they brought out the Pocket Pro(and their costs were higher than those Retail prices you quote)?

Then they lost a wad of money taking care of the "paint" problem

"Loss Leaders" only work if you have something else to sell after they buy the "loss leader". They already have the loss

What I don't understand, is lack of getting their bookstore issues fixed so people want to shop there. I have been back, a few times. I am mainly a "bookstore browser" type buyer. I head for a section. Then you need to catch my eye. Other times, I am after a Sequel and just want to "Grab and Go" Too me, Just plain bad "schwartz"

DoctorX · 07-30-2010, 12:09 PM

Have to say I had decided on getting the EZReader Plus, but then it's just waiting, waiting, waiting and waiting.

Back then I would have paid even a bit extra to get the plus, but now plus is looking less and less appealing at the proposed price point as time goes on and technology improves.

I understand the need to save the bottom line, but if you guys keep delaying the launch of the Plus you're going to end up with two undesirable/out-dated models, and you'll be worse off than where you started.

05-01-2010, 09:31 AM	#1
jrw914 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Astak EZ Reader	EZ Reader Plus Is there a US release date for the EZ Reader Plus? Previous comments said March, then April, but it doesn't seem to be out yet. The Plus seems like it will compare favorably to the Pocketbook 360... 6" instead of 5, 16 grey levels instead of 4, a few better formats (like LIT). Should I keep waiting for the Plus, or are there arguments to be made for other models at the same price range (~$240)? Thanks.

07-30-2010, 05:46 AM	#12
Sylver Addict Posts: 234 Karma: 40 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: The Nook, iPad	Honestly, I don't understand the mindset of the Astak management. For about 3 months, we ve been hearing the Plus is coming - every time Robert said it would take just a couple of weeks. They waited, and waited, saw the Nook dropped to $149, and saw K3 wich Pearl came out at $139, and still are seriously hoping to dump the old EZ Reader modle out first and then sell the plus at one third more expensive than the K3 and the nook? By the end of the year, there is likely a sub $100 six inch ereader on the market, the Plus will lose more ground. The hold off of the Plus is really becoming insane and suicidal. Last edited by Sylver; 07-30-2010 at 05:51 AM.

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05-03-2010, 06:52 PM	#2
oncdoc Addict Posts: 299 Karma: 300 Join Date: May 2009 Device: kindle, pocket pro	yes I want to know as well. will there be a thumbwheel. I love that thing on the ppro

07-27-2010, 11:20 AM	#7
kpetzing Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: none	Oh, not having the thumb wheel may be a deal-breaker for me. Unless in the new version the buttons don't click? That clicking from changing pages gets annoying.

07-29-2010, 10:11 AM	#8
RichyRich Connoisseur Posts: 72 Karma: 511678 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: EZ Reader Pocket Pro	The scroll wheel is what set the Pocket Pro above the others for me. Granted I liked all the supported formats, but I mainly seem to use Mobi and EPub, so the scroll wheel or lack thereof will definitely be a major factor in any future purchase considerations.

07-29-2010, 11:34 AM	#9
Xanthe Plan B Is Now In Force Posts: 1,894 Karma: 8086979 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Surebleak Device: Aluratek,Sony 350/T1,Pandigital,eBM 911,Nook HD/HD+,Fire HDX 7/8.9,PW2	The Program Manager should probably have bit the bullet and released the Plus earlier; that $139 Kindle 3 is going to be a killer.

07-29-2010, 05:38 PM	#10
bzyzny Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: astak pocket pro	yeah, the competition is stiff now. maybe astak is trying to strike a deal with a content provider so that they can sell the new ez reader at a loss and make up the difference thru book sales. at least, i think that would be their best bet since thats what amazon and B&N are doing. only other option is to make the firmware and software features super amazing so its worth the higher price. either way i wish i new when it is coming out because im tired of waiting and might just get the new kindle or the nook. i wish you the best of luck astak, i had the pocket pro before and loved it, would hate to see you exit the ereader market.

07-30-2010, 09:38 AM	#13
Xanthe Plan B Is Now In Force Posts: 1,894 Karma: 8086979 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Surebleak Device: Aluratek,Sony 350/T1,Pandigital,eBM 911,Nook HD/HD+,Fire HDX 7/8.9,PW2	True. The Kobo is going to have to drop in price soon, because there's no way that is worth $149 compared to the $139 Kindle, even with Amazon's proprietary format. I understand the problems Astak has with at least trying to make some profit on their products, but I think the focus should have been more on gaining greater name recognition first for a product that seems to give more value for the money (I don't have an Astak reader, but I'm just comparing its features to that of my own reader, and I had planned on buying the Plus) rather than letting it remain a niche product known only to people who frequent ebook forums and websites.

07-30-2010, 12:09 PM	#15
DoctorX Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: MacBook Pro	Have to say I had decided on getting the EZReader Plus, but then it's just waiting, waiting, waiting and waiting. Back then I would have paid even a bit extra to get the plus, but now plus is looking less and less appealing at the proposed price point as time goes on and technology improves. I understand the need to save the bottom line, but if you guys keep delaying the launch of the Plus you're going to end up with two undesirable/out-dated models, and you'll be worse off than where you started.

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