Pocketbook 302 first impressions - hands on video

Nate the great · 03-01-2010, 12:33 PM

I just posted part one of my review over on my blog. I even shot a short video (my first). I've covered the PB302 before (here and here). Here are the highlights:

Quote:

Reading software
It’s using Adobe Reader Mobile and FBReader. It appears to have full feature support for FBReader, and the only Adobe RM feature it lacks is annotation by drawing. I found it very usable. Screen refresh is slightly faster than the Nook. Since we know the Nook has one of the latest generation Marvell chips, I’d say that the PB302 comes out ahead in this comparison. I’m quite happy with it as a reader.

General Impressions
The touchscreen is highly reflective (I’m told they’re working on it). Even so, I’m satisfied with the PB 302 as a reader. It meets my minimum requirements: sleep mode, adequate format support, & one handed operation. I’ve gone though most of its abilities and I can’t find any shortcomings.

Extra Features
With the 302, you have the option of installing your own apps. It comes with about a dozen apps installed: games, dictionary, clock, sketchpad, web browser, RSS feed reader. It was the browser and RSS reader that originally caught my eye. Both of them work rather well.

I wish it had an email client, though.

Here is the video:

HarryT · 03-01-2010, 12:35 PM

Is it a resistive touchscreen like the PRS600 has, Nate?

Nate the great · 03-01-2010, 02:16 PM

It works with both a fingertip and a stylus, so I would say yes.

luqmaninbmore · 03-01-2010, 06:29 PM

I have a couple of questions: a.) is possible to tether with a cell phone either via wifi or bluetooth? and b.) is it possible to save a web page that you have loaded for off-line viewing (i.e. as an html file on the device itself)?
Also, are there any limits in regard to the types of files the browser will download? Will it download mp3s, PDFs, zip files, epubs, etc.?

Finally, how is the screen clarity. The touch screen layer has a lot of glare, but I can live with that; is it clearer than the sony touch screen models?

Luqman

Nate the great · 03-01-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luqmaninbmore

I have a couple of questions: a.) is possible to tether with a cell phone either via wifi or bluetooth? and b.) is it possible to save a web page that you have loaded for off-line viewing (i.e. as an html file on the device itself)?
Also, are there any limits in regard to the types of files the browser will download? Will it download mp3s, PDFs, zip files, epubs, etc.?

Finally, how is the screen clarity. The touch screen layer has a lot of glare, but I can live with that; is it clearer than the sony touch screen models?

Luqman

a) I don't know.

b) Yes you can save a page, but I haven't tried the resulting html file yet.

c) There are no limits on what you can download, but at the moment the browser tries to open all the files as txt. I've already pointed out this error to the devs.

d) The screen may be shiny, but it' definitely not clouded like the SOny touch edition.

goaspy · 03-02-2010, 03:17 AM

How do you use the dictionary? I don't remember seeing it in your review.

Hogan · 03-02-2010, 04:04 AM

It actually looks pretty good. I'm looking forward to seeing how much they can reduce the glare. Still, the fact that it isnt cloudy like the PRS 600 is a step forward. What is the cost?

frank.w · 03-02-2010, 04:47 AM

Thanks very much for the review -- good info.

Frank

Nate the great · 03-02-2010, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogan

It actually looks pretty good. I'm looking forward to seeing how much they can reduce the glare. Still, the fact that it isnt cloudy like the PRS 600 is a step forward. What is the cost?

It's on pre-order right now for $339.

Geppetto · 03-02-2010, 08:16 AM

Sold in Europe at 295 €

Yar-PocketBooker · 03-02-2010, 06:57 PM

Nate, thanks!

luqmaninbmore · 03-02-2010, 10:03 PM

Nate,

How finger friendly is the on screen keyboard? Can you turn the page with the touch screen?

Nate the great · 03-02-2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luqmaninbmore

Nate,

How finger friendly is the on screen keyboard? Can you turn the page with the touch screen?

The on screen keyboard is very finger friendly, but you can't turn the page with the touchscreen.

best-ereaders · 03-05-2010, 02:46 AM

Hi All

I've also published a hands on review of the Pocketbook 302. Would love to hear your comments.

Thanks

Ben

Nate the great · 03-05-2010, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by best-ereaders

Hi All

I've also published a hands on review of the Pocketbook 302. Would love to hear your comments.

Thanks

Ben

How did you get your hands on the retail box? I thought they weren't ready yet?

03-05-2010, 02:46 AM	#14
best-ereaders Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kindle DX	Another Pocketbook 302 hands on review Hi All I've also published a hands on review of the Pocketbook 302. Would love to hear your comments. Thanks Ben

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03-01-2010, 12:35 PM	#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	Is it a resistive touchscreen like the PRS600 has, Nate?

03-01-2010, 02:16 PM	#3
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	It works with both a fingertip and a stylus, so I would say yes.

03-01-2010, 06:29 PM	#4
luqmaninbmore Da'i Posts: 1,144 Karma: 1217499 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baltimore Device: Toshiba Thrive, Kobo Touch, Kindle 1, Aluratek Libre, T-Mobile Comet	I have a couple of questions: a.) is possible to tether with a cell phone either via wifi or bluetooth? and b.) is it possible to save a web page that you have loaded for off-line viewing (i.e. as an html file on the device itself)? Also, are there any limits in regard to the types of files the browser will download? Will it download mp3s, PDFs, zip files, epubs, etc.? Finally, how is the screen clarity. The touch screen layer has a lot of glare, but I can live with that; is it clearer than the sony touch screen models? Luqman

03-02-2010, 03:17 AM	#6
goaspy Connoisseur Posts: 77 Karma: 9324 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Sony PRS-650, Kindle 3	How do you use the dictionary? I don't remember seeing it in your review.

03-02-2010, 04:04 AM	#7
Hogan Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 5228 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ireland Device: Motorola Xoom	It actually looks pretty good. I'm looking forward to seeing how much they can reduce the glare. Still, the fact that it isnt cloudy like the PRS 600 is a step forward. What is the cost?

03-02-2010, 04:47 AM	#8
frank.w Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 12 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Device: Kindle (sans 3G)	Thanks very much for the review -- good info. Frank

03-02-2010, 08:16 AM	#10
Geppetto Addict Posts: 232 Karma: 748 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Sony PRS600, Cybook, Hanvon N520, Sony PRS300, Onyx Boox, Kindle 3	Sold in Europe at 295 €

03-02-2010, 06:57 PM	#11
Yar-PocketBooker Fanatic Posts: 589 Karma: 6976 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New York Device: PocketBooks and Onyxes and anything E-Ink...	Nate, thanks!

03-02-2010, 10:03 PM	#12
luqmaninbmore Da'i Posts: 1,144 Karma: 1217499 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baltimore Device: Toshiba Thrive, Kobo Touch, Kindle 1, Aluratek Libre, T-Mobile Comet	Nate, How finger friendly is the on screen keyboard? Can you turn the page with the touch screen?

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