07-27-2009, 01:35 PM | #1 |
Save the Stone Tablet
Posts: 31
Karma: 23
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Planet Earth (Mostly)
Device: Coleco ADAM (With high-speed digital tape drive!)
|
Clash of the 5" eBook Readers!
I currently own a Sony PRS 505. I have read extensivly on PDAs (Windows Mobile, and Palm OS).
I love the 505. It goes everwhere with me. As far as I am concerned, the 500 (also owned) CREATED the eBook market. Everything prior to that was "a promise of things to come." The only thing that would draw me away from the 505 is a smaller, more pocket-able reader. To that end, I have been closely watching the emergence of the 5" devices. I am currently tracking three: Cybook Opus Samsung SNE-50K BeBook Mini It seems that they will all support ePUB (the emerging standard for ebooks). Of the three, the BeBook will likely be cheapest (<US$200), but the others sport some nice features to off set a higher price. Currently, the Opus is at the top of my list - mostly because it is available now. I'd love to hear what anyone else has to say on the topic, and to let me know if I am missing any. Please - let's not debate the merits of a 5" screen vs a 9" screen, or wired vs wireless, etc... |
07-27-2009, 01:40 PM | #2 |
Retired & reading more!
Posts: 2,764
Karma: 1884247
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: North Alabama, USA
Device: Kindle 1, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S+, Kobo Aura One
|
I'll be getting the EZ Readxer Pocket Pro - same as Mini BeBook. It does almost all I want and is/will_be cheaper. Plus I don't care for Bookeen's lack of support.
|
07-27-2009, 01:49 PM | #3 |
reader
Posts: 6,975
Karma: 5183568
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mississippi, USA
Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD
|
The wiki: E-book Reader Matrix includes the PocketBook 360° with similar hardware to the Opus but different firmware. The 360°'s plastic screen cover is a neat idea. I don't think it will support mobile ADE (i.e. not DRMed ePub) though.
Now that folders have been added, the Opus has a better library view (including thumbnails) than the Hanlin and the device looks cleaner. We don't know about the quality of the ePub/PDF support yet, i.e. how different their mobile ADE implementations will be. I like my EZ Reader and I will probably be getting a EZ Reader Pocket Pro (Hanlin V5) as soon as they are available. Having at least a few different firmware variants to choose from has been a plus on the V3 (most are very similar, but Lbook's is distinctive). OpenInkPot is also a nice option. This could in principle be ported to the Opus, but it should be easier to port to the V5. |
07-27-2009, 02:12 PM | #4 | |
Astak Director, Bus. Devl
Posts: 2,560
Karma: 2500000
Join Date: Apr 2008
Device: Astak Pocket PRO
|
Astak EZ Reader Pocket PRO
Quote:
I am under an NDA and cannot say much until release. BUT... Astak is coming out with a 5 inch Pocket PRO soon and this thing is essentially instantaneous on page turns and has TTS and ADE. OH, it also comes in 6 colors picked out by MobileRead Forum members. It includes the leather case and earbuds for the MP3. Different from all other 5 inch, this one is faster, lighter, and simply beautiful. |
|
07-27-2009, 03:29 PM | #5 |
Guru
Posts: 820
Karma: 11012
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Device: Bookeen Cybook
|
Concerning Cybook Opus, I advise you to consider only what it is able to do now (and what has been confirmed by people who already bought it), and not rely on anything it *might* be promised to do in the future - based on my past experience with Bookeen those promises don't materialize.
|
07-27-2009, 03:38 PM | #6 | |
Wizard
Posts: 4,332
Karma: 4000000
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Paris
Device: Cybooks; Sony PRS-T1
|
Well the opus i liked it.
it have style (though it's a question of taste). I liked having two button on the right for next/previous page. Make it more ergonomic than gen 3 Accelerometter saves going into the menu. Don't play music. (if that a criteria to you, well). Reset is well hidden. (can be anoying in some situation I guess). Have a micro sd reader and mini usb (aka standard stuff). For the others, i kind of don't know them, so... Quote:
|
|
07-27-2009, 03:54 PM | #7 |
Suave Swabby, Savvy?
Posts: 1,602
Karma: 520350
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Harrison, ARrrr, USA - southern Ozark mountains
Device: Slate Blue PEZ (Astak Pocket Pro), CVSCX-9300 Quad-band watch phone
|
I will also be purchasing the Pocket Pro EZReader (which I have dubbed PEZ). I does everything that I want a reader to do, and nothing that I do not want a reader to do. Plus it'll be in my price range. I though this was impossible.
|
07-27-2009, 04:16 PM | #8 | ||
Wizard
Posts: 3,671
Karma: 12205348
Join Date: Mar 2008
Device: Galaxy S, Nook w/CM7
|
Quote:
I'd also be interested in the BeBook just because of the price point. Also one device you did not list was the Jetbook it also is priced under $200 and seems to be around 5". This device has a dictionary and they have used the 10key as a way to input data using a T9 keyboard. This device is not an eInk but that might not be a bad thing. Quote:
=X= |
||
07-27-2009, 04:27 PM | #9 |
reader
Posts: 6,975
Karma: 5183568
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mississippi, USA
Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD
|
Yes. The EZ Reader Pocket Pro is a Hanlin V5. So far as I know the only Astak specific feature is multiple colors, which may be a big selling point judging by interest in the Cool-ER. In the future, Astak devices may also include eReader (with DRM) as well as mobile ADE which will be another difference from the standard Hanlin V5. There is lots more on the Pocket Pro at Adventures In eBook Reader Land.
|
07-27-2009, 04:29 PM | #10 | |
Suave Swabby, Savvy?
Posts: 1,602
Karma: 520350
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Harrison, ARrrr, USA - southern Ozark mountains
Device: Slate Blue PEZ (Astak Pocket Pro), CVSCX-9300 Quad-band watch phone
|
Quote:
Now, please, nothing against you at all in any way, =X=. I'm simply making an observation. I'm glad more people are taking notice. Even should they pick another device, I find it better to choose NOT to purchase a device, than to not know about it before purchasing another. |
|
07-27-2009, 04:40 PM | #11 | |
Wizard
Posts: 3,671
Karma: 12205348
Join Date: Mar 2008
Device: Galaxy S, Nook w/CM7
|
Quote:
=X= |
|
07-27-2009, 04:45 PM | #12 | |
Suave Swabby, Savvy?
Posts: 1,602
Karma: 520350
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Harrison, ARrrr, USA - southern Ozark mountains
Device: Slate Blue PEZ (Astak Pocket Pro), CVSCX-9300 Quad-band watch phone
|
Quote:
Slate Blue, a deep earthy orange, maroon, purple, and very nice eggshell white, and a very nice pink that is not a bright neon. |
|
07-27-2009, 04:49 PM | #13 |
reader
Posts: 6,975
Karma: 5183568
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mississippi, USA
Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD
|
When FictionWise (B&N) adds ePub to their reader SDK, a device with FictionWise and Adobe readers will presumably use different reader software for Adobe ePub and eReader ePub. DRM-free ePubs could then be read by either Reader, and hopefully you will be able to choose which one to use for DRM-free ePubs. However, that is still far into the future.
|
07-27-2009, 04:58 PM | #14 | |
Wizard
Posts: 3,671
Karma: 12205348
Join Date: Mar 2008
Device: Galaxy S, Nook w/CM7
|
Quote:
Actually your right about the general public not knowing much of what is out there. But one point you must understand the ebook industry has grown quick and it is hars to keep up with technology. Not only are there many players in the industry but each player has several products to chose from. Personally I think it will get worse as now there is new screen technology that can accomplish what the eInk claim to fame is. When I jumped in I could count all the models with my hands. But getting back to your point I was not aware the whole industry existed until I saw the kindle advertise on there front page of Amazon. And even then I was not aware ther were other players in the market until I received the sony 505 for a gift. =X= |
|
07-27-2009, 05:09 PM | #15 | |
Suave Swabby, Savvy?
Posts: 1,602
Karma: 520350
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Harrison, ARrrr, USA - southern Ozark mountains
Device: Slate Blue PEZ (Astak Pocket Pro), CVSCX-9300 Quad-band watch phone
|
Quote:
One think that i can't fault the Kindle for, what I actually 'praise' the Kindle for, is that it put the e-ink ebook reader in the news. Granted, Sony did it's part, but they targeted book readers more specifically, whereas Kindle targeted everyone. That being said, I feel that the more ebook readers to come to market, the better you'll be able to find one that fits your niche, your style. Once they do away with all the DRM schemes and proprietary formats, where we can find the one reader that suits our needs, without worry of having to purchase from this store, or that website, the better the market will be. |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Cory Doctorow: "Hardware ebook readers are a dead end" | Alexander Turcic | News | 214 | 12-31-2022 07:35 AM |
BeBook Clash | jwsheets | Calibre | 0 | 07-30-2009 09:56 AM |
Netronix new 5", 8", 9,7", 6" touchscreen and WiFi E-Ink readers | Charbax | News | 4 | 06-08-2009 11:08 AM |
Thoroughly recommended - "Deluxe" Penguin eBook of "The Odyssey" | HarryT | Reading Recommendations | 32 | 05-29-2009 12:07 AM |
2 new ebook readers from netronix (6" & 9.7" eink) | lionfish | Which one should I buy? | 2 | 03-12-2008 11:11 PM |