Mainstream iRex 8.1-inch reader for 400$ (rumor) - Page 2

olis · 08-06-2009, 04:25 PM

The iLiad 2nd Edition currently sells for $699, I really doubt that this new device will cost $400 only. (BTW, the iLiad 2nd Edition is out of stock on the official Irex shop website).

wallcraft · 08-06-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olis

The iLiad 2nd Edition currently sells for $699, I really doubt that this new device will cost $400 only.

The Kindle DX ($489) has set the bar for what large screen "consumer" ebook readers can cost. In the past iRex has been able to charge a premium because they were after a slightly different market, and they were not producing in the volumes required to get good prices for components. I don't see how they could introduce a new 8.1" device that was more expensive than the 9.7" Kindle DX. However, a $400 8.1" from iRex would seem to require a price cut on the DR1000S as well.

junkyardwillie · 08-06-2009, 05:25 PM

I thought the reason the Irex devices were so expensive was because of the WACOM technology in it. There may be a chance that they are finally swapping WACOM for something else, either some new stylus tech or going with a finger touch screen which would allow them to drop the price.

One issue is that Plastic Logic is slated for Q1'2010 if I'm not mistaken. They should hold off until then and see what Plastic Logic's pricing is like as even $400 for a 8.1 inch device may be too much if Plastic Logic is priced in the same area. I'd personally like a Plastic Logic finger friendly device over the stylus. Sure you can write more clearly with a stylus but I think being able to just touch the screen has more appeal to me since I don't do much extended note taking on electronic devices

olis · 08-06-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

The Kindle DX ($489) has set the bar for what large screen "consumer" ebook readers can cost. In the past iRex has been able to charge a premium because they were after a slightly different market, and they were not producing in the volumes required to get good prices for components. I don't see how they could introduce a new 8.1" device that was more expensive than the 9.7" Kindle DX. However, a $400 8.1" from iRex would seem to require a price cut on the DR1000S as well.

I think that iRex will have to re-position its products on the market if it wants to survive, nonetheless it seems to me non realistic to expect a $300 price cut (about 43%) on the iLiad.

DG25 · 08-06-2009, 06:55 PM

Do other irex devices have dictionary lookup support?

davidspitzer · 08-06-2009, 07:53 PM

I like the IREX products but they are priced to make a profit on the hardware alone and I believe without a strong content partner to subsidize the hardware price they are doomed. There are too many other choices, with better content options price significantly lower. I keep wishing them the best but take the DR1000 for example ($859) - I can buy a Kindle DX for large content and a Kindle 2 for casual reading combined for $788!

I have said it before, so I apologize for repeating but I believe that IREX has priced themselves out of the mainstream market. I have doubts if they can survive on specialty revenue alone.

If the new reader is real though I Wish them luck with it.

ProDigit · 08-06-2009, 08:07 PM

What will the resolution be?

Because with an 8" screen and 800x600 resolution, you're still no step ahead!

If there's an increase in resolution it might be a very interesting reader!

brecklundin · 08-06-2009, 08:31 PM

on a positive note, that design does appear to be hand agnostic. Something Amazon fails to provide, in three tries no less. People reading for longer periods need and want to change hands and many like myself cannot hold devices in one hand for extended periods.

It will be interesting, and I have little doubt iRex could deliver a working model in very short order. I suspect the case is the only complicated issue, then refining the internal components to fit the final form factor while avoiding overheating and working as intended.

Given the mock-up, this would have to have an accelerometer to allow auto rotation. Auto-rotation is going to have to become pretty much ubiquitous for successful devices, especially large format. A button rotation would also be fine with me...but eventually auto-sensing orientation needs to be part of the deal. Then again a button reduced the power needs to constantly monitor a sensor for changes. As someone mentioned this is starting to get interesting, just as many of us here have been saying would come in this fall and winter...or Q3 & Q4 for our buds south of the equator.

I hope iRex makes it...they have been there from early one trying to make a good device. While it was always too expensive for my tastes, the Wacom was pure genius and the right decision but perhaps at the wrong time. Market a Wacom device at mass produced prices to big companies and I think this is a seriously solid device.

I see another potential competitor to all the large format builders and promoters in TabletKiosk but that is another thread yet they are a company who could catch the industry with their collective pants down if they could get smart...

I know I would be interested in an iRex reading only device. Isn't 8.1" sort of the TPB size pages? Or is 9.7" closer? I do not have a TPB handy to measure. I really enjoy a TPB book and honestly only discovered them a few years ago as I always just bought MMPB's for recreational reading.

daffy4u · 08-06-2009, 08:45 PM

Plastic Logic - Something PixelQi - iRex. Choices, choices, choices. It's all good!

brecklundin · 08-06-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Plastic Logic - Something PixelQi - iRex. Choices, choices, choices. It's all good!

ya sure youbettcha!!

JSWolf · 08-06-2009, 09:03 PM

Is this rumored iRex going to support ePub (I hope so) or will it support Mobipocket (I hope not).

ahi · 08-06-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Is this rumored iRex going to support ePub (I hope so) or will it support Mobipocket (I hope not).

Is there a way to turn off the auto-rewind?

wallcraft · 08-06-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DG25

Do other irex devices have dictionary lookup support?

Yes, but this is because they have the Java MobiPocket Reader. If iRex switches to mobile ADE then they loose the dictionary support along with the MOBI support.

wallcraft · 08-06-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProDigit

What will the resolution be?

It will presumably be 768x1024, like the iLiad. This is the also resolution that EInk quotes for its 8.1" screens.

ericshliao · 08-07-2009, 01:17 AM

It's reasonable to be priced at 400 USD or lower if tied with certain book seller. If being sold alone, the price will not be so low. I am most curious about its OS kernel: whether compatible (or same) with iLiad or DR1000S, or another kernel build.

08-06-2009, 04:25 PM	#16
olis Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 369 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Italy Device: prs-500, Nokia N810, Irex dr1000s, Kindle3	The iLiad 2nd Edition currently sells for $699, I really doubt that this new device will cost $400 only. (BTW, the iLiad 2nd Edition is out of stock on the official Irex shop website). Last edited by olis; 08-06-2009 at 04:30 PM.

08-06-2009, 07:53 PM	#21
davidspitzer So Many Words to Read! Posts: 411 Karma: 125665 Join Date: Aug 2006 Device: Kindle	Content Partner I like the IREX products but they are priced to make a profit on the hardware alone and I believe without a strong content partner to subsidize the hardware price they are doomed. There are too many other choices, with better content options price significantly lower. I keep wishing them the best but take the DR1000 for example ($859) - I can buy a Kindle DX for large content and a Kindle 2 for casual reading combined for $788! I have said it before, so I apologize for repeating but I believe that IREX has priced themselves out of the mainstream market. I have doubts if they can survive on specialty revenue alone. If the new reader is real though I Wish them luck with it.

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08-06-2009, 05:25 PM	#18
junkyardwillie Addict Posts: 316 Karma: 570 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Onyx Note Pro, Kobo H20 and iPad	I thought the reason the Irex devices were so expensive was because of the WACOM technology in it. There may be a chance that they are finally swapping WACOM for something else, either some new stylus tech or going with a finger touch screen which would allow them to drop the price. One issue is that Plastic Logic is slated for Q1'2010 if I'm not mistaken. They should hold off until then and see what Plastic Logic's pricing is like as even $400 for a 8.1 inch device may be too much if Plastic Logic is priced in the same area. I'd personally like a Plastic Logic finger friendly device over the stylus. Sure you can write more clearly with a stylus but I think being able to just touch the screen has more appeal to me since I don't do much extended note taking on electronic devices

08-06-2009, 06:55 PM	#20
DG25 Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: EU Device: none	Do other irex devices have dictionary lookup support?

08-06-2009, 08:07 PM	#22
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	What will the resolution be? Because with an 8" screen and 800x600 resolution, you're still no step ahead! If there's an increase in resolution it might be a very interesting reader!

08-06-2009, 08:31 PM	#23
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	on a positive note, that design does appear to be hand agnostic. Something Amazon fails to provide, in three tries no less. People reading for longer periods need and want to change hands and many like myself cannot hold devices in one hand for extended periods. It will be interesting, and I have little doubt iRex could deliver a working model in very short order. I suspect the case is the only complicated issue, then refining the internal components to fit the final form factor while avoiding overheating and working as intended. Given the mock-up, this would have to have an accelerometer to allow auto rotation. Auto-rotation is going to have to become pretty much ubiquitous for successful devices, especially large format. A button rotation would also be fine with me...but eventually auto-sensing orientation needs to be part of the deal. Then again a button reduced the power needs to constantly monitor a sensor for changes. As someone mentioned this is starting to get interesting, just as many of us here have been saying would come in this fall and winter...or Q3 & Q4 for our buds south of the equator. I hope iRex makes it...they have been there from early one trying to make a good device. While it was always too expensive for my tastes, the Wacom was pure genius and the right decision but perhaps at the wrong time. Market a Wacom device at mass produced prices to big companies and I think this is a seriously solid device. I see another potential competitor to all the large format builders and promoters in TabletKiosk but that is another thread yet they are a company who could catch the industry with their collective pants down if they could get smart... I know I would be interested in an iRex reading only device. Isn't 8.1" sort of the TPB size pages? Or is 9.7" closer? I do not have a TPB handy to measure. I really enjoy a TPB book and honestly only discovered them a few years ago as I always just bought MMPB's for recreational reading.

08-06-2009, 08:45 PM	#24
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Plastic Logic - Something PixelQi - iRex. Choices, choices, choices. It's all good!

08-06-2009, 09:03 PM	#26
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,938 Karma: 128903250 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Is this rumored iRex going to support ePub (I hope so) or will it support Mobipocket (I hope not).

08-07-2009, 01:17 AM	#30
ericshliao Guru Posts: 976 Karma: 687 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Dell X51v; iLiad v2	It's reasonable to be priced at 400 USD or lower if tied with certain book seller. If being sold alone, the price will not be so low. I am most curious about its OS kernel: whether compatible (or same) with iLiad or DR1000S, or another kernel build.