New Bebook Firmware - bb1-20090910

[orwell2k]

Just noticed this firmware update on the BeBook site - dated 20090910 but released only on 21 Sept 2009 (the "21th" as they so qauintly put it), so I guess they either did some decent testing or else someone left it in their drawer when they went on holiday for a week or so...

Jokes aside, I have loaded and tried the firmware and it seems OK, although as I am not an ePub user (in fact, you could call me an anti-ePub activist of sorts) I have no idea if the imnprovements are good or not. This is what their download page says:

http://mybebook.com/a11/downloads/article_info.html

This update was released September 21th 2009.

Here is the September 2009 firmware update for your BeBook eReader.

WARNING: Read the full text and instructions before upgrading.

This release note is for the September 2009 update. Firmware version NL-2.10-20090910

Changes compared to the update from September the 2nd 2009

Change: ePub has 5 zoomlevels now
Known issue: Bookmarks do not work with ePub and PDF files.

Changes compared to the update from August 2009
CHANGE: search with SMS-like keyboard for ePub and PDF files.
FIX: zoomlevels for ePub and PDF files are optimized.
FIX: locking and unlocking the keyboard while reading ePub and PDF files.

Changes compared to the update from February 2009:

WARNING: Removes the ability to read Mobipocket DRM protected files. (non DRM Mobipocket files can still be read)
CHANGE: This updates your BeBook adding support for DRM protected PDF and EPUB files using Adobe (r) DRM.
CHANGE: adds compatibility with Adobe Digital Editions book management software.
CHANGE: auto recognition in Adobe Digital Editions identifying the device as 'BeBook'
CHANGE: adds reflowable PDF and Epub file support.

NOTE: If you got a library of mobipocket protected files, you can always revert to the latest mobipocket version of the software. This can be downloaded HERE. It is possible to switch back and forth between firmware version containing different DRM protection systems.

Anyway, give it a try and post any good/bad feedback here and on the BeBook forums. And I guess since the Astak users have some kind of elitist status (since they have their very own forum for their Hanlin clones) they may or may not browse in here, but I'd be interested to know if their firmware is any better (I doubt the BeBook one will be anything superior the Astak firmware but you never know).

Cheers!

[NASCARaddicted]

I gotta say I am surprised.

I mean, at first we waited for half a year since the February update and now they give us 3 within 2 months. The last 2 even came within 3 weeks.

I will update right now

[timt1961]

Quoting the release notes:

Change: ePub has 5 zoomlevels now
Known issue: Bookmarks do not work with ePub and PDF files.

Would those be the same 5 levels as on the Jinke upgrade (or do we get a 150% zoom ?)
Has any body tried the smallest epub font yet .. is it legible ?

TimT.

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by orwell2k

Just noticed this firmware update on the BeBook site - dated 20090910 but released only on 21 Sept 2009 (the "21th" as they so qauintly put it), so I guess they either did some decent testing or else someone left it in their drawer when they went on holiday for a week or so...

Anyway, give it a try and post any good/bad feedback here and on the BeBook forums. And I guess since the Astak users have some kind of elitist status (since they have their very own forum for their Hanlin clones) they may or may not browse in here, but I'd be interested to know if their firmware is any better (I doubt the BeBook one will be anything superior the Astak firmware but you never know).

Cheers!

Sounds like the same firmware upgrade as Astaks, but we have had it since 9/10/2009 - the bin file is date 9/8.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by timt1961

Quoting the release notes:

Change: ePub has 5 zoomlevels now
Known issue: Bookmarks do not work with ePub and PDF files.

Would those be the same 5 levels as on the Jinke upgrade (or do we get a 150% zoom ?)
Has any body tried the smallest epub font yet .. is it legible ?

TimT.

The smallest font is typically to display what they think is one page.

I suspect bookmarks also work but they haven't figured it out yet. On ePUB and PDF use the 6 key to set bookmarks and press and hold the 6 key to display the list of bookmarks. Then use 1 to 5 to select the one your want or 9/0 to go to additional pages. This means you can have more than 5 bookmarks although performance of the bookmark display is really slow if you have too many. Also you can press and hold the number 1 to 5 while you are viewing the bookmark list to erase a bookmark.

Dale

[NASCARaddicted]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

The smallest font is typically to display what they think is one page.

I suspect bookmarks also work but they haven't figured it out yet. On ePUB and PDF use the 6 key to set bookmarks and press and hold the 6 key to display the list of bookmarks. Then use 1 to 5 to select the one your want or 9/0 to go to additional pages. This means you can have more than 5 bookmarks although performance of the bookmark display is really slow if you have too many. Also you can press and hold the number 1 to 5 while you are viewing the bookmark list to erase a bookmark.

Dale

Sounds similar to the bookmarking on Mobi Files on the Bebook.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by NASCARaddicted

Sounds similar to the bookmarking on Mobi Files on the Bebook.

Yes, it is similar but a bit easier to set and unset bookmarks. In mobi you have to bring up a menu.

Dale

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

The smallest font is typically to display what they think is one page.

I suspect bookmarks also work but they haven't figured it out yet. On ePUB and PDF use the 6 key to set bookmarks and press and hold the 6 key to display the list of bookmarks. Then use 1 to 5 to select the one your want or 9/0 to go to additional pages. This means you can have more than 5 bookmarks although performance of the bookmark display is really slow if you have too many. Also you can press and hold the number 1 to 5 while you are viewing the bookmark list to erase a bookmark.

Dale

Ahhhhhhh.... So that's how it works! I've set plenty of bookmarks (apparently ) but never knew how to find them. Couldn't find it in the manual either...

[fzelders]

@DaleDe This is a great TIP.
This is not in the BeBook manual :-(

THANKS!