Exclusive: BeBook 2 unveiled

Alexander Turcic · 03-06-2009, 04:01 AM

We've just gotten our hands on a picture showing off the upcoming BeBook 2 e-reader. The reader - which features WiFi and/or 3G connectivity, touchscreen navigation, and ePub support - will be showcased to the world at the CeBIT fair today. If you happen to be there, make sure to snap some juicy photos for us (Berlin room, ground floor of the exhibition center, opposite of hall 6). We'll much appreciated it.

David Munch · 03-06-2009, 07:04 AM

Looks nice.

zelda_pinwheel · 03-06-2009, 07:11 AM

wow, they completely redid the hardware ! looks much cleaner than the last version. it will be really interesting to see the software and the screen quality, and hear the price. looks like a really nice new model !

GeoffC · 03-06-2009, 07:49 AM

Looks promising. I like the layout of the buttons ... though I keep wondering if the bottom is actually the best place for a page turner - the way I hold my ebook I often feel it would be better at the top ....

Greg Anos · 03-06-2009, 09:28 AM

I hope this doesn't dead-end OpenInkpot.....

TadW · 03-06-2009, 09:48 AM

I tried to decipher what is written on the sample screen. Some interesting bits:

- "BeBook supports the most ebook formats from pdf, mobi, lit, epub, doc, html, txt, prc, fb2, jpg files to over 300,000 of *free* rss newsfeeds."

- "No shopping limitations: buy or download books, news or magazines anywhere (anywhere!) and read them on your Bebook!"

- "512MB internal memory and SD card slot"

- "open software standard (lifetime firmware updates are free!)"

JSWolf · 03-06-2009, 09:52 AM

Still a 6" screen?

Ea · 03-06-2009, 10:21 AM

I can't wait to find out more. I'm on the verge of buying the current 'old' model - do I really need the extra features? 3G might be nice, but can I actually use it for something in Denmark? What if the price drops on the old model? When will it be out and what will the price be? So many questions...

Ah, well, I must hold out a little longer.

Over · 03-06-2009, 10:25 AM

I was hoping for a bigger screen...

But I like the design.

-Thomas- · 03-06-2009, 10:29 AM

I've given them a short visit and talked a little with their CEO. Unfortunately he didn't allow me to take pictures...

He basically confirmed things already leaking out:

6 inch screen, e-Ink (of course)
ePub and PDF (both with and without DRM). I didn't ask for other formats, but IIRC the home screen also listed files in other formats
Touchscreen (one you can use with your fingers. Looks like the same one from the PRS-700. Screen contrast is suffering a little...)
Built-in 3G connection. WiFi is only available over an addon SD card (which will also be supported by the BeBook 1 anytime soon)
They're currently developing an OTA bookstore for the device. You will be able to shop for DRMed ePub books over 3G connection. (They won't integrate with other bookstores like Lexcycle does but are negotiating with publishers directly)
Built-in web browser
RSS support

I've also asked them about some possible integration with Feedbooks ("the French guys" as he called them

), but it looks like they're not planning anything on that. You could of course use the browser and download Feedbooks.com content from there.

Wetdogeared · 03-06-2009, 11:08 AM

That touch screen looks a lot whiter and crisper than my PRS700, are you sure the contrast isn't so good? Maybe it's the side-lighting on the 700 that causes the degradation.

WDE.

TadW · 03-06-2009, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the heads-up, Thomas. Why would they not want to have pictures taken if it's on display anyhow? Doesn't make sense.

DaleDe · 03-06-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wetdogeared

That touch screen looks a lot whiter and crisper than my PRS700, are you sure the contrast isn't so good? Maybe it's the side-lighting on the 700 that causes the degradation.

WDE.

It is definitely better than the 700. The contrast is slightly less that a unit without touch screen but the sharpness is the same and unless you set two devices side by side you would never notice. The screen surface is the same, non-reflective as before. The surface allows full writing on it, scribbles and responsiveness is reasonable. It is a resistive touch screen. I have seen it, by the way.

Dale

Wetdogeared · 03-06-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleDe

It is definitely better than the 700. The contrast is slightly less that a unit without touch screen but the sharpness is the same and unless you set two devices side by side you would never notice. The screen surface is the same, non-reflective as before. The surface allows full writing on it, scribbles and responsiveness is reasonable. It is a resistive touch screen. I have seen it, by the way.

Dale

Thanks Dale.
Plus note taking with a stylus. Sounds promising, and sounds like they've been listening to consumers.

carandol · 03-06-2009, 11:56 AM

Do I take it this is a completely new product built by Bebook, rather than a re-badging of someone else's design?

03-06-2009, 04:01 AM	#1
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,163 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Exclusive: BeBook 2 unveiled We've just gotten our hands on a picture showing off the upcoming BeBook 2 e-reader. The reader - which features WiFi and/or 3G connectivity, touchscreen navigation, and ePub support - will be showcased to the world at the CeBIT fair today. If you happen to be there, make sure to snap some juicy photos for us (Berlin room, ground floor of the exhibition center, opposite of hall 6). We'll much appreciated it. Attached Thumbnails

03-06-2009, 10:29 AM	#10
-Thomas- Addict Posts: 325 Karma: 1725 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Münster, Germany Device: iRex iLiad v2	I've given them a short visit and talked a little with their CEO. Unfortunately he didn't allow me to take pictures... He basically confirmed things already leaking out: 6 inch screen, e-Ink (of course) ePub and PDF (both with and without DRM). I didn't ask for other formats, but IIRC the home screen also listed files in other formats Touchscreen (one you can use with your fingers. Looks like the same one from the PRS-700. Screen contrast is suffering a little...) Built-in 3G connection. WiFi is only available over an addon SD card (which will also be supported by the BeBook 1 anytime soon) They're currently developing an OTA bookstore for the device. You will be able to shop for DRMed ePub books over 3G connection. (They won't integrate with other bookstores like Lexcycle does but are negotiating with publishers directly) Built-in web browser RSS support I've also asked them about some possible integration with Feedbooks ("the French guys" as he called them ), but it looks like they're not planning anything on that. You could of course use the browser and download Feedbooks.com content from there.

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03-06-2009, 07:04 AM	#2
David Munch Scholar Posts: 1,008 Karma: 3999312 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kobo Libra H2O + iPad Air 4	Looks nice.

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zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	wow, they completely redid the hardware ! looks much cleaner than the last version. it will be really interesting to see the software and the screen quality, and hear the price. looks like a really nice new model !

03-06-2009, 07:49 AM	#4
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Looks promising. I like the layout of the buttons ... though I keep wondering if the bottom is actually the best place for a page turner - the way I hold my ebook I often feel it would be better at the top ....

03-06-2009, 09:28 AM	#5
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,247 Karma: 35000000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	I hope this doesn't dead-end OpenInkpot.....

03-06-2009, 09:48 AM	#6
TadW Uebermensch Posts: 2,583 Karma: 1094606 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Italy Device: Kindle	I tried to decipher what is written on the sample screen. Some interesting bits: - "BeBook supports the most ebook formats from pdf, mobi, lit, epub, doc, html, txt, prc, fb2, jpg files to over 300,000 of free rss newsfeeds." - "No shopping limitations: buy or download books, news or magazines anywhere (anywhere!) and read them on your Bebook!" - "512MB internal memory and SD card slot" - "open software standard (lifetime firmware updates are free!)"

03-06-2009, 09:52 AM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,845 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Still a 6" screen?

03-06-2009, 10:21 AM	#8
Ea Wizard Posts: 3,490 Karma: 5239563 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kindle 3\|iPad air\|iPhone 4S	I can't wait to find out more. I'm on the verge of buying the current 'old' model - do I really need the extra features? 3G might be nice, but can I actually use it for something in Denmark? What if the price drops on the old model? When will it be out and what will the price be? So many questions... Ah, well, I must hold out a little longer.

03-06-2009, 10:25 AM	#9
Over Wizard Posts: 1,462 Karma: 6061516 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cascais, Portugal Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2", OnePlus 6	I was hoping for a bigger screen... But I like the design.

03-06-2009, 11:08 AM	#11
Wetdogeared Storm Surge'n Posts: 5,776 Karma: 8213195 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lobster Capital Device: S0ny PRS-300/350/505/700/T1	That touch screen looks a lot whiter and crisper than my PRS700, are you sure the contrast isn't so good? Maybe it's the side-lighting on the 700 that causes the degradation. WDE.

03-06-2009, 11:56 AM	#15
carandol Evangelist Posts: 423 Karma: 2153430 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: BeBook	Do I take it this is a completely new product built by Bebook, rather than a re-badging of someone else's design?