Astak Mentor at IDPF conference

Nate the great · 05-15-2008, 11:31 AM

Where to begin?

Fictionwise wasn't at the conference. At least, I didn't see them and the Astak rep didn't think they were there. So I couldn't get solid info about Ereader support, but I was told that Fictionwise should be ready to announce Ereader support in June. The Astak rep didn't know whether Fictionwise's device would be locked down or what other features it would support.

The 5" model came in several different colors. Not all worked because they hadn't been flashed yet. One did, so this is fine. It only read the PVI/Netronix STK format. I did get a picture of the menu. As you can see, it's different from the 6". Also, look at the position of the buttons. They bear a striking resemblance to the position of the buttons on the Jetbook.

The functional 6" models were obviously the OEM from Netronix. The other is their design, and doesn't work yet. It's an engineering mockup they just receive a few days before. I wonder if the menu on the 6" Mentor is the same as on the EB-100? Actually, I think the 6" readers were EB-100. I was told they would only have the 5" Mentor because the others weren't ready yet.

The 9.7" was a preproduction model. If I hadn't told them I was coming, I doubt they would have brought it. It did have touchscreen, but the software was refusing to work that day. I know many here are disappointed by the lack of a hands on review, but I didn't expect to see it at all. Don't complain too loudly.

There were a number of other questions that people wanted me to ask, and most of the answers are on Astak's website. One thing I forgot to check is the format of the ebooks I was reading.

Nate the great · 05-15-2008, 11:40 AM

The original pictures can be found in a couple zip files over here. If anyone has a question, please ask.

pilotbob · 05-15-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

The original pictures can be found in a couple zip files over here. If anyone has a question, please ask.

I thought the Astak guy in the other thread said they were going to be Orange?

BOb

DixieGal · 05-15-2008, 11:41 AM

Thanks!

Gester · 05-15-2008, 11:48 AM

Someone in the other thread mentioned that the design of the 5" model in particular leaves something to be desired.

I'm not sure about that. It looks relatively uncluttered and, unlike the Kindle, the buttons seem to be in a reasonable place.

I bet we'll hear complaints about one-handed reading...turning pages and all. You know, for all those that seem to require a device that will allow you to read easily while you're driving or juggling chainsaws.

Donnageddon · 05-15-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gester

Someone in the other thread mentioned that the design of the 5" model in particular leaves something to be desired.

I'm not sure about that. It looks relatively uncluttered and, unlike the Kindle, the buttons seem to be in a reasonable place.

I bet we'll hear complaints about one-handed reading...turning pages and all. You know, for all those that seem to require a device that will allow you to read easily while you're driving or juggling chainsaws.

Perhaps I am not seeing something that is there, but I do have a complaint about the button placement for page turning. I am simply unable to use my left thumb for page turning, and the 5 inch model does seem biased for left hand page turning.

All the other eReading hardware I have used has been configurable to right handed page turning. Actually, the eBookwise 1150 has the best design, in that the screen and button configuration is able to be completely reversed 180 degrees. But the Sony Readers do have easily used right and left page turning ability.

Thanks for the Astak update Nate!

pilotbob · 05-15-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

Perhaps I am not seeing something that is there, but I do have a complaint about the button placement for page turning. I am simply unable to use my left thumb for page turning, and the 5 inch model does seem biased for left hand page turning.

This is an assumption, but I expect that you can use the Left/Right arrow buttons on the 4 way button to turn pages also, just as you can on the Jetbook which has a very similar button layout.

BOb

Donnageddon · 05-15-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

This is an assumption, but I expect that you can use the Left/Right arrow buttons on the 4 way button to turn pages also, just as you can on the Jetbook which has a very similar button layout.

BOb

That would certainly fit my needs.

sherryk_us · 08-01-2008, 08:46 PM

No need to be witty at the expense of the one-handed! Some of us are handicapped and really appreciate the one-handed feature. For me, it's the main reason I use my ebookwise. Ever try holding a paper book AND turning pages one-handed? It can be done, but it's tricky.

Just saying.

Sherry

Sherry

zelda_pinwheel · 05-15-2008, 11:48 AM

i have a question, and i realize this has nothing to do with astak, but you mentioned in that other thread that (my good friend) Garth Conboy was there with the new ETI model, do you have any photos of that ?? or news of any kind ???

Nate the great · 05-15-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

i have a question, and i realize this has nothing to do with astak, but you mentioned in that other thread that (my good friend) Garth Conboy was there with the new ERI model, do you have any photos of that ?? or news of any kind ???

A couple of pictures in the zip file in that thread are of the ETI model. And yes, he did say a few things, but I thought it would be best to start a new thread. I haven't written it yet.

Gester · 05-15-2008, 11:57 AM

The 9.7" model does look rather sharp and well designed...more so than the other two.

I only hope it works.

weatherman · 05-15-2008, 12:08 PM

Clearly the dimensions are wrong on the website - I should have realized that myself before seeing these pics. Any sense of what the actual dimensions of the 9.7" model are? That's the one I'm most interested in, though if it's as big as it looks I might change my mind.

M.H. · 05-15-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weatherman

Clearly the dimensions are wrong on the website - I should have realized that myself before seeing these pics. Any sense of what the actual dimensions of the 9.7" model are? That's the one I'm most interested in, though if it's as big as it looks I might change my mind.

I think the metric measurements are correct. The imperial measurements were the same for all three units last time I looked.

weatherman · 05-15-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.H.

I think the metric measurements are correct. The imperial measurements were the same for all three units last time I looked.

Metric? Who reads metric!?

05-15-2008, 11:31 AM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 7,287 Karma: 48386 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Device: Airpanel 100, Jornada 720, Kindle, Smart Q7, Zelda has Sony 600 & 700	Astak Mentor at IDPF conference Where to begin? Fictionwise wasn't at the conference. At least, I didn't see them and the Astak rep didn't think they were there. So I couldn't get solid info about Ereader support, but I was told that Fictionwise should be ready to announce Ereader support in June. The Astak rep didn't know whether Fictionwise's device would be locked down or what other features it would support. The 5" model came in several different colors. Not all worked because they hadn't been flashed yet. One did, so this is fine. It only read the PVI/Netronix STK format. I did get a picture of the menu. As you can see, it's different from the 6". Also, look at the position of the buttons. They bear a striking resemblance to the position of the buttons on the Jetbook. The functional 6" models were obviously the OEM from Netronix. The other is their design, and doesn't work yet. It's an engineering mockup they just receive a few days before. I wonder if the menu on the 6" Mentor is the same as on the EB-100? Actually, I think the 6" readers were EB-100. I was told they would only have the 5" Mentor because the others weren't ready yet. The 9.7" was a preproduction model. If I hadn't told them I was coming, I doubt they would have brought it. It did have touchscreen, but the software was refusing to work that day. I know many here are disappointed by the lack of a hands on review, but I didn't expect to see it at all. Don't complain too loudly. There were a number of other questions that people wanted me to ask, and most of the answers are on Astak's website. One thing I forgot to check is the format of the ebooks I was reading. Attached Thumbnails

05-15-2008, 11:41 AM	#4
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 4,778 Karma: 36154 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: B'ham, AL Device: EBW1150, PC, Sony PRS-505	Thanks! __________________ "... I'd much rather help out at a candy store or ice cream parlor. I like it when sugar is commonplace..." Taken out of context from Jeff Inlo's Soul View* (See Writer's Corner)*

05-15-2008, 11:48 AM	#10
zelda_pinwheel WWHALD Posts: 22,830 Karma: 86918 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: ebookwise 1150	i have a question, and i realize this has nothing to do with astak, but you mentioned in that other thread that (my good friend) Garth Conboy was there with the new ETI model, do you have any photos of that ?? or news of any kind ??? __________________ I don't want none of that mischief on my eels! - pdurrant Hurricane Zelda of the Amazing Raining Frogs Join Adorable Madness -.-- --- ..- / -.-. .- -. -. --- - / .-. . ... .. ... - / - .... . / ..- -. ..- - - . .-. .- -... .-.. . / ... .. .-.. .-.. .. -. . ... ... "Resistance is futile, y'all." --DixieBorg by popular demand, we bring you the next exciting avatar in zelda's wardrobe, by the inimitable WetDogEared and his amazing dancing mice !! a round of applause, everybody ! Last edited by zelda_pinwheel; 05-15-2008 at 12:48 PM. Reason: i meant the letter next to* the r.*

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05-15-2008, 11:40 AM	#2
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 7,287 Karma: 48386 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Device: Airpanel 100, Jornada 720, Kindle, Smart Q7, Zelda has Sony 600 & 700	The original pictures can be found in a couple zip files over here. If anyone has a question, please ask.

05-15-2008, 11:48 AM	#5
Gester Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 36 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pennsyltucky Device: TX :(	Someone in the other thread mentioned that the design of the 5" model in particular leaves something to be desired. I'm not sure about that. It looks relatively uncluttered and, unlike the Kindle, the buttons seem to be in a reasonable place. I bet we'll hear complaints about one-handed reading...turning pages and all. You know, for all those that seem to require a device that will allow you to read easily while you're driving or juggling chainsaws.

08-01-2008, 08:46 PM	#9
sherryk_us writer/reader Posts: 58 Karma: 54 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Mexico Device: ebookwise REB1200 and Sony prs 505	No need to be witty at the expense of the one-handed! Some of us are handicapped and really appreciate the one-handed feature. For me, it's the main reason I use my ebookwise. Ever try holding a paper book AND turning pages one-handed? It can be done, but it's tricky. Just saying. Sherry Sherry

05-15-2008, 11:57 AM	#12
Gester Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 36 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pennsyltucky Device: TX :(	The 9.7" model does look rather sharp and well designed...more so than the other two. I only hope it works.

05-15-2008, 12:08 PM	#13
weatherman Zealot Posts: 130 Karma: 248 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Kindle 2	Clearly the dimensions are wrong on the website - I should have realized that myself before seeing these pics. Any sense of what the actual dimensions of the 9.7" model are? That's the one I'm most interested in, though if it's as big as it looks I might change my mind.