Introducing the Bebook Neo

Nate the great · 01-08-2010, 04:21 PM

I managed to meet with Peter Zieleman of Endless Ideas, and he told me about the new Bebook ebook reader. They really could have somehting here.

The Neo is a rebranded Onyx Boox with a new firmware. They've fixed the existing bugs (wifi, for example), and will be ready to release it in the next few weeks. The projected retail for the Neo is 299 to 329 euros.

Their new firmware added a couple neat features. First, you can now use the OTA ebookstore downloads provided by RM 9.1. And second, they're adding an Ebookmall to the menu. They're working with every interested ebook store to enable that store to sell you ebooks on the Neo. And, the Ebookmall menu is organized geographically. You can select your country and you'll see a list of stores that can sell you ebooks.

The Neo still has Wifi, and there is a reason for that. They don't think 3G connectivity will work in Europe. Do you remember the 3G equipped Bebook2? They had a bad experience with trying to sign contracts with European cellular providers. It turned out that it wasn't practical, and the Bebook2 was dropped.

The attached picture is of the Ebookmall. So far that's the only part of the GUI that's been changed.

Stormchild · 01-08-2010, 04:30 PM

Thanks Nate. That has answered a huge number of questions. So this IS the BeBook 2 then only it's the BeBook Neo. It explains all the delays.
Did you see the Liquavista/BeBook protoype.

Hogan · 01-08-2010, 04:32 PM

Hmm, that means a Wacom touchscreen layer. Does that mean that you cant do touch screen with your finger?

Kolenka · 01-08-2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogan

Hmm, that means a Wacom touchscreen layer. Does that mean that you cant do touch screen with your finger?

That's right. Although as the iLiad users can vouch: there are plenty of people who don't mind that limitation.

Hogan · 01-08-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolenka

That's right. Although as the iLiad users can vouch: there are plenty of people who don't mind that limitation.

Yep, I'm sure there are lots of people who don't mind but I'm afraid its a no go for me while I'm reading. I like turning pages with my finger on the touchscreens like the PRS 600, but I had been waiting to see reviews of the BeBook 2 and the PocketBook 302, before making a decision. Now I'm down to the PRS 600 / 900 and the PocketBook 302.

Kolenka · 01-08-2010, 05:08 PM

Yup, it's always a trade off. The current sort of decision available to the manufacturers for touch seems to be:

Screen Clarity, Finger access, Stylus access... pick any two, the third will suffer.

Stormchild · 01-08-2010, 05:12 PM

Are you sure you want to turn the page by swiping? I would find that most irritating. I can hold my BeBook '1' or Mini in one hand and simply rock my thumb to turn pages. To lift a hand to swipe would mean using both hands to hold the reader. A big turn off for me. This goes back to my comment on the BeBook forum about being able look at a range of models in one place I guess.

Hogan · 01-08-2010, 05:29 PM

I know what you are saying about finger swiping ... its definitely not for everyone. I'm sure lots of PRS 600 users just use the physical buttons for page turns. Its also having to use the stylus for the menu system that would put me off. I know you can probably do most of menu stuff by using the buttons but I'm a touchscreen geek.

I'm sure the BeBook guys will produce great firmware and it will be a great product for people who dont mind using the stylus. I'll come back to BeBook when they get that colour reader out

JSWolf · 01-08-2010, 07:15 PM

Too bad the photo is not all that wonderful. Nothing really shows that it does black well.

Teddman · 01-08-2010, 08:22 PM

I wonder why just about every new e-reader startup is trying to mimic the Kindle's appearance, which is pretty ugly in my opinion. It's the service and Amazon promotion that sells the device, not its hardware design. Sony looks much better from an aesthetic standpoint.

pilotbob · 01-08-2010, 08:34 PM

does this look strangely like the new Bookeen one? This is netronics right?

BOb

JSWolf · 01-08-2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

does this look strangely like the new Bookeen one? This is netronics right?

BOb

Looks like it to me as well.

netseeker · 01-08-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

does this look strangely like the new Bookeen one? This is netronics right?

BOb

No, it's a rebranded Onyx Boox. But the case looks indeed a little bit like netronix's E60400/E60430 devices.

JSWolf · 01-08-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netseeker

No, it's a rebranded Onyx Boox. But the case looks indeed a little bit like netronix's E60400/E60430 devices.

Can the Onyx Boox firmware be flashed onto it in case it can be had cheaper?

netseeker · 01-08-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Can the Onyx Boox firmware be flashed onto it in case it can be had cheaper?

Sorry, i don't know that (yet).

01-08-2010, 04:21 PM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 10,055 Karma: 2784905 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Introducing the Bebook Neo I managed to meet with Peter Zieleman of Endless Ideas, and he told me about the new Bebook ebook reader. They really could have somehting here. The Neo is a rebranded Onyx Boox with a new firmware. They've fixed the existing bugs (wifi, for example), and will be ready to release it in the next few weeks. The projected retail for the Neo is 299 to 329 euros. Their new firmware added a couple neat features. First, you can now use the OTA ebookstore downloads provided by RM 9.1. And second, they're adding an Ebookmall to the menu. They're working with every interested ebook store to enable that store to sell you ebooks on the Neo. And, the Ebookmall menu is organized geographically. You can select your country and you'll see a list of stores that can sell you ebooks. The Neo still has Wifi, and there is a reason for that. They don't think 3G connectivity will work in Europe. Do you remember the 3G equipped Bebook2? They had a bad experience with trying to sign contracts with European cellular providers. It turned out that it wasn't practical, and the Bebook2 was dropped. The attached picture is of the Ebookmall. So far that's the only part of the GUI that's been changed. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Nate the great; 01-08-2010 at 04:23 PM.

01-08-2010, 07:15 PM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 34,669 Karma: 14544758 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Sony Reader PRS-650, iPad, nook STR	Too bad the photo is not all that wonderful. Nothing really shows that it does black well. __________________ Jon 2013 Reading List

01-08-2010, 08:34 PM	#11
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 18,790 Karma: 4829359 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	does this look strangely like the new Bookeen one? This is netronics right? BOb __________________ Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence. --Napoleon Bonaparte

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01-08-2010, 04:30 PM	#2
Stormchild Evangelist Posts: 463 Karma: 878943 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cornwall UK Device: BeBook 1. BeBook Mini. BeBook Neo and Club. BeBook Live. BeeBook Pure.	Thanks Nate. That has answered a huge number of questions. So this IS the BeBook 2 then only it's the BeBook Neo. It explains all the delays. Did you see the Liquavista/BeBook protoype.

01-08-2010, 04:32 PM	#3
Hogan Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 5228 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ireland Device: Motorola Xoom	Hmm, that means a Wacom touchscreen layer. Does that mean that you cant do touch screen with your finger?

01-08-2010, 05:08 PM	#6
Kolenka <Insert Wit Here> Posts: 968 Karma: 1254601 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Puget Sound Device: Sony T2, Kindle Paperwhite	Yup, it's always a trade off. The current sort of decision available to the manufacturers for touch seems to be: Screen Clarity, Finger access, Stylus access... pick any two, the third will suffer.

01-08-2010, 05:12 PM	#7
Stormchild Evangelist Posts: 463 Karma: 878943 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cornwall UK Device: BeBook 1. BeBook Mini. BeBook Neo and Club. BeBook Live. BeeBook Pure.	Are you sure you want to turn the page by swiping? I would find that most irritating. I can hold my BeBook '1' or Mini in one hand and simply rock my thumb to turn pages. To lift a hand to swipe would mean using both hands to hold the reader. A big turn off for me. This goes back to my comment on the BeBook forum about being able look at a range of models in one place I guess.

01-08-2010, 05:29 PM	#8
Hogan Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 5228 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ireland Device: Motorola Xoom	I know what you are saying about finger swiping ... its definitely not for everyone. I'm sure lots of PRS 600 users just use the physical buttons for page turns. Its also having to use the stylus for the menu system that would put me off. I know you can probably do most of menu stuff by using the buttons but I'm a touchscreen geek. I'm sure the BeBook guys will produce great firmware and it will be a great product for people who dont mind using the stylus. I'll come back to BeBook when they get that colour reader out

01-08-2010, 08:22 PM	#10
Teddman Addict Posts: 242 Karma: 695 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505	I wonder why just about every new e-reader startup is trying to mimic the Kindle's appearance, which is pretty ugly in my opinion. It's the service and Amazon promotion that sells the device, not its hardware design. Sony looks much better from an aesthetic standpoint.


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