MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Pandigital Novel -- not that great, is it?

gastan · 08-22-2010, 12:49 PM

I completely disagree.

First of all, did either reviewer bother upgrading the firmware or hack the device? If so they didn't mention it. I admit that the Novel, out of the box, is limited. Upgrading firmware on any newly purchased device is so obvious that any reviewer that ignores it is suspect, IMO. Hacking the Novel is so easy that a 3rd grader could probably do it in about 15 minutes.

Both reviews mention an unresponsive touch screen. The Cnet one even goes so far as to compare it to the iPad. What??? Resistive compared to capacitive. What in the world did he expect? The Engadget reviewer complained about the screen not responding to her "finger". Here is a perfect example of RTFM, lady. It tells you, point blank, not to use your finger but your fingernail or a stylus. She had trouble with the interface? Maybe she's a moron. As one poster at Slatedroid said, his 15 yr old figured out the eReader interface in about 2 seconds. And lastly, she has outright mistakes in her article. Android 1.5? No, no. Android 2.0. 533Mhz processor? No, no, no. On my Novel it came with a 633Mhz processor but the speed was bumped to 800Mhz with a firmware update.

The Cnet review rated the Novel only 2 stars but you don't mention that the USERS gave it 3.5 stars. That reviewer didn't like the 6 hour battery life, complaining that the Kindle or Nook can go weeks between charges. WTH?? Two completely different devices with two completely known characteristics ... LCD drains batteries much faster than e-ink. He says, "the rechargeable lithium ion battery is sealed and nonremovable." Poppycock. I had the back off my Novel in about 2 minutes and the battery out in another 2. He also complained about the screen and mentioned that the accelerometer is too sensitive and sometimes switches orientation when not wanted. ??? The Engadget reviewer complained that the accelerometer was not responsive enough.

Both disliked the speed, UI, and screen. All items fixable with firmware upgrades and an easy hack. If you dislike the UI or OEM apps, load whatever you like onto it after you hack it. Among others, I have Adobe Reader, Office Suite Pro, Google Maps, FBReader, and Aldiko loaded on mine.

As you can tell, I'm extremely happy with my $116 Novel. I don't expect to keep it forever but it is a great interim device while waiting for the Adam's, Papyrus's/Lattice's, Mirasol's, Pixel Qi's, et al, to appear. But then I'm not the type to buy a KIA and then complain when I don't get the Rolls Royce experience from it.

08-22-2010, 12:49 PM	#2
gastan Addict Posts: 221 Karma: 801624 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: US Pacific Northwest Device: LePan II, Kobo Aura	I completely disagree. First of all, did either reviewer bother upgrading the firmware or hack the device? If so they didn't mention it. I admit that the Novel, out of the box, is limited. Upgrading firmware on any newly purchased device is so obvious that any reviewer that ignores it is suspect, IMO. Hacking the Novel is so easy that a 3rd grader could probably do it in about 15 minutes. Both reviews mention an unresponsive touch screen. The Cnet one even goes so far as to compare it to the iPad. What??? Resistive compared to capacitive. What in the world did he expect? The Engadget reviewer complained about the screen not responding to her "finger". Here is a perfect example of RTFM, lady. It tells you, point blank, not to use your finger but your fingernail or a stylus. She had trouble with the interface? Maybe she's a moron. As one poster at Slatedroid said, his 15 yr old figured out the eReader interface in about 2 seconds. And lastly, she has outright mistakes in her article. Android 1.5? No, no. Android 2.0. 533Mhz processor? No, no, no. On my Novel it came with a 633Mhz processor but the speed was bumped to 800Mhz with a firmware update. The Cnet review rated the Novel only 2 stars but you don't mention that the USERS gave it 3.5 stars. That reviewer didn't like the 6 hour battery life, complaining that the Kindle or Nook can go weeks between charges. WTH?? Two completely different devices with two completely known characteristics ... LCD drains batteries much faster than e-ink. He says, "the rechargeable lithium ion battery is sealed and nonremovable." Poppycock. I had the back off my Novel in about 2 minutes and the battery out in another 2. He also complained about the screen and mentioned that the accelerometer is too sensitive and sometimes switches orientation when not wanted. ??? The Engadget reviewer complained that the accelerometer was not responsive enough. Both disliked the speed, UI, and screen. All items fixable with firmware upgrades and an easy hack. If you dislike the UI or OEM apps, load whatever you like onto it after you hack it. Among others, I have Adobe Reader, Office Suite Pro, Google Maps, FBReader, and Aldiko loaded on mine. As you can tell, I'm extremely happy with my $116 Novel. I don't expect to keep it forever but it is a great interim device while waiting for the Adam's, Papyrus's/Lattice's, Mirasol's, Pixel Qi's, et al, to appear. But then I'm not the type to buy a KIA and then complain when I don't get the Rolls Royce experience from it.