[ISG]

I just purchased my Shift3 LookBook and I am now happily reading. Getting here was an interesting journey, though.

I read about 2-3 eBooks a week, and previously used my BlackBerry with Mobipocket titles from the public library. This is no longer a supported free format (thanks, Amazon) so I was in the market for an eBook reader that supports DRM ePub from the library.

I saw the boxes for LookBook at CVS and used a coupon to get it for $119.

The first one I bought had a defective directional pad, so I exchanged it. The new one charged and powered up just fine. Connecting to Wifi was super easy. It did a couple of automatic firmware updates and I was able to access the store quickly. I don't buy titles but if I did, it's pretty easy.

However, I really just want it for free titles from the library, so I need it to connect to Adobe Digital Editions. I plugged it into the USB port on my computer and it couldn't recognize the drive. I tried all kinds of tricks, including seeing if I could detect it using the system tools drive mapping, blah blah. Finally I called the LookBook support number, and got connected right away. She suggested I try a different cord on a different USB port and when I did that it worked fine, Poof! Maybe the supplied USB cord was defective b/c I use that USB port all the time.

Opened ADE, authorized the LookBook and transferred my books no problem. Yay!

Pros: Fairly good form factor, included hard case cover, 4 buttons for left and right paging to accommodate lefties/righties/landscape mode. Now that it's playing nice with ADE, it's super easy to download and transfer files. Wifi is a nice feature, but I won't use it because I won't be using their store. I also appreciate the fact that I didn't have to install the Kobo software to enjoy a free ePub title. I like the color screen to share kid books with my children while we're on the go. I like the actual page turning buttons on the sides of the device. Actual buttons are nice. Did I mention the price for a color eBook reader?

Cons: Battery life about 6 hours (Get more if you shut off wifi and use "night time" mode with white text on black screen.) The Directional Pad stinks for navigating links. I have to use my fingernail to use the left arrow. The keyboard is a nice feature, and I'm hoping someone will hack this OS (linux i think) to let me browse the web with the Lookbook. Until then the wifi is rather a waste. Also, it doesn't seem to charge via USB like many other connected devices; you have to use the power adapter.

Bottom Line: Wow, the price! Now that I got it working, it feels like a great deal.