I got this response from Astak yesterday when I inquired about when they might be updating their website and if there might be a waiting list I could sign on or if I could be notified by e-mail when products were available for purchase. Here is the response:
Dear customer,
The 5 inch unit should be released in late August.
The 6 inch is projected to release in September.
The 9.7 inch is due to be released in late November.
Prices are still not set as we are still adding features and making modifications in the final design.
Prices are not set yet because of changes that were proposed by industry experts over the last two months at major industry trade shows. We are talking with the experts now to ensure the best possible product. We want to release the best Mentor/LiteBook that we can and we need to be able to work out the final price as we get closer to release. Our intent is to release at the best value offered on eBook Readers and we are working now with Publishers and Panel experts to arrive at this best value.
We have authorization to sell to North and South America and Australia. We have NO idea about retail stores in Australia at this point. We are working with the Retail Stores is the USA first, then Canada, and then South America. THEY decide what they will carry and we do not pick them. We are talking actively with many retailers but (although they definitely want to carry the Mentor/LiteBook) they have a lot more regarding eBook sales that have to be worked out at their own pace.
In an effort to not make everybody wait we are in the process of readying our Security Camera website to be the first to release the Mentor/Litebook WHEN we reach the release dates. I am so sorry that there is no waiting list and no you cannot buy early. Release dates cannot be proceeded for anyone. Please go to
www.astakshop.com and when the release date comes up we will post it on that website and promptly fill your order.
Anywhere in the world can buy from this website. But... be aware... shipping can be pricey and we do not do our own shipping. The shipping charge is whatever it is set at by UPS or FedEx. We DO get a considerable discount. We don't know final shipping costs as we need the exact final model to determine the weight. Without weight we cannot begin to estimate the cost to ship. The above website WILL, when open for orders, clearly show the UPS shipping and handling charge BEFORE the sale is finalized. Please do not email and ask for the cost to ship.
There will be two primary models of each size: 5, 6 and 9.7 inch. The "Mentor" model will be formated for eReader and the LiteBook will be formated for Mobipocket. We are still negotiating with Adobe and others to add additional formats. Understand, please, that these large companies, such as Adobe, operate on their own timeline and not on ours.
Due to what we perceive as a lack of speed at present for Windows CE on eBook Readers we have decided to launch with Linux O/S for at least the 5 inch and 6 inch. We are talking with Microsoft to try to find a solution that is acceptable; and we hope we will be able to do this.
OEM/ODM companies wishing to work in collaboration should contact us directly and we will respond promptly.
WE DO appreciate your interest. We take our responsibility seriously to provide the best device at the best price. This takes a lot of time and a lot of corrections and a lot of patience. Trying to rush something this important is out of the question! The time to correct is NOW; and that is why we are taking the time to do things right before we ship.
Iris
ASTAK Inc.
1911 Hartog Drive
San Jose, CA 95131
408.453.1188