Here is the long awaited press release from Astak. You saw it here first.
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New EZ Reader by Astak
(A By-The- Numbers Approach to a Great eBook Reader)
Astak's first offering in eBook Readers will be the EZ Reader; and will be released in late November, 2008; while being introduced formally at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (January 7-10). There are a great number of other exciting eBook Readers by Astak being introduced during the first six months of 2009 including the Flexi-Screened 9.7 inch!
The EZ Reader is the lightest, smallest, and thinnest eBook Reader ever introduced to North America. It is a whole new way to read books and listen to stereo music. At 7.2 inch long and 4.7 inch wide and .4 inches thick, it feels right in your hand. Weighing 7.8 ounces, THIS is an eBook Reader that you can hold for long periods without getting tired or getting bloodshot eyes. The E-Ink, E-Paper screen makes for reading without eye strain and the screen uses NO power while you read. Only standby computer power is needed except when turning pages or listening to your stored stereo MP3 music. At 800 by 600 pixel, it has a Vizplex screen that is very high resolution and reads well in ambient light. It reads up to 8,000 pages of text on a single charge. either via the included USB cable and your computer or via the included power adapter.
Manufactured expressly for Astak by Jinke, Astak is the exclusive Sales Agent for all of North and South America. Furthermore, Astak will be incorporating improvements into their version. For the first time the units will be offered in bold metallic colors and all the service will be done by Astak and the warranty backed by Astak. We also want to get a T9 dictionary on our version. Other major improvements are planned as well.
The battery IS replaceable. Simply remove one screw and go online to
order a replacement battery. THIS has been a problem in the past with some other eBook Readers. This unit has been a total of 8 years in development. Our band of eBook Reader bashers tried hard to get this to "hang up" or show a glitch. and it is as error-free and solid as you will find!
This EZ Reader uses a "By-The-Numbers" approach. When you turn it on, it takes you directly to your book library. Choose the book you want, or your most recently started book, by hitting the appropriate numbered button. Advance or digress one page at the touch of a single button, or hold the button down to advance ten pages at a time. Of course it has bookmarks. The numbered keys take you anywhere you want to go with a minimum of delay (it is blazingly fast), and, if you make any mistake, it has a special button to take you back to the previous page.
The User Manual with the EZ Reader was written by an American for
Americans. It is clean and literate and easy to understand. You can be an expert within 20 minutes! The machine really is easy to learn
anyway; and you may not even need the User Manual except for more uncommon features. Most people can navigate within minutes just fine.
The device supports ALL of the most major languages. English, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, etc. It comes with free stereo ear buds and a nice "crush-resistant" vinyl/leather case. It takes a 3.5mm earphone jack. the most common on the market; and is ideal for Noise-canceling Headphones. Major colors are expected to be a beautiful Metallic Blue and Metallic Red! Yes, it has a choice of font sizes and can display both vertically and horizontally!
It comes with MOBIPOCKET support by Hanlin. Mobi allows the downloading of DRM and there are several Mobipocket formatted eBook sites. Stay tuned to our website for info on the new Astak website that will sell books and the device starting in late November.
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It would seem that Astak has partnered with Jinke for this reader instead of Netronix. It is the first of 3 products planned in the EZ Reader line. A PLUS version is planned early next year with WiFi and a PRO will be following with both WiFi and Touchscreen. I suspect we may see a new model every couple of months for a while.
Rumor has it that this first unit will hit the streets at a bit over $300 US. Any comments? Robert has indicated that it will be available in 4 colors, Metallic Red, Electric Blue, Black and White.