MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)

purl4peace · 12-05-2008, 07:40 PM

Robert,

My little wish list would be

1. format agnostic -- I don't mind paying for content and having it be DRM'd but I don't like being limited to one or two stores/formats or jumping through a series of hoops in order to get a book that is only sold in one format over to a reader that uses a different format.

2. I have a Cybook and a Sony PRS-505. I much prefer the Sony because:
-- Metal (solid) case
-- The buttons work better (the Cybook buttons do not feel good and is flaky)
-- better navigation
-- better book/file organization (you can create reading lists etc).
-- you can see actual page numbers and the device remembers where you were.

(perhaps you have addressed some of these annoyances but since your device looks IDENTICAL to the Cybook -- just a different logo -- I think of Cybook limitations)

That said, I do NOT like the Sony PC software support at all and prefer the Mobireader system for managing content.

3. You are definitely on the right path with the 9-inch display. Push that!

4. This one is purely tactile and aesthetics -- provide a really nice leather carrier. I'm not talking about the crappy leather one you can buy from Cybook or Sony. Those use cheap leather and are not sewn properly. I'm talking thick saddle leather like you see on a Coach purse. Team up with Coach or Dooney Bourke or Levenger since they know how to do make fine quality leather goods. If I'm going to spend several hundred bucks on a reader device, I'm willing to spring for a nice cover as well because it is part of the reading experience. Just like leather-bound books are a pure pleasure to read -- the smell of the leather, the solid feel. It just screams quality and luxury.

And speaking of the cover -- the Sony design for attaching the reader to the cover is the best there is. It is secure; it is most "book like", and it makes the most out of the book cover real estate (pockets on the back for storing extra SD cards, credit card, etc.)

Those are the things that jump out at me from a user-experience perspective. One of the main things that I hear from readers over and over who aren't interested in an ebook reader is because they just like the feel of a book. The cover, the smell, the weight. Well, Sony -- with their metal case -- addresses the weight. If you design a REALLY nice leather cover reminiscent of the old leather bound books or a nice leather bible -- you'll win people over with the smell and touch.

Oh, and I want to be a beta tester, too! But I'm sure we all do!

12-05-2008, 07:40 PM	#1117
purl4peace Mommy of Many Interests Posts: 139 Karma: 660 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Device: Kindle DX, Sony PRS-505, Cybook Gen3	Robert, My little wish list would be 1. format agnostic -- I don't mind paying for content and having it be DRM'd but I don't like being limited to one or two stores/formats or jumping through a series of hoops in order to get a book that is only sold in one format over to a reader that uses a different format. 2. I have a Cybook and a Sony PRS-505. I much prefer the Sony because: -- Metal (solid) case -- The buttons work better (the Cybook buttons do not feel good and is flaky) -- better navigation -- better book/file organization (you can create reading lists etc). -- you can see actual page numbers and the device remembers where you were. (perhaps you have addressed some of these annoyances but since your device looks IDENTICAL to the Cybook -- just a different logo -- I think of Cybook limitations) That said, I do NOT like the Sony PC software support at all and prefer the Mobireader system for managing content. 3. You are definitely on the right path with the 9-inch display. Push that! 4. This one is purely tactile and aesthetics -- provide a really nice leather carrier. I'm not talking about the crappy leather one you can buy from Cybook or Sony. Those use cheap leather and are not sewn properly. I'm talking thick saddle leather like you see on a Coach purse. Team up with Coach or Dooney Bourke or Levenger since they know how to do make fine quality leather goods. If I'm going to spend several hundred bucks on a reader device, I'm willing to spring for a nice cover as well because it is part of the reading experience. Just like leather-bound books are a pure pleasure to read -- the smell of the leather, the solid feel. It just screams quality and luxury. And speaking of the cover -- the Sony design for attaching the reader to the cover is the best there is. It is secure; it is most "book like", and it makes the most out of the book cover real estate (pockets on the back for storing extra SD cards, credit card, etc.) Those are the things that jump out at me from a user-experience perspective. One of the main things that I hear from readers over and over who aren't interested in an ebook reader is because they just like the feel of a book. The cover, the smell, the weight. Well, Sony -- with their metal case -- addresses the weight. If you design a REALLY nice leather cover reminiscent of the old leather bound books or a nice leather bible -- you'll win people over with the smell and touch. Oh, and I want to be a beta tester, too! But I'm sure we all do!