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

FizzyWater · 12-06-2008, 01:08 AM

Hi, Robert.

I, like purl4peace have both a Sony and a Cybook and prefer the more solid "feel" of the Sony Reader. I've seen much emphasis on "light", but the Cybook just feels flimsy in my hands.

I also have an eBookwise, and I'll admit I'm glad the Sony is not as heavy as the eBW, despite eBW's superior ergonomics, otherwise. So I guess I'm saying I don't mind a little extra weight if the reader feels solid.

I absolutely LOVE your comment about the idea of a built-in "solar panel". I'm picturing a "solar" calculator that I was given at work - it works in any light, not just direct sunlight. But I love the idea that the book could be recharging a little as I read. Given the average expectations, though, the panel(s) would have to be robust enough to completely charge the reader (or keep it fully charged). If it only partially contributed to the charge, I'd imagine people would think "what's the point?"

Perhaps a larger panel could be built into a nice leather cover? So, if you're sitting reading, with the cover open like a book, the panel could be on the inside left-hand cover flap?

As many in the forums have said, I'd like a better navigation system - preferably something like the typical "folders" configuration people are used to. I'm an ebook pack rat - I like to carry lots of books with me (and why make memory expandable and then leave the interface so clunky it's awkward to use that expanded space?) And - while I imagine the peripherals are the least of your concern at this point - I also prefer the Sony configuration for the cover. Tucking it into a pocket (like Cybook) or elastic bands (ye, gods! Kindle) is inelegant at best. A very small annoyance I have with Sony's, though, is that there's no quick way to tell if you're looking at the front or back of the cover! A little embossing on the front would be a nice way to either visually or by touch tell I've actually got the Reader face-up before I open it.

I like Cybook's flexibility in adding different fonts, but I've found I seldom use more than 2 font sizes (the smaller one that I'm comfortable with most of the time, and the one about 150% larger for lower-light conditions, or when I've forgotten my reading glasses!) People seem impressed, though, when there are more. I'd just be curious to see how many are really being used.

I am one of the folks who was waiting for the eReader e-Ink device. I've read your comments about Amazon playing hard-ball and not being willing to share. And yet, I have mobipocket and eReader (and uBook and Microsoft Reader) installed together on my PDA. How possible would it be to make the firmware allow the user to install additional software? So it ships with mobi only, but we have the option - if we wish - to install eReader (or Microsoft, or uBook, etc.). And yes, a built-in (and robust) HTML and RTF viewer, too. (I don't buy PDFs, so I have no preference for that format). And you might as well include ePub, too. iPhone is working with other companies to allow the addition of non-Apple apps. Couldn't you too - even if just for these other ebook format viewers?

I miss eBookwise's ability to highlight, search, and annotate. I haven't seen the difference between the Sony 505 and the 700, but given what I've heard, I wouldn't want to trade screen clarity to get it back! Seems I've read the iLiad has some form of it, though...so it must be possible.

I also miss eBW's option to change the screen orientation by 180 degrees. Sometimes, I've needed to keep a hand free, and it was nice to be able to comfortably switch my "reading hand" (possible with eBW's setup, not so much Cybook or Sony, even if the screen orientation option was available).

I'm very happy with the 6" screen - it fits comfortably in my purse or in my hand. I've always been intrigued by the idea of a larger reader, but in practicality I'd probably never use it. I could see - for technical reading or students - when it would be useful, though. (At that point, though, I'd probably be looking into a tablet PC).

Another small thing - both my eBW and the Cybook (and Sony's 500, actually) have "flaps" covering certain ports. The eBW and Cybook have what I think of as "little rubber stoppers" covering the charger input port (I know that's not exactly the right terminology - it's where I plug the reader into the AC charger). Both of the rubber flaps push on the AC adapter connector. A friend told me her eBW won't charge any more because the input port loosened because of the constant pushing of the rubber flap against the connector. Personally, I just find them annoying!

12-06-2008, 01:08 AM	#1118
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	Hi, Robert. I, like purl4peace have both a Sony and a Cybook and prefer the more solid "feel" of the Sony Reader. I've seen much emphasis on "light", but the Cybook just feels flimsy in my hands. I also have an eBookwise, and I'll admit I'm glad the Sony is not as heavy as the eBW, despite eBW's superior ergonomics, otherwise. So I guess I'm saying I don't mind a little extra weight if the reader feels solid. I absolutely LOVE your comment about the idea of a built-in "solar panel". I'm picturing a "solar" calculator that I was given at work - it works in any light, not just direct sunlight. But I love the idea that the book could be recharging a little as I read. Given the average expectations, though, the panel(s) would have to be robust enough to completely charge the reader (or keep it fully charged). If it only partially contributed to the charge, I'd imagine people would think "what's the point?" Perhaps a larger panel could be built into a nice leather cover? So, if you're sitting reading, with the cover open like a book, the panel could be on the inside left-hand cover flap? As many in the forums have said, I'd like a better navigation system - preferably something like the typical "folders" configuration people are used to. I'm an ebook pack rat - I like to carry lots of books with me (and why make memory expandable and then leave the interface so clunky it's awkward to use that expanded space?) And - while I imagine the peripherals are the least of your concern at this point - I also prefer the Sony configuration for the cover. Tucking it into a pocket (like Cybook) or elastic bands (ye, gods! Kindle) is inelegant at best. A very small annoyance I have with Sony's, though, is that there's no quick way to tell if you're looking at the front or back of the cover! A little embossing on the front would be a nice way to either visually or by touch tell I've actually got the Reader face-up before I open it. I like Cybook's flexibility in adding different fonts, but I've found I seldom use more than 2 font sizes (the smaller one that I'm comfortable with most of the time, and the one about 150% larger for lower-light conditions, or when I've forgotten my reading glasses!) People seem impressed, though, when there are more. I'd just be curious to see how many are really being used. I am one of the folks who was waiting for the eReader e-Ink device. I've read your comments about Amazon playing hard-ball and not being willing to share. And yet, I have mobipocket and eReader (and uBook and Microsoft Reader) installed together on my PDA. How possible would it be to make the firmware allow the user to install additional software? So it ships with mobi only, but we have the option - if we wish - to install eReader (or Microsoft, or uBook, etc.). And yes, a built-in (and robust) HTML and RTF viewer, too. (I don't buy PDFs, so I have no preference for that format). And you might as well include ePub, too. iPhone is working with other companies to allow the addition of non-Apple apps. Couldn't you too - even if just for these other ebook format viewers? I miss eBookwise's ability to highlight, search, and annotate. I haven't seen the difference between the Sony 505 and the 700, but given what I've heard, I wouldn't want to trade screen clarity to get it back! Seems I've read the iLiad has some form of it, though...so it must be possible. I also miss eBW's option to change the screen orientation by 180 degrees. Sometimes, I've needed to keep a hand free, and it was nice to be able to comfortably switch my "reading hand" (possible with eBW's setup, not so much Cybook or Sony, even if the screen orientation option was available). I'm very happy with the 6" screen - it fits comfortably in my purse or in my hand. I've always been intrigued by the idea of a larger reader, but in practicality I'd probably never use it. I could see - for technical reading or students - when it would be useful, though. (At that point, though, I'd probably be looking into a tablet PC). Another small thing - both my eBW and the Cybook (and Sony's 500, actually) have "flaps" covering certain ports. The eBW and Cybook have what I think of as "little rubber stoppers" covering the charger input port (I know that's not exactly the right terminology - it's where I plug the reader into the AC charger). Both of the rubber flaps push on the AC adapter connector. A friend told me her eBW won't charge any more because the input port loosened because of the constant pushing of the rubber flap against the connector. Personally, I just find them annoying!