I see that the heated discussion in this thread has pretty much died. So, does this mean that the "I'm sure the firmware will arrive on time" advocates have given up already...
Seriously, though, I don't want to start another round of Bookeen bashing, I am pretty happy with my Cybook and it does what I need it to do (though I admit to sorely missing folder support).
I can, therefore, say that if Bookeen had never promised any updates at all I would accept that and not complain. The fact that they *have* promised and that they *have* promised to deliver within a certain time frame, makes them to fault. As a company, like as a person, you have to stand to your own word or you will lose trust. I am a pretty good example: Even though I have no serious complaints about my Cybook and still use it daily will think twice about buying another device from Bookeen and keep a sharp eye on all those new companies that have recently put their own device on the market or at least announced that they will.
For me it doesn't really matter, I have pretty much given up on firmware updates (therefore I can actually chuckle if they miss another deadline) and adapted my style of reading so I am comfortable with it. But I can well understand that someone who bought the device with the promise of an update already officialy announced that they won't accept an "it will take as long as it takes" as an excuse. There is no problem with missing a deadline but to keep missing the deadline for a year is simply ridiculous. I really don't know why they don't stop announcing dates, they should know by now that they can't even keep something as foggy as "1st quarter"
Better yet: Tell us they have given up work on the firmware and surprise everyone, if there should be one, after all
Seriously, though, it's a good device and I am happy I have it...