Thread: Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)
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Old 08-10-2009, 05:41 PM   #3178
Robertb
Astak Director, Bus. Devl
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Posts: 2,560
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Device: Astak Pocket PRO
Want to help... but so many questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by miki View Post
Hi RobertB,

I'll start by saying I LOVE the current EZ Reader. I use it everyday, and its directory, HTML, and Chinese support are very very useful for me!

I had some questions and suggestions, which hopefully you are allowed to answer/pass on:

1) Do you have any pics of the PocketPro displaying a JPEG or other image file? I was quite disappointed by the 6" not being able to display manga images well (because of the grayscale issue), and I MUST be able to read comic books on my next purchase of an EReader (I cannot justify the purchase otherwise, as I love my current EZReader and use it daily).

I am just wondering if there are any plans for a 16 level grayscale (such as the iRex iLiad), and also whether the 5 inch's 8 level grayscale is sufficient for displaying pictures. The 4 level grayscale is decidedly NOT sufficient.

I already have some reservations about the 5" screen size, as I think that's too small for me; my eyes are not good, and the font size the EZ Reader displays for Chinese-encoded HTML pages is only average size (at the medium font setting; the small font setting is unreadable, and the largest font setting orients the page horizontally); I am not sure how small it would get for the 5"

2) Could you pass on a request to add bluetooth support? I would prefer that over wireless, for file transfer purposes.

3) It would be nice to place the SD card on the side of the reader. Sometimes, if my reader falls off the table, or it gets dropped, the SD card pops out. If it was on the side of the reader, the case would keep it in. As it is, I have lost one SD card, which was very very upsetting for me, as the card contained a few hundred books that I no longer have a copy of.

edit: another advantage would be that a sideways placement would keep the dust from falling into the SD card slot -- this is a concern I mentioned a while back, that there's no cover on the slot to keep gravity from letting dust fall into the slot.

4) I complained a while back about not being able to navigate to a specific page in the directory view (that is, when you open an actual book to read it, you can choose "Go to page #" from the menu; that is not an option when you are in the directory view scrolling through the list of books). I was wondering if any of the recent firmware (or Jinke's version) now provided that navigation feature?

5) Are there any plans / places where I can shop for accessories (e.g. replacement EZ Reader book covers, screwdrivers, etc -- a screwdriver that will fit the screw used for the battery cover is amazingly hard to find! If you can provide specs on exactly what size the nail/screwdriver is, it would make it much easier the next time I go to the hardware store)

6) Anyone know where you can buy a screen protector/film for the EZ Reader screen (I know it's part of question #5, but it bugs me a lot).

7) Would it be possible to increase the number of font sizes available?

8) I like how the Sony Reader (at least the 700 version) lets you zoom in on a picture. It would be great if that feature was available on EZ Reader.

9) For the next version of the book cover for the reader, it would be nice to include a small space (at the top/bottom) to store the screwdriver. The reason I say that is because sometimes the reader freezes, and the only way to restart it is to remove the battery and then put it back in. You need a screwdriver to unscrew the cover It's annoying when you're on the bus, and the reader freezes. I'm always afraid of losing my screwdriver!

10) This is a pipe dream, but if Astak/Jinke could supply a text-to-speech optional component, that would be awesome! (You could provide that as an optional software available for download/purchase).

Anyway,
Thanks in advance RobertB!
Dear Miki:

My boss is already not pleased that I am on the forum so often. He wants me on other things.

The screwdriver is readily available at ANY hardware store... such as Orchard Supply Hardware. It is just a small Phillips. FRY's electronics sells a special screwdriver set for small screws on small electronics.

Text-To-Speech is standard on the Pocket PRO.

You can change the font types on the EZ Reader or Pocket PRO by visiting the FAQ sheet under the support icon at: www.theEZreader.com

Side placement of the SD card might interfere with the case. I think that is why they do not do that!

Bluetooth is coming on new models that should be released in, hopefully, a few months.

16 level greyscale is also planned on some upcoming models. However, I have read from people who have eBook Readers with 16 levels that it is no better than the 8 level greyscale; and that 8 level greyscale is a huge improvement from 4 level greyscale. "Sufficient" is a subjective term that everyone will assess differently. I think it is sufficient (but your opinion may vary).

We will post, when we can get, them... more pictures.
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