Quote:
Originally Posted by Davimee
I am looking at buying my first ebook reader sometime in February or March, and I'm looking at both the EZ Reader Pocket Pro and the Sony Pocket. I am a little confused about the firmware upgrades offered by Astak. If I bought a new Astak reader, would I need to install all of the firmware updates? Or is there a list as to which updates provide different fixes? Or would I just install the latest? I guess I don't quite understand what firmware is, or why it is needed. Sorry for my dumb questions. 
Thanks. |
Dear Davimee:
I work for Astak!
There are no dumb questions... only unanswered questions that should have been asked.
Firmware Upgrades are a way to make a device better. When a factory releases a new device they hope they have thought of everything but never do. This is because people get the device and say "why not do this or why not do that". Firmware Upgrades are free and they just make the device better. For example, the Pocket PRO came out with three graduations of font size. People said that was too few to get just the right size. So, we did a Firmware Upgrade to 9 sizes. Then others wanted to be able to do library books but that needed a visable clock. A firmware upgrade did that. Someone else wanted to read on the Pocket PRO in their THAI language and we did that.
You do not have to do all firmware upgrades; but why would you not? They only help make the device perform better. Another example is battery charge life. It was good; but people on this forum wanted it even better. A firmware upgrade did just that.
The Sony PRS-300 is a good device. BUT, I think it fair to say it is almost entirely stripped. You cannot even enlarge the memory as there is no SD card slot. The Pocket PRO is lighter (under 6 ounces), faster (Epson Controller with 400 MHz processor), far more full featured (scroll wheel, replaceable rechargeable battery and Text-To-Speech) and includes the crush-resistant case and ear buds. Plus the Pocket PRO comes in six beautiful colors hand picked by MobileRead Forum members.
I hope that this helps and I am listening. I thank you for a great post!!