Quote:
Originally Posted by FutureBSD
I'm also thinking of buying a DR800S (I'm in Germany).
I've no eBook reader so far and was waiting for the iPad before deciding which eBook reader I'd buy. The iPad was a TOTAL failure in my opinion (I've a MacBook Pro + iPhone and some more of their products and I LOVE their devices). I'm using Stanza on my iPhone and don't think that the iPad will give me ANY additions.
But back to topic. I'd like two features while "working" with an eBook reader. Zooming (would be nice but is no killer feature for me (so far ;-) ) ) and annotation. I was writing iRex about both features and they told me both features will be implemented soon. (Note taking feature is scheduled for Q1 2010)
The note taking feature is going to be a separate application which, for me, sounds like you won't be able to scribble in you eBooks.
I've read many warnings about iRex in not believing what they're promising. I normally just compare AVAILABLE features while choosing a product.
The problem is: No other product is nearly as sexy as the iRex DR800S(G). It's really fast, it looks great, it has a great quality. The price is a little bit high but that wouldn't stop me from buying it. If iRex is a company that's supporting their products well I'd buy the device now and just use it as a reader till the firmware update is available.
What would be your advice for me? What are your experiences with iRex and their feature updates?
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I haven't heard any official statement about implementing the zoom feature into iRex 800. To me, it's not that important. It has been a major argument for iRex iLiad and iRex 1000S. But I rarely use PDFs, so it's not a biggy for me.
I haven't heard about the note application being a separate one instead of scribbling directly onto documents. I don't use annotations/notes, so it's not important to me. But I'd find it kind of strange. There are way better solutions for standalone notes than using eInk devices. This feature to me only makes sense in combination with existing documents.
Concerning iRex' reliability and speed in firmware updates:
I've never placed a change request with iRex, so I can't say anything about that.
But from my personal demands, I'd clearly rank iRex absolutely top. I still consider iRex iLiads's OS benchmark. I'd "blindly" purchase any iRex unit, given my experience so far.
I don't get lots of the complaints about iRex. In my opinion, other units/manufacturers lack way more features and noone seems to care.
Alle 3 iRex units do have folders. There has been some confusion re. iRex 800 and it certainly has been a case of bad marketing. But it's there.
Kindle 2 and Kindle DX lack this basic feature from the very beginning, still they are considered (ony of the) market leader(s).
Sometimes I get the feeling: The more you're capable of, the more to complain. iRex is considered manufacturer of "professional" units, so probably the expectations are way higher.
Anyway, I wouldn't rely on any future implementations of additional features. With no supplier whatsoever. You never know about "political agendas" (focus on new business areas or new hardware, changes in over all strategy, ...) in the background or future demands, generated maybe by new competitors.
Always base your decision on what you will get here and now. With all suppliers.