A new thin and handy e-ink ebook device STAReBOOK

[chieh]

I would like to introduce a new e-ink ebook device.

The STAReBOOK’s STK-101 series has very small and exquisite size.

Its thickness is only 8mm, which equals 50 pages of traditional books and the weight is 176g, which is very convenient for carrying.

The screen is applied 6 inches e-INK panel.

This kind of e-INK technology successfully solves the problem of tiredness of eyes after the long-time reading.



Please refer to the following page,
www.stareread.com/en/reader.html

[raevyn1]

URL error in above post. Try http://www.stareread.com/en/

Interesting device, I'd like to know more. I didn't see anything about availability or pricing. It seems to be aimed initially at Chinese language readers throughout the world, but device can handle other languages (English anyway) if their bookstore is anything to go by.

[rlauzon]

Originally Posted by chieh

Its thickness is only 8mm, which equals 50 pages of traditional books and the weight is 176g, which is very convenient for carrying.

The screen is applied 6 inches e-INK panel.

Interesting, but the facts are a bit sparse on the web site.
What formats does it support?
How does it connect to your PC?
It would be nice to know what OS it runs to know how (or whether) we can expand its functionality.

They have a proprietary eBook format they are pushing called STK which are "... files composed by JPG and TXT content." (an HTML-like format?) which is only supported under Microsoft products as far as creating content.

Checking other sites, I see:
http://knowsomethingcool.blogspot.co...ins-crowd.html
"The STAReBOOK (you just can't stop saying it) uses a proprietary eBook format (known as STK) but is apparently built to accept-- and maybe even convert?-- other types of files, as it has a built-in mono speaker in the back, an SD slot, a headphone jack, and USB 2.0, so there's probably some media formats that will play/display on the unit. It sports a 250MHz Samsung processor and 64MB of SDRAM."

"Priced higher than the Sony and Panny jobs at $440..."

Strike 1: proprietary eBook format.
Strike 2: more expensive.
Strike 3: fewer features (mono speaker - useless for MP3 playing)

For me, it's out.

[Alexander Turcic]

chieh, please use the forum search before advertising for your new reader. You'd have come up with this link:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8059

[CommanderROR]

Sounds like a device that will never make it to anywhere outside China...especially if there is so little information about it.

Why can't companies learn that the essential purpose of a website is to provide information to potential customers?
And the price...I don't think there is any justification for this thing to be more expensive than the Hanlins or the Sony Reader. The design is nice, but what about stability...how well does that slime frame protect the eink screen???

[Snappy!]

Originally Posted by CommanderROR

Sounds like a device that will never make it to anywhere outside China...especially if there is so little information about it.

Why can't companies learn that the essential purpose of a website is to provide information to potential customers?
And the price...I don't think there is any justification for this thing to be more expensive than the Hanlins or the Sony Reader. The design is nice, but what about stability...how well does that slime frame protect the eink screen???

If it uses Titanium-alloy, then its no worry.

You are right on the lack of info. Most importantly, the lack of pricing or purchase info is self-defeating.

On the other hand, not everyone has the muscles of established MNCs with local business units to sell through local channels.

[RWood]

According to http://knowsomethingcool.blogspot.co...ins-crowd.html the price will be $440.

[TadW]

Originally Posted by RWood

According to http://knowsomethingcool.blogspot.co...ins-crowd.html the price will be $440.

RWood, check their source

I think $440 is way too much. To succeed, it would have to be way superior to the Sony Reader or a lot cheaper.

[chieh]

Originally Posted by TadW

RWood, check their source

I think $440 is way too much. To succeed, it would have to be way superior to the Sony Reader or a lot cheaper.

The End User price is USD 420, if only think about the h/w, it's a little bit higher, but, after you buy the device, you can search and download the ebook (in stk format) in www.isoshu.com, and it's all free...

Dont have to buy any books in the future, think about you purchase a car, and dont have to pay the fuel for future....

You know, Sony ebook content is around USD 15 each....

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by chieh

You know, Sony ebook content is around USD 15 each....

The hardback ones are, yeah, but (aside from ones they seem to have trouble keeping up with the price drops on) the paperback ones are around $6.

Interesting site, unfortunately even the "English" version is still mostly Chinese text.

How do you give away books for free like that? Are they all Public Domain? Or is your company absorbing the cost of the books? Doesn't seem like a good business model to me.

(note: yes, I'm being naïve on purpose)

[chieh]

http://book.isoshu.com/class.php?pid=243
The link in isoshu.com, you can find a lot of free English books.
Just buy a device, and enjoy all free books.
sweet.....

[Sexy_Turkey]

Oh!!! so Gorgeous, so slim and so fabulous ! I love its body, and where can I buy it? I do think this brand new ebook device will be the best one in the marketplace now. the most excellent factor is it has its own format, which could support DIY. I reallllllllllllllly want it!!!!

the price i think that would be fine, and I definitely agree with the idea of Chieh's. you can accept the price $340 to buy a thick one, why do not spend a little bit more to have a fashionable one. So funny, isn't it?

[rlauzon]

Originally Posted by chieh

The End User price is USD 420

Not a competitive price. They need to lower it to below the Sony device.

Originally Posted by chieh

if only think about the h/w, it's a little bit higher, but, after you buy the device, you can search and download the ebook (in stk format) in www.isoshu.com, and it's all free...

STK is a closed, proprietary format. Yes, some eBooks are free, but, then, that's all any eBook in a closed, proprietary format is worth.

I have a many, many free eBooks for my iLiad, and they are all in an open format, so when a new device comes out, I can still read them. Unlike the STAReBook.

Originally Posted by chieh

You know, Sony ebook content is around USD 15 each....

Which is one of the reasons I don't go there to get my eBooks.

For the STAReBook to become successful, they need to:
1. Drop the price of the device. No higher than the Sony device - and only if they change the device to support open formats. If they only support STK, they need to drop the price more.
2. Open the STK format. Release all specs to the public domain and let anyone create an STK creator.

Unless they do both, this device will just be another wannabee and no amount of hype here (is it just me, or has there been a great deal of hype about this device lately?) will change that.

[rlauzon]

Originally Posted by chieh

http://book.isoshu.com/class.php?pid=243
The link in isoshu.com, you can find a lot of free English books.
Just buy a device, and enjoy all free books.
sweet.....

www.gutenberg.org has more free eBooks - in open formats.

[NatCh]

I notice chieh didn't comment on how they could manage to stay in business offering all these books for free....