Bookeen presentation lends insight into Cybook Gen4

[Alexander Turcic]

Thanks to the anonymous tipster who sent us a link to a few presentation slides (warning: PDF) which enable us to get a brief look at what's coming next from Bookeen.

There isn't a whole lot in the way of details, but we do know now that Bookeen must have been quite impressed by the online connectivity of the Amazon Kindle ("La fonction communicante devient un MUST-HAVE"), so we can assume that the Cybook Gen4 will allow us in some way to download e-books on-the-fly. The presentation also mentions that it will take around two years to develop the next Cybook reader, with a required funding of four to six million Euro. Partners include Le Monde, Thales électronique, and Nemoptic. Nemoptic, we know, makes their own e-paper technology, so it'll be interesting to find out if they're going to replace E Ink.

If you're interested in diving into corporate hoopla, there are some other interesting details revealed:

• The Cybook Gen3 is currently sold in 55 different countries (25% USA, 13% UK, 12% France, 8% Germany, 7% Netherlands, 5% Canada, 5% Spain, 4% Italy, 4% Norway, 17% others)
• There are 14 resellers
• Bookeen estimates a total sales of 10,000 Cybook units for 2008.

There is also an online video with Bookeen's Michaël Dahan. Alas, my French is a bit rusty, so if there is anything else of interest, please share with us!

Related: What would you like in the next gen Cybook (Gen4)

[zelda_pinwheel]

thanks Alexander, very interesting info !

Some of the things mentioned in the video which caught my attention :
- he estimates color and video in e-ink screens will arrive within 2 to 3 years.
- notetaking capabilities are planned for future generations (but no details, he doesn't say whether this will be via a keyboard or touchscreen).
- they also plan to make larger devices which are oriented to professional clients specifically for A4 or A3 pdfs with a lot of diagrams, such as are frequently used by aéronautic industry.
- next focus (after ebooks) : e-newspapers. he also mentions that european publishers are dragging their feet when it comes to digitising their catalogues, so the irony is that the Gen3 is selling quite well in France / Europe but the content available is overwhelmingly anglophone, and he wishes european publishers would get on the train (don't we all...).

[BKeeper]

Hi Alex,

Nothing else of interest on the video, a bit of corporate history, e-ink tech explanation, lack of content.. the usual.

However, reading between the lines and taking into account the mentioned product development cycle (2 years), I think we should expect them to introduce a professional product line, ie: a significantly larger screen (maybe 12 inches probably still B/W) with handwriting/touch screen.

Trying to emulate Amazon's whispernet it's out of the question since they don't have the leverage and, hopefully, 2 years from now amazon will have lauched a kindle revision in the EU. At least in the UK. (pressed by Sony's reader)
For wireless allways-on they'd have to go with 3G, and the only carriers with enough coverage are O2 and Vodafone.
But anyway IMHO their projected PDC it's way too slow.

(unless of course we already are one year into their PDC and they release it next year)

Anyway when color 12" eink hits mainstream prices (hopefully 4 years from now) we'll see a content explosion, since mag publishing it's a bigger business.

But I'm looking forward to their professional product line.

[Hadrien]

Originally Posted by Alexander Turcic

The presentation also mentions that it will take around two years to develop the next Cybook reader, with a required funding of four to six million Euro. Partners include Le Monde, Thales électronique, and Nemoptic. Nemoptic, we know, makes their own e-paper technology, so it'll be interesting to find out if they're going to replace E Ink.

The Sylen is a joint-project that the french government is funding (the government will provide those 4 to 6 millions). For this reason I don't think it'll be released under the Cybook brand, although this is not clear yet.

[lexico]

... are given (twice) in the charts as 188 x 18 x 8.5 mm, which cannot be right. Anyone know the actual dimensions?

[DDHarriman]

It's 118 x 188 x 8.5 mm

[lexico]

Originally Posted by DDHarriman

It's 118 x 188 x 8.5 mm

Thanks! Hmm, 8.5 thin is impressive.

[DDHarriman]

Yes, one as to see a touch the think to believe. I was astonished!

And the weight! 174 grams, it's a feather.

[GeoffC]

Let's hope the after sales service is exemplary by the time this is released;;;;if not before !!!!

[DDHarriman]

Hey nothing to do with the main talk, beautiful cat photo as your avatar! Is it your cat?

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by DDHarriman

Hey nothing to do with the main talk, beautiful cat photo as your avatar! Is it your cat?

Unfortunately the answer is was.

Pepper, a very stunning long haired ginger, was a very beautiful cat with gorgeous wide open eyes. We got him and his brother, Oscar, from a local Cat Protection League. Oscar is larger, not quite as long-haired, with a more yellowy fur, but looks and acts very much like a big soft teddy bear...

Pepper, about a year ago, developed a serious complaint which meant he couldn't urinate. Despite hundreds of pounds of treatment he didn't improve and we were advised that although surgery was an option, the chances of solving the problem was very minimal.

He is sadly missed, by the family, his brother and the rest of the pride of cats. The dog probably doesn't care, it's one less chat to worry about.

[DDHarriman]

Pity, great you still have his brother - wish long years of companionship ahead.

Still a beautiful cat, but for me all the cat’s are beautiful.

Best,

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by DDHarriman

Pity, great you still have his brother - wish long years of companionship ahead.

Still a beautiful cat, but for me all the cat’s are beautiful.

Best,

Thanks, I'll sort out a selection of photo's and put them in the gallery here...

[zelda_pinwheel]

i'm a sucker for pictures of cute kittehs. it's pathetic really, especially since i live with 2 of the hairy parasites already.

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

i'm a sucker for pictures of cute kittehs. it's pathetic really, especially since i live with 2 of the hairy parasites already.

to this thread, sorry.

How can you say they are parasites?
For love you give them food, water; they give you love, vet bills, the run of their house!, worry etc -just like kids...(perhaps you have a wee point)