Devices with search/keyboard ?

[b0rsuk]

Hey

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there seem to be only 2 devices with text search capabilities. At least according to the table I've found on the wiki. Are there any others on the horizon ?

(Please forgive me if it's already covered somewhere - something named "search" is, ironically, hard to search for)

Kindle has a keyboard, but screen size is less than awesome. And more importantly - it's locked tighter than a chastity belt. Unless I'm mistaken, you can only read the stuff they allow you to. Oh, and let's not forget it's only available in US.

Illiad supposedly allows text search via pen + handwriting recognition (sounds much less convenient than a keyboard), but I heard it's not the case for .pdf files. Illiad has some nice things going for it (big screen, Linux with SDK, extra software etc). But it also has a lot of features I don't need, like touch screen, wifi, stylus, etc. 45 seconds boot time and no standby mode doesn't sound cool, either. And it's quite expensive, even if Book Edition is a step in the right direction.

I've been doing some research and it looks like there are no devices on the horizon with search capabilities. Is that true ? I like reading books a lot, but search function would be a great help for technical documentation (I work in IT).

Open Source Kindle with a bigger screen would be perfect for me. I would consider Astak Mentor if it didn't run windows...

[wallcraft]

The Kindle supports DRM-free MOBI/PRC ebooks from any source, but DRM-laden ebooks must come from Amazon. Its search capability is the best available, and includes an all-documents search which no other dedicated ebook reader has. It currently only supports a single "primary" dictionary, and comes with one preloaded.

The iLiad "search" entry in the E-book Reader Matrix may be referring to dictionary lookup. It is possible to search the current ebook in FBReader on the iLiad, but I don't think this is possible in MobiPocket Reader or when reading PDFs.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there seem to be only 2 devices with text search capabilities. At least according to the table I've found on the wiki. Are there any others on the horizon ?

Not sure which two you are thinking of. The Jetbooks allows you to search, but only within the selected book.

BOb

[b0rsuk]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Not sure which two you are thinking of. The Jetbooks allows you to search, but only within the selected book.

BOb

What do you mean ? Can I search for arbitrary word using jetbook ? For example can I search for "eurasian badger" even if it doesn't appear on the page ?

edit
Yuck. ECTACO/Jetbook is a LCD device. Not e-ink.

[wallcraft]

On the iLiad lookup and search is via an on-screen keyboard. I am much happier with the on-screen keyboard on the iLiad than on the Nokia 770, in large part because the screen is bigger (and even though screen refreshes, e.g. for uppercase letters, are a pain).

The upcoming devices with 9.7" touch screens could do things this way too, but we have no good information yet on the depth of the software that will be provided with them.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

What do you mean ? Can I search for arbitrary word using jetbook ? For example can I search for "eurasian badger" even if it doesn't appear on the page ?

edit
Yuck. ECTACO/Jetbook is a LCD device. Not e-ink.

You can search for any word/phrase you want... but it will only search within the one open book... not all books on the device. Yes, you can search for it if it isn't on the page. Although you can only lookup words in the dictionary if the word IS on the page.

The LCD screen is not bad.

BOb

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

On the iLiad lookup and search is via an on-screen keyboard. I am much happier with the on-screen keyboard on the iLiad than on the Nokia 770, in large part because the screen is bigger (and even though screen refreshes, e.g. for uppercase letters, are a pain).

The upcoming devices with 9.7" touch screens could do things this way too, but we have no good information yet on the depth of the software that will be provided with them.

I believe folks have also added USB keyboards to their iLiads.

Dale

[b0rsuk]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

I believe folks have also added USB keyboards to their iLiads.

Dale

Believe ? Anything more substantial ? I tried to find information on this, but couldn't find anything other than speculation.

I know Iliad does have an USB port, and SDK. But that may be not enough. USB port provides 5V constantly. This means that an USB keyboard may require up to 5V to function. I suspect USB port in ebook devices is primarily to allow to connect them to computers, which then provide the 5V. I mean, it's for connecting the reader TO computer, not something to the reader, right ?

[igorsk]

I remember reading that Iliad provides up to 100mA on its USB port.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

Believe ? Anything more substantial ? I tried to find information on this, but couldn't find anything other than speculation.

I know Iliad does have an USB port, and SDK. But that may be not enough. USB port provides 5V constantly. This means that an USB keyboard may require up to 5V to function. I suspect USB port in ebook devices is primarily to allow to connect them to computers, which then provide the 5V. I mean, it's for connecting the reader TO computer, not something to the reader, right ?

The iLiad can act as a USB host as well as a client. It is, AFAIK, alone in that capability in the eInk field.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

Anything more substantial ?

I have used a USB keyboard on the iLiad. There has been at least one report a keyboard failing to work, but most seem to be ok. Note that the iLiad's USB port is primarily for memory sticks and it is not used to connect to a PC (which is done via the travel hub).

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

Believe ? Anything more substantial ? I tried to find information on this, but couldn't find anything other than speculation.

I know Iliad does have an USB port, and SDK. But that may be not enough. USB port provides 5V constantly. This means that an USB keyboard may require up to 5V to function. I suspect USB port in ebook devices is primarily to allow to connect them to computers, which then provide the 5V. I mean, it's for connecting the reader TO computer, not something to the reader, right ?

A USB port can be either a master port or a slave port. Most peripheral devices such as eBook readers have a slave port that is used to hook them to a computer. The iLiad has a master port which can supply power and behave as a master port. Unlike the older serial ports a USB port can typically only be one or the other, not both. The main purpose of the USB port on the iLiad is to attach memory devices but it can also be used for other devices such as a keyboard. The iLiad forum has information on this so your research must not have included that forum. I only said I believe because I don't personally own one and only read about them in the iLiad forum. I don't know if they had to add some driver or they just hooked it up.

Dale