Delstar OpenBook at Walgreens

[Scott_T]

Originally Posted by annestover

Does anyone have any thoughts on this device? I don't know much about eReaders, but I did take my Delstar back to Walgreens. They refunded all of my money, including shipping, plus $5 for my time (seemed very nice).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16858690002

You should prob start a new thread to ask about another reader

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by annestover

Does anyone have any thoughts on this device? I don't know much about eReaders, but I did take my Delstar back to Walgreens. They refunded all of my money, including shipping, plus $5 for my time (seemed very nice).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16858690002

It's horrible.
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65043

[imaredr]

I was on Sungale's site yesterday and there is a new Cyberus (701). The new one should read epub. I don't know when it will be available though. Still, most people do not like it. Hopefully the new model when it is available will be better.

Ellen

[Highroller]

Originally Posted by annestover

Does anyone have any thoughts on this device? I don't know much about eReaders, but I did take my Delstar back to Walgreens. They refunded all of my money, including shipping, plus $5 for my time (seemed very nice).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16858690002

Looks at its reviews. If its the one I am remembering it does text only on ebooks. Might be a different model, definately same company.

Ok different model I guess but not much better. The Chinese just haven't grasped the concept of an ereader really I am afraid...

[bryanzs]

Originally Posted by Highroller

Looks at its reviews. If its the one I am remembering it does text only on ebooks. Might be a different model, definately same company.

Ok different model I guess but not much better. The Chinese just haven't grasped the concept of an ereader really I am afraid...

TXT and PDF support only, and a 3 hour battery life. Not for me...

Originally Posted by Highroller

The Chinese just haven't grasped the concept of an ereader really I am afraid...

It is one thing for a reader device to be capable of opening and displaying ePub, FB2, Mobi, PRC, PDB, HTML, etc. as non-formatted text only. Technically speaking, one could argue that the ability to do so means the reader device is ePub, FB2, Mobi, PRC, PDB, HTML, etc. capable.

However, each of the eBook formats are designed to use a text markup language for displaying formatted text. Those of us who find reflowable formatting features important are disappointed by reader devices that fail to render ePub, FB2, Mobi, PRC, PDB, HTML, etc. as they were intended to be rendered. Moreover we are disappointed when reader devices don't allow us to custom configure the display of eBooks. For example, configure margins, fonts, etc.

Many companies, whether Chinese or otherwise, have definitely failed to grasp this concept. The Delstar OpenBook is a prime example. These companies need to understand that this is 2010 and not 1980, and we are not satisfied by reading books that look like a DOS era TXT file.

[Katelyn]

I returned my OpenBook reader today. I don't need plain text reader

[Highroller]

Still amazing to me how old the Reb/Ebookwise reader is and how few newer readers are as good as it is. Most of them are rather inferior compared to the Ebookwise in fact...(sigh)

[annestover]

Did anyone else notice that Walgreens has the Delstar in their ad again this week? I am truly surprised. Maybe it was too late to pull the ad or they simply haven't seen the onslaught of returns that are likely forthcoming. Too bad really. I thought the reader looked great, too bad it didn't function as well.

Originally Posted by annestover

Did anyone else notice that Walgreens has the Delstar in their ad again this week? I am truly surprised. Maybe it was too late to pull the ad or they simply haven't seen the onslaught of returns that are likely forthcoming. Too bad really. I thought the reader looked great, too bad it didn't function as well.

Their website (see link in first post of this thread) shows it back in stock. It was out of stock a few days ago. Also, there is one review on Walgreens site and it gives it a 4 star approval. Perhaps we should give our reviews there too so as to warn potential buyers to what they will get.

[annestover]

Great idea. I posted my review. I really am bummed that the Delstar wasn't what it says it is. Maybe that old adage about "if it seems to good to be true..." is my lesson learned. Oh well. I bought a Barnes & Noble nook. Not nearly as cool, but at least I get an eReader I can use.

Originally Posted by annestover

Great idea. I posted my review. I really am bummed that the Delstar wasn't what it says it is. Maybe that old adage about "if it seems to good to be true..." is my lesson learned. Oh well. I bought a Barnes & Noble nook. Not nearly as cool, but at least I get an eReader I can use.

I look at it this way; nothing ventured nothing gained. At least we gave it a try, even though we knew it was most likely too good to be true. And we got most of our money refunded.

I look forward to a year in which a lot of new eBook reading devices, many with new technologies, will be introduced. By the end of the year there should be several affordable alternatives to the current e-Ink devices and some of them will surely appeal to each of us.

[annestover]

Originally Posted by jswinden

I look at it this way; nothing ventured nothing gained. At least we gave it a try, even though we knew it was most likely too good to be true. And we got most of our money refunded.

I look forward to a year in which a lot of new eBook reading devices, many with new technologies, will be introduced. By the end of the year there should be several affordable alternatives to the current e-Ink devices and some of them will surely appeal to each of us.

I am sure you are right. I saw the releases for Fujitsu's eReader, $1,000. OMG! I hope we see similar quality with a smaller tag soon.

[bryanzs]

Originally Posted by Highroller

Still amazing to me how old the Reb/Ebookwise reader is and how few newer readers are as good as it is. Most of them are rather inferior compared to the Ebookwise in fact...(sigh)

That's exactly right. I was so excited when I first got my iLiad, but now I don't really use it at all - I'm still using the REB1100. Why can't someone make something simple like that, but update it a bit - a multi-format, backlit ebook? With all the enhancements in technology since the REB1100, you'd imagine something could be made much thinner and lighter, with the same performance, and enhanced features.

But I'm still looking for it

[bryanzs]

Originally Posted by jswinden

I look at it this way; nothing ventured nothing gained. At least we gave it a try, even though we knew it was most likely too good to be true. And we got most of our money refunded.

Actually, my Delstar ended up making me a little money - although my local Walgreens didn't refund the shipping, somehow the coupon I used didn't get "de-credited", so I think I ended up $3.00 ahead on the deal...