Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Jellby

Faster page turns are needed for quickly browsing a book or the library, though.

Depends on how fast you read, LOL. The page turning on the EZ Reader is plenty fast enough for me, and I am considered a fast reader. Also, for the record, the page flash is a non issue for me, as well.
I'll look forward to the new crop of readers, cause I'm a tech addict, but I don't see me upgrading my EZ Reader, except for firmware, for awhile.
Now, firmware, that's a whole 'nother story, I've got a whole list of firmware upgrades I'd like to see.

[Robertb]

Dear All:

Many, many of you have said that you would like Touchscreen but hate the decrease in resolution that traditional Touch causes (an extra layer of plastic over the top of the screen substantially decreases clarity and sharpness). Most have said they would forsake Touchscreen rather than decrease the clarity.

There is a new technology that Astak is considering. Still using E-Ink, the touchscreen goes UNDER the E-Ink. Using this you could get the ease and convenience of Touchscreen with the same clarity and resolution and brightness as a regular model. The technology is proven and exceedingly reliable and works just like normal Touchscreen.

Just for the sake of conversation, if Astak was to offer an EZ Reader (as solid and trouble free as EZ Reader is) with THIS Touchscreen for $349... would that be attractive to you?? We would not really use an EZ Reader but would put it on the EZ Reader PRO actually. But, for the sake of conversation, lets just say it is an EZ Reader as most of you know about this device and you know it is proven now and works flawlessly. If we put it out with the new Touch under the E-Ink and it looked absolutely perfect in screen resolution... would this be attractive? Let us say release would be this Summer!!

I am NOT asking if you would buy it... just if something this novel would rock your boat a little? It is possible and we could do it!! This is not pie-in-the-sky! I just am hoping for feedback I can provide to base our decision upon.

Robert B

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Robertb

I am NOT asking if you would buy it... just if something this novel would rock your boat a little? It is possible and we could do it!! This is not pie-in-the-sky! I just am hoping for feedback I can provide to base our decision upon.

Kind of like what iRex did?

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Robertb

If we put it out with the new Touch under the E-Ink and it looked absolutely perfect in screen resolution... would this be attractive? Let us say release would be this Summer!!

It depends. Would this be a "finger touch" or would you need a special stylus? Also, it really depends on what features the touchscreen gives you. I really don't need a touch screen to change the screen. But for highlighting, annotations, searching, browsing, split screen stuff it would be nice to have.

Now make is 9-10inch and YES GIVE ME ONE NOW!!!

BOb

[Xenophon]

Robertb:

I bought a Sony 700 for the better UI and faster processing/page-turns/etc. And I paid $399 for it. Offer me something that works that nicely but also

• Does not compromise screen quality
• Supports ePub
• At least matches the other ergonomics and UI of the Sony
• Has a more robust screen -- perhaps via the long-rumored plastic substrate?
• Is supported by Calibre!

and my Sony 700 will go on eBay that afternoon. Add in better support for larger libraries on the device and I'll sing your praises wherever I go.

Also note that I don't give a darn about the 700's lighting system. That's a complete non-issue for me.

Xenophon

P.S. If in addition to all of the above you add 2x better screen resolution (360DPI instead of 180) and super-duper ergonomic design (like the Rocket/RCA 1100, only better), well... I'd want to have your children (or something like that). Of course I do realize that you don't control things like screen resolution and all the design details of the devices...

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

Many, many of you have said that you would like Touchscreen but hate the decrease in resolution that traditional Touch causes (an extra layer of plastic over the top of the screen substantially decreases clarity and sharpness). Most have said they would forsake Touchscreen rather than decrease the clarity.

There is a new technology that Astak is considering. Still using E-Ink, the touchscreen goes UNDER the E-Ink. Using this you could get the ease and convenience of Touchscreen with the same clarity and resolution and brightness as a regular model. The technology is proven and exceedingly reliable and works just like normal Touchscreen.

Just for the sake of conversation, if Astak was to offer an EZ Reader (as solid and trouble free as EZ Reader is) with THIS Touchscreen for $349... would that be attractive to you?? We would not really use an EZ Reader but would put it on the EZ Reader PRO actually. But, for the sake of conversation, lets just say it is an EZ Reader as most of you know about this device and you know it is proven now and works flawlessly. If we put it out with the new Touch under the E-Ink and it looked absolutely perfect in screen resolution... would this be attractive? Let us say release would be this Summer!!

I am NOT asking if you would buy it... just if something this novel would rock your boat a little? It is possible and we could do it!! This is not pie-in-the-sky! I just am hoping for feedback I can provide to base our decision upon.

Robert B

Honestly, Robert, I think my opinion here is in the minority. I don't like touchscreen anything. I had the opportunity to get a BlackBerry Storm instead of the Curve that I have, and I chose the Curve because I hated the Storm's touchscreen. I've used touchscreen computer systems and front ends for computer systems (think the self check out registers at your local store) for years, and I hate them. But as I said, I think my opinion here is probably in the minority. But for me, the answer is a definitive 'no'. I would not pay more for any touchscreen device, no matter how clear it might be.

[Mitchll]

"Just for the sake of conversation, if Astak was to offer an EZ Reader (as solid and trouble free as EZ Reader is) with THIS Touchscreen for $349... would that be attractive to you?? We would not really use an EZ Reader but would put it on the EZ Reader PRO actually. But, for the sake of conversation, lets just say it is an EZ Reader as most of you know about this device and you know it is proven now and works flawlessly. If we put it out with the new Touch under the E-Ink and it looked absolutely perfect in screen resolution... would this be attractive? Let us say release would be this Summer!!"

in a 9-10 inch screen....where do I sign up?!!!
Mitch

[DG25]

For me a touchscreen si an almost must have feature. I like minimalist design and i hate buttons. So for me, a screen only device is best, because it feels so natural, if the software interface is done right.

[PKFFW]

+1 for interested.

Touchscreen would be nice but it's not a deal breaker for me if a reader doesn't have it. I'm more interested in the 9 inch size than touchscreen

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by Robertb

I agree with Harry. It is great to have fast page turns; but it really does tend to become a non-issue. If you are reading a good book your interest should be on the plot of the book anyway... and you will not notice the page turn.

I'd have to agree, too. It bugged me at first, but as I got used to my Reader (and it didn't take long), I found myself hitting the "page turn" button when I had just enough left to read that I was still reading right up to when the page flashed, and then my eyes were moving back to the top left-hand corner for the top of the next page.

The flash hardly registers.

I have a (barely used) Cybook, and it gave me the option to turn off the flash. It didn't take too many page turns before the "after-imaging" and ghosting from previous screens (including the heavy black bar from the menu "pop-up") made it too hard to keep reading without the flash.

[Emu]

me too is interested in 9" device
and the split screen would be a nice feature for a 9"

but back to the touchtopic - if it's "just" 50$ more, and has NO disadvantages - I think I would buy a touch just for the "why not might come in handy". I would never buy a 3G or something, because I definitely wouldn't need it. but touchscreen.... I think it has almost all the advantages of a keyboard (like k2), without getting ugly and big

[pjssilva]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

I am NOT asking if you would buy it... just if something this novel would rock your boat a little? It is possible and we could do it!! This is not pie-in-the-sky! I just am hoping for feedback I can provide to base our decision upon.

Robert B

Yes, you would have my attention. I am traveling for a congress in the US in August. If a device like this is on sale by that time I'll consider, carefully, buying it.

[SaraD]

Originally Posted by Robertb

I am NOT asking if you would buy it... just if something this novel would rock your boat a little? It is possible and we could do it!! This is not pie-in-the-sky! I just am hoping for feedback I can provide to base our decision upon.

Robert B

For the next year or two my answer would be no, not yet. My interest is in a small (5" or 6"), tough, fast, and simple e-book reader that displays text really well. I want it for reading fiction novels and thoroughly enjoying myself. Note taking, and many of the other touch screen functions, don't go with that for me.

In a few more years when all-in-one units are truly functional and battery efficient for running my whole life (i.e. will interface with my MS Outlook calendar, replace my cell phone, etc.) I will be very interested, but for now it sounds really cool, but higher end than where I want to be with too many bells & whistles. For my neice starting college in the fall, however, it would be great in the 9.7" if more text books were available in e-book forms.

[pkovak]

RobertB, I have to ask, if this new touchscreen technology is more expensive then the one you wanted to put in those models. If it is, then how much more expensive?
Can you give us more comparative info? What differencies are there? It looks extremely interesting.
But to answer your question: if it works same way as the previous touchscreen, means no special stylus needed etc, I am all in. I always wanted to have eReader with touchscreen and wifi (I think 3G is practicaly useless for me here so it's not important). I only need to decide what exactly to buy and how big a screen - bigger screen also means it can be less crash resistant then smaller ones, almost surely heavier, and certainly it needs more space then smaller devices (would you carry your PC around all the time, even if it was same weight as your mobile phone )?
But as I said, I certainly want touchscreen, if the display has same clarity as without touchscreen and works... can't wait to have one.

[pkovak]

OK, I was very interested in this, so I googled for a min:
http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Scienc...p?NewsNum=2182
I believe this is the one, correct me if I am wrong. Happy reading.