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

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by 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.

This is exactly what came to mind when I read Robert's post.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Dylrob

This is exactly what came to mind when I read Robert's post.

Dear Dylrob:

I will certainly talk to them and thank you. But, the company we are talking with now, is not this company and I cannot tell you what company due to occasional viewing of thread by competitors.

I AM reading every post and I appreciate every comment. It sounds like the vast majority want 9.7 devices with this technology. That can be done. I am still working on getting a definite date for 9.7 release.

I am appreciative of all the feedback.

Robert B

[Xenophon]

Originally Posted by Robertb

[SNIP]
I AM reading every post and I appreciate every comment. It sounds like the vast majority want 9.7 devices with this technology. That can be done. I am still working on getting a definite date for 9.7 release.

I am appreciative of all the feedback.

Robert B

Count me out of that majority. I want a six-inch device for reading fiction*. I just want it to have the kind of improved interface that is enabled by the touch capability, plus [oh, just read my previous note].

Glad you're reading every post! It gives me hope that our feedback will improve the available devices a bit.

Xenophon

*If I need a larger device for professional purposes, it'll be paid for either by my research contract at the University, or by my employer (if I'm out in industry). That means a whole different batch of concerns that I haven't bothered addressing here.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Dylrob:

I will certainly talk to them and thank you. But, the company we are talking with now, is not this company and I cannot tell you what company due to occasional viewing of thread by competitors.

I AM reading every post and I appreciate every comment. It sounds like the vast majority want 9.7 devices with this technology. That can be done. I am still working on getting a definite date for 9.7 release.

I am appreciative of all the feedback.

Robert B

Okay, but why are you thanking me? Pkovak deserves the credit for posting that link.

It's great to know there are other companies working on solving the limitations that currently plague touch screens! I mean not only do resistive types reduce contrast, but in my experience they also increase the screen's susceptibility to scratching. Capacitive screens are more durable, but they can only be used with bare flesh. Not the tip of ones nail or a regular stylus.

BTW, I think for a touch screen to really benefit there must be some way of attaching notes. And perhaps even a standalone note taking function (where the bigger screen would be of especial benefit).

[pkovak]

I think the answer to which type of touchscreen to use is simple: if the new technology works like the old one, it doesn't cost much more then old one and it don't decrease text clarity, then you have good chance to get an edge over your competition - some of the "new generation" eReaders are already released, if they have touchscreen, it's most probably the old one and some people won't like decreased text quality. Devices still waiting for release will probably have old one too, if they don't react fast. If they do act fast, they won't have any edge over *you*, you won't loose any points compared to them in this field. If they don't, you have an edge even against them.
So it all really depends on quality and pricing of the new technology. I can understand some people being worried that this tech will decrease performance of the touchscreen, maybe it will be less precise, needs stronger touch to work, etc. The article I found says it's "price competitive" which, frankly, doesn't mean much, that some people call their products price competitive doesn't mean everyone (or even anybody) else do the same.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Dylrob

It's great to know there are other companies working on solving the limitations that currently plague touch screens! I mean not only do resistive types reduce contrast, but in my experience they also increase the screen's susceptibility to scratching. Capacitive screens are more durable, but they can only be used with bare flesh. Not the tip of ones nail or a regular stylus.

My reading leads me to believe that capacitive touch screens are considerably less accurate than resistive ones. With a stylus and a properly calibrated screen, resistive touch screens can be accurate to a single pixel on the screen. Capacitive screens are OK for pushing "buttons", but they cannot be used for such things as "writing" on the screen.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

Count me out of that majority. I want a six-inch device for reading fiction*. I just want it to have the kind of improved interface that is enabled by the touch capability, plus [oh, just read my previous note].

I share your requirements, Xenophon. A 6" device is ideal for portability. One of the reasons I sold my iLiad (8" screen) is that it was just too big to carry around.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by pkovak

I think the answer to which type of touchscreen to use is simple: if the new technology works like the old one, it doesn't cost much more then old one and it don't decrease text clarity, then you have good chance to get an edge over your competition - some of the "new generation" eReaders are already released, if they have touchscreen, it's most probably the old one and some people won't like decreased text quality. Devices still waiting for release will probably have old one too, if they don't react fast. If they do act fast, they won't have any edge over *you*, you won't loose any points compared to them in this field. If they don't, you have an edge even against them.
So it all really depends on quality and pricing of the new technology. I can understand some people being worried that this tech will decrease performance of the touchscreen, maybe it will be less precise, needs stronger touch to work, etc. The article I found says it's "price competitive" which, frankly, doesn't mean much, that some people call their products price competitive doesn't mean everyone (or even anybody) else do the same.

Dear pkovak:

Thank you for some great feedback and a well thought out post.

From what I am hearing now the new "under the E-Ink" touchscreen will run about $60 more that regular touch.

I have the same concerns as have been voiced already about touch pressure and reliability and other drawbacks if any. I fired off about six questions of this nature last night and will have answers soon.

Robert B

[jmontyb]

Count me among those who don't particularly care for touchscreens. I want my ebook reader for leisure purposes, not professional, so I'm more interested in easy navigation from a variety of positions (reclining, lying in bed). From this perspective, a touchscreen is just as much trouble (if not more) than a button in a bad position. I'd be much more interested in scroll wheels ergonomically placed on the side of the reader. My cellphone has a scroll wheel on the side; when I first got it I didn't use it at all, but now that I'm used to it I consider it indispensable.

[Robertb]

Dear All:

I am becoming more jazzed about the new Mentor Lite. After working with it for a week solid and rewriting the User Manual... I have learned some real advantages. Please take a look at my latest blog on: robertbEZ.blogspot.com

Remember... it is a "basic" eBook Reader and not the second coming of Christ... but a lot of you only want a basic unit that does everything well and makes navigating around a lot easier. This little 6 inch is really pretty cool and bodes well for other Mentor models forthcoming. It again seems very reliable and never a glitch I have seen.

The best things I loved are "one touch buttons". You want to go to Horizontal display... you have one button for that. You want to get out of the book you are reading and play SODOKU... you have one button for that. You want, for any reason, to return to the main menu... one button for that. YET... the buttons are very small and on the left side. The front of the Mentor Lite stays simple, clean, uncluttered, and intuitive.

For Sodoku lovers, I can say that playing it on the Mentor Lite is great. You can pencil in guesses or ink in what you are sure of. You can erase. You can choose the difficulty level. Playing Sodoku on the Mentor Lite will be a fabulous diversion when flying or laying on the beach. I am happy they included that.

Anyway... please go to my blog and see what it has. Pricing is still coming (BOO). Getting what you need from a factory 7,000 miles away can be maddening. OH... we are close on getting the Epson controller onto it. Please stay tuned.

Remember... the Mentor Lite will first be sold on our new (under construction) website: www.goEZebook.com Color pictures coming within two days. The Mentor Lite will be a black body.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by Robertb

From what I am hearing now the new "under the E-Ink" touchscreen will run about $60 more that regular touch.

I'm curious, how much do the regular ones cost?

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by jmontyb

Count me among those who don't particularly care for touchscreens. I want my ebook reader for leisure purposes, not professional, so I'm more interested in easy navigation from a variety of positions (reclining, lying in bed). From this perspective, a touchscreen is just as much trouble (if not more) than a button in a bad position. I'd be much more interested in scroll wheels ergonomically placed on the side of the reader. My cellphone has a scroll wheel on the side; when I first got it I didn't use it at all, but now that I'm used to it I consider it indispensable.

Dear jmontyb:

Based on your biggest interest being ease of navigation, you should consider the Mentor Lite. No touchscreen or anything like that... just a good basic device with some really nice features. Anyway... take a look at my blog on the Mentor Lite: robertbEZ.blogspot.com

Robert B

[Robertb]

Dear all:

I now know that there are two camps: one values the ease and convenience of the 6 inch and the other wants bigger and badder. Both of you will be getting your wishes soon enough. The Mentor line alone will be spotlighting the 6 inch and put it out with plenty of horsepower. The top of the 6 inch Mentor line will be the Mentor Invicta. This will have 16 levels of grey scale, 600MHz CPU, 16,000 pages to a single charge, Epson controller, and all sorts of fabulous features. The Mentor Invicta is slated for a Q3, 2009 release.

The 9.7 inch Mentor Electra will have 16 level grey scale flexiscreen, 600MHz processor, 16,000 page to a single charge, and READS TRUE on 8 by 10!! Right now the product roadmap says October-November 2009. An option on the Mentor Electra will be 26K COLOR screen with much improved battery life.

Robert B

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear all:

I now know that there are two camps: one values the ease and convenience of the 6 inch and the other wants bigger and badder. Both of you will be getting your wishes soon enough. The Mentor line alone will be spotlighting the 6 inch and put it out with plenty of horsepower. The top of the 6 inch Mentor line will be the Mentor Invicta. This will have 16 levels of grey scale, 600MHz CPU, 16,000 pages to a single charge, Epson controller, and all sorts of fabulous features. The Mentor Invicta is slated for a Q3, 2009 release.

The 9.7 inch Mentor Electra will have 16 level grey scale flexiscreen, 600MHz processor, 16,000 page to a single charge, and READS TRUE on 8 by 10!! Right now the product roadmap says October-November 2009. An option on the Mentor Electra will be 26K COLOR screen with much improved battery life.

Robert B

I think you meant 256 color, not 26K color. Do you really think the color will be this year?

Dale

[Robertb]

Dear All:

Many of you that have read my blog know the fight we had last year with CES to get so much as an eBook category. Their question was like: "which end of my computer do I place on top of an eBook Reader".

This year CEA (which runs CES) listened and we not only have a category... there will be a special 50,000 square foot eBook Pavillion inthe Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at the next CES (January 7-10, 2010). eBook Readers and eBooks and accessories and publishers, and more will all have a central area of the show. For what we love... CES has finally seen the light!!

This is now definite and people are buying up booths in it. I hear the IDPF is sponsoring the area. So, if eBook Readers are your cup of tea... you now have one show that will feature all you could want.

Again, the show says "for the trade only" but that is old poppycock. You will have no problem registering and registration is normally free. Stay in the Downtown Area of Las Vegas and great rooms will run less than $79 a night. Or stay at a Downtown Area Motel for $39-$49 a night. There are free shuttle buses to take you to the Convention Center.

Robert B