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

[nekokami]

I checked with eReader a while back to see if they might port their reading application to Linux, and they weren't interested at that point. I suppose that might change now that Fictionwise owns them....

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by kacir

It looks like the announcement of the EZ-reader was a kind of anticlimax.
I just hope Astak did not abandon Mentor line entirely.

Actually, given Netronix's lack of support, I sure do hope that they stay far away from Netronix.

[GntlmnBndt]

Originally Posted by nekokami

I checked with eReader a while back to see if they might port their reading application to Linux, and they weren't interested at that point. I suppose that might change now that Fictionwise owns them....

Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a product announcement, in fact it looks more like a slip of the fingers, but according to Scott from Fictionwise, they do expect to support Android at some point. Android development is pretty different from a general Linux version, but I still see it as a step in the right direction.

For the direct quote, see the second to last paragraph of his Sept 19th email to the Fictionwise Yahoo! group, but you won't find any further details. It was just an off-the-cuff comment.

I would think we would have seen a proper product announcement if it were coming quickly, but the first Android device won't hit the shelves until later this week, so anything is possible. Let's hope more platforms are on the way...

The Bandit

[davidspitzer]

We need someone else besides irex with an a4 size device - they can not ship a product for the life of them. You guys need to beat plasticlogic to market

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by davidspitzer

We need someone else besides irex with an a4 size device - they can not ship a product for the life of them. You guys need to beat plasticlogic to market

People can only release machines with screens that are available. What screen do you suggest that Astak use?

[davidspitzer]

I am not privy to all the current manufacturing options for screens. I am a consumer who wants choice and that is what my request is about. It is up to Astak to deliver on the promise. If the screen is not available then they should work with the manufacturer to make it available.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by davidspitzer

I am not privy to all the current manufacturing options for screens. I am a consumer who wants choice and that is what my request is about. It is up to Astak to deliver on the promise. If the screen is not available then they should work with the manufacturer to make it available.

Jinke is promising a screen that is 10" with flexible plastic backing but no deliver date is mentioned. I expect it to appear in the first half of next year.

Dale

[seamusfp]

Originally Posted by davidspitzer

We need someone else besides irex with an a4 size device - they can not ship a product for the life of them. You guys need to beat plasticlogic to market

David, it may not be a matter of 'beating' Plastic Logic to market. Their core business is making plastic screens, not making ebooks. I'm pretty sure they have more in common with PVI, than Astek, Amazon, or Sony (or any of the other ebook makers)

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Actually, given Netronix's lack of support, I sure do hope that they stay far away from Netronix.

Dear JS Wolf:

Netronix is slowly getting things moving forward. They hired a new lady named Catherine who really seems to be driving them in the right direction.

There is, for example, a device they are working on now that has: the Epson controller, blue tooth, 3G, Wi-Fi, and Touchscreen. This is very interesting. This could be cutting edge by the time it rolls out. The question is the controls design. Netronix needs to move forward with making the device have a modern feel and a modern lay-out of the buttons.

Astak is watching from up close and still hoping.

Please remember the 54 foot long booth by Astak at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas (January 8-11). Netronics will have a kiosk stand at our booth. There you can SEE, and we can see, what they are working on. I believe it is still free to get in until November 15 when you sign up for Exhibits Only. Booth number is 73206 and it is at the front entrance to The Sands Expo.

That would be my recommendation. Take a look and tell them what you think and want. Tell us (Astak) what you think and want.

Astak is overjoyed with the cooperation we are getting from Jinke (makers of Hanlin V3 and more) and the EZ Reader (November Release), EZ Reader Plus (WiFi in March), and EZ Reader Pro (Touchscreen and Note Taking in March) are really a fabulous start on an incredible future.

RobertB

[Xenophon]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear JS Wolf:

Netronix is slowly getting things moving forward. They hired a new lady named Catherine who really seems to be driving them in the right direction.

There is, for example, a device they are working on now that has: the Epson controller, blue tooth, 3G, Wi-Fi, and Touchscreen. This is very interesting. This could be cutting edge by the time it rolls out. The question is the controls design. Netronix needs to move forward with making the device have a modern feel and a modern lay-out of the buttons.

Astak is watching from up close and still hoping.

<<SNIP>>

RobertB

Robert:

Tell them to take a very close look at the physical ergonomics of the REB1100 (a.k.a eBookWise 1150). No other ebook reader yet designed has even come close to being that well designed in terms of hand feel and button placement. A new reader with that calibre of ergonomic design would be very welcome.

In fact, you should get one to play with yourself. Overall, it's got plenty of problems -- for example: The screen sucks, and the processor is slow. But it feels right in your hands. The buttons are well placed for readers with large hands (or small hands); also for both left- and right-handed users. You can orient it with any of its four edges as the top of the screen and everything works just right (it even automatically changes the mapping of the next-page and previous-page buttons).

Please, please make your next device have better physical ergonomics -- it would be a refreshing change from the flawed devices we have available now.

Xenophon

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

Robert:

Tell them to take a very close look at the physical ergonomics of the REB1100 (a.k.a eBookWise 1150). No other ebook reader yet designed has even come close to being that well designed in terms of hand feel and button placement. A new reader with that calibre of ergonomic design would be very welcome.

In fact, you should get one to play with yourself. Overall, it's got plenty of problems -- for example: The screen sucks, and the processor is slow. But it feels right in your hands. The buttons are well placed for readers with large hands (or small hands); also for both left- and right-handed users. You can orient it with any of its four edges as the top of the screen and everything works just right (it even automatically changes the mapping of the next-page and previous-page buttons).

Please, please make your next device have better physical ergonomics -- it would be a refreshing change from the flawed devices we have available now.

Xenophon

amen !!!!!!! i don't know why no manufacturer has done that so far. the current generation of e-ink devices are ALL a huge step backwards in terms of ergonomy, in my opinion (and clearly i'm not alone). my ideal e-ink device is the one that gets the closest to the eb1150 design, but lighter and thinner (and with e-ink, obviously). sadly i'm still waiting for it.

[roncri]

I'm still using my eBookwise. I purchased a Cybook Gen3 but the screen cracked and I was back to using my eBookwise. I forgot what it was like to have easy to use page turn buttons and very fast page scrolling. Screw the eInk, make me a thinner, lighter eBookwise that supports SD cards and I'm sold.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by roncri

I'm still using my eBookwise. I purchased a Cybook Gen3 but the screen cracked and I was back to using my eBookwise. I forgot what it was like to have easy to use page turn buttons and very fast page scrolling. Screw the eInk, make me a thinner, lighter eBookwise that supports SD cards and I'm sold.

hm. or there's that option...

but i really do want e-ink.

(but i agree, the ebookwise is a brilliant, brilliant liseuse.)

[roncri]

But outside of battery life, what does eInk really bring me? My eBookwise get's about 10 hours of reading time on a charge. Plus, since it's a backlit LCD I can use it in the dark.

[Lemurion]

Originally Posted by roncri

But outside of battery life, what does eInk really bring me? My eBookwise get's about 10 hours of reading time on a charge. Plus, since it's a backlit LCD I can use it in the dark.

I have been reading on LCDs for years. I just saw a Sony Reader at Target recently and it was a "wow" moment. Until you've seen it it's hard to explain the nature of the display.

All I can say is "You know how an LCD always looks like a screen? Eink doesn't."