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

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by emellaich

Speed: Eink and the software to date is pathetic. It takes forever to page through my 450 book library. I need folders, and faster page changes.

Those are benefits of the LCD screen and folder support on the Jetbook... a much maligned reader here at MR, although there are about 3-4 people that use it as their primary reading device.

BOb

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

There is a typo (reserach) in the email address, try irish@teamresearchinc.com.

Dear Wallcraft:

THANK YOU!!

We are starting to see a lot of interest pour in on the EZ Reader; and Iris will be leaving for Taiwan on November 5.

Please email to Ruby to be placed on the short waiting list! RUBY can be emailed at: rubyl@teamresearchinc.com

I am sorry for the confusion about email addresses. We will monitor both just in case... but Ruby is the surest way.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Dylrob

The thin factor seems to be one of the reasons devices like the Cybook are so fragile in the first place. Thickness affords more resistance to sheering.

Dear Dylrob:

You are certainly partially right. Thickness affords more resistance to sheering BUT the thickness is not the thickness outside, it is the thickness of the plastic, the resins used, and the structural "bracing" inside. So, you can have thin and light and still have a very strong body that resists shearing.


Under that design you see needs to be a body that holds the screen in such a way that it will not flex. I just pulled out my EZ Reader and tried hard to make it flex and it will not budge. I have also had customers drop it at a Trade Show from 45 inches height (a normal table height) three times and it is none the worse for wear. (Do NOT do this with yours. If I break one it is to learn... treat your device with more respect).

Lastly, do not forget the cover or "holder". Ours is crush-resistant and does a great job of guarding the device. Also, the tabs that hold it in the case are, if anything, TOO good... the problem is you really have to work hard to get it out of the holder... the way it should be. Our holder (leather-like cover) surrounds the device on all sides with a strong magnetic clasp. It provides a very high level of protection that other eBook Readers may not provide. It is included, and not an option.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by emellaich

Price: Although no longer a deal, the new Astak price seems inline with other companies. However, the real issue here is the rise of the netbook. Its hard to compare the price/features of an ebook when you can get a laptop with an eight to ten inch screen for $300 to $500. The ipod touch at $229 is at a nice price point also. It may not be possible to put the ebooks together much cheaper, but they are getting a lot of price pressure from similar products.

Durability: As so many others have noted, cracked screens are a problem. I had a Cybook, but don't plan to replace it until a flexible screen is available.

Speed: Eink and the software to date is pathetic. It takes forever to page through my 450 book library. I need folders, and faster page changes. Its also a pain trying to find a page in a book. Since my Cybook busted, I bought a used palm tungsten. The LCD screen is so much more interactive resulting in a much snappier response. I can quickly page through my library, and I can use the touch screen and the progress bar to quickly skip back and forward.

Speed on eBook Readers is determined by the NAND Flash used in the device ( single level cell versus multi level cell) and much more important... the controller. Almost ALL ebooks presently on the market use a controller developed very well by PVI 3-4 years ago.This is because so FEW eBook Readers were on the market that no controller manufacturer wanted to bother. PVI did a very commendable job but eBooks Readers have matured and become more abundant. EPSON, a REAL controller company, has finally built a controller that gets the most out of the NAND Flash. It has great speed. Slowly, most eBook Manufacturers aremaking the switch. I can tell you that Jinke (makers of our EZ Reader) and Netronix (makers of our future Mentor line) are doing the needful. The new EZ Reader Plus amd EZ Reader Pro will have the Epson controller. The new Mentor Line will have the Epson controller.

The EZ Reader uses an interface where if you push the page turn button once it turns one page. If you hold it down it jumps TEN pages at a time. You can get from first to last selection quickly and easily no matter how many ebooks you have. That is a nice feature.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by SaraD

Hi Robert B,

The last price tag I saw for the basic EZ Reader was "around $300" and that was a while ago. Is there an updated price that you can officially tell us yet? And what shipping costs can be expected?

Thank You!

Dear SaraD:

Because the first shipment is coming by air freight (a Chinese regulation prohibiting battery-powered devices to leave by boat) we will have them sooner; but the price will be $324. We will have a CES show special price of $299 at the show. We HOPE to find a way around the new China regulation in the future which will bring the cost down.

Shipping costs are based on zones and on speed (Ground is least expensive). $8.70 by UPS Ground to Kansas City, Missouri. Less for shorter distance and slightly more for longer distances. Remember, it comes packed with the crush-resistent case and decent ear buds and ten free pre-loaded books.

Robert B

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Robertb

We HOPE to find a way around the new China regulation in the future which will bring the cost down.

What? Aren't iPods and tons of cell phones and nitnendo DSes made there? Are you saying all that suff is shipped by Air and not cargo container boats?

BOb

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear SaraD:

Because the first shipment is coming by air freight (a Chinese regulation prohibiting battery-powered devices to leave by boat) we will have them sooner; but the price will be $324. We will have a CES show special price of $299 at the show. We HOPE to find a way around the new China regulation in the future which will bring the cost down.

Shipping costs are based on zones and on speed (Ground is least expensive). $8.70 by UPS Ground to Kansas City, Missouri. Less for shorter distance and slightly more for longer distances. Remember, it comes packed with the crush-resistent case and decent ear buds and ten free pre-loaded books.

Robert B

Interesting! Even at $324, the price ain't bad. Now will these come with a softcover, or will that be extra? And if the latter, how much?

Derek

[Robertb]

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.

Dear Roncri:

Aside from 8,000 pages of text in a single charge, the E-ink and E-paper technology gives you no eye strain for one thing. It is far easier on the eyes.

Also, it gives you devices sich as the EZ Reader that weigh only 6.5 ounces and are very thin and easier to hold erect while reading. Ask yourself, also, how often you read in the dark; and what your eyes feel like after the reading in the dark. Eye doctors recommend not even looking at TV in a dark room.

If you do a ton of camping then you need that backlight. Otherwise, you may not miss it at all.

Robert B

[Dylrob]

Robert,

Since you're here, I was hoping you could clarify something. As I mentioned on the previous page, eInk released a video of the development kit with the latest controller chip. On one had it shows a refresh rate fast enough for animiation. But then the refresh rate looks to be about the same as existing screens later in the demonstration. Since you hinted at having tested the chip yourselves awhile back, I'm wondering how specifically it effects the speed? My theory was it had to do with the number of bits grayscale being used. Is this accurate, or is there something else going on?

Many thanks,
Dylan


PS It's good to know that the EZ reader is fairly resistant. I've been a little skittish to buy a new reader since the screen on my Sony reader broke (I still may ultimately wait for the plastic screens though).

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

Interesting! Even at $324, the price ain't bad. Now will these come with a softcover, or will that be extra? And if the latter, how much?

Derek

Dear Derek:

ALL EZ Readers come packed with both the full crush-resistent case with magnetic closure and with ear buds (decent actually). That case is a beauty, looks great and holds the EZ Reader extremely firmly. You cannot shake it out and may break a fingernail trying to get it out. People told me they want a case that protects AND there is almost no chance of the device falling out. Trust me, the EZ Reader case is perfect from these two points.

Robert B

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Derek:

ALL EZ Readers come packed with both the full crush-resistent case with magnetic closure and with ear buds (decent actually). That case is a beauty, looks great and holds the EZ Reader extremely firmly. You cannot shake it out and may break a fingernail trying to get it out. People told me they want a case that protects AND there is almost no chance of the device falling out. Trust me, the EZ Reader case is perfect from these two points.

Robert B

Yay! BTW, thanks for the updated email link for registering for one. I signed up.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Dylrob

Robert,

Since you're here, I was hoping you could clarify something. As I mentioned on the previous page, eInk released a video of the development kit with the latest controller chip. On one had it shows a refresh rate fast enough for animiation. But then the refresh rate looks to be about the same as existing screens later in the demonstration. Since you hinted at having tested the chip yourselves awhile back, I'm wondering how specifically it effects the speed? My theory was it had to do with the number of bits grayscale being used. Is this accurate, or is there something else going on?

Many thanks,
Dylan


PS It's good to know that the EZ reader is fairly resistant. I've been a little skittish to buy a new reader since the screen on my Sony reader broke (I still may ultimately wait for the plastic screens though).

Dear Dylan:

I have NOT specifically tested the Epson controller but know well how it works. My company also manufactures Flash Memory Cards which also work with NAND Flash and a controller. Single Level Cell is far faster than Multi Level Cell NAND. Unfortunately, two years ago, all of the NAND manufacturers went to Multi Level Cell 90%. That means the cost of SLC went sky high.

What the Epson Controller does is have an interface that will allow info to be pulled from both levels at once (think of a Multi Level Nand as a two-story house). It means instead of running up and down stairs to find your socks, umbrella, and running shoes... you and your mate split up and hunt both floors simutaneously.

As all those bytes of ebook are stored in the NAND Flash, the search takes much shorter time.

Does that help?

Robert B

[Xenophon]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Igorsk:

Yes, thin and light does NOT translate to good ergonomics. BUT that is my point! Everyone told me that Thin and Light were far down the list of "most desired". To me... my first question is how in hell am I supposed to hold a bulky and heavy device for an hour on an airplane. The human hand has a comfort level for weight and thickness. To me, the EZ Reader can be grasped and held comfortably. Then... you also have to look at the controls and their laypout relative to where your fingers fall. The EZ Reader has page-advance buttons on the left side, right side (as some people are left handed), and on the bottom front. Everything seems to fall naturally into easy movement of thumb and yet there is plenty of room to hold it comfortably without accidently triggering anything.

So... I judge the ergonomics to be very good on the EZ Reader. Yes, I am predjudiced. But, if I did not feel the ergonomics were right I would likely have yelled and screamed until we changed it... or I would say they are "only fair". To me, it is right!

Thank you,

Robert B

Robert B:

Please please PLEASE tell me you have laid your hands on an REB-1100/REB-1150/eBookWise reader. Play with one. Experience good ergonomics (in terms of the physical feel and button layout, NOT the screen)!

Then light fires under your manufacturing partners to do AT LEAST THAT WELL!!!

My single biggest disappointment with all eInk readers to date is that the designers have dropped the ball on physical ergonomics. Please do the (simple, inexpensive) research to see what "good" is in this area. And please CONFIRM that you are paying attention to this issue.

Xenophon

(Sorry about the shouting, but this is a really big deal...)

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

Robert B:

Please please PLEASE tell me you have laid your hands on an REB-1100/REB-1150/eBookWise reader. Play with one. Experience good ergonomics (in terms of the physical feel and button layout, NOT the screen)!

Then light fires under your manufacturing partners to do AT LEAST THAT WELL!!!

My single biggest disappointment with all eInk readers to date is that the designers have dropped the ball on physical ergonomics. Please do the (simple, inexpensive) research to see what "good" is in this area. And please CONFIRM that you are paying attention to this issue.

Xenophon

(Sorry about the shouting, but this is a really big deal...)

i could not agree more. and there are plenty more of us who feel the same way. the eb1150 should have set the ergonomic standard for the new generation of devices, instead of being (apparently) completely forgotten. if ANY company brings out a new device that gets close to it, but lighter and with an e-ink screen, i will buy it in a second.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

Robert B:

Please please PLEASE tell me you have laid your hands on an REB-1100/REB-1150/eBookWise reader. Play with one. Experience good ergonomics (in terms of the physical feel and button layout, NOT the screen)!

Then light fires under your manufacturing partners to do AT LEAST THAT WELL!!!

My single biggest disappointment with all eInk readers to date is that the designers have dropped the ball on physical ergonomics. Please do the (simple, inexpensive) research to see what "good" is in this area. And please CONFIRM that you are paying attention to this issue.

Xenophon

(Sorry about the shouting, but this is a really big deal...)

Dear Xenophon:

I am familiar with the ergonomics of the REB 1150. I make it a point to never point out anything good or poor about my competition. I like the big buttons on the left side of the REB 1150 and it has a nice shape.

Let me JUST talk about the EZ Reader in vague comparison. First, not all of the world is right-handed. WHERE would a left hander grasp this other device without accidently doing a page advance. The EZ Reader has three sets of page advance/retreat buttons and accomdates both right and left handed people well. Like the 1150 does to you, the EZ Reader feels great in my hand and everything is in easy reach with my thumb yet there is no danger of accidently triggering a function (why we decided NOT to go with oversized buttons).

Let me say though that I am pleased that you are pleased. I think it great that you found something that feels good to you. Two years of research went into getting the EZ Reader (Jinke Hanlin V3) exactly right on ergonomics. I cannot imagine a more well-planned and logical layout. I am sure that some will feel differently... but I honestly think the strongest suit of the EZ Reader is how it feels in the hand, how it should not have misfires (accidental tripping), and how your thumb has reach.

Robert B