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

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Sweetpea:

Astak is allowed to sell to individuals in Europe. I do not know yet if a didtributor will sell them there also. There are a lot of issues to work out such as warranty procedures if ever needed. In other words, we can sell to you; but I have no answer on going larger in Europe.

I am sorry.

Robert B

That's good enough for me.

[bassul]

Robertb, I tried to search in this thread but I couldn't find a definite yes to the fact that the Astak Mentor devices displayed at CES will come with a touch-screen option, and if yes, the touch screen allowes one to make a side sketch/draw not linked to a certain page in the book.

What I'd ideally need is something like this, a recall pattern drawing (by hand) developed as I read a chapter or the entire book:
http://www.assertionerror.com/2007/1...call-patterns/
I'm not even sure if the iRex iLiad supports drawing/note-taking not tied to a certain page number, maybe an owner can confirm.

[nekokami]

Originally Posted by bassul

I'm not even sure if the iRex iLiad supports drawing/note-taking not tied to a certain page number, maybe an owner can confirm.

The iLiad has a "notepad" that generates blank pages (with or without a background PNG) for you to write or draw on. Some people also generate "notebooks" in PDF to take their notes/drawings, perhaps because of the slightly different way the files are handled.

[Emu]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Last night I finally heard from Jinke the first talk of a 9.7 inch Jinke with "plastic" Flexi Screen.Knowing Jinke, it will be a hell of a device and will have everything amazing loaded onto it. Also knowing Jinke, they will assure it is perfect first but stay on schedule (whatever their schedule may be).

Tonight I will try to find out more on approximate timeline and thoughts on probable features (without giving out anything they consider confidential).

WHY I am mentioning this is the MobileRead Forum community, in particular, has wanted a 9.7 for what seems like forever... since the first day of this thread certainly. It is early and please so not get excited... but the planning is there!

Robert B

If you are faster than PlasticLogic (2010) and cheaper (not just a bit - I'm talking about a FAIR price) than iRex, you will win the game!

I can't wait for a device with a larg screen (e.g. for comics), I would go for an overpriced 500-600€ iRex, but I'm afraid of breaking a 500€ thing....


btw: These pictures are looking way to grainy! Especially the screen shouldn't look like that if you don't want to discourage your customers! http://www.mobiebook.com/6_ez_reader.asp
http://www.mobiebook.com/6_ez_reader.asp

[dcalder]

Frankly, the other very basic improvement that needs to be made is the online store. I had intended to purchase an EZ Reader but there were simply too many obstacles placed in my way and I ended up purchasing from BEBOOK instead.

First off, the EZ Reader online purchase process only offers options for US purchasers; international customers can't use the shopping cart form and have to contact someone directly in order to place an order. Then, the next obstacle - a major one, as far as I am concerned - crops up. Namely, the lack of a convenient payment method.

I was informed that the only payment method available was by T/T (wire transfer to bank account). Bzzt! Nope, that's one order barrier too many. Paypal would have been fine, credit card would have been fine, but a wire transfer is just way too inconvenient and doesn't offer enough purchase protection for a first-time customer. It may be different in other international venues, but wire transfers just scream "beware" to me as a Canadian. Wire transfers are the stuff of email and web scam horror stories. Yes, I'm well aware that they have legitimate uses as well but they don't have positive connotations for the (moderately well-informed and cautious) general public. Add in the inconvenience of the process of arranging the transfer (plus any unknown service fees associated with doing so) and I went with the simple, smooth checkout process offered by BEBOOK. Although the reader's cost was slightly higher, I considered the better order process to be well worth it. In the end, factoring in the referral discount and the fact that I didn't end up getting charged any additional fees by customs when my BEBOOK arrived, the total costs probably ended up very close to even anyway.

Astak's upcoming PRO model sounds extremely interesting and may even draw me into the market for yet another reader - but Astak is going to have to fix their online purchase process first. Better payment options and a simplified ordering process for international customers are a must if they want to compete.

[DaleDe]

Hi dcalder

you didn't say where you live but Astak is a US company and have franchise rights for the Americas. They will use a backroom method of selling worldwide but they cannot openly do this. BeBook has a franchise for Europe and perhaps some other places although they too will figure out a way to sell worldwide. Jinke is cutting up the world and dividing it among their distributors, so don't look for much improvement when you buy outside the divided areas. Enjoy your BeBook.

Dale

[bbusybookworm]

Originally Posted by dcalder

It may be different in other international venues, but wire transfers just scream "beware" to me as a Canadian.

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Hi dcalder

you didn't say where you live but Astak is a US company and have franchise rights for the Americas. They will use a backroom method of selling worldwide but they cannot openly do this.

Dale

Dale, Form His Post it does apper he is in the Americas, i.e. Canada, so his complaints about Astak's checkout process do appear to be legitimate.

And I agree about the payment options. I can understand that it takes time to setup CC processing, but why can't they add Paypal / Google checkout options. you can add those pretty fast, and do provide the customer with some measure of relief and protection.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by bbusybookworm

Dale, Form His Post it does apper he is in the Americas, i.e. Canada, so his complaints about Astak's checkout process do appear to be legitimate.

And I agree about the payment options. I can understand that it takes time to setup CC processing, but why can't they add Paypal / Google checkout options. you can add those pretty fast, and do provide the customer with some measure of relief and protection.

Ah, thanks, I missed that. Astak should be good to go all over North and South America but I guess they are not set up fully yet. Hopefully they can correct this soon.

Dale

[dcalder]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Hi dcalder

you didn't say where you live but Astak is a US company and have franchise rights for the Americas. They will use a backroom method of selling worldwide but they cannot openly do this. BeBook has a franchise for Europe and perhaps some other places although they too will figure out a way to sell worldwide. Jinke is cutting up the world and dividing it among their distributors, so don't look for much improvement when you buy outside the divided areas. Enjoy your BeBook.

Dale

I'm in Canada, so presumably Astak would in fact be the correct distributor for my area. Ironically, I had to go with a European distributor in order to find a convenient, professional, online order process.

There's really no need for Jinke to cut up the world and divide it between their distributors; simple economies of shipping should take care of that for them. If it doesn't - well, that's what competition's about: the company that provides the greatest convenience and best value for the customer's money is the one that's going to get (and, frankly, deserves) the sale.

As for my BeBook - I am enjoying it, very much. While I think that my Cybook has marginally better Mobipocket software, I'm much more impressed with the BeBook's hardware. The buttons are much better located and more responsive. And the battery is an infinitely better design; if I had a spare battery for the BeBook, I could actually imagine using it, while my Cybook has only had its spare battery swapped in once since I got it, and that was just to ensure that it wasn't ruined by sitting idle. The connector for the Cybook's battery seems too fragile for me to be comfortable with switching it out frequently. I also think that the display on my BeBook seems to have very slightly better contrast than that of the Cybook.

I even like the fact that the BeBook is marginally heavier than the Cybook - it feels more substantial and "booklike" in my hand while reading. It's not quite as well-designed ergonomically as my old eBookwise, but it's definitely closer to that ideal than the Cybook is.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by dcalder

I'm in Canada, so presumably Astak would in fact be the correct distributor for my area. Ironically, I had to go with a European distributor in order to find a convenient, professional, online order process.

There's really no need for Jinke to cut up the world and divide it between their distributors; simple economies of shipping should take care of that for them. If it doesn't - well, that's what competition's about: the company that provides the greatest convenience and best value for the customer's money is the one that's going to get (and, frankly, deserves) the sale.

As for my BeBook - I am enjoying it, very much. While I think that my Cybook has marginally better Mobipocket software, I'm much more impressed with the BeBook's hardware. The buttons are much better located and more responsive. And the battery is an infinitely better design; if I had a spare battery for the BeBook, I could actually imagine using it, while my Cybook has only had its spare battery swapped in once since I got it, and that was just to ensure that it wasn't ruined by sitting idle. The connector for the Cybook's battery seems too fragile for me to be comfortable with switching it out frequently. I also think that the display on my BeBook seems to have very slightly better contrast than that of the Cybook.

I even like the fact that the BeBook is marginally heavier than the Cybook - it feels more substantial and "booklike" in my hand while reading. It's not quite as well-designed ergonomically as my old eBookwise, but it's definitely closer to that ideal than the Cybook is.

Dear DCalder:

First off let me say I am sorry. I had no idea that our set-up had this problem! It serves us right that you bought elsewhere.

We are working with distributors and retail stores in Canada to improve matters. CES made that possible.

ALL of your comments are going direct to management NOW and changes will be forthcoming! We are going to find a way to make this work for Canadiens. I myself am a major part French Canadien so news like this really gets me motivated.

When you first bring a new product to market like the EZ Reader... you spend 99% of the energy on getting the product set up right to please the customer WHEN he receives it. There we have done a good job and people like our EZ Reader as a result. BUT... the payment process is always the last issue to figure out. For the USA it has been easy enough and most people are delighted. But, your news on Canada lets me know we failed there. I will take action!!

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by PKFFW

This is what I'm waiting for. Touch screen, wifi etc would all be well and good but the 9.7" screen is really what I'm after. That's close to being trade paperback size, which has always been my preferred book type.

Very keen to hear more details when they become available.

Cheers,
PKFFW

Dear PKFFW:

Jinke says our EZ Reader "BigBook" (looking for a better name) in 9.7 inch will be released in July... meaning it should be selling in late August. This is the FLEXI screen developed by PVI (also our partner).

Netronix (our factory) is finally looking great too. They will release their 6 inch thru Astak in late March... meaning probably April release here. All we know so far is the price is going to be excellent. Netronix also says that they will release a 9.7 inch in Q4 of 2009.

Right now all of Asia is taking TEN days to celebrate Chinese New Year. WHY it takes them ten days to do what we do in one night is a mystery. Anyway, I cannot get any fresh info beyond this until they return to work. BUT, if you are hot on a 9.7 inch device... your wait seems to be ending.

Any suggestions on naming the 9.7 EZ Reader will be promptly considered!! It needs to say something about the size and the speed I guess. It will have Epson Controller. Anybody with a cool name in their heads?? I think "The Humongous" is not too good. MAYBE "EZ Reader Elite"?

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear DCalder:

First off let me say I am sorry. I had no idea that our set-up had this problem! It serves us right that you bought elsewhere.

We are working with distributors and retail stores in Canada to improve matters. CES made that possible.

ALL of your comments are going direct to management NOW and changes will be forthcoming! We are going to find a way to make this work for Canadiens. I myself am a major part French Canadien so news like this really gets me motivated.

When you first bring a new product to market like the EZ Reader... you spend 99% of the energy on getting the product set up right to please the customer WHEN he receives it. There we have done a good job and people like our EZ Reader as a result. BUT... the payment process is always the last issue to figure out. For the USA it has been easy enough and most people are delighted. But, your news on Canada lets me know we failed there. I will take action!!

Robert B

ALL of us are working late onyour Canadian ordering problemAND WE THINK WE HAVE A SOLUTION. As soon as we are sure I will post it!!

Robert B

[pkovak]

RobertB, will you concider shop options I was speaking about in this post?
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...postcount=1121
I am speaking about number 5, mostly.

[phenomshel]

Robert, I too am looking at the EZ Reader, but I must admit I've been more seriously considering buying from BeBook even though I am in the United States, because of the poor design and functionality of the sites that the EZ Reader is for sale at. This sounds nitpicky, I know, but if I'm not confident of where I'm sending my money, I'm not buying from there, see what I mean?
Also, every site I have seen the EZ Reader at does not mention the formats it reads. I'm almost certain it would be the same as the BeBook's formats, but without that in writing I can't be positive, and unless I am positive it reads the formats I need it to read, I'm not going to order it.
Also, at CES the colors were unveiled..when will those actually be available for order?

Thanks,
Shel

[cobalt8]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Robert, I too am looking at the EZ Reader, but I must admit I've been more seriously considering buying from BeBook even though I am in the United States, because of the poor design and functionality of the sites that the EZ Reader is for sale at. This sounds nitpicky, I know, but if I'm not confident of where I'm sending my money, I'm not buying from there, see what I mean?

You know, I've been thinking the same exact thing for weeks now, but felt I was being too meticulous as well. In my opinion, a well-designed website says a LOT about a company. A company's web presence is extremely important if they wish to do well in today's economy. This holds especially true for those that are using the internet as their only or primary sales medium.

On a positive note, I have contacted Astak through email and have had fairly swift responses. The representatives I've conversed with have been very helpful. I'm heavily considering the EZ Reader, but want to see what the EZ reader PRO has to offer first. Any more news on the PRO, Robert?