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

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

While it is not the most feature rich it is not the weakest either. It has enough features to make it a very workable fiction book reader. It does everything that really needs to be done. Mobi isn't the best either but most people say it is ok.

TXT is the weakest, PalmDOC is probably next and there are several offshoots of PalmDOC that are similar. Most eBbook implementations of HTML are weaker that eReader in spite of the fact that HTML is more feature rich. I won't provide the entire list but they are all listed in the wiki and you can check them yourself.

Dale

Sorry, Dale, I didn't express that terribly well. I meant "the weakest format which is intended to be a dedicated eBook format". Text has, of course, essentially no formatting at all, and PalmDOC is simply compressed text, again with no formatting.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by HarryT

eReader is "technically" the weakest eBook format out there, in terms of the range of formatting one can have in the book. It's definitely a "retrograde step" in that sense to go from Mobi to eReader.

Yes, but most feel the eReader DRM scheme is the most user friendly. Most feel that ePub is the defacto layout standard. Soon, eReader DRM will wrap the ePub format. Having a reader that supports eReader/PUB (as I'll call it from now on) I think is a great idea.

BOb

[bbusybookworm]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Having a reader that supports eReader/PUB (as I'll call it from now on) I think is a great idea.

BOb

I'll Agree as long as someone comes up with a way to strip the DRM off it, just in case.

So if the implementation of the DRM is similar to the current setup, and they don't use this opportunity to heavily modify it so that someone quickly comes up with a modification of the current scrip, I'm all for it.

I and quiet a few others are not going to shift to a new format unless there is away to remove the DRM. Too many Bad memories, not helped by recent action by the likes of Overdrive

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by bbusybookworm

I'll Agree as long as someone comes up with a way to strip the DRM off it, just in case.

The eReader DRM is already understood and can be removed. I don't see how that would change just because the contents of the file are ePUB.

You also don't have the same problem with eReader DRM that you have with Mobi. With Mobi... when the DRM server is down, you can NOT use your file on another device due to the encoding of the file with a device specific PID. With eReader you can because the file is encoded with a USER specific "PID".

BOb

[Lemurion]

Originally Posted by HarryT

eReader is "technically" the weakest eBook format out there, in terms of the range of formatting one can have in the book. It's definitely a "retrograde step" in that sense to go from Mobi to eReader.

For formatting, yes it is a retrograde step. The question is which is more important to any given consumer, formatting or DRM? Since I haven't had a problem with the novels I read the DRM scheme is the decider for me.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Lemurion

For formatting, yes it is a retrograde step. The question is which is more important to any given consumer, formatting or DRM? Since I haven't had a problem with the novels I read the DRM scheme is the decider for me.

Personally it's formatting. I consider DRM to be a "non issue".

[Robertb]

Dear All:

In case anybody is still interested in the roll-out of the 9.7 inch device and others, here is the planned timeline:

ASTAK devices:



6” EZ Reader already launched which is a strong "basic " model using simple USB connects to PC to download eBooks. It is an open format device which supports TXT,RTF,PDF,DOC,HTML,PDB,LIT,PRC,EPUB,CHM,WOL,MP3, JPG,and BMP. This is the only device that supports most popular formats on the market. Please go to www.mobiebook.com to see it. The device has Font Increase for those with weak eyesight, bookmarks "automatically", plays stereo music with an equalizer, and can read horizontally and vertically.
6” EZ Reader with all above formats, PLUS Fictionwise eReader DRM and Adobe Digital Editions DRM will release around May, 2009
6” EZ Reader Plus with WiFi/touchscreen with all above features scheduled to release June/July, 2009
6” EZ Reader PRO with 3G connection scheduled to release July, 2009
5” EZ Reader Mini pocket book scheduled to release July/Aug, 2009
9.7 EZ Reader ELITE with Flexi Screen scheduled to release in August, 2009


This is only the EZ Reader line. The Mentor line is being rolled out in March.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

In case anybody is still interested in the roll-out of the 9.7 inch device and others, here is the planned timeline:

ASTAK devices:



6” EZ Reader already launched which is a strong "basic " model using simple USB connects to PC to download eBooks. It is an open format device which supports TXT,RTF,PDF,DOC,HTML,PDB,LIT,PRC,EPUB,CHM,WOL,MP3, JPG,and BMP. This is the only device that supports most popular formats on the market. Please go to www.mobiebook.com to see it. The device has Font Increase for those with weak eyesight, bookmarks "automatically", plays stereo music with an equalizer, and can read horizontally and vertically.
6” EZ Reader with all above formats, PLUS Fictionwise eReader DRM and Adobe Digital Editions DRM will release around May, 2009
6” EZ Reader Plus with WiFi/touchscreen with all above features scheduled to release June/July, 2009
6” EZ Reader PRO with 3G connection scheduled to release July, 2009
5” EZ Reader Mini pocket book scheduled to release July/Aug, 2009
9.7 EZ Reader ELITE with Flexi Screen scheduled to release in August, 2009


This is only the EZ Reader line. The Mentor line is being rolled out in March.

Of course we're interested! And by the way, Robert, I LOVE my Maroon EZ Reader!
Thank you for keeping us updated

[Wolfgan]

Originally Posted by Robertb

This is only the EZ Reader line. The Mentor line is being rolled out in March.

Thx Robertb, I think I know which brand will be my 1st eReader device :-)

Anyways, I'm at lost on what's the difference between the EZreader and Mentor product line. Is it just a manufacturer decision (Jinkle vs Netronix) or will the diff lines sport marked different features?
Thx, Wolf.

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

In case anybody is still interested in the roll-out of the 9.7 inch device and others, here is the planned timeline:

ASTAK devices:



6” EZ Reader already launched which is a strong "basic " model using simple USB connects to PC to download eBooks. It is an open format device which supports TXT,RTF,PDF,DOC,HTML,PDB,LIT,PRC,EPUB,CHM,WOL,MP3, JPG,and BMP. This is the only device that supports most popular formats on the market. Please go to www.mobiebook.com to see it. The device has Font Increase for those with weak eyesight, bookmarks "automatically", plays stereo music with an equalizer, and can read horizontally and vertically.
6” EZ Reader with all above formats, PLUS Fictionwise eReader DRM and Adobe Digital Editions DRM will release around May, 2009
6” EZ Reader Plus with WiFi/touchscreen with all above features scheduled to release June/July, 2009
6” EZ Reader PRO with 3G connection scheduled to release July, 2009
5” EZ Reader Mini pocket book scheduled to release July/Aug, 2009
9.7 EZ Reader ELITE with Flexi Screen scheduled to release in August, 2009


This is only the EZ Reader line. The Mentor line is being rolled out in March.

Native .lit support is good

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Wolfgan

Thx Robertb, I think I know which brand will be my 1st eReader device :-)

Anyways, I'm at lost on what's the difference between the EZreader and Mentor product line. Is it just a manufacturer decision (Jinkle vs Netronix) or will the diff lines sport marked different features?
Thx, Wolf.

The difference is only in the design for the most part. EZ Reader is Jinke. They build a solid and always improving eBook Reader and they have the engineering staff to solve any problem.

Mentor is made by Netronix, our own factory. Initially, 8 months ago, we liked the Netronix eBook Reader overall but hated the user interface... buttons that were too tiny and with signs that would mean nothing to Americans. It was built tough as nails and was priced great... but we wanted a more Americanized layout. Now they seem to have learned and their product is pleasing to us with a new and modern interface.

Mentor will be a little less expensive... maybe $40 for comparable product. Their first six inch, though, will be TouchScreen and that interface is very workable.

We have both lines because they will offer slightly different features and the Netronix will be a good value. Still... the EZ Reader line is pretty hard to beat in my mind. Both will use eReader and Adobe Digital Editions and Epson 5X speed controller... on forthcoming models. The Mentor will allow us to get into the major chain stores where it is all about cost. I cannot say they will sport markedly different features... they will have an important feature or two that will set one apart from the other. They are competitors, of course, but we feel in North America they can grow together to give us a powerful one-two punch.

Thank you. It is a good question!

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Of course we're interested! And by the way, Robert, I LOVE my Maroon EZ Reader!
Thank you for keeping us updated

Dear Phenomshel:

I am very happy to see you go for the Maroon EZ Reader. That was a surprize color we did not expect. They build a few Metallic Reds for us and we liked them but they thought they could do better. Thus... the Maroon.

I am even more happy that you love the EZ Reader as much as I do mine. It is so hard to convince people that it is a great device in words. You pretty well have to get one to understand it does everything well and very easily... and easy is a good way to go! We do not have the huge marketing campaign that the two Giants have... we just very quietly want to sell a better product.

Have you tried the sound system yet? I hope you have a great set of rich headphones around and have discovered the equalizer on the EZ Reader. I got a little flack on MobileRead Forum when I first brought up the stereo. But, I find it superior to my iPod in sound quality and that is saying something!

Do not forget to go to www.mobiebook.com and check the FAQ sheet. That has a lot of helpful hints. Membership is free and we have a forum on there too.

You made my day and thank you!!

Robert B

[ahammer]

robertb can you tell me
with the new controler would it be faster or slower then this ->http://www.vimeo.com/2984025 or could you post a video with a page turn or two so we can see how fast it is.

im sorry im kind of new to the reader market.
I like to know as a base line how fast is faster
(not sure what gen that is as I have not play with anything but the 505 and only in a store)

im looking forword to the 9.7 screen I think you sould go with the name
True EZ Reader.
playing up the fact that it reads true.
(think that what you had up as a ads like a year ago anyway).
it good when ads and the name of the product play on the same thing.

I hope this has not been cover yet I read thru most of this post and I dont think it has but it is a big post to read.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by ahammer

robertb can you tell me
with the new controler would it be faster or slower then this ->http://www.vimeo.com/2984025 or could you post a video with a page turn or two so we can see how fast it is.

im sorry im kind of new to the reader market.
I like to know as a base line how fast is faster
(not sure what gen that is as I have not play with anything but the 505 and only in a store)

im looking forword to the 9.7 screen I think you sould go with the name
True EZ Reader.
playing up the fact that it reads true.
(think that what you had up as a ads like a year ago anyway).
it good when ads and the name of the product play on the same thing.

I hope this has not been cover yet I read thru most of this post and I dont think it has but it is a big post to read.

Dear ahammer:

Your illustration is a good measuring tool. So you did very find on finding a yardstick. Of course we do not know if that video was sped up BUT that is pretty good speed!

I would have to say the new Epson Controller in the EZ Reader PRO is twice as fast. Do you see a slight black out between page turns in your illustration? You do not see that at all on the EZ Reader PRO. As fast as the existing screen disappears the new page is instantly brought up. I think that is the best way to put it.

I like the name, Hammer: EZ Reader TRUE. That is a great suggestion!! I like that. Alright, I think you have a winner. I will start calling the 9.7 inch the EZ Reader TRUE. Thank you!!

Robert B

[Robertb]

Dear All:

For anyone who missed it the first time, we still have a few EZ Readers in color. White and Marroon have been popular. Doesn't anyone like my Electric Blue? You can call Walter at 408-452-8788 and tell him Robert B said to wake him up (HA). The price is still just $299. These are brand new and in the box. We just got five each for CES so we had plenty of spares and NONE had to be replaced after the continuous pounding all four days. People who had no prior knowledge were pushing and prodding away... and never so much as a hiccup from any of those on display. The display devices are NOT part of this sale. We sell only brand new and no other way. SO... while I have them I am selling in colors. $299 is with the AC Charger, Crush-resistent leather case, ear buds, USB cable, wrist leash, user manual, and 8 CLASSIC and GOOD (hand-picked by me) eBooks preloaded!

Robert B