Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only) - Page 92

Robertb · 02-09-2009, 02:34 PM

[QUOTE=mobelby;346562]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Are these the set in stone definate dates. Or are these the add 6-8 months dates?

RobertB,

Think I'm getting confused in all the excitement of waiting for the wifi/touchscreen version of the jinke hanlin v3 to be released.

Has the date slipped back from Feb/Mar to Jun/Jul now ? Can I ask why and what likelihood it will slip again ?

The time lines are from our General Manager who is always very conservative and allows for every problem. I am still hearing from Jinke that it is March. BUT, when I say March and it slips I disappoint people. I will email to Jinke tonight to try to firm everything up on the EZ Reader Pro. I tried this time to post very conservatively what the General Manager put out. In other words, I think the post is accurate enough except the EZ Reader PRO should be out sooner. Let me write tonight. No need to worry yet.

Mobileby is smart to know that dates slip. Things DO happen. Epson can have a shortage on the new Controller and maybe not deliver on time, as an example only). But I think this, hopefully, is worst case and reality will be sooner.

To answer on the Epson controller question about which devices will have it: ALL will have the Epson Controller except for the existing EZ Reader Base (which came out too early to get it). This means "PLUS", "PRO" and "TRUE" will have the Epson controller. I assume even the little 5 inch will have the Epson!

Robert B

Robertb · 02-09-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justy

Does this mean we will be able to read at least non-DRM Mobipocket books *and* DRM eReader books on the EZ Reader starting in May?

Again, the General Manager is more sonservative than I am. Fictionwise is telling me they are CLOSE to releasing the SDK for the EZ Reader. I think "close" means 4-5 weeks. I will email them today to get an update but I still see "MAY" as a conservative estimate. I expect it soomer.

Robert B

Robertb · 02-09-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DG25

Yeah, me too. Or some pics maybe. Something.

Dear DG25:

I have not even seen a pic of the TRUE yet. They tell me they have a protoype working fine now... let me see if I can at least get one for my eyes. Please realize, DG, that the second we post specs and pics two thinfgs start:

1. Our competition plans how to incorporate into some of their devices (perhaps).
2. The questions pour in like wildfire and I have no confirmation that what I put up is identical to what will be released. Even once a picture and specs are in my hands there is still a chance that things will change.

This is why I try to hold off... to attempt to get fact instead of fiction for you and others. If I say a new 15 inch EZ Reader Ultra is rumored to be remotely maybe coming out next January there will be several who will be debating the viability the next day.

That is why there are no pics or specs yet to post on the TRUE. It is too early and I do not want to mislead.

Robert B

Robertb · 02-09-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Robert, again, you are correct. The sound quality on this is AMAZING!! Much, much better than I expected. You had me from the splash screen for music, though.. I play flute (there is a drawing of a flute on the side of the splash screen you get when music is playing).

How did you get that kind of sound quality in this little thing? My mp3 player doesn't sound this good!

Dear Shel:

Thank you!! It feels good to know another can share my view. It is all in the chip set used. The EZ Reader uses the latest chip set out and that means pretty amazing sound. Of course, most will not care about sound... but I enjoy listening to music (my tunes are a major part of my life) and I enjoy listening to "Bohemian Rhapsody" for the 2,000th time in even clearer sound.

Robert B

pilotbob · 02-09-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertb

I enjoy listening to "Bohemian Rhapsody" for the 2,000th time in even clearer sound.

Momma... just killed a man. Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now hes dead!!!

Great rock anthem!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irp8CNj9qBI

And I like Michael John's sort version on Idol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUfE993iucg

BOb

phenomshel · 02-09-2009, 03:14 PM

This is my daughter's favorite song (she's almost 20). She acts it out, in the goofiest possible manner, everytime it comes on and I end up dissolving into hysterical laughter.
It is her ringtone on my cellphone - she's the only one who has a set ringtone, and every time it goes off I laugh.

DG25 · 02-10-2009, 10:48 AM

RobertB, what do you think of the new Kindle? How does it compare to EZReader Pro? Speed, interface, etc? What i particularly loved about Kindle2, was the new dictionary support, the way it is implemented...

pilotbob · 02-10-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DG25

RobertB, what do you think of the new Kindle? How does it compare to EZReader Pro? Speed, interface, etc? What i particularly loved about Kindle2, was the new dictionary support, the way it is implemented...

Just keep in mind who you are asking here. This is like asking a Honda sales person what he thinks of a Toyota.

BOb

brecklundin · 02-10-2009, 05:00 PM

I like whichever one you can drive over with either a Honda or Toyota.

brecklundin · 02-10-2009, 05:15 PM

has anyone suggested a "jog wheel" on the left side similar to what was found on the Sony Clie's as a multi-purpose nav tool? On my nx73v it is a dial on the left hand side of the device, kind of like the old station tuner/volume controls on the old pocket transistor radios. Depending on the context of what you are doing it acts as either a selection+menu navigation tool or when reading it is a great page turning tool simply by moving it up or down. If you want to select/activate a link/button you just navigate to that item and depress the wheel.

That wheel is an extremely slick and sneaky good feature and from trivial as I initially thought when I first began using my Clie. It really allows one handed use from pretty much anything where text input was not required. Moving to my N800 I was, and still have, a sense of loss when reading. And even though the Clie's have a touch screen, it is far, far easier to navigate and read using the wheel and I almost never use the touch screen while reading on that device.

I know the feature set is locked for now. But maybe someone might revisit that feature on a future device. Perhaps nobody else uses it because Sony has some obscure patent on the thing...still that does not mean the patent is valid. Just like the Apple multi-touch patent issue, there is almost always wiggle room within the language of the patent.

Robertb · 02-10-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DG25

RobertB, what do you think of the new Kindle? How does it compare to EZReader Pro? Speed, interface, etc? What i particularly loved about Kindle2, was the new dictionary support, the way it is implemented...

Dear DG25:

You have to give Amazon credit... they did a professional job and it is very beautiful. I have only begun to look into it but have noted that they seem to have increased the embedded to 2GB but taken away the SD card slot. That, to me, allows plenty of memory, but does not allow people to exchange songs and non-DRM books easily and will hurt them with the education community.

From what I can tell, one report said it is only 20% faster than Kindle V1. That does NOT sound like it has the Epson controller. And... of course... buyers are still tied and dyed to the Amazon embillical cord for books. That would be a major to me. WHY would I want to allow the biggest book company in the world to be able to raise the price whenever they feel they want?? What happened to free market competition?

I have to be honest and say I have to see some real specs before I can really tell much. I do know reviews so far were lukewarm. Please remember that I am biased and this is my personal opinion and not that of my company. At least the V2 is thinner!!

I am waiting for Wallcraft to give his impression as he really would know.

Robert B

wallcraft · 02-10-2009, 09:52 PM

Amazon did not say, but I think it must have the Epson controller because of the 16 grey scales and the joystick (which would not work without fast partial screen updates).

I agree with DG25 that the dictionary support is a major enhancement, because it shows the definition in-line (at the bottom of the screen). This makes looking up words much less disruptive when reading. It relies on fast screen navigation via the joystick, but it would work even better with a touch screen.

I'm not the first to say it, but this appears to be a Kindle 1.5, a nice refresh of the Kindle but nothing earth shattering.

Don't forget that the EZ Reader (Hanlin V3) already has folders, which are still missing from the Kindle. They are important to those with large libraries.

pkovak · 02-11-2009, 12:16 AM

I must agree with Robertb, from the few pictures I saw, Kindle 2 looks good - and being tied to one shop, especially one shop I don't like, is major drawback that eliminates it completely.

Kris777 · 02-11-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Just keep in mind who you are asking here. This is like asking a Honda sales person what he thinks of a Toyota.

BOb

Sometimes Honda executive drive Toyota and vice versa

Kris777 · 02-11-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brecklundin

has anyone suggested a "jog wheel" on the left side similar to what was found on the Sony Clie's as a multi-purpose nav tool? .

eBookman has this wheel and it is pretty usefull for ebook reading

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02-09-2009, 03:14 PM	#1371
phenomshel ZCD BombShel Posts: 4,793 Karma: 8293322 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA) Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis	This is my daughter's favorite song (she's almost 20). She acts it out, in the goofiest possible manner, everytime it comes on and I end up dissolving into hysterical laughter. It is her ringtone on my cellphone - she's the only one who has a set ringtone, and every time it goes off I laugh.

02-10-2009, 10:48 AM	#1372
DG25 Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: EU Device: none	RobertB, what do you think of the new Kindle? How does it compare to EZReader Pro? Speed, interface, etc? What i particularly loved about Kindle2, was the new dictionary support, the way it is implemented...

02-10-2009, 05:00 PM	#1374
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	I like whichever one you can drive over with either a Honda or Toyota.

02-10-2009, 05:15 PM	#1375
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	has anyone suggested a "jog wheel" on the left side similar to what was found on the Sony Clie's as a multi-purpose nav tool? On my nx73v it is a dial on the left hand side of the device, kind of like the old station tuner/volume controls on the old pocket transistor radios. Depending on the context of what you are doing it acts as either a selection+menu navigation tool or when reading it is a great page turning tool simply by moving it up or down. If you want to select/activate a link/button you just navigate to that item and depress the wheel. That wheel is an extremely slick and sneaky good feature and from trivial as I initially thought when I first began using my Clie. It really allows one handed use from pretty much anything where text input was not required. Moving to my N800 I was, and still have, a sense of loss when reading. And even though the Clie's have a touch screen, it is far, far easier to navigate and read using the wheel and I almost never use the touch screen while reading on that device. I know the feature set is locked for now. But maybe someone might revisit that feature on a future device. Perhaps nobody else uses it because Sony has some obscure patent on the thing...still that does not mean the patent is valid. Just like the Apple multi-touch patent issue, there is almost always wiggle room within the language of the patent.

02-10-2009, 09:52 PM	#1377
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Amazon did not say, but I think it must have the Epson controller because of the 16 grey scales and the joystick (which would not work without fast partial screen updates). I agree with DG25 that the dictionary support is a major enhancement, because it shows the definition in-line (at the bottom of the screen). This makes looking up words much less disruptive when reading. It relies on fast screen navigation via the joystick, but it would work even better with a touch screen. I'm not the first to say it, but this appears to be a Kindle 1.5, a nice refresh of the Kindle but nothing earth shattering. Don't forget that the EZ Reader (Hanlin V3) already has folders, which are still missing from the Kindle. They are important to those with large libraries.

02-11-2009, 12:16 AM	#1378
pkovak Connoisseur Posts: 60 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Earth Device: none	I must agree with Robertb, from the few pictures I saw, Kindle 2 looks good - and being tied to one shop, especially one shop I don't like, is major drawback that eliminates it completely.

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