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

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by msundman

I suggest you go with one of the free software implementations. Free software is just easier and cheaper for everyone in the long run.

There are no FREE implementations of the Adobe DRM stuff. There is no choice but to license this from Adobe... if you want to play on that course, you gotta be a member.

BOb

[Emu]

Originally Posted by Tectonic

I suggest that you check out Foxit Software instead of Adobe. They make a much better PDF reading software than Adobe and they charge a lot less.

These are the links to their software.

http://www.foxitsoftware.com/solutio...m#Manufacturer
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/sdk/embedded/

(foxit is releasing an branded (bebook?) ebookreader, so I wouldn't bet they help out other companys anyway....)

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Emu

(foxit is releasing an branded (bebook?) ebookreader, so I wouldn't bet they help out other companys anyway....)

Revenue is revenue. Actually, the Jetbook uses the Foxit reader on it's device.

BOb

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by msundman

I suggest you go with one of the free software implementations. Free software is just easier and cheaper for everyone in the long run.

A "free software" implementation of Adobe DRM????

Where can such a thing be obtained?

[msundman]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

There are no FREE implementations of the Adobe DRM stuff. There is no choice but to license this from Adobe... if you want to play on that course, you gotta be a member.

Ah, sorry, I didn't realize there was any anti-consumer requirements.
Naturally I strongly recommend to exclude all such restrictive anti-user technologies from all products that are going to be sold to users. Since it's obvious by now that all big publishers are power-hungry control freaks when it comes to restricting users we'll never get rid of having to break the law to read our books until publishers are forced to abandon DRM-insanities. One such way is if most devices just don't support any DRM.

[pkovak]

Originally Posted by msundman

Since it's obvious by now that all big publishers are power-hungry control freaks when it comes to restricting users we'll never get rid of having to break the law to read our books until publishers are forced to abandon DRM-insanities. One such way is if most devices just don't support any DRM.

Not realisticaly possible when two major eReader producers (Amazon, Sony) have their own DRM formats *and* own ebook shops. The only way is not to buy it. As long as there will be people buying DRMed books, there can be DRMed ebook market. They can't make money from it if noone buy it.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Galan-Ithaca

kuliand....the main site for seeing the EZ Reader is www.mobiebook.com.

Robert....I've seen the user's manual. I understand the bookmarking feature. I don't understand the Index feature. What exactly does that do?

thanks

Dear Galan:

I want to answer your question but we are not sure what you mean by the index feature. Can you please give me a little bit more info and I will get you a prompt answer.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Emu

(foxit is releasing an branded (bebook?) ebookreader, so I wouldn't bet they help out other companys anyway....)

I will be checking out Foxit and other formats suggested also.

Thank you!!

Robert B

[Robertb]

[QUOTE=peaceridge;351936]Any chance the 4gb limit on the sd card will increase? While I can have a "library" of 4gb books, I'll have to switch them in and out. Is this hard on the electronics? 4gb sounds like a lot, but I have hundreds of ebooks and probably more audio books I'd like to load.

I happen to love the blue one. I have to make my mind up quick as I figure they will all be gone shortly. Or do I want to wait for the Pro and wifi (I don't care about touch screen). Hard to decide.

Dear Peaceridge:

You ask a question I have been meaning to ask also! WHY stop at 4GB. IU will write to Jinke (maker of ther Hanlin) and find out exactyly what the prospects are for going to 8GB.

I never could figure that out. I would think they just need to develop a patch to up the limit!

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by jmontyb

Fry's is now showing the EZ Reader bundle pack as available on their website (previously it was listed as Pre-Order). They have a price of $299 with free shipping. Although the website doesn't provide details, I called their customer service department and the bundle includes the reader and case, a 2GB SD card, an SD card reader, and the charger.

I wish I knew whether or not they'll be offering a lower price later. It's tough to decide whether to buy this unit now or wait for a better deal or wait for the new models. I've been researching for some time now and have pretty much settled on one of the Hanlins; now I'm just trying to decide when to pull the trigger.

Here's a link to Fry's:

http://shop3.frys.com/product/5834633

Dear jmontyb:

FRY's Electronics had the EZ Reader Bundle Pack in Black color on sale as of Friday at $269!! That is pretty amazing; and I do not know how long that will apply. Remember... FRY's sets its own price. We did NOT know they would create such a great deal!!

Robert B

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by emellaich

Here is the deal. I'm all about doing what you can now with what you have now. I understand and support the current e-ink devices. However, as compared to what I truly want, they have just as many shortcomings as LCD, just different issues.

I think that the tech at pixelqi.com sounds like the most promising for the future. Mary Lou Jepson is promising high volume and low prices starting this summer. If I had to guess from what she has said in the press I would guess that she will be higher volume than e-ink out of the gate. She has already produced a generation I device for the OLPC at volumes higher than e-ink.

The evidence suggests that her price point will beat e-ink by a wide margin. The OLPC costs $199. She states that her second gen display will be comparable to standard LCD in both volumes and prices.

Her screen tech beats e-ink on every level except for battery life. In that regard she promises battery life five to ten times standard LCD. In one post she quotes battery life of up to 40 hours. I don't know how fast you turn pages, but for me that would be getting awful close to e-ink's 8,000 pages.

Furthermore, I think that current e-book designs are making a mistake. I understand that "thin is in". It certainly looks sexy. However, I've used quite a few of these devices: Palm devices, ebookman, Windows mobile, Cybook Gen 3. I am struck by the comments earlier in this thread about the rocket book's form factor.

The truth is that none of these tiny devices are really comfortable. Anyone who shells out the bucks for a dedicated reader is probably a high volume reader. I don't know if I am typical, but sitting there for hours holding one of these dinky little devices is not comfortable. You have to keep your hands off the screen and keep your fingers on the page advance buttons. I often find my hands tiring out holding these things by their thin edges. A more comfortable approach would be a big round handle - say the size of the cardboard tube from a toilet paper roll (maybe a little smaller). This makes me think of those who like the rocket book.

Now the truth is that, if I'm going to have these meaty handles on the sides, I might as well fill them with something. Maybe something like batteries? OK, that many batteries might be overkill (it might weigh too much). However, the point is that good ergonomics might suggest more space than the current sexy, but uncomfortable razor-blade form factor.

So, if we marry the PixelQi screen with a rocket book size/shape we might have an interesting combination. It sounds like Mary Lou plans to be in this market by the second half of this year. It might be appropriate for Astak to take a look at its product plan for 2nd half of 2009 and 1st half of 2010 and consider PixelQi.

Michael

THANK YOU!! Normally I won't quote an entire post but yours completely hits the nail on the head. I have been trying to pass that exact info on to people here for a long while now. These devices are not conducive to hand holding for extended, or even brief, periods for a significant number of the exact people in their target demographic.

Few of the options for holding them make single handed operation virtually or completely impossible. Earlier I described how I use the "kick stand" on my N800 as a handle sort of rig. I open the kick-stand and slip my hand between the stand and the device. Works fairly well. Robertb did say he was going to mention something about this to the PTB's. The key point I have been trying, very poorly, to explain is not only do the current designs make hand holding difficult for many, eventually over time for people who use them for hours each day, RSI's are bound to crop up as our hands are not meant to grip anything for that long. Also, a bit more weight actually would make the device easier to hold.

And like you I also have a lot of hope in the "Mary Lou" display tech...as it also addresses the other problem I have with eink and that is the background is simply not white enough. I know eventually that will improve, but for now, the the grey background under less than perfect light does not afford enough contrast from the black text for my eyes.

Still, I am holding out hope that the newer displays at the end of the year will address the contrast/whiteness issue sufficiently. Though in the mean time should the Mary Lou displays come to market, I will be off of these eink devices which are hugely overpriced for a one trick pony that involve so many compromises. Get them under $200 and we can talk...not until then. I bought one and kept it only because my better half became enamored with it...otherwise I was ready to send it back 3-days after getting it.

My real hope is a convertible netbook with the Mary Lou display and a touch screen for $400 would win hands down over a $350 dedicated ebook reading device...the mythical bang-for-the-buck principle would sure be the deciding factor for a lot of us.

Thinking of that, a very simply way to make the current readers thicker w/o adding any significant weight is to put a 3/8" hinged cover on the devices. When flipped around the back it makes the device thick enough for many as well as gives the option of holding the device like a book. Plus adds protection for the display...very little in the way of design changes would be needed. For now a 3rd party cover is possible, but adds at least $50 to the price.

It sure is a lot of hand wringing over a reading device that should be as transparent as possible to the user.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by mobelby

RobertB,

After reading your comments on touchscreens vs clarity (which I agree with) and the current release schedule you outlined above, can you please confirm that there will be a Hanlin version with wifi but not touchscreen ?

Wifi is very important to me to sync newsfeeds etc (ie digital newspaper) but I don't want a touchscreen if it will affect the clarity of the screen in any way.

Thanks

Dear Mobelby:

In all the fanfare of the coming EZ Reader PRO, everyone has forgotten the EZ Reader PLUS. That will also be coming along but will have Touchscreen but fewer other features. Maybe Touch and Wi-Fi.

There is a project being looked at now to add Wi-Fi to the existing EZ Reader Base Model via an SD card. This is receiving a good look and you MAY see the Wi-Fi sold as an option on the Base Model some day. I know no more at this time. If I hear more you will know!

Sony came out with Touchscreen and people are not exactly complimentary on the loss of clarity, I hear. SO... your comment is relevant.

There is also talk of eventually using the wireless on your cell phone to Bluetooth into the EZ Reader without the need to go wireless. This is conjecture>>> but is receiving a lot of support! MAYBE?? I have no details!

Robert B

[mobelby]

Thanks RobertB

Sounds like the Plus and Pro will both have a touchscreen then so I'll have to wait and see the initial customers' reactions to the clarity issue.

I had thought bebook were working with Jinke on just adding in a wifi hardware module and an rss function in a firmware update. They used to have that on the mybebook.com homepage but they've taken it off now.

Like many others I remain a very keen potential customer who has amassed a considerable collection of ebooks (.lit, .pdf, .txt and .rtf but easily convertible) but as yet no dedicated reader

[Xenophon]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

THANK YOU!! Normally I won't quote an entire post but yours completely hits the nail on the head. I have been trying to pass that exact info on to people here for a long while now. These devices are not conducive to hand holding for extended, or even brief, periods for a significant number of the exact people in their target demographic.

Few of the options for holding them make single handed operation virtually or completely impossible. Earlier I described how I use the "kick stand" on my N800 as a handle sort of rig. I open the kick-stand and slip my hand between the stand and the device. Works fairly well. Robertb did say he was going to mention something about this to the PTB's. The key point I have been trying, very poorly, to explain is not only do the current designs make hand holding difficult for many, eventually over time for people who use them for hours each day, RSI's are bound to crop up as our hands are not meant to grip anything for that long. Also, a bit more weight actually would make the device easier to hold.
[SNIP]
It sure is a lot of hand wringing over a reading device that should be as transparent as possible to the user.

Brecklundin:

There were a number of us who kicked and screamed and fussed until Robertb acquired an REB1100 (or maybe 1150) and actually tried it (in the flesh, as it were)! The screen sucks, but the physical ergonomics are GREAT! Robertb's feedback was that after using it for a few hours he finally understood why we made such a fuss.
I really really REALLY hope he passed on just how important that kind of improved physical ergonomics is to the PTB's. I also hope that the PTB's turn out not to be Dilbert-style PHB's (Pointy Haired Bosses) -- that is, I hope they pay attention to this input! We'll see what happens with the next few devices...


Xenophon

[SaraD]

Hi Robert B,

I just wanted to let you know that I am also still holding out for the next incarnation of an Astak e-book reader with the new controller and we'll see whatever other do-dads go with it. Any chance that a faster cpu has come along to go with the new controller? Mentor or EZ Reader is pretty much my only question left and that will hopefully be answered after all the specs are released in the next month or two. I started my first attempts at research March 2008 and found Mobile Read and this thread when it was at page 34 so my patience is almost exhausted. I'm tired of waiting!

For whatever it is worth, I'm with the folks who would rather have higher clarity and a button or three to push instead of the touchscreen. I also don't care much about wireless technology and hope there is a simpler version for a few dollars less that does its job really well. Thin is also a good thing as long as there is enough support to keep the screen supported. Yes, a thicker spot would be nice to hold onto at home, but when I chose an Eagle Creek Travel Bug backpack (http://www.eaglecreek.com/product/40480) for my new "purse" I made a cardboard dummy the general size of a 6" e-book reader to make sure it would fit before buying the bag. It will be a touch tight with the case, but not bad at all. Yes, it was a bet that the general size wouldn't change, but at this point will somewhat influence my choice.

By the way, thank you and Jinke again for including a case. The Foxit eSlick may claim to have a better price, but not if you really look at the "what's in the box" part.