Cool-er: light, trendy, inexpensive e-book reader

[jessTay]

thanks for posting those reviews!!!

Yea I think I'm still going to get one... once they actually post when they can be ordered in Canada

It was nice that in that one review he actually addressed the fact that the Kindle isn't available outside of the states... it's amazing how many reviews skirt over that fact so that when someone in any country looks at a review, they think they should just buy a kindle and then find out they can't get one.

The button stiffness makes me nervous a bit... i wrote a little email regarding this and also when they are going to allow the readers to be ordered in Canada (they took down the notice saying that if you are from elsewhere to check back... apparently Canada isn't elsewhere, only EU is). We'll see what their comments are. I really want to buy an ereader soon, but I just don't want to get a sony, can't get a kindle, cybook has less storage space than the cooler and is more expensive, and the iLiad (which I'd love to have) is kinda out of the price range for a student.. especially since my sony laptop broke down and I had to get a new one.

Anyway, hopefully, this device will turn out to be the winner

[Torulv]

Just me or does the cool-er' screen have a whiter background than any other ebook-reader I'v seen? The most important aspect of any e-reader in my belief is its readability with respect of eye-strain etc. From what I saw on some video reviews, being compared with kindle, the screen looks much better. Which also is my main concern with the new Hanlin mini which seems to be too grey overall.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Torulv

Just me or does the cool-er' screen have a whiter background than any other ebook-reader I'v seen? The most important aspect of any e-reader in my belief is its readability with respect of eye-strain etc. From what I saw on some video reviews, being compared with kindle, the screen looks much better. Which also is my main concern with the new Hanlin mini which seems to be too grey overall.

No, it uses exactly the same screen as every other 6" ebook reader. There is only one screen made.

[Torulv]

But still, it looks better on the pictures and video I have seen this far. Either the way it can't speak for the device irl. Looking forward for user feedback on the screen refresh-rate and button comfort. Almost sure I will go for this device or Astak EZ reader Pocket pro with epson controller and 8-level greyscale as compared with their 4-level 6".

[jessTay]

hey everyone! i got a response from the cool-er people

Hi Jess,

Thank you for your query.

We hope to have a pre-order facility for Canada in the next few weeks.
Thank you for your patience and please check back agin soon. Our
technical team are working on this now.

Your question about the buttons is very interesting. We’ve made sure
users won’t accidentally flick though the pages if the COOL-ER is in
their pocket or handbag. Each button requires a tiny but perceptible
click which helps ensure users will always find the COOL-ER displays the
page they left it on.

I've used my COOL-ER to read several books and have found that the
button click is neither loud or annoying. In fact it becomes as
unobtrusive as turning a paper page when reading.

I hope this helps and happy reading!
Best regards,
Kate

funny how they actually have a reason for the stiff buttons. maybe the reviewers were exhaggerating a little bit? the only way i'll be able to find out is by getting one myself i guess :P

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by jessTay

funny how they actually have a reason for the stiff buttons. maybe the reviewers were exhaggerating a little bit? the only way i'll be able to find out is by getting one myself i guess :P

Given that it's the same hardware as the CyBook Gen3, the CyBook certainly doesn't have "stiff buttons". Positive, yes, but not stiff.

[griffonwing]

Your question about the buttons is very interesting. We’ve made sure
users won’t accidentally flick though the pages if the COOL-ER is in
their pocket or handbag. Each button requires a tiny but perceptible
click which helps ensure users will always find the COOL-ER displays the
page they left it on.

Is there no bookmark option? Also, if the unit is in a protective carrying case or sleeve, it shouldnt be a problem. Also, I don't have a reader yet, but I'd be foolish to put a reader in my pocket or bag while its still on. If my pages turn, or I end up opening a new book somehow, or accidentlay deleting a folder due to my negligence, its my own fault for not turning it off.

One other feature they can use is, instead of making the buttons harder to press, install a keylock switch. simply flick the toggle, and no keys will activate the unit.

A good place for this switch would be next to the power button.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

Is there no bookmark option? Also, if the unit is in a protective carrying case or sleeve, it shouldnt be a problem. Also, I don't have a reader yet, but I'd be foolish to put a reader in my pocket or bag while its still on. If my pages turn, or I end up opening a new book somehow, or accidentlay deleting a folder due to my negligence, its my own fault for not turning it off.

One other feature they can use is, instead of making the buttons harder to press, install a keylock switch. simply flick the toggle, and no keys will activate the unit.

A good place for this switch would be next to the power button.

Actually for E-INK devices you typically use the power button. Touch it for keyboard lock (suspend mode) and press it for a couple of seconds to do the real power down.

Dale

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Actually for E-INK devices you typically use the power button. Touch it for keyboard lock (suspend mode) and press it for a couple of seconds to do the real power down.

Dale

If the COOL-er has this function, then I don't see why they would need to make clicky buttons. Unless this was determined by a management meeting of individuals who never used a reader before.

A couple months of R&D is not enough to base a line of readers on.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

If the COOL-er has this function, then I don't see why they would need to make clicky buttons. Unless this was determined by a management meeting of individuals who never used a reader before.

A couple months of R&D is not enough to base a line of readers on.

It's not a "couple of months R&D". At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the hardware (give or take the amount of RAM, etc) is the same as that used in the CyBook Gen3, which is 18 months old or so now, and "tried and tested".

Having buttons with a positive action is enormously beneficial. It means that you don't accidentally turn the page - something which I do all too often with the "touch sensors" on my iRex DR1000.

[jessTay]

well I was going to get a Cybook anyway, so if Cool-ER's buttons are the same (and it has 1GB and 8 layers or grayscale), it's just a cheaper version of the same hardware?

Harry, do you know if the Cybook got similar criticism to this?

I understand that if buttons are a little stiffer than on other readers that people who are used to other readers might see this as a problem. This would be my first ebook reader (probably will upgrade to something like the iLiad down the road, once I stop being a student or enter grad school), so I don't know if it would bother me since I wouldn't have anything to compare it to.

I like the button positions on the Cool-ER and Cybook, so I don't think where they are located would be a problem.

as for having a keyboard lock, what about when you are actually reading? I'm kinda clumsy and will hit buttons accidently on keyboards and things if I'm not paying attention.. so this would mean I wouldn't be flicking ahead if I accidently lightly pressed a button

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by jessTay

well I was going to get a Cybook anyway, so if Cool-ER's buttons are the same (and it has 1GB and 8 layers or grayscale), it's just a cheaper version of the same hardware?

Harry, do you know if the Cybook got similar criticism to this?

I'm certainly not aware of any particular criticism of the "feel" of the CyBook's buttons. It feels just fine to me - not heavy but "positive", and that (to me) is good.

[jessTay]

thanks harry.

It seems like it really comes down to preference. Well I think I'll get one and see for myself. I'm kinda used to buttons that "click" into place anyway, so I don't think it will bother me.

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's not a "couple of months R&D". At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the hardware (give or take the amount of RAM, etc) is the same as that used in the CyBook Gen3, which is 18 months old or so now, and "tried and tested".

Having buttons with a positive action is enormously beneficial. It means that you don't accidentally turn the page - something which I do all too often with the "touch sensors" on my iRex DR1000.

I was under the impression that the COOLer external casing/buttons were their own design which was used to house the Cybook Gen3 hardware.

I was merely reflecting the R&D of the COOLers case design, not the hardware inside of the unit.

If I misread the 'couple months R&D' from earlier in the thread, then you have my apology.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

I was under the impression that the COOLer external casing/buttons were their own design which was used to house the Cybook Gen3 hardware.

Other than the fancy colours, it looks absolutely identical to the CyBook, so I'm pretty sure that the physical case, the buttons, etc, will be the same.