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

[Indigo Ink]

Originally Posted by dcalder

Just had to add a word of caution from the opposite point of view: IMHO, the dictionary feature (I have the OED plus another dictionary - I don't even remember which - on the Cybook) is of very limited value. I think that I may have used it once or possibly twice in total, other than when I've been demonstrating the Cybook to someone.

I guess it depends on habit but also ease of use. I often feel lazy picking up the paper dicitionary and looking for a world meaning, especially when I know the general meaning but not the exact one, and get by without the bother. But with devices like mine where all you need to do it highlight the world and just tap on it to get the EXACT meaning, I tend to look up many more words than I would if I have to leaf through the paper dictionary.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Indigo Ink

I guess it depends on habit but also ease of use. I often feel lazy picking up the paper dicitionary and looking for a world meaning, especially when I know the general meaning but not the exact one, and get by without the bother. But with devices like mine where all you need to do it highlight the world and just tap on it to get the EXACT meaning, I tend to look up many more words than I would if I have to leaf through the paper dictionary.

That is precisely why I find myself looking up so many words on the CyBook when I'd never bother with a paper dictionary - the extreme ease of use.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by dcalder

Just had to add a word of caution from the opposite point of view: IMHO, the dictionary feature (I have the OED plus another dictionary - I don't even remember which - on the Cybook) is of very limited value. I think that I may have used it once or possibly twice in total, other than when I've been demonstrating the Cybook to someone.

I've used my mobipocket dictionary more often than I've used a paper dictionary... When I read a book, there are often words I've no idea what it means, exactly. And I usually guess what it should mean (depending on the context, and such). But, on my device, I just look it up... And that way I will increase the amount of words I know without having to find that paper dictionary (or having to remember what word to look up once I have access to a paper dictionary again).

[cerement]

Heh ... I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I've only used the dictionary on the Kindle one time, when I first bought it and saw it in the list of features ...

But then, it's a software feature, adds value to the reader without adding to the price, and improves the reading experience, so I don't see why it's not included on more readers ...

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

The ones they have, are these the readers with the new, faster chip? Or will I have to wait longer to get a newer updated EZReader?

Dear Griffonwing:

ALL EZ Readers, the basic model, have the regular controller. Only the new models being introduced will have the Epson controller. STILL... nobody has yet to compalin about the EZ Reader being slow.

By the way, on Friday, March 6, I did see an ad in the paper and the EZ Reader Bundle Pack is also on sale at the FRY's chain stores for the same $249... so either fry's.com or the stores themselves are honoring the sale.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by tneken

Hi. Im very interrested in getting an ebook reader, and have followed this thread for some time. I have a question for robertb:
Is there any european online shops where you can buy the ez-reader. It's pretty expensive to buy stuff from usa because you have to pay import duty (12%). After that you have to pay 25% vat also for the shipping fee. And Last you have to pay the postal service a +20$ fee for collecting the vat. So if the reader cost 300$ and shipping is like 10$ i'll end up paying 432,5$ which is quite a lot. at least for me :-)

Dear Tneken:

The EZ Reader is not sold in Europe. There is a distributor that carries the Hanlin V3 in Europe by another name. We cannot step on that distributor's territory. I am sorry. We can send an EZ Reader directly to the end user; but cannot distribute there. I am sorry. I agree that it costs a lot additional to order in USA and then have it go thru what you mentioned.

All territory is decided by Jinke in China and not us. I wish I could help.

Bob Barry

[cerement]

Originally Posted by tneken

Hi. Im very interrested in getting an ebook reader, and have followed this thread for some time. I have a question for robertb:
Is there any european online shops where you can buy the ez-reader.

Astak's EZ Reader is a re-branded Hanlin V3. The same hardware is available from Hanlin in Asia, from Astak in US, and is available in various forms as BeBook, Pixelar e-Reader, and lBook in various regions in Europe.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by cerement

Astak's EZ Reader is a re-branded Hanlin V3. The same hardware is available from Hanlin in Asia, from Astak in US, and is available in various forms as BeBook, Pixelar e-Reader, and lBook in various regions in Europe.

Good list, which is also in the wiki. Note that lBook does include portions of Asia, after all it is a Russian effort and Russia is in both continents. Astak has the rights to both North and South America at this point although they have not exploited it beyond the US and Canada.

Dale

[Robertb]

Dear All:

The first info of the new Astak Mentor line has arrived. I am going to give a capsule summary here:

Mentor Lite: 5 inch, Linux 2.6 OS, E-ink, 4 grey scale, supports: eReader, txt, pdf, html, fb2, epub,prc,jpg, bmp. Weighs under 6 ounces.

Mentor Basic: 6 inch, Linux 2.6 OS, E-ink, 4 grey scale, same formats as above. Weighs under 7 ounces.

Mentor Intrique: 6 inch, Linux 2.6 OS, 8 grey scale, same formats as above. Weighs under 7 ounces. Power saving to 16,000 pages on a single charge. Touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Epson controller.

Mentor Intrique Plus: 6 inch, Windows CE/Linux 2.6, 8 grey scale, same formats. Weighs under 7 ounces. Touchscreen, Wi-Fi, 3G, hand-written note taking, bluetooth. 16,000 pages to a single charge.

Mentor Electra: 9.7 inch, Windows CE/ Linux 2.6, 16 grey scale, or 26k Color, same formats as above. Touchscreen, hand-written note taking, Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, 16,000 pages to a single charge.

The attachment is a concept drawing of two designs for the Mentor Intrique.

I am trying to get better shots of other models. If I left out any specs above I simply do not have them yet. I am hoping to get pricing soon and will post when ready.

This is only intended to show what is to come. None are released yet, but the Basic and Lite will be within months.

Robert B

[Druidsbane]

Any idea on timeframe for all the models? There aren't many 9.7" units out there and I'm sure if its going to try and include colour we're looking at a timeframe sometime late next year. Looks great though but would be better if they ever come out any time soon.

[DG25]

Concept B looks nice, it's more compact.
But i have a feeling we won't see them until fall, at best.

[Jason]

about Astak's Mentor line
you can see this Netronix,Inc. website
link:http://www.netronixinc.com/product_e-book.htm

[pilotbob]

Wow... um, are you sure you need so many skus? Remember all the problems MS fell into when they had so many skus of Vista?

Robert a question if I might.

You mention ePub and PDF. Will they support the Adobe ADEPT DRM or will this only support the eReader DRM?

Thanks,
BOb

[Druidsbane]

Originally Posted by Jason

about Astak's Mentor line
you can see this Netronix,Inc. website
link:http://www.netronixinc.com/product_e-book.htm

The list of products is impressive, however I don't see a way to buy any of these. Are any of them actually in production or being re-branded and sold anywhere? The last item on their news page is from October 2008 when they went to the Asia-World Expo. I'd be interested in seeing final versions, release dates and non-renders for those products though So many future ebooks to choose from, none that are satisfying on the market right now

[SaraD]

Very nice Robert B! Thank you! I am so excited that I am pretty much bouncing on my chair. And since I use an exercise ball (it makes it sit with good posture) instead a desk chair, I really am bouncing. I've been planning since last fall that an e-book reader with the updated controller would be my birthday present and since that is later this month I had almost given up hope so I love your timing. This is a very nice present even if the real thing won't be available for order yet.

Question - from the descriptions it looks like the Lite and Basic will not use the Epson controller? Or is that just part of the specs you do not have available yet? I like the sleek look of these a little better than the leaked picture of the new Jinke (BeBook pictures from CBIT). But of course I'm reserving judgement until the pictures of production units are finally available instead of the renderings.

And another question if you would please add it to the long list of things to find out. The EZ Reader includes a case so Jinke will likely continue that practice (I hope) with the next model since it is a nice selling point. Since the Mentor line is from Netronix, will they have an included case as well, or will it have to be purchased seperately? Several pages of this thread ago you were taking ideas for cases and other accessories so I'm hoping that something that fits properly will at least be available for both units. It is kind of a silly thing to ask at this point, but if necessary I will be factoring the cost of a case into my budget and choice so it would be nice to know ahead of time.

I am eagerly waiting for the price and availability list!