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

[oggelbe2007]

Originally Posted by Emu

Comics, Mangas, Internet, photos, some day movies

I want color for Comics.

Same here, but I'd be willing to bet that it's going to take a different display technology than E-ink in it's present form. Most of the color E-ink designs I've seen this year use LCD technology with color filters so you get low resolution and low brightness with a high price tag. I'm afraid the reasonably priced good color display stuff is still a few years out...bummer. However, neato eyeglass-based HUDs are HERE and they look like a fun idea for comics and movies.

[SaraD]

Originally Posted by cerement

Readers focus on fiction, want something paperback sized, don't need color, but want better contrast than currently available, better attention to rendering, design, typography, hyphenation, access to as many formats as possible, and a UI that doesn't interfere or get in the way of the act just reading.

Yes - exactly! As 'readers' we are willing to put some time, effort, and some $ into finding a good device, but not necessarily enough time or effort to program it ourselves (or learn conversion software that requires command line prompts). A simple piece of equipment that does its job well with a minimum of fuss or extra features (no, you don't have to use them, but they get in the way).

[Emu]

Originally Posted by oggelbe2007

Same here, but I'd be willing to bet that it's going to take a different display technology than E-ink in it's present form. Most of the color E-ink designs I've seen this year use LCD technology with color filters so you get low resolution and low brightness with a high price tag. I'm afraid the reasonably priced good color display stuff is still a few years out...bummer. However, neato eyeglass-based HUDs are HERE and they look like a fun idea for comics and movies.

For comics I hope for a Pixel Qi high res Netvertible.... or a Pixel Qi Reader? Whatever. Comics need bright vivid colors.

But I'm further waiting for a good contrast BW Reader for Mangas. You need a good white for that (while your eyes will thank you for a greyish white backround behind booktexts)

[Robertb]

Dear All:

We hope to open our new website (www.goEZebook.com) in about two weeks. This should be a great benefit as the site will be loaded with about 20,000 multiformat eBooks and free eBooks initially. The site will contain info on coming new models of EZ Reader and Mentor, upgraded FAQ sheets, pictures, and our new accessory line. In about two months or less, when the Fictionwise eReader and Adobe Digital Editions is ported and ready for download... we will post firmware updates and downloads there. We are trying to make this site MORE than user friendly and I would welcome hearing from you about what you think/feel would be of benefit.

Also when the new formats are ported and ready for download, we will increase the sale of DRM and other format top sellers and the latest eBooks available. This site will support Mobi eBooks (to suuport any EZ Reader buyers who got Mobi as their format and do not want to switch), EPUB, eReader, and Adobe Digital Editions.

We also have our first samples of upgraded accessories for our devices. MANY of you have requested luxury-type leather cases and a better lighting system. We have listened and I have attached photographs.

The cases are top quality leather in both "marbled" and "pebbeled" finish. Right now we are looking at Black and Red Leather cases. I am committed to getting items for women. If you want Pink or Grey or Blue or Tan... speak up and let me know. I can't promise but will push for your recommendations.

Regarding the lights... they store right in the case and are fully bendable. Unlike other lights, ours will have a split beam that covers the entire screen. Many of you have said that the one beam causes a "brightspot" surrounded by poor reading areas. Our split beam should solve this.

There will be other accessories coming as well. Right now we have good samples and now is a time to make changes... so I am looking for a little feedback.

Thank you,

Robert B

[CTH]

I like the cases!

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by Emu

For comics I hope for a Pixel Qi high res Netvertible.... or a Pixel Qi Reader? Whatever. Comics need bright vivid colors.

But I'm further waiting for a good contrast BW Reader for Mangas. You need a good white for that (while your eyes will thank you for a greyish white backround behind booktexts)

Who knows what Pixel Qi will actually deliver, but the promise is that they will deliver both color and high contrast greyscale. Actually reading through their comments over time, I am guessing that they will deliver the high contrast greyscale. The question is whether the colors will be vivid. Mary Lou Jepson made some comment about the OLPC having muted colors by design. Does that same design consideration (is it cost? battery life?) come into play here???

Michael

[AbFabGab]

The bendable light that fits inside the case is super!

I'm not sure if this is a major issue but I'm not fond
of cases that have the pockets facing the screen.

[snipenekkid]

Robertb,

I just had something pop into my head and thought I might mention this as a way to tip the scales for some of us on the fence when looking at current eink devices. I am not thrilled with contrast ratio's combines with the whiteness reflectivity levels. I know that is an evolving thing and we are only on consumer generation 2 or soon 3 of these displays.

Well, I am a lover of crossword puzzles and work on them daily. I subscribe the the New York Times crossword puzzles every year. I currently use an old PDA and an old program to solve the puzzles. I can tell you if there was a device that offered a program like this I would not stay on the fence too long at all. It would be enough to induce me to live with a light for reading at night before bed.

Pen input would be fine then again so would a virtual keyboard. I am not a speed solver so I could care less about the speed of recording the letters. So any solution for input on some of the family of devices would be fine for me and, I suspect a fair number of others who enjoy crosswords.

If this is a possibility it might be a fine idea to put the question to the users here about software they like now. I use one program that is an Open Source on one PDA and one I bought for the other PDA as the OS is different on each.

From reading I am guessing an old impediment to such features being included was the screen refresh issue being somewhat intrusive. Now given the new controllers which can refresh sections of the display it might be more reasonable? I ask because I am still wrapping my head around the whole eink technology.

[SaraD]

Thank you Robert B! I went ahead and bookmarked the new site for when it becomes active. The next few weeks are going to creep by.

I generally like cases that protect the edges of my devices (mp3 players, cell phone, camera, GPS, whatever) as well as the screen. That way when I put them into my purse/backpack nothing can slide up between the cover and the screen to scratch it. Or damage an SD card slot or headphone jack (ie bobby pin or paper clip). It doesn't need a zipper, since a nice wrap-around effect generally does the job well enough. I'm not taking it hiking to the hinterlands so water and everything else proof isn't what I looking for since I want the device readily accessible. But bags used daily do acquire a certain amount of "stuff" in the bottoms that creeps into non-protected contents.

Perhaps unlike some of the female market you are trying to reach I am not looking for fashionable so much as practical though sleek is nice, too. And cost efficient over everything - microfiber may not be as elegent as leather, but it is generally less costly and comes in many interesting colors and textures that look "right" to my sensibilities no matter what design is on them. I always have trouble picturing the cow where they got the pink leather...

[snipenekkid]

SaraD,

I agree about a carry or protective case. Leather will last forever and can be cleaned with saddle soap then treated with neatsfoot oil to keep it soft as well as water and stain proof, but I would be all for a natural fiber case. Something like canvas or even hemp is fine as it can be reinforced as well as treated externally with a natural product like Nikwax to keep it dirt repellant and waterproofed. Closed with waterproof YKK zippers and you have a very protective carry case.

[dragonbone]

removed: wrong thread

[Jellby]

Are these ~1600 posts really all on the same topic? Wouldn't it be better if this thread were abandoned and new threads were opened for specific news or subjects?

[dragonbone]

removed: wrong thread

[Jellby]

Originally Posted by dragonbone

Whoops, sorry!

My comment was not directed at your post, but at the whole oversized thread

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Jellby

My comment was not directed at your post, but at the whole oversized thread

At the beginning, when this thread was only several hundred posts long many people were suggesting creation of subforum for this discussion, just like Illiad or Sony PRS 700 has.
The moderators have refused that repeatedly, despite the fact that even such an obscure reading device as Readius has its own subforum (with EXACTLY 513 messages in 30 threads. Yes I have just counted them all)

In the meanwhile Astak devices have moved from the "vapourware" category to the "devices are being sold hand have been purchased by many mobilereaders" category.

Yet ...
This monster(*) thread remains.

(*) Oooops.
I hope We do not receive takedown notice from those nice guys