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

[phenomshel]

Robert, since you're around - is there any chance of a firmware upgrade for the EZ Reader? It crashes, freezes, reboots constantly on .lit files. I know it's not supposed to - but it does. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Robert, since you're around - is there any chance of a firmware upgrade for the EZ Reader? It crashes, freezes, reboots constantly on .lit files. I know it's not supposed to - but it does. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Dear Shel:

My God, do not wait. I want you happy. Please contact Walter at: www.walters@teamresearchinc.com and Walter will get this right for you. Mention that you know Robert B from Mobileread Forum. He is expecting your email!!

We'll get this right!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

they can hardly get product out the door (re: a whole 5k in readers to Fry's) and you ask if they have the newest tech?

Of course that nobody is using the plastic-substrate displays yet might have more to do with that than anything else. Actually from what I have read in this thread several devices are waiting on the availability of the plastic-substrate displays.

Dear Brecklundin:

What does quantity sold have to do with latest technology? I don't see the parallel? We are not big and we are dwarfed by Amazon and Sony. But, our technology has always been abreast or ahead of the others. The EZ Reader, for example, is made for us my the largest eBook Reader manufacturer in the world (more than Amazon and Sony combined). THEY have the technology and we sell it.

Also, PVI is a partner with our firm. If you read this thread you would know we were the first to report the need for a Flexi screen, and why, and that there is a worldwide problem, and what it is.

Brecklundin, you are very welcome here but you might want to get your facts straight before writing things that do not hold up. I am very proud of what we do. We came from nothing at all in eBook Readers to where we have two models out and are planning the first color e-ink hybrid. We could be a lot better and I am the first to criticize us on timelines... but we do not suffer technologically.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by mobelby

RobertB,

I noticed on Bebook's twitter last night that they were finalising a "firmware update" that was almost ready to be the Release Candidate. Can I ask whether this is for the original Hanlin v3 or it is the final firmware for the new model that you are hopefully about to release.

Finally, do you know roughly how much the wifi SDIO cards are going to cost (to use with the Hanlin v3, v5 or v3 mk II)

Thanks and hoping that May is the release month as I've been waiting a long time now

Dear Mobelby:

There is no rough price because the SDIO Protocal Card has problems: power drain and data changing. I am not allowed to give you much detail on this... but the cards are not problem-free yet. As they are not sure how to solve the problems they cannot guess on the hardware and software engineering money.

I have not yet looked at BeBooks twitter so do not know about that update. I am leaving for a before-dawn flight to New York to discuss a lot of this.

I appreciate that you are growing weary of waiting and wish I had better news. Setbacks like this almost make me want to stop doing MobileRead Forum as I hate apologizing for something out of my personal control. Just realize that technology, for all its hope, often smacks timelines up against the wall. It is never as easy as it appears.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Brecklundin:

What does quantity sold have to do with latest technology? I don't see the parallel? We are not big and we are dwarfed by Amazon and Sony. But, our technology has always been abreast or ahead of the others. The EZ Reader, for example, is made for us my the largest eBook Reader manufacturer in the world (more than Amazon and Sony combined). THEY have the technology and we sell it.

Also, PVI is a partner with our firm. If you read this thread you would know we were the first to report the need for a Flexi screen, and why, and that there is a worldwide problem, and what it is.

Having been an early contributor to this thread I am well aware of the "facts" to which you allude.

Brecklundin, you are very welcome here but you might want to get your facts straight before writing things that do not hold up. I am very proud of what we do. We came from nothing at all in eBook Readers to where we have two models out and are planning the first color e-ink hybrid. We could be a lot better and I am the first to criticize us on timelines... but we do not suffer technologically.

So, you are in control over who can and cannot participate on these forums? Interesting. Also interesting is you have repeatedly harangued and denigrated other ereader device makers in this thread but when someone is openly critical over your company's decisions and performance as directly as your commentary about your company's competitors, you really react, well, poorly at best.

FYI, people have been posting about the flexible as well as the Pixel Qi displays long before you were a dream on this site. So, again nothing special. And given your self expressed fact of not having the clout of the big players I doubt you are privy to the same level of information as they.

Glad your company came from nothing, millions of have done just the same thing, nothing special there. Nor as a potential customer does it matter to me. What matters is not delivering. So far that is still up in the air with your company. And you cannot dispute the fact. Being as interactive with customers carries that price. Trust me everyone understands. Just so far it's all a lot of talk and promises.

It is understandable you are very frustrated with the process and even this place after this long a period of promises. And indeed you have said all along time lines are fluid entities, which anyone with a tiny bit of knowledge well knows but some do not understand no matter how often you offer an explanation. Perhaps if it has become a chore some time away would serve better and re-energize you. The trip to NY might be just the ticket for ya. You'll come back with good news and some new enthusiasm.

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Griffonwing:

Yes, the Firecrotch disease is a major worry. You might want to try pouring two cans of Budweiser Beer onto your crotch before you place the laptop there. Be advised, however, that ElectroCrotch is even worse. Moderator remark: Guys, let's keep it civil please. We have ladies here on board, who could feel offended abd understandably so. Thanks! -Alex

To all:

Yes, you can take a Jetbook without backlight and MAYBE get 20 hours. But... why settle for that? You are still going to have more eye strain than with E-ink and you have gained nothing tangible except to save a few dollars initially. BOTH the EZ Reader and Mentor Lite have beautifully clear screens and give you about 3-4 times as long on a single charge. They are smaller and lighter and read well in low light. They have more features. Plus the EZ Reader has almost no returns and is built like a tank.

Who told you about more eye strain than with E-ink???
Many people who tested jetBook agree that Jetbook TFT screen is better
than E-ink screen:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45593

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Shel:

My God, do not wait. I want you happy. Please contact Walter at: www.walters@teamresearchinc.com and Walter will get this right for you. Mention that you know Robert B from Mobileread Forum. He is expecting your email!!

We'll get this right!

Robert, sorry for the delay in sending that email, I had to work tonight. I'm composing it now. I don't expect to hear anything from Walter til after the weekend, of course.

I am happy with my EZ Reader, Robert, I don't want you to worry that I'll be an unhappy customer. This unit has always had problems with .lit files - for the longest time I thought it was normal behavior, which is why I haven't said anything sooner. Thanks for the excellent and timely response here, I've always said that Astak and you have the best customer service around and this only proves my point!

[kacir]

Dear Robert.

Have a look at the photos here:
http://translate.google.com/translat...0A&sl=ru&tl=en

Pocketbook has a new design for Netronix device that will be sold under name Pocketbook 360°.
Together with a legendary PocketBook software (with folders, on-screen keyboard) such design could be THE perfect device for many people.

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by Robertb

What does quantity sold have to do with latest technology? I don't see the parallel? We are not big and we are dwarfed by Amazon and Sony. But, our technology has always been abreast or ahead of the others. The EZ Reader, for example, is made for us my the largest eBook Reader manufacturer in the world (more than Amazon and Sony combined). THEY have the technology and we sell it.

"more than Amazon and Sony combined" of what? Readers sold? Could you provide some numbers?

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by kacir

Dear Robert.

Have a look at the photos here:
http://translate.google.com/translat...0A&sl=ru&tl=en

Pocketbook has a new design for Netronix device that will be sold under name Pocketbook 360°.
Together with a legendary PocketBook software (with folders, on-screen keyboard) such design could be THE perfect device for many people.

That is absolutely gorgeous, even in the plain "taupe" color! It's sleek and looks well designed for holding in either hand.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by Kris777

Who told you about more eye strain than with E-ink???
Many people who tested jetBook agree that Jetbook TFT screen is better
than E-ink screen:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45593

+1

I don't see why the eye strain would be greater either. The JetBook does not use a backlight, correct? It is a TFT w/o backlight as far as I am aware.

There is only one possible, well ok two, potential places I can see where the potential for eye strain in some individuals exists. First is the refresh rate of a TFT display. No matter what, any display that constantly refreshes will have the potential to induce some eye fatigue for those sensitive to the that refresh rate. TV is the same way. Second, is some people will not be OK with the contrast and background shading. This, second issue is no different from any current eink display. So, anyone who points to that as problematic is, well, trying to cloud the topic with misdirection.

I think Astak has a very laudable goal here. But for a company that has brought little real product to market yet, the chest thumping and back slapping might be a bit premature. Just ask Leon Lett what happens when one celebrates a tad too soon. Great guy but made a joke out of himself in a HUGE way in front of the biggest worldwide TV audience short of the Olympics. Show us real product and see what we potential customers/users think.

[basschick]

i am one who gets eyestrain from refresh, not just glare - which doesn't bother my eyes - or brightness.

[sirbruce]

I can't stand 60Hz referesh anymore.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by sirbruce

I can't stand 60Hz referesh anymore.

Anymore? From what I understand is that the older you get (presumably your eyes will get worse as well) you will have less problem with 60Hz refresh...

The refresh rate on a TFT screen can't be compared to the refresh rate of a CRT screen. On a TFT screen it only indicates the speed by wich the pixels can change colour (from black to white for example). The screen itself is "standing still" (compared to CRT where the screen "walks" from top to bottom (which you can see if you film a CRT screen) and this can be very noticable, especially at 60Hz and below)

[sirbruce]

Oh, I agree, TFT is different from CRT. As for "anymore", I can't really say; back in the old days of computer monitors we didn't have much choice in refresh rates, and everything was 60Hz or below.