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

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

I also concur on the device logo. Is the logo something you brand in-house, or is this done at the same factory which makes the coloured plastics? I am assuming it's done at the factory.

If so, and if they are ready to begin the creation of the units, then time is very important. I would definately have a professional graphic artist create a couple options.

I am not a professional. I don't even play one on TV. I don't even watch TV.

Talks with Jinke on exclusivity for Astak to carry and sell the Pocket PRO are not at all going smoothly. It is too early to run up a white flag; but a lot depends on exclusivity. Our numbers in sales have been fair... but nothing like Jinke hoped they would be. With competition on the V5 in North America it MAY help the end user somehow; but makes it hard to move ahead with production as we will not know about price points or colors on the product.

I am sorry to mention this... but some days are better than others and this was not the start we hoped for in going into production. Discussion is continuing... but this is a black day for Astak and I so far.

[griffonwing]

That is very sad to hear. Here's hoping things will start to go smoothly.

[phenomshel]

OK, new logo. Same as the old, but now with correct spelling of the device. I'd like to see other ideas as well. How bout you, Phenom! Show me what you go with your fancy script! Or are you just all talk?

It'll have to wait til Thursday at the earliest. Still don't have graphics programs installed, nor fonts. I did graphics and web design professionally at one point about seven or eight years ago, but have completely gotten out of the field. So, usually not all just talk, but this time...maybe so. I also still have two algebra tests this week, my husband is under the wire for his final project for his Bachelor's degree, and my son is coming in from Texas. Oh, and did I mention my job? Ok, I'm shutting up now before this gets moved to the vent and rant thread, LOL!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

That is very sad to hear. Here's hoping things will start to go smoothly.

Dear Griffonwing:

Yes, thank you for the nice comments. Astak does listen and uses what it hears to make a better future for all... but the numbers sold tell Jinke our viability. Jinke does not care what the future holds... they look strictly at the present.

IF I could get them to relaize that the 5 inch Pocket PRO in COLORS will be our turning point we might be fine... but Jinke does not "bet on the come".

So, it will be long hours arguing and discussing for a while.

[Robertb]

Dear ALL:

I just wondered what your opinion would be on colors of the buttons.

The Pocket PRO, as you know, has ten buttons under the screen plus an "OK" botton and a "return to previous" button. We can either pay only for black and white buttons and maybe put white buttons in the violet and white and lime green Pocket PROs OR we can pay extra to have the buttons painted in matching colors (in other words, lime green buttons on a lime green Pocket PRO).

I have black buttons on my Electric Blue EZ Reader and like it... as the buttons really stand out without impacting the beautiful blue. It would cost more to have the buttons painted to match.

What are your feelings? Would you rather have them match or would you rather have the contrast or does it matter "not at all"?

[AJ Starr]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear ALL:

I just wondered what your opinion would be on colors of the buttons.

The Pocket PRO, as you know, has ten buttons under the screen plus an "OK" botton and a "return to previous" button. We can either pay only for black and white buttons and maybe put white buttons in the violet and white and lime green Pocket PROs OR we can pay extra to have the buttons painted in matching colors (in other words, lime green buttons on a lime green Pocket PRO).

I have black buttons on my Electric Blue EZ Reader and like it... as the buttons really stand out without impacting the beautiful blue. It would cost more to have the buttons painted to match.

What are your feelings? Would you rather have them match or would you rather have the contrast or does it matter "not at all"?

Having colored buttons may be over the top, especially if it costs more. Black is just fine with me.

AJ

[griffonwing]

I would prefer to have black buttons on my slate blue reader.

As a matter of fact, i think the contrast of the reader/button colours is important. Otherwise, it seems a bit bland. An odd word to use, neon green reader and neon green buttons being bland, but it is. There is no contrast, nothing to "pop". The buttons, in my opinion, should 'pop'.

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Griffonwing:

Yes, thank you for the nice comments. Astak does listen and uses what it hears to make a better future for all... but the numbers sold tell Jinke our viability. Jinke does not care what the future holds... they look strictly at the present.

IF I could get them to relaize that the 5 inch Pocket PRO in COLORS will be our turning point we might be fine... but Jinke does not "bet on the come".

So, it will be long hours arguing and discussing for a while.

You already have more than a few members here, me included, who say that they are awaiting the Pocket PRO. If you could make a list, and let them know that just on here alone, they already have x number of sales upon release, it might help.

Granted, 7 (for example) sales might not seem like a lot, but do some research and make a list of all the sites and polls you can find online which are touting the desire of a 5-inch reader. Bring those numbers and graphs before the board and see if it might not help your cause.

[AJ Starr]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Griffonwing:

Yes, thank you for the nice comments. Astak does listen and uses what it hears to make a better future for all... but the numbers sold tell Jinke our viability. Jinke does not care what the future holds... they look strictly at the present.

IF I could get them to relaize that the 5 inch Pocket PRO in COLORS will be our turning point we might be fine... but Jinke does not "bet on the come".

So, it will be long hours arguing and discussing for a while.

According to my Business Classes in College, especially my Advertising Course, Advertising is the way to sell (duh!!!).

Has Astak begun their advertising campaign? I know your new site isn't up, but how about all those announcements that are display in the news page here about other devices. Has Astak joined the fun...

AJ

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by AJ Starr

According to my Business Classes in College, especially my Advertising Course, Advertising is the way to sell (duh!!!).

Has Astak begun their advertising campaign? I know your new site isn't up, but how about all those announcements that are display in the news page here about other devices. Has Astak joined the fun...

AJ

Oooh. *snap*

---edit: I can't believe I just typed that...

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

You already have more than a few members here, me included, who say that they are awaiting the Pocket PRO. If you could make a list, and let them know that just on here alone, they already have x number of sales upon release, it might help.

Granted, 7 (for example) sales might not seem like a lot, but do some research and make a list of all the sites and polls you can find online which are touting the desire of a 5-inch reader. Bring those numbers and graphs before the board and see if it might not help your cause.

I agree with griffonwing...

I should be receiving the EZ-Reader I ordered in the next day or two, but I am also ready to order the Pocket Pro when it's available.

I also think when your new web site comes online, and with your support for Adobe Digital and Ereader DRM, you will see a surge in sales of the EZ-Reader as well.

Keep the faith....

[SaraD]

You can mark me down for a future Mentor or EZ Reader purchase for certain. I'm just not sure which one at the moment since I want to see the specs for what all will be coming this summer and fall with the Epson controller and a 6" screen. Right now it will likley be the Pocket Pro because it has everything I think I want and little that I don't. And hopefully it will be as resiliant as the EZ Reader basic. My first baby arrives in a month so whatever device I get must be good for carrying with all of his stuff and stand up to my 17 lbs. cat laying on it (in its case) to get my attention.

Astak is the only company offering a device that has American support, formats, and the new toys so I my purchase will eventually be from you.

Most likely I will purchase a black device since I think of it like a basic black dress that can't go out of style so black buttons on a black device make sense with the printed numbers being in white for visibility. Therefore I won't venture an opinion on what color buttons for the colored devices.

I quite like the logo that Griffonwing suggested and would be very open to seeing what Shel produces if her life permits time (I so understand that!). "Cute" logos will only get a company so far and something striking is much more timeless if you think about companies that have been around for a long time and are still using the same logo for a product line.

Good luck Robert!

[phenomshel]

Thank you Sara! I hope my life allows me to get a few logos out. I think Griffonwing did a fantastic job, though. Not sure I can improve on that. My maroon EZ Reader has maroon buttons, with the white print. I love them. I can't imagine black buttons on a colored device, though. I'd have to see it, I think - I'm tired and my imagination is failing me.

[slayda]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

This is on a work PC. I went through everywhere, moving everything to the network drive, went through every folder in My Docs, and all the MISC folders on the root drive. I even backed up my Opera Browser settings and bookmarks. How could I have overlooked my fonts!

Even after reinstalling XP, and reinstalled Adobe Design Premium CS4, I still have only a few fonts. I figured Adobe would have included a large font library. I'll have to go through the install disks again, I might have missed it somewhere.


-----EDIT-----

OK, new logo. Same as the old, but now with correct spelling of the device. I'd like to see other ideas as well. How bout you, Phenom! Show me what you go with your fancy script! Or are you just all talk?

Be sure to copyright it and make RobertB give you a discount on your Pocket PRO.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Robertb

We have a meeting with Pixel Qi at their headquarters in San Bruno on Wednesday, June 10. This will give us a chance to see the technology up close and specifically talk about screens for eBook Readers. I will let you know what we found out that could be of benefit.

What did you find out?