Who Would Buy a Bookeen Eink Reader? - Page 5

macanima · 12-18-2006, 12:06 PM

Honestly, I don't need a ton of features in my eBook reader. Top 3:

1. Wide array of document formats - RTF, TXT, HTML, and PDF being the ones I'd need most often.

2. Far, far less ghosting per page turn than a Sony Reader. I finally got to look at the Reader hands-on in my local Borders and the amount of flicker per page turn was overwhelming. Of course, I think that someone had started playing an audio file and walked away, and after a minute or two with the Reader's interface I still couldn't figure out how to turn it off, so I went straight to the books - this may have been related.

3. Related to the previous anecdote: an interface that is fairly simple.

4. Okay, I lied, so there's four: a note-taking feature. This is the #1 reason why I'd like to eventually purchase an Iliad; however, the reportedly low battery life and the overload of other features are the reasons why I won't purchase an Iliad (well, that and the oppressively high price tag!).

Basically, I need something that will display whatever I want, display it well, let me flip through it easily, and let me take notes (whether on the document or separately). And doesn't cost too much.

I don't ask for much, do I?

(Also, hi: long-time lurker, first-time poster.)

MWetherspoon · 12-18-2006, 02:25 PM

Love the thought - even with having already purchased one of the Sony Readers.

Support for basic formats such as DOC, HTML, RTF, TXT, and PDF.
Replaceable AND/OR very long life battery.
USB interface
SD card slot
Sync with Desktop
Search Capabilities
Bookmarking
Stylus Entry for notetaking(nice to have - could live without)

and:

My one *strong* request would be for a either a heavy duty case or an add on case protector - mine goes everywhere with me - and I'd be getting one plus up to two additional units for deployed family members that are as avid readers as I am - and the whole e-book world has them both drooling with the ability to take a device with their libraries on deployment, but it has to be rugged considering their living conditions....

yvanleterrible · 12-18-2006, 02:35 PM

Total tally so far 83 we've got a good ways to go!

Notice we have two triples!

slayda · 12-18-2006, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Total tally so far 83 we've got a good ways to go!

Notice we have two triples!

Yvan,
This is the second time that my count is different from yours. Do you have 10 hidden somewhere? I count 73.

yvanleterrible · 12-18-2006, 06:24 PM

You have to take into account those that woud buy two and those that would buy three.

ashkulz · 12-19-2006, 02:40 PM

Well, reading through all the replies, the following items were present on the collective wish list (might have missed something):

HTML support
RTF support
PDF support
DOC support
other formats
Memory slot
Text Search
Bookmarks
Replacable battery
Battery life
USB Interface
Hierarchical Browsing
Custom/user fonts
Orientation & Zooming
Touch Screen
SDK + Updatable Firrmware
Archive support
Random seeking
Backlight / sidelight
Unicode support
Ergonomics
Annotation & note sync

We need to have a multiple-choice poll on which features are most important for people.

yvanleterrible · 12-19-2006, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashkulz

Well, reading through all the replies, the following items were present on the collective wish list (might have missed something):

HTML support
RTF support
PDF support
DOC support
other formats
Memory slot
Text Search
Bookmarks
Replacable battery
Battery life
USB Interface
Hierarchical Browsing
Custom/user fonts
Orientation & Zooming
Touch Screen
SDK + Updatable Firrmware
Archive support
Random seeking
Backlight / sidelight
Unicode support
Ergonomics
Annotation & note sync

We need to have a multiple-choice poll on which features are most important for people.

That sum's it up quite nicely. Now if we can get to 250 units wished, we could go ahead!

nekokami · 12-19-2006, 04:48 PM

If you really could get that list of features for the price point of the Sony Reader, I might buy 2 or 3 and take the chance that I'd be able to resell them, just to help get the order up to the minimum required. Anyone else here feel this way?

SoCal Bob · 12-19-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nekokami

If you really could get that list of features for the price point of the Sony Reader, I might buy 2 or 3 and take the chance that I'd be able to resell them, just to help get the order up to the minimum required. Anyone else here feel this way?

I agree, lets see if this moves from "talk" to "reality"

nekokami · 12-19-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashkulz

SDK + Updatable Firrmware

I'd like to make this item a bit more specific:

Linux 2.6 kernel support

Drizzt321 · 12-19-2006, 06:54 PM

As big a fan of Linux as I am, I'm not so hardcore to insist on it. If we can get a full SDK that lets us dig in pretty darn well into whatever is installed on it, I'll be happy. Sure, I'd love for it to run Linux, cause that'd make it that much easier on us.

alex_d · 12-19-2006, 07:24 PM

I really think that list should include:

A case that isn't as ugly as the one on Bookeen's website. Or am I really the only one who wants my cutting-edge gadgets to be purty?

wallcraft · 12-19-2006, 11:35 PM

Feature creep is already making this sound impossible in practice. My shortlist would be: FBReader, 10+ hour battery life, one popular DRM format (MobiPocket would be my 1st choice because I think Amazon wins in the end).

FBReader gives us most non-DRM formats, except PDF. If a (text plus images) file format isn't supported now it can be. Similarly, I suggest improving FBReader rather than re-inventing the wheel (dictionary, annotations, read aloud, etcetera). If you have Linux on a PC, download FBReader and try it out. It is Linux only, but see When a win32 version? for an example of running FBReader under VMware Player.

CommanderROR · 12-20-2006, 11:05 AM

I agree about the "feature creep", but I don't agree with 10+ hours of battery-life...that's PDA style and not eink worthy!!!

slayda · 12-20-2006, 11:33 AM

Features will be academic unless we get enough people lined up. I think we should wait & see if we get enough total interest before we start debating which features.

View Poll Results: Do you want to buy a Bookeen eink reader?
I would pay no more than $200.00USD	20	21.05%
I would buy two at no more than $200.00USD each	1	1.05%
I would buy three at no more than $200.00USD each	1	1.05%
I would pay no more than $250.00USD	13	13.68%
I would buy two at no more than $250.00USD each	2	2.11%
I would buy three at no more than $250.00USD each	0	0%
I would pay no more than $300.00USD	16	16.84%
I would buy two at no more than $300.00USD each	1	1.05%
I would buy three at no more than $300.00USD each	2	2.11%
I would pay no more than $350.00USD	25	26.32%
I would buy two at no more than $350.00USD each	2	2.11%
I would buy three at no more than $350.00USD each	0	0%
I would pay no more than $400.00USD	10	10.53%
I would buy two at no more than $400.00USD each	2	2.11%
Voters: 95. You may not vote on this poll

12-19-2006, 02:40 PM	#66
ashkulz Addict Posts: 350 Karma: 705 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Kindle 1/REB 1200	New poll Well, reading through all the replies, the following items were present on the collective wish list (might have missed something): HTML support RTF support PDF support DOC support other formats Memory slot Text Search Bookmarks Replacable battery Battery life USB Interface Hierarchical Browsing Custom/user fonts Orientation & Zooming Touch Screen SDK + Updatable Firrmware Archive support Random seeking Backlight / sidelight Unicode support Ergonomics Annotation & note sync We need to have a multiple-choice poll on which features are most important for people.

12-19-2006, 07:24 PM	#72
alex_d Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 187 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: Sony Reader	I really think that list should include: A case that isn't as ugly as the one on Bookeen's website. Or am I really the only one who wants my cutting-edge gadgets to be purty? Last edited by alex_d; 12-19-2006 at 07:26 PM.

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12-18-2006, 12:06 PM	#61
macanima Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Northern Kentucky, USA Device: ETI-2 (equiv. of eBookwise 1150)	Honestly, I don't need a ton of features in my eBook reader. Top 3: 1. Wide array of document formats - RTF, TXT, HTML, and PDF being the ones I'd need most often. 2. Far, far less ghosting per page turn than a Sony Reader. I finally got to look at the Reader hands-on in my local Borders and the amount of flicker per page turn was overwhelming. Of course, I think that someone had started playing an audio file and walked away, and after a minute or two with the Reader's interface I still couldn't figure out how to turn it off, so I went straight to the books - this may have been related. 3. Related to the previous anecdote: an interface that is fairly simple. 4. Okay, I lied, so there's four: a note-taking feature. This is the #1 reason why I'd like to eventually purchase an Iliad; however, the reportedly low battery life and the overload of other features are the reasons why I won't purchase an Iliad (well, that and the oppressively high price tag!). Basically, I need something that will display whatever I want, display it well, let me flip through it easily, and let me take notes (whether on the document or separately). And doesn't cost too much. I don't ask for much, do I? (Also, hi: long-time lurker, first-time poster.)

12-18-2006, 02:25 PM	#62
MWetherspoon Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 24 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Jersey, USA Device: NI-Adam Pixel-QI / IPAD I	Love the thought - even with having already purchased one of the Sony Readers. Support for basic formats such as DOC, HTML, RTF, TXT, and PDF. Replaceable AND/OR very long life battery. USB interface SD card slot Sync with Desktop Search Capabilities Bookmarking Stylus Entry for notetaking(nice to have - could live without) and: My one strong request would be for a either a heavy duty case or an add on case protector - mine goes everywhere with me - and I'd be getting one plus up to two additional units for deployed family members that are as avid readers as I am - and the whole e-book world has them both drooling with the ability to take a device with their libraries on deployment, but it has to be rugged considering their living conditions....

12-18-2006, 02:35 PM	#63
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Total tally so far 83 we've got a good ways to go! Notice we have two triples!

12-18-2006, 06:24 PM	#65
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	You have to take into account those that woud buy two and those that would buy three.

12-19-2006, 04:48 PM	#68
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	If you really could get that list of features for the price point of the Sony Reader, I might buy 2 or 3 and take the chance that I'd be able to resell them, just to help get the order up to the minimum required. Anyone else here feel this way?

12-19-2006, 06:54 PM	#71
Drizzt321 Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2006	As big a fan of Linux as I am, I'm not so hardcore to insist on it. If we can get a full SDK that lets us dig in pretty darn well into whatever is installed on it, I'll be happy. Sure, I'd love for it to run Linux, cause that'd make it that much easier on us.

12-19-2006, 11:35 PM	#73
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,977 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Feature creep is already making this sound impossible in practice. My shortlist would be: FBReader, 10+ hour battery life, one popular DRM format (MobiPocket would be my 1st choice because I think Amazon wins in the end). FBReader gives us most non-DRM formats, except PDF. If a (text plus images) file format isn't supported now it can be. Similarly, I suggest improving FBReader rather than re-inventing the wheel (dictionary, annotations, read aloud, etcetera). If you have Linux on a PC, download FBReader and try it out. It is Linux only, but see When a win32 version? for an example of running FBReader under VMware Player.

12-20-2006, 11:05 AM	#74
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	I agree about the "feature creep", but I don't agree with 10+ hours of battery-life...that's PDA style and not eink worthy!!!

12-20-2006, 11:33 AM	#75
slayda Retired & reading more! Posts: 2,764 Karma: 1884247 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Alabama, USA Device: Kindle 1, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6S+, Kobo Aura One	Features will be academic unless we get enough people lined up. I think we should wait & see if we get enough total interest before we start debating which features.