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

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by 6charlong

And because Astak's specs talk about four gray-scale images I'm wondering if they are using a Vistek screen or something with less contrast.

Both the Kindle and the CyBook have four grey-scale VizPlex screens. I've not used a Kindle, but the CyBook renders images pretty well.

[slussen2]

I haven't read all the comments on this thread, but a search facility would be nice on the Astak Mentor - or on any ebook reader.

[6charlong]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Both the Kindle and the CyBook have four grey-scale VizPlex screens. I've not used a Kindle, but the CyBook renders images pretty well.

Thanks HarryT. The news about the Mentor just keeps getting better.

This thread has given me time to plan for one. My wife asked why I want another eBook reader. It's like the Senator from Texas said when asked why he had so many guns: "I have more than I need and less than I want." But the same thing can be said of why I have so many books: each one I collect is unique and beautiful in its own way.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by 6charlong

My wife asked why I want another eBook reader.

Ha... I ask my wife a similar question when she suggests we have another baby. Um... three aren't enough dear? One going to college this fall and you want to bring another one into the house?

BOb

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Should be 200 ppi for the 5" and the 9.7 is much lower (about 148 I think) but it seems that it is often indicated at a higher resolution. The specs are just not accurate being copied without a brain engaged.

Dale

Dear Dale:

YES, our specs show the wrong sizes in inches and the right sizes in metric on our website. Trying to get a website change is sometimes longer than you want. Sorry!

THe corrected dimensions are:

5 inch: 7.5 inch (h) by 4.75 (w) by .35 (thick)

6 inch: 7.8 inch (h) by 5.00 (w) by .35 (thick)

9.7 inch: 10 inch (h) by 7.68 (w) by .55 (thick)

Resolution is: 170 dpi at 800 by 600 pixels on the 5 inch and 6 inch

Resolution is: 170 dpi at 1200 by 825 pixels on the 9.7 inch.

As always, we get our specs from the factory. ANY factory can be a bit wrong but they tell us that this is correct.

While I am on the subject of the Astak eBook Readers, we have decided to do two versions of of each size. Amazon/Mobipocket will not allow other formats on their machine. So, we will have a "LiteBook" in MobiPocket and a "Mentor" in Open Format which will be eReader. We are also going to sweeten ALL deals by offering free books included and coupons for savings for other books. We want to have the best overall VALUE and save the end user on BOTH the initial device purchase AND on starting off their library.

Robert B. of Astak

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Robertb

While I am on the subject of the Astak eBook Readers, we have decided to do two versions of of each size. Amazon/Mobipocket will not allow other formats on their machine. So, we will have a "LiteBook" in MobiPocket and a "Mentor" in Open Format which will be eReader.

Boo... that's too bad. No posiblity of installing the "other" reader on the device seeing how it is a WinCE unit?

Originally Posted by Robertb

We are also going to sweeten ALL deals by offering free books included and coupons for savings for other books. We want to have the best overall VALUE and save the end user on BOTH the initial device purchase AND on starting off their library.

Yea... any chance of allowing a one time conversion from one format to another via Fictionwise/eReader since they own the eReader format? With eReader there is no limit to the number of devices right. what happens if a cc number changes with this format?

BOb

[Jack B Nimble]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Yea... any chance of allowing a one time conversion from one format to another via Fictionwise/eReader since they own the eReader format? With eReader there is no limit to the number of devices right. what happens if a cc number changes with this format?

The same unlock code (CC number) will continue to work for that file, if you remember it. From eReader's web site:

How do I get my eBook unlock code if I no longer have that credit card number?

You can update your unlock code in your personal Bookshelf. Select the option to "RESET... Unlock Code to current credit card number." Then re-download and install the eBook, unlocking with the handheld information.

NOTE: You must have made a purchase with the current credit number for the unlock code update to take effect.

Jack

[Walk Broad]

I think this is pretty good news all the way around.

Choice of formats? Now there's a novel idea.

Now, if only Robert would let us know if these things will actually ship as indicated for the 5-inch, I'll hold off my purchase until then.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Resolution is: 170 dpi at 800 by 600 pixels on the 5 inch and 6 inch

Resolution is: 170 dpi at 1200 by 825 pixels on the 9.7 inch.

This can't be right (5" and 6" can't possible have the same ppi). I think E Ink's specs are definitive, see High Resolution Active Matrix Displays.

Mechanical / Dimensional - 9.7" Display
Pixel Count: 1200 x 825 (SVGA)
Active Area: 202.9 x 139.5 mm
226.4 mm (9.7") diagonal
DPI: 150

Mechanical / Dimensional - 6" Display
Pixel Count: 800 x 600
Active Area: 122.4 x 90.6 mm
152.3 mm (6") diagonal
DPI: 166

Mechanical / Dimensional - 5" Display
Pixel Count: 800 x 600
Active Area: 101.5 x 76.12 mm
126.9 mm (5") diagonal
DPI: 200

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

This can't be right (5" and 6" can't possible have the same ppi). I think E Ink's specs are definitive, see High Resolution Active Matrix Displays.

Agreed, if they are the same resolution... the smaller size will have a higher DPI.

BOb

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Walk Broad

I think this is pretty good news all the way around.

Choice of formats? Now there's a novel idea.

Now, if only Robert would let us know if these things will actually ship as indicated for the 5-inch, I'll hold off my purchase until then.

Dear Walk Broad:

I hope you can begin to imagine that my days are about 11 hours and the new eBook Readers from Astak are about 40% of my time. Trying to get the best features for the consumer AND the best price AND the most free books takes endless conference calls. NOTHING is ever simple about even simple matters.

So... we are always up in the air on everything. Right now we are trying to add Adobe's new Digital Edition .pdf and get that right while working on a deal with Harper Collins.

The latest projected times for the launch are:

July for 5 inch
August for 6 inch
October for 9.7 inch

However, the latest input from the factory is pricing may be under projections. Don't go to the bank just yet... but things are looking good.

Trying to add all of the features that people from this forum have stated means changes in hardware and that takes time. Numerous major retailers are now also working with us and they want test runs and some want a piece of the action on the book sales. We know that we will only get ONE chance to do this right... so it is not as simple as build them and then sell them. There seem to be endless discussions that have to be made and we have the BEA show to do this weekend. So... June slipped to July on the 5 inch launch. I don't like it; but nobody wants a slightly flawed product with loose ends. I have to get things right before we launch.

In answer to other MobilerRead Forum questions... we DID unveil the new Mentor line at IDPF in New York. The new models were in and the changes are startling to see. The 5 inch will come in white, metallic grey, and gunmetal blue (my favorite). YES, they have been seen and yes, they generated all these conference calls with format companies and huge publishers. They ARE for REAL!! They have been seen but no newspaper or magazine companies did an article and even MobileRead Forum, which wanted to interview us, never showed up. So... you have not heard much yet. I am hereby ASKING MobileRead Forum to contact me so you have the right info for your readers. You have my cell phone, MobileRead. Let's meet at BEA in person!!

Robert B.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Hello Robert,
it sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy. I think we all appreciate your presence here and the dialogue you've engaged with us, so thank you for that. It's quite disappointing that the press didn't take notice of the Astak devices ; I would have loved to see an article. MR *was* represented at the conference, and we were all very excited to see some photos of the astak devices in this thread.

Hopefully you'll be able to have a meeting with someone from MR at BEA, i think we've all been following your story with a lot of interest, and we're always craving more news and more details !

thanks again for taking the time to exchange with us, and good luck with all the negotiations.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Dale:

YES, our specs show the wrong sizes in inches and the right sizes in metric on our website. Trying to get a website change is sometimes longer than you want. Sorry!

THe corrected dimensions are:

5 inch: 7.5 inch (h) by 4.75 (w) by .35 (thick)

6 inch: 7.8 inch (h) by 5.00 (w) by .35 (thick)

9.7 inch: 10 inch (h) by 7.68 (w) by .55 (thick)

Resolution is: 170 dpi at 800 by 600 pixels on the 5 inch and 6 inch

Resolution is: 170 dpi at 1200 by 825 pixels on the 9.7 inch.

As always, we get our specs from the factory. ANY factory can be a bit wrong but they tell us that this is correct.

While I am on the subject of the Astak eBook Readers, we have decided to do two versions of of each size. Amazon/Mobipocket will not allow other formats on their machine. So, we will have a "LiteBook" in MobiPocket and a "Mentor" in Open Format which will be eReader. We are also going to sweeten ALL deals by offering free books included and coupons for savings for other books. We want to have the best overall VALUE and save the end user on BOTH the initial device purchase AND on starting off their library.

Robert B. of Astak

A little mathematics will tell you the real tale. The 9.7 in is really 150 ppi and the 6" is really 167 ppi. Some people like to round up 167 to 170 but this is confusing. If you look at the linear or even rectangular dimensions of the 9.7 and the 1200 x 825 pixels is it easy to calculate. (Pythagoras is your friend) By the way the actual size in mm is incorrect as well for the active screen diagonal on that page. It should be 246.2. The numbers come from here by the way: http://www.eink.com/products/matrix/High_Res.html. A calculation is worth a 1000 arguments. If the things you can check are not accurate you begin to wonder about the things you cannot check.

Dale

[Walk Broad]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Walk Broad:
Trying to get the best features for the consumer AND the best price AND the most free books takes endless conference calls.
Trying to add all of the features that people from this forum have stated means changes in hardware and that takes time.
Robert B.

RobertB, I for one really appreciate someone taking the time to be an active member of any forum, it is greatly appreciated and helps build "brand loyalty" early on.

However, you must be aware about "feature creep", the point when you take the kernel of a good idea and start throwing in everything but the kitchen sink. Pretty soon your device will be able to do everything but never get out the door because of all the stuff you are adding. Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD do something.

You have a very enthusiastic audience here and they will ask for the world since they have your ear, but please Robert, settle on a few key issues/features and pick up everything else in the 6 or 9 inch version or wait for the V2.

Otherwise July will turn into August and then August to September, and so on as you try to incorporate everything and everyone but still have no product on the shelves.

Unsolicited advice: Personally, I think having it available in big box retailers would set you apart from everyone else. As much press as the Kindle garners, very few people have actually SEEN one to make an informed purchasing decision.

The problem comes in with offering the different versions. Except for readers of this forum and others like it, very few people who don't already regularly read e-books know who Fictionwise/eReader are. Even Mobipocket is suspect. Say Amazon, people will *get* that.

Perhaps the Amazon/Mobi version should be what is available on store shelves for greater sales although the folks at Fictionwise might call "foul."

Secondly: Your ball park price point would be outstanding. Another feature which sets your e-book reader apart from everyone else.

Third: Include the on-device dictionary. I might not "want" it, but others certainly do.

Fourth: People might not agree with me but stop there.

Deliver a device that works reliably, at a good price point, one people can see and play around with at Costco/Wal-Mart, that offers simple ways to get books on the device whether from Amazon or Fictionwise, that looks good (like the choice of colors (but me down for the blue one), has a dictionary and get it on store shelves and in the hands of real people as soon as you can and you should have a very popular product.

Start hyping it as the "iPod" of eBook readers which it has the potential to be out of the gates.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by Robertb

While I am on the subject of the Astak eBook Readers, we have decided to do two versions of of each size. Amazon/Mobipocket will not allow other formats on their machine. So, we will have a "LiteBook" in MobiPocket and a "Mentor" in Open Format which will be eReader. We are also going to sweeten ALL deals by offering free books included and coupons for savings for other books. We want to have the best overall VALUE and save the end user on BOTH the initial device purchase AND on starting off their library.

This is good news for me. I like the idea of a 9.7" screen, but I was hesitant because of the file support.

I do have a couple questions that I hope can be answered: First, just out of curiousity, will this device using the same touch input technology that PVI announced a little while back, or is it a Wacom or something else? And also, I don't know if this has been asked yet, but since WiFi as well as HTML support is listed, does this mean there'll be a functional web browser?