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

[Walk Broad]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Yes, we need to get to market and yes we are now finalizing. But, we will take the time not to add additional features but to get them right. You think YOU are getting tired of waiting... I have moments where I would like to scream (and do)... but anything worth doing is worth doing well! robertb

Thank you RobertB;

Personally, I think a dictionary, major e-book retailer support (like Fictionwise) and ePub out of the box would satisfy a great many people but that's just my anecdotal opinion from following the forum.

When you get a moment, can you recap what will be the "final" version released, particularly for the 5 inch model?

You had mentioned Fictionwise. Still coming?

How about the availability in places like Wal-Mart, Target, Costco?

Review models prepped for the press and tech sites?

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Walk Broad

Thank you RobertB;

Personally, I think a dictionary, major e-book retailer support (like Fictionwise) and ePub out of the box would satisfy a great many people but that's just my anecdotal opinion from following the forum.

When you get a moment, can you recap what will be the "final" version released, particularly for the 5 inch model?

You had mentioned Fictionwise. Still coming?

How about the availability in places like Wal-Mart, Target, Costco?

Review models prepped for the press and tech sites?

Here is some fresh news:

Yes, we will still have Fictionwise/eReader on the Open Format named Mentor. Mobipocket will be on the LiteBook.

The availability in Wal-Mart, Costco and such is in the discussion stages with Costco by far the furthest along. It takes weeks and weeks to work out all the details. They do not just want to carry the devices, they want to sell eBooks too and get revenue (which is fair). So... I expect the first real release in the retal stores not to happen before September. It takes a lot of time to work with the Publishing houses and get all the details worked out for coupons and special offers. We JUST met with Costco on this Saturday night and they are anxious to do it but want a solid proposal with all the details worked out.

Here is the very latest on the 5 inch:

We are in the process of setting up a website with books and device sales. This will likely be something like www.mentorlitebook.com. That takes about 3 months so I expect it September 14 or so. However, the devices will be ready to sell in late July. We have an existing website where people can buy our security cameras: www.astakshop.com. THAT will be used to release the Mentor/Litebook in late July. The site is going to be remodeled for our eBook Readers while it continues to sell the cameras. This site will be the place to buy early before they release to the stores.

I hope that this helps.

robertb

[Mindy]

Brilliant!
Any estimate on the launch of the 6" given the revised launch date on the 5"? Are you still aiming for August?
Thanks for keeping us informed!

[Over]

I'm also interested about the 6" product (not that size matters...).

[Walk Broad]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Here is some fresh news:

Yes, we will still have Fictionwise/eReader on the Open Format named Mentor. Mobipocket will be on the LiteBook.

The availability in Wal-Mart, Costco and such is in the discussion stages with Costco by far the furthest along. It takes weeks and weeks to work out all the details.

Here is the very latest on the 5 inch:

We are in the process of setting up a website with books and device sales.

I hope that this helps.

robertb

RobertB;

This helps tremendously! Especially since I do the vast majority of my ebook shopping with Fictionwise/eReader.

Getting Mobipocket on the 6 inch is quite the coup

Don't forget about getting some review models circulating. Nothing like getting them into the hands of tech writers and bloggers to generate some free publicity and drive sales.

I'm really looking forward to July. Make sure you let us know when the site goes live for ordering.

Now, will Fictionwise still be a reseller of the Mentor or will the device come loaded with their reader software?

That makes a big difference since they do have the eBookwise for sale.

Just askin' .....

[shezzy]

Hello,
I've been interested in buying a e-ink type reader and was going to purchase the cybook before finding out about the new astak devices. I have a few questions still tho, will any of the astak devices be able to do rss feeds like the cybook can? i really like that feature and wasnt sure if astak was incorporating it into their ereaders. also im not clear on the difference between the mentor and the litebook that ive been reading thru posts on this forum. thanks again and i cant wait till the 9.7'' release =)

[pilotbob]

Does anybody that is an eReader user know the comparison of ebooks in the eReader format vs Mobipocket vs Kindle?

Of all three DRM types I like eReaders method the best. Do you have to enter the CC number each time you open a book, or does the device remember the info?

BOb

[Walk Broad]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Does anybody that is an eReader user know the comparison of ebooks in the eReader format vs Mobipocket vs Kindle?

Of all three DRM types I like eReaders method the best. Do you have to enter the CC number each time you open a book, or does the device remember the info?

BOb

Yeah, eReader is my fave too BOb.

But no, you only enter the CC number once after you download the book.

I'm honestly not sure if you have to enter the CC number again if you download the book to your desktop and want to transfer it to your handheld or vice versa.

I usually download the book to either my tablet and read it portrait mode there (yum) or to my Windows Mobile phone and read it (not so yum) since eReader has that "Kindle-esque" over the air purchase of books straight to your Windows Mobile device.

But I do know, once you "unlock" the book, it stays "unlocked."

Hope that helps.

[RobertJSawyer]

And you don't have to unlock each new book. If the eReader software has already recognized one book locked with that credit-card number, it will recognize any additional books that are locked with that same credit-card number without you having to enter the number again. I add new DRM'd eReader titles to my Sony Clie TH55 and my Windows system every week, and I only once had to enter the credit-card number -- the very first time I used the software. It really is quite a painless DRM scheme.

(And the bugaboo that people always raise -- what if you change your credit-card number? -- is a nonissue. As long as you know the old number, you can always open the books, and the eReader or Fictionwise stores will happily rebrand all your books with a new credit card number if you want; either method -- using the old number, or rebranding and redownloading the book -- works fine.)

----------------
ROBERT J. SAWYER, Science Fiction Writer
Hugo Award winner for HOMINIDS
http://www.sfwriter.com * sawyer@sfwriter.com
----------------

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by shezzy

Hello,
I've been interested in buying a e-ink type reader and was going to purchase the cybook before finding out about the new astak devices. I have a few questions still tho, will any of the astak devices be able to do rss feeds like the cybook can? i really like that feature and wasnt sure if astak was incorporating it into their ereaders. also im not clear on the difference between the mentor and the litebook that ive been reading thru posts on this forum. thanks again and i cant wait till the 9.7'' release =)

The version that reads Mobipocket will almost certainly do RSS feeds exactly the same as the Cybook.

[Jack B Nimble]

Originally Posted by shezzy

Hello,
I've been interested in buying a e-ink type reader and was going to purchase the cybook before finding out about the new astak devices. I have a few questions still tho, will any of the astak devices be able to do rss feeds like the cybook can? i really like that feature and wasnt sure if astak was incorporating it into their ereaders. also im not clear on the difference between the mentor and the litebook that ive been reading thru posts on this forum. thanks again and i cant wait till the 9.7'' release =)

The RSS synchronization should work with any mobi reader, provided you use their Windows desktop software. Reading RSS feeds is actually a feature of the desktop software and/or format, rather than the Cybook. The desktop software converts the feeds into a normal Mobi ebook. The Cybook site notes for the RSS feature include: "Only available on PC with MobipocketTM desktop software." So, yes they should work just fine (if you have windows)!

As to the difference between the two versions of the Astak reader, from what I understand, Mobi does not allow their software to be used on any device that also supports other protected formats. This would seem to apply specifically to devices labeled ebook readers, as their software is available for PCs, PDAs, smartphones and such that have always had support for other protected formats. As such, Astak cannot include mobi software if they also include eReader or Digital Editions (if it supports any Adobe DRM protection).

So, the LiteBook will have Mobi and be able to read the unprotected formats (HTM, RTF, text, and maybe unprotected PDFs?). The actual Mentor will have eReader and all the other formats except Mobi. I do wonder if the Mentor will include software (other than Mobi's own?) with the ability to read unprotected mobi ebooks, which might give you the ability to read the RSS feeds from the mobi desktop software.

Am I missing anything?

Jack

[Mindy]

Now I'm really technibobbled
(Mwahahahahah!)

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by shezzy

Hello,
I've been interested in buying a e-ink type reader and was going to purchase the cybook before finding out about the new astak devices. I have a few questions still tho, will any of the astak devices be able to do rss feeds like the cybook can? i really like that feature and wasnt sure if astak was incorporating it into their ereaders. also im not clear on the difference between the mentor and the litebook that ive been reading thru posts on this forum. thanks again and i cant wait till the 9.7'' release =)

Dear Shezzy:

Just to clarify as there is some confusion:

The only known difference between the Mentor and the LiteBook is the format. We MAY have to do insignificant bells and whistles change to keep Amazon happy as they demand exclusivity... but you should not note any real difference in specs or such.

The LiteBook in 5, 6, and 9.7 inch will have Mobipocket format and that is all that is allowed on it.

The Mentor is an Open-Format ePub device that will have eReader at least on it and may contain other formats such as Adobe Digital Editions (if they cooperate with us). For sure it will have a .pdf on it and Adobe is our first choice.

robertb

[Tectonic]

Originally Posted by Robertb

The Mentor is an Open-Format ePub device that will have eReader at least on it and may contain other formats such as Adobe Digital Editions (if they cooperate with us). For sure it will have a .pdf on it and Adobe is our first choice.

Just a quick note. Adobe reader is quite horrible on windows portable devices. Many companies, such as HP, opt for ClearVue PDF or some other reader instead. The difference is staggering.

The demand for a good pdf reader is high enough to justify looking at options that are better than Adobe.

Here's a question for you Robert: Will users be able to install their own software on the Astak Mentor? If for example I don't like the default pdf reader, it's not such a bad flaw if I have the option of installing my own.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Robertb

The LiteBook in 5, 6, and 9.7 inch will have Mobipocket format and that is all that is allowed on it.

So no RTF, TXT, HTML, PDF, ePub? I thought Mobipocket DRM was all that could be on it?

Originally Posted by Robertb

The Mentor is an Open-Format ePub device that will have eReader at least on it and may contain other formats such as Adobe Digital Editions (if they cooperate with us). For sure it will have a .pdf on it and Adobe is our first choice.

Will the PDF reader support re-flow viewing mode? Have you looked at Foxit Mobile... they do have a reflow mode. Will the Mentor support non-DRM mobipocket?

What about LIT format? Is that supportable?

BOb