iLiad now or wait for Mentor?

[timezone]

There are numerous people that have said they bricked the iLiad just by loading the development package. I am not referring to the ease of loading the package. I am referring to the complications that come with it. For most of us here it might even be look on as a challenge. It is not quit ready for the general public that just want a device that is productive.

[herbalist]

There is always risk associated with hacking any device. But if you are happy with the software/functionalities of your device, you don't have to do anything! Perhaps the upcoming Windows CE device will be the perfect reader for most people. We don't know until it is on the market.

[timezone]

Not to dig this thing into the ground but that is my point. If adding executables requires loading the development package and is therefore considered hacking then this eReader is not ready for primetime. Don't get me wrong I love it and plan to install the development package. I am a programmer. I am just saying that if the Win CE device allows for basic functionality without requiring hacking then it is a step up. We don't add a development package to install programs on our PC.

I hope you don't think this is an argument. Just friendly banter about an interesting subject.

[Ovydake]

If you can wait, then wait! I couldn't, so my iLiad is a few days away

[oakinger]

Hi,

below is the response I received from Astak when asking for Mentor release dates - since I couldn't wait either, I'm a happy owner of Iliad since yesterday ;-):

Dear customer,

The 5 inch unit should be released in late October.
The 6 inch is projected to release in late September.
The 9.7 inch is due to be released in next spring.

The Mobipocket format has been delayed for the time being. The problem is in porting the format onto the device. At this point, all new releases will be ported with eReader and .pdf. THIS is the Mentor!! The initial 6 inch Mentor will be a fabulous machine... light weight, ergodynamic, and thin as a pencil. It will not have Touchscreen or WiFi on the first version... but it will run fast, have excellent features, and will be the lightest and easiest and most enjoyable way to read a book.

Prices are still not set as we are still adding features and making modifications in the final design.

Prices are not set yet because of changes that were proposed by industry experts over the last two months at major industry trade shows. We are talking with the experts now to ensure the best possible product. We want to release the best Mentor/LiteBook that we can and we need to be able to work out the final price as we get closer to release. Our intent is to release at the best value offered on eBook Readers and we are working now with Publishers and Panel experts to arrive at this best value.

We have authorization to sell to North and South America and Australia. We have NO idea about retail stores in Australia at this point; but we now have a Rep in Australia actively working to get these bookstores and retail chains. We are working with the Retail Stores is the USA first, then Canada, and then South America. THEY decide what they will carry and we do not pick them. We are talking actively with many retailers but (although they definitely want to carry the Mentor/LiteBook) they have a lot more regarding eBook sales that have to be worked out at their own pace.

In an effort to not make everybody wait we are in the process of readying our Security Camera website to be the first to release the Mentor WHEN we reach the release dates. We are sorry that there is no waiting list and you cannot buy early. Release dates cannot be preceeded for anyone. Please go to www.astakshop.com and when the release date comes up we will post it on that website and promptly fill your order.

Anywhere in the world can buy from this website. But... be aware... shipping can be pricey and we do not do our own shipping. The shipping charge is whatever it is set at by UPS or FedEx. We DO get a considerable discount. We don't know final shipping costs as we need the exact final model to determine the weight. Without weight we cannot begin to estimate the cost to ship. The above website WILL, when open for orders, clearly show the UPS shipping and handling charge BEFORE the sale is finalized. Please do not email and ask for the cost to ship.

There will be two primary models of each size: 5, 6 and 9.7 inch. The "Mentor" model will be formatted for eReader and .pdf. We are still negotiating with Adobe and others to add additional formats. Understand, please, that these large companies, such as Adobe, operate on their own timeline and not on ours.

Due to what we perceive as a lack of speed at present for Windows CE on eBook Readers we have decided to launch with Linux O/S for at least the 5 inch and 6 inch. We are talking with Microsoft to try to find a solution that is acceptable; and we hope we will be able to do this.

OEM/ODM companies wishing to work in collaboration should contact us directly and we will respond promptly.

WE DO appreciate your interest. We take our responsibility seriously to provide the best device at the best price. This takes a lot of time and a lot of corrections and a lot of patience. Trying to rush something this important is out of the question! The time to correct is NOW; and that is why we are taking the time to do things right before we ship.

cheers,
Erich

[timezone]

Now that I own an iLiad I am glad to see the large screen will not be ready until next Spring. Plenty of time to really appreciate the iLiad. May decide there is no reason to change. At that time maybe the rumored new Kindles will be out and even iRex may show its hand by the Spring. At that time it will be easier to make an informed decision whether to upgrade or hold.

[herbalist]

Originally Posted by timezone

Not to dig this thing into the ground but that is my point. If adding executables requires loading the development package and is therefore considered hacking then this eReader is not ready for primetime. Don't get me wrong I love it and plan to install the development package. I am a programmer. I am just saying that if the Win CE device allows for basic functionality without requiring hacking then it is a step up. We don't add a development package to install programs on our PC.

I hope you don't think this is an argument. Just friendly banter about an interesting subject.

I think for Iliad, it will be great if they have an installer (like the Nokia Tablet) that let user install third party apps instead of making the development package mandatory.

Even if it is an argument, it is still friendly

[mgiacoma]

Since yesterday, I'm an happy owner of iLiad!
The device looks nice, but I have to sort out some problems with my access point: iLiad can see the one of my neighbor but not mine - maybe because I do not have connectivity due to an ISP problem? if so, why my iMac sees it correctly? I would like to use my Wi Fi network even only to communicate with my iMac! Hope to see it working once my ISP comes up again but I'm not much confident - it should already work!
From the point of view of readability, I see a couple of PDF which are way too small and the frustrating thing is that they have big margins so it could be possible to zoom but I did not see yet "how"...

More impressions during next days!

[oakinger]

Hi,

Originally Posted by mgiacoma

I would like to use my Wi Fi network even only to communicate with my iMac...
it could be possible to zoom but I did not see yet "how"...

that's exactly what I'm missing in iRex' strategy. The iLiad is a really nice device, but it takes a lot of technical expertise to get things running. I had to study the forums for 2 days to make my iLiad work the way I want and without custom software, the device is quite "naked". Is it such a big deal to make simple things simple to do?

btw: Take a look at the reference docs about zooming. In PDF reader, it is the 4th icon from the left.

-Erich

[Ea]

Originally Posted by oakinger

Hi,

below is the response I received from Astak when asking for Mentor release dates - since I couldn't wait either, I'm a happy owner of Iliad since yesterday ;-):


cheers,
Erich

That is why I also decided to buy an iLiad now, after I broke my Cybook, rather than wait and see. It looked quite impossible that Astak would be ready with the Mentor this year, and I would guess that 'spring next year' will turn into 'sometime next year'. Plus, and this sealed the deal for me, I remember all the difficulties with the CyBooks's 'virgin' software. At least with the iLiad the worst bumps have been ironed out, even if it's still lacking. And I like the page turner 'button'. I only wish it was a little lighter.