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

[JeffElkins]

Originally Posted by tompe

Well, i think my N810 is rather serious.

And me my N800 and 770.

[Emu]

Hi there,
Sony introduced us (Germans) the 505 a few days ago on the IFA (a big european fair), claiming to sell the reader next Year in Germany. There is NO Reader available at the moment (no kindle, no Sony, NOTHING, and of course no ebook-shops). So IF, and we know that Astak has allready a European reseller for their devices (source), IF Astak would sell their readers before Sony... or with Sony (and Sony does all the PR and comercial stuff ) - I mean the Sony 505 is a nice device, but its old and lame compared to the new Astak devices (if they get the new Epson controller).

So what I'm trying to say: HURRY UP ASTAK, YOU CAN BE THE GERMAN/EUROPEAN KILLER DEVICE!

[Ramen]

Originally Posted by Emu

So what I'm trying to say: HURRY UP ASTAK, YOU CAN BE THE GERMAN/EUROPEAN KILLER DEVICE!

If the price is right and export to Switzerland is possible, then I full-heartedly agree.

Now, of course it depends on the final product (ruggedness and supported formats) but apart from the 9.7" version, I'm only looking forward to the Polymervision Readius. Hence, I think it has great potential if the implementation is done right.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Emu

I mean the Sony 505 is a nice device, but its old and lame compared to the new Astak devices

I'm sorry, but it's ridiculous to say that a device that you can go out and buy today is "old and lame" compared to something that's pure "vapourware" .

You are also mistaken in saying that no eBook readers are sold in Germany. Our very own "Tribble" is the reseller for the iLiad in Germany.

[Emu]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm sorry, but it's ridiculous to say that a device that you can go out and buy today is "old and lame" compared to something that's pure "vapourware" .

You are also mistaken in saying that no eBook readers are sold in Germany. Our very own "Tribble" is the reseller for the iLiad in Germany.

Right, but like I said, the 505, which will be available NEXT year here, is lame compared to those devices which are in development and should be available next year, too.

The iLiad... well it's more than eBook reader (at least thats what Rex claims ^^ ) - due to its Wacom technologie advantages its more and its expensive. But it IS available, true. Sorry that I only thought about affordable devices

Nonetheless, a good and affordable device might be a killer device for europe.

[tribble]

Originally Posted by Emu

Nonetheless, a good and affordable device might be a killer device for europe.

Well, we are selling the CyBook aswell. And the Sony will probably be somewhere in the same pricerange. The Astak devices are really late, and i havent even seen a development device, so i am not expecting them anytime soon.

I hope to see a few better priced models, when plasticLogic will be getting their first devices on the market though.

And if iRex and Bookeen are not sleeping, they should be working on better machines aswell.

So i am very anxious to see, what comes next.

[Ramen]

Originally Posted by tribble

Well, we are selling the CyBook aswell. And the Sony will probably be somewhere in the same pricerange. The Astak devices are really late, and i havent even seen a development device, so i am not expecting them anytime soon.

I hope to see a few better priced models, when plasticLogic will be getting their first devices on the market though.

And if iRex and Bookeen are not sleeping, they should be working on better machines aswell.

So i am very anxious to see, what comes next.

350€ is nowhere near an acceptable price compared to the $ price.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Ramen

350€ is nowhere near an acceptable price compared to the $ price.

That's very much a personal decision. It was "acceptable" to me, which is why I bought one. Obviously if it's not acceptable to you, then you should look for a different device.

[Ramen]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's very much a personal decision. It was "acceptable" to me, which is why I bought one. Obviously if it's not acceptable to you, then you should look for a different device.

Aye and so I have. If you are fine with paying a ridiculous surcharge just for being in Europe (especially true for UK residents, as you know), then that's good for you. Just don't call it an adequate or even conscionable price.

And I realize that acceptable doesn't mean adequate.

[HarryT]

Actually the UK price is rather less than the Euro price. We're paying £269, which is €330 at today's exchange rate.

You really can't directly compare US prices. By the time you add shipping, VAT, import duties, etc, you'll end up paying pretty much the same.

[Ramen]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Actually the UK price is rather less than the Euro price. We're paying £269, which is €330 at today's exchange rate.

You really can't directly compare US prices. By the time you add shipping, VAT, import duties, etc, you'll end up paying pretty much the same.

Didn't know that about the current UK prices. I only remember swearing a few years back because I had to import some things from the UK

As for comparing. The things typically aren't manufactured in the US, so shipping is irrelevant. The Swiss VAT is 8-9% and AFAIK there is no import tax for this kind of device. In any event, this is not included in the Swiss price (non-EU state). The different minimum guarantees may have an influence but certainly not enough.

Bookeen lists the price as 490CHF. I don't see how the above justifies a 27% markup excluding Swiss VAT. If the VAT is included, the markup is still 17%.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Ramen

Didn't know that about the current UK prices. I only remember swearing a few years back because I had to import some things from the UK

It's just an exchange-rate thing. The Pound's fallen dramatically against the Euro in the last year, and although Bookeen have increased the UK price as a result (from £245 to £269), the Pound's continued to fall such that, even at the increased price, it's still cheaper!

[worxland]

Originally Posted by HarryT

You are also mistaken in saying that no eBook readers are sold in Germany. Our very own "Tribble" is the reseller for the iLiad in Germany.

And even Bebook can be bought (but only if you're desperate - Pixmania is problematic):
http://www.pixmania.com/de/de/17733/...criteresn.html

[Emu]

Originally Posted by tribble

Well, we are selling the CyBook aswell. And the Sony will probably be somewhere in the same pricerange. The Astak devices are really late, and i havent even seen a development device, so i am not expecting them anytime soon.

I withdraw, their are devices available in Germany (but they have NOT reached the marked. We are talking about devices sold by merely one or two internet reseller for fairytale prices. But true, you can get them if you want.)

So Cybook is 350€ - compare that to the Sony 505 for 270$ in the USA. I think the devices are, as you said playing in the same league - so

shipping? customs? come on, we are talking about 350€ vs 270$, thats 350€ vs 185€ ... ridicoulous

and anotherthing, every gadget reaches a limit, where you don't need to buy the most expensive one, just in order to get what you need. E-readers are just on their way, but even the most expensive ones are not good enough to stop you from dreaming about a better one. Considering that, I won't buy a reader for 350€ knowing that I buy a better one in half a year. Otherwise I might even get one for 350€, fair deal if you are realy happy with it for say three to five years

[kesey]

Originally Posted by Emu

So Cybook is 350€ - compare that to the Sony 505 for 270$ in the USA. I think the devices are, as you said playing in the same league - so

shipping? customs? come on, we are talking about 350€ vs 270$, thats 350€ vs 185€ ...

The Sony PRS-505 will be €249 in Ireland, including 21% VAT. Given the price of other readers, this seems reasonable enough.

HarryT, I've seen you mention on other threads that the Cybook works better for you than did the 505. What makes it better?

All the best,

kesey