Astak's press release for the EZ Reader

[HarryT]

Oh, OK, thanks, I see what you mean. Perhaps this will mean that it won't lack dictionary lookup, then, as the BeBook rather inexplicably does.

[SilverBullit]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Perhaps this will mean that it won't lack dictionary lookup, then, as the BeBook rather inexplicably does.

Could you elaborate, please? I don't follow what you're saying

[HarryT]

The BeBook doesn't appear to have the ability to look up the meaning of a word in a MobiPocket dictionary - something which all other implementations of the Mobi Reader support. You can open a dictionary explicitly and search it for a word, but you can't do a dictionary lookup from the book that you're reading.

Do you know if Hanlin's MobiPocket implementation has this capability?

[iStealth]

SilverBullit
HanLin and BeBook have the same java-based mobipocket reader.

[axel77]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Rumor has it that this first unit will hit the streets at a bit over $300 US. Any comments? Robert has indicated that it will be available in 4 colors, Metallic Red, Electric Blue, Black and White.

*White flash* Flashback, Ladies and gentleman we are now in November 2008:

Originally Posted by Robertb

The price for this is expected just under $200 (YES, THAT IS $200). The 5 inch model will be priced at about $159.

Not only said it wrong once (YES; THAT IS SAID IT WRONG TWICE), unless rumor is false of course.

[Lemurion]

I was seriously considering waiting for the Astak to upgrade to eInk, but now I'm back to the 505. Ereader support was the one thing that would have made a difference to me, and without it, the Sony wins.

[bwaldron]

Originally Posted by tompe

The Cybook has not been introduced to North America in the sense that "introduced" was used here.

That's a truly silly distinction.

The announcement contained the typical misleading marketing BS.

[Faenad]

All that buzz for a re-branded device with no new hardware/software features? it's disappointing. Is the casing actually metallic or is it only the paint?

I expected more from Astak and had a good opinion of them as they kinda communicated with the community here.
But making misleading/false claims in their PR make me reconsider. The PRS-505 is both thinner and smaller than their reader.

The only added value so far from buying the EZ instead of another V3 clone seems to be the US warranty, the "made in America" manual, and the blue or red metallic paint?
Or did I miss something?

If they don't offer it at a significantly cheaper price than the other readers I don't find this device very attractive. I hope the 5" reader will be better.

[axel77]

Originally Posted by Faenad

The only added value so far from buying the EZ instead of another V3 clone seems to be the US warranty, the "made in America" manual, and the blue or red metallic paint?
Or did I miss something?

Well maybe they should make them with red-white stripes and stars on yellow background. Then they'll sell like crazy regardless of any cost

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Faenad

Or did I miss something?

It seems they were preparing a reader with Netronix, and then something went wrong and Netronix is unwilling or unable to provide hardware under conditions Astak is willing to accept, so Astak had to find another manufacturer.

[Ebook lover]

When will we see devices made by Netronix?

[nekokami]

I suspect the press release still contains claims based on the hoped-for partnership with Netronix, which apparently fell through. I would prefer to think that Astak meant to be honest with us, but was caught by circumstances outside their control, and hasn't finished revising their communications to match their new plans.

But if they continue to make the same claims, even I won't be so forgiving....

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by nekokami

I would prefer to think that Astak meant to be honest with us, but was caught by circumstances outside their control, and hasn't finished revising their communications to match their new plans.

This relates to another thread where we talked about "over promise, under deliver" which Astak is guilty of here. There honesty and intentions don't change that.

There is another saying that also rings true here. "It is easier to ruin a good reputation than to repair a bad one." See Microsoft via Vista. Here it is almost two years later. Vista was a major "over promise, under deliver" for them. So much so that they are spending 300million on a new campaign to try to repair their bad image.

Astak has ALOT of work ahead of them to recover from this.

BOb

PS: The internet never forgets. The Astak thread will be archived for all time.

[astra]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

See Microsoft via Vista. Here it is almost two years later. Vista was a major "over promise, under deliver" for them. So much so that they are spending 300million on a new campaign to try to repair their bad image.

Just out of curiosity, what is this about?

[daffy4u]

I like Vista.