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

[NeweReader]

Originally Posted by Jellby

... but maybe some kind of remote control could be great. Nothing fancy, just a wired thingy (~30 cm long) with two buttons, then you don't even need to reach for the reader in order to "turn" a page.

Hey Robert B.

If you design a remote for turning pages, could it be wireless?
(using Bluetooth?) Just a thought.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by NeweReader

Hey Robert B.

If you design a remote for turning pages, could it be wireless?
(using Bluetooth?) Just a thought.

I am sure they could but at an increased price. Bluetooth could add lots of functionality such as a keyboard, wireless transfer (syncing) to a computer, wireless headphones, connection to a cellphone for data services. But the ideas here were for a basically free (or almost free) addon without a $50 to $100 increase. The two ideas are not mutually exclusive by the way.

Dale

[Jellby]

Originally Posted by NeweReader

If you design a remote for turning pages, could it be wireless?

I believe having a wireless sensor would demand continuous energy usage, which would reduce battery lifetime. At least that's why I suggested a wired device, otherwise I agree wireless would be better (but if the price difference is large, I think wired is useful enough).

[pkovak]

I must agree that wireless device could be more convenient, but compared to wired, extremely power hungry, which goes directly against eReader philosophy. Also keep in mind that wireless accessory means batteries on both ends - so it's one more device you have to check and recharge. I can't recommend in good conscience such addon, unless someone develops cheap, easy and effecient wireless energy transfer - and wireless data transfer with extremely low energy consumption.

[griffonwing]

Not to mention the higher possibility chance of losing or misplacing a small car-remote sized device. Unless you attach it to your keys, which would suck if you fell asleep while reading and rolled over on them. OUCH.

[Luigino]

Hello RobertB,

it's been a while I haven't asked you news.... so I'm here asking if for next year, it is on plan for the "economic" 6" EZ Reader with no touchscreen neither wifi, but with all documents support as the EZ Reader's one on mobiebook and the Epson's controller for a better readability?....

Thanks and in the meanwhile I would be pleased to send you my best wishes for a peaceful Xmas with family and everyone from Italy :-)

Greetings,
Luigi

[kacir]

Originally Posted by pkovak

I am not sure I would be excited to see something dangling from the eReader... usually, when you read, you hold it in your hands, I think it would not be practical. Another aspect is turning the device 90 or 180 degrees, then the cabel would be attached not on bottom, but on side or top. I think it would be more pain then gain.

We are takling about optional accessory.
I do not fancy anything DANGLING from my reader either.
BUT!
I am thrilled at the prospect I could construct a tiny PageForward switch and stick it using a double sided adhesive tape anywhere on the reader.
It would also open possibilities for building weather proof or beach proof case. You just make a waterproof box out of clear acrylic and glue in (using generous amount of silicon) a strand of wire. You attach wire to a small switch and if your reader tumbles into a hot bath, you ruin a $2 microswitch instead of $300 device.
It would be a hackers dream to have a (STANDARD!!! TYPE) connector at the bottom of the device that would let you to implement any type of remote control.

When I was a kid (1982) I had a Soviet made calculator Elektronika MK54. A cutting-edge, State Of *The* Art thing at the time.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Elektronika-MK54...ayphotohosting
http://www.taswegian.com/MOSCOW/mk-54.html
http://rk86.com/frolov/mk-54.htm
It was programmable (we are talking about an era when there were NO home personal computers(at least not ones affordable by mere mortals in my country )). It had nixie tube type display ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixie_tube ) and was able to eat 3 AA batteries in a couple of days of sporadic use.
I loved that calculator, because it was programmable and it had Reverse Polish Logic (no = symbol on the keyboard) so I could become the first computer geek in the town ;-)

Here http://www.rskey.org/detail.asp?manu...ka&model=MK-54 is an example of the program. Oh ... Those sweet memories ...

One of things I really, really liked about soviet engineering was that when you opened a calculator you could find, at the edge of PCB, a series of perforated soldering contacts where you could attach wires and have this thing control something. I never mustered enough courage to take a soldering iron to my precious calculator, just like you would not dare to approach your new MacBook today with a soldering iron in your hand.


What I talk about here is, that you should construct your product in such a way that it is possible for other people enhance it.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by NeweReader

Hey Robert B.

If you design a remote for turning pages, could it be wireless?
(using Bluetooth?) Just a thought.

This question is timely as the working prototypes of the EZ Reader Plus and EZ Reader Pro have arrived at Astak. Unfortunately, I cannot yet tell you much of anything about them. All I can say as the EZ Reader Pro has Touchscreen, 3G, BLUETOOTH, way faster controller, and note-taking. It is beautiful and as soon as the secrecy cloud is lifted I will put up pictures and info. They are spectacular and the controls a major change.

What I can say is that it will depend on the model regarding feasibility of bluetooth connection for the remote control. The EZ Reader and the PLUS model will not have Bluetooth and I strongly doubt it would be added after the fact. The PRO model will have it anyway so IF we build a remote your idea is very workable.

FAR too early for prices. I do not know and have zero idea yet. BUT... they are real and are working great!

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by kacir

We are takling about optional accessory.
I do not fancy anything DANGLING from my reader either.
BUT!
I am thrilled at the prospect I could construct a tiny PageForward switch and stick it using a double sided adhesive tape anywhere on the reader.
It would also open possibilities for building weather proof or beach proof case. You just make a waterproof box out of clear acrylic and glue in (using generous amount of silicon) a strand of wire. You attach wire to a small switch and if your reader tumbles into a hot bath, you ruin a $2 microswitch instead of $300 device.
It would be a hackers dream to have a (STANDARD!!! TYPE) connector at the bottom of the device that would let you to implement any type of remote control.

When I was a kid (1982) I had a Soviet made calculator Elektronika MK54. A cutting-edge, State Of *The* Art thing at the time.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Elektronika-MK54...ayphotohosting
http://www.taswegian.com/MOSCOW/mk-54.html
http://rk86.com/frolov/mk-54.htm
It was programmable (we are talking about an era when there were NO home personal computers(at least not ones affordable by mere mortals in my country )). It had nixie tube type display ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixie_tube ) and was able to eat 3 AA batteries in a couple of days of sporadic use.
I loved that calculator, because it was programmable and it had Reverse Polish Logic (no = symbol on the keyboard) so I could become the first computer geek in the town ;-)

Here http://www.rskey.org/detail.asp?manu...ka&model=MK-54 is an example of the program. Oh ... Those sweet memories ...

One of things I really, really liked about soviet engineering was that when you opened a calculator you could find, at the edge of PCB, a series of perforated soldering contacts where you could attach wires and have this thing control something. I never mustered enough courage to take a soldering iron to my precious calculator, just like you would not dare to approach your new MacBook today with a soldering iron in your hand.


What I talk about here is, that you should construct your product in such a way that it is possible for other people enhance it.

Dear Kacir:

ALL of us remember the days when things were readily changeable. I had a friend down the street whose entire bedroom was workbenches for electronics.

The problem is hand soldering costs a fortune now and everything is drag solder and wave solder and newer. What use to take an hour to solder takes about 4 seconds in a solder wave machine. This has allowed less cold solder joints, pinpoint soldering, small PCB, and smaller devices.

Also, if you decide to even try to resolder one loose wire on a new device it very well MAY void your warranty! Also, you open the door for sabatage, lawsuits, and a thousand other maladies of our electronic age.

While I do hear you and know your intent is good and fair... our electronic lifestyle is spinning us all along with it!

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Luigino

Hello RobertB,

it's been a while I haven't asked you news.... so I'm here asking if for next year, it is on plan for the "economic" 6" EZ Reader with no touchscreen neither wifi, but with all documents support as the EZ Reader's one on mobiebook and the Epson's controller for a better readability?....

Thanks and in the meanwhile I would be pleased to send you my best wishes for a peaceful Xmas with family and everyone from Italy :-)

Greetings,
Luigi

Dear Luigi:

Merry Christmas my good friend in Italy!! I wish you the most joyous holidays also.

The EZ Reader Economy (base model) is already selling and, in honor of CES, we have extended the $299 price until end of February. It is fast... but the "base model" (while still outstanding) does not have the Epson controller. The EZ Reader PLUS and EZ Reader PRO will have the new Epson Controller BUT I will not sell them before February at the earlies. The "PLUS" has 3G but not touchscreen. Pricing is not yet figured out.

To buy the EZ Reader you can send an email to: rubyl@teamresearchinc.com from anywhere in the world. In North America ONLY you can use: www.mobiebook.com and buy online. Ruby is very nice and very attentive and will help you!! Do not worry. She is so polite and detail oriented in a nice way.


Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings and PEACE and Happiness to all at MobileRead Forum!! May the New year find all of us financially more prosperous and back hard at work!! To anyone without a job right now, I WENT thru that for 16 months before this job! Have faith, keep applying, find a job soon, dress well for the interview, and SELL yourself, but keep optimistic!! I wish you to find the perfect spot to grow!!

Robert B

[SaraD]

Originally Posted by Robertb

The EZ Reader Economy (base model) is already selling and, in honor of CES, we have extended the $299 price until end of February. It is fast... but the "base model" (while still outstanding) does not have the Epson controller. The EZ Reader PLUS and EZ Reader PRO will have the new Epson Controller BUT I will not sell them before February at the earlies. The "PLUS" has 3G but not touchscreen. Pricing is not yet figured out.

Hi Robert,

Is there a possibility that in March or April (which is how I read "end of February") that an updated base model will be released? Perhaps by then the first production run will be sold out, which I imagine has to happen before it would be considered? I ask because I really want the Epson controller, but do not want to deal with the 3G being on board or the touch screen, etc. Yes, I know those aspects can be turned off, but I just prefer the simpler device without the extra do-dads. That way I can't forget or accidently flip it on and drain the battery.

Thanks! - Sara

[pkovak]

Well, I have almost same question: will you release version with 6" (or simply smaller then 9.7") screen, but with epson controller and touchscreen? Because I would really like touchscreen with bluetooth and wifi, I think this can make it great news-reader, at the minimum, and with internal web browser, it would be really great.
9.7" may be too expensive for some people, or too big. Or are there practical reasons for not having touchscreen on smaller displays?

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by pkovak

Well, I have almost same question: will you release version with 6" (or simply smaller then 9.7") screen, but with epson controller and touchscreen?

The EZ Reader PRO will have a 6" screen, see the recent posts about this above. Note that earlier posts said WiFi, but the recent ones say 3G.

[pkovak]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

The EZ Reader PRO will have a 6" screen, see the recent posts about this above. Note that earlier posts said WiFi, but the recent ones say 3G.

1) I noticed the 3G thing, but I am not sure I like it. I thought wifi would be great to use in places like net cafes, universities, homes - for free. 3G looks more like paid service - through mobile operators, for example, am I right? I don't have any experience with 3G, and wiki 3G page does not decrease my doubts.

2) I don't understand where you read that EZ Reader PRO will be 6", I thought PRO and PLUS are suffixes for new generation of EZ Reader with 9.7" screen. What am I missing? If you know the names, maybe you could list it so there won't be any misunderstandings?

[Jellby]

Originally Posted by kacir

We are takling about optional accessory.
I do not fancy anything DANGLING from my reader either.

How about a detachable built-in device? In "normal" mode, it would be just part of the reader, and it would have the page back/forward buttons, but you can "detach" it from the reader, probably with an extensible cable, and put it where you want. It could even be designed so that you can attach it to different places in the reader (thus pleasing right-handed and left-handed people, for instance).