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

[bwaldron]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

That wheel is an extremely slick and sneaky good feature and from trivial as I initially thought when I first began using my Clie.

Yep, the Clie NX series with the side jog wheel is still the best device for one-handed reading that I have ever used. The Clie TH-55 moved the jog wheel location to the top rear of the PDA -- still worked, but not quite as comfortably.

[Galan-Ithaca]

Question for Robert....If I purchase an EZ Reader now, will there be a way to update the firmware to add Fictionwise DRM and Adobe DE in a couple of months?

[Mr. Dalliard]

Robertb:

Very excited by the latest news from Astak!

One question though: will Astak ship orders to Japan?

[cobalt8]

Robert,

I have a couple of questions. Forgive me if you've given this information in an earlier post and I missed it.

1. Can you release how many shades of gray the different EZ Reader and Mentor models are going to support?

2. Have you noticed whether the touchscreen on the PRO model causes a) any glare and b) any reduction in contrast like that of the Sony 505 vs 700?

I would also like to say that it's awesome having your presence here to ask questions about the upcoming product line. It's not a common occurrence to have this type of interaction with a company in today's world. At least not from my experience. lol So, that being said....

[Big Bill]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

For anyone who missed it the first time, we still have a few EZ Readers in color. White and Marroon have been popular. Doesn't anyone like my Electric Blue? You can call Walter at 408-452-8788 and tell him Robert B said to wake him up (HA). The price is still just $299. These are brand new and in the box. We just got five each for CES so we had plenty of spares and NONE had to be replaced after the continuous pounding all four days. People who had no prior knowledge were pushing and prodding away... and never so much as a hiccup from any of those on display. The display devices are NOT part of this sale. We sell only brand new and no other way. SO... while I have them I am selling in colors. $299 is with the AC Charger, Crush-resistent leather case, ear buds, USB cable, wrist leash, user manual, and 8 CLASSIC and GOOD (hand-picked by me) eBooks preloaded!

Robert B

Robert, you are terrific! I had just spent three days reading this entire thread when my wife told me she wanted a blue one, and wanted it NOW. I tried to order from Mobiebooks, but alas, no color selection. 5 minutes after I placed the order, I came across this post! I quickly called customer support and explained my dilemna. They assured me that they would be happy to send a blue one instead of the standard black. Now my wife is happy, and that makes her hubby happy too.

I must admit I do have one complaint with the website. Try as hard as I might, I could not find the section for the RobertB fan club T-Shirts. You know... the ones that say "When I grow up, I want to be RobertB"

Seriously, Robert, YOU are the prime reason we selected EZ reader; your openess and honesty on this forum is like a breath of fresh air. Take the rest of the month off. If the General Manager gives you any guff, just tell them I said so.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Big Bill

Robert, you are terrific! I have just spent three days reading this entire thread when my wife told me she wanted a blue one, and wanted it NOW. I tried to order ffrom Mobiebooks, but alas, no color selection. 5 minutes after I placed the order, I came across this post! I quickly called customer support and explained my dilemna. They assured me that they would be happy to send a blue one instead of the standard black. Now my wife is happy, and that makes her hubby happy too.

I must admit I do have one complaint with the website. Try as hard as I might, I could not find the section for the RobertB fan club T-Shirts. You know... the ones that say "When I grow up, I want to be RobertB?

Seriously, Robert, you ARE the prime reason we select EZ reader; your openess and honesty on this forum is like a breath of fresh air. Take the rest of the month off. If the General Manager gives you any guff, just tell I said so.

Ditto!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Galan-Ithaca

Question for Robert....If I purchase an EZ Reader now, will there be a way to update the firmware to add Fictionwise DRM and Adobe DE in a couple of months?

Dear Galan:

Yes, if you buy an EZ Reader now in about one month (worst case 2 months) we expect to have the SDK finished and tested in a firmware upgrade we will put up on www.mobiebook.com for easy and free download. My techs assure me that this is the case. We are working every day with Fictionwise to make this so. Our chief tech is flying to Fictionwise (from Taiwan) to speed things along next Monday and is staying a week.

I don"t want yet to promise Adobe Digital Editions as they want $75,000 a year and we are waiting for clarification. But... at least Fictionwise eReader is definite. Fictionwise can run along with FB Reader also.

Does this help, Galan?

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Big Bill

Robert, you are terrific! I had just spent three days reading this entire thread when my wife told me she wanted a blue one, and wanted it NOW. I tried to order from Mobiebooks, but alas, no color selection. 5 minutes after I placed the order, I came across this post! I quickly called customer support and explained my dilemna. They assured me that they would be happy to send a blue one instead of the standard black. Now my wife is happy, and that makes her hubby happy too.

I must admit I do have one complaint with the website. Try as hard as I might, I could not find the section for the RobertB fan club T-Shirts. You know... the ones that say "When I grow up, I want to be RobertB"

Seriously, Robert, YOU are the prime reason we selected EZ reader; your openess and honesty on this forum is like a breath of fresh air. Take the rest of the month off. If the General Manager gives you any guff, just tell them I said so.

Dear Big Bill:

Thank you very, very much. The Electric Blue color is the one I carry everywhere at Trade Shows and speaking engagements with me on a strap around my neck. I am very happy that I made your wife happy (which makes you happy). All I have is sincerity and honesty. I have little advertising money and I am up against two huge companies eatting up the market. Thank God they are too busy to realize there is still a place for openess in business.

This blue color is really well done. It does NOT wear off and is in the actual resin. Mine after continuous use shows not a scratch or a blemish. People take it from me and drop it at shows. It never complains and just does its great job. So, I know she will be pleased. Maybe we need a T-shirt that says "Blue Forever"!

Love your sense of humor and appreciate it on a long wet afternoon. Thank you!!

NOTE to any others who want an EZ Reader with color: The sale date ends February 16!! They are $299 now but will jump to $329 after that (sooner or later the sale had to end). We are raising the price as FRY's and eCOST will now be carrying our EZ Reader at great prices (though not in color)! We do not want our own price to compete with FRY's EZ Reader sales.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by cobalt8

Robert,

I have a couple of questions. Forgive me if you've given this information in an earlier post and I missed it.

1. Can you release how many shades of gray the different EZ Reader and Mentor models are going to support?

2. Have you noticed whether the touchscreen on the PRO model causes a) any glare and b) any reduction in contrast like that of the Sony 505 vs 700?

I would also like to say that it's awesome having your presence here to ask questions about the upcoming product line. It's not a common occurrence to have this type of interaction with a company in today's world. At least not from my experience. lol So, that being said....

All new EZ Reader and Mentor models will be 16 shades of grey.

Yes, I noticed what you noticed. When you get a Touchscreen device it HAS to just slightly impact the screen clarity. This is because there is that extra piece of glass creating a sandwich that the resistive-touch genie goes inside. I do NOT notice it at all while reading a book... but I do notice it slightly upon start-up and menu. So, this I cannot blame on Sony or Amazon... the slight lower clarity is going to be inherant when you go to Touchscreen. It is not at all a bad thing... but your eyes and Sony are not deceiving you. I love Touch, used to sell it in three varieties on POS machines. BUT... that is why, for me at least, I will not move up to Touch on my own EZ Reader. It is really cool to let your fingers do the walking; but I would rather press a button and get the ultimate clarity. Our PRO has a great screen... but Touch will impact it a little.

That is as honest as I can give it to you!

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dalliard

Robertb:

Very excited by the latest news from Astak!

One question though: will Astak ship orders to Japan?

Dear Mr. Dalliard:

Yes. Our new Pay Pal is up and running and we can ship to Japan.

My Japanese is awful so I will not try here; but I am happy you asked and I appreciate your interest.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Momma... just killed a man. Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now hes dead!!!

Great rock anthem!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irp8CNj9qBI

And I like Michael John's sort version on Idol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUfE993iucg

BOb

Dear PilotBob:

It took a lot of years to research this as in Bohemian Rhapsody Freddie Mercury would sing "Bizmullah, no, we will not let you go". Even music experts have wondered for thirty years or so what he meant.

He was raised in an arab family and it roughly translates to: "By the power of Allah, we will not let you go"! I thought that was really a little-known fact!

No offence to anyone if I mangled the spelling and all respect to Allah and God and such. Top respect for Freddie Mercury of Queen.

Robert B

[Mr. Dalliard]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Mr. Dalliard:

Yes. Our new Pay Pal is up and running and we can ship to Japan.

My Japanese is awful so I will not try here; but I am happy you asked and I appreciate your interest.

Robert B

Splendid news, Bobby B!

Expect an order for the larger screen model EZ-reader on the day of its release!

Before then I may even order a six-incher from you too, depending on the mentor line-up, if the upcoming txtr reader turns out to be a disappointment.

[Sweetpea]

The CeBit is coming up next month (actually, in about 2 weeks), and I do know that Netronix will be there. Will there be Mentors as well?

(because then I'll know what hall to visit first )

[Galan-Ithaca]

Yes, Robert, your reply about F'wise and Adobe DE was very helpful. It makes me even more anxious to receive the white EZ Reader I ordered yesterday through Walter and Ruby, who were wonderful to deal with. I'm just waiting for someone who sees me using it ask me how I like my new Kindle 2.....lol.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Galan-Ithaca

Yes, Robert, your reply about F'wise and Adobe DE was very helpful. It makes me even more anxious to receive the white EZ Reader I ordered yesterday through Walter and Ruby, who were wonderful to deal with. I'm just waiting for someone who sees me using it ask me how I like my new Kindle 2.....lol.

LOL I didn't think of that one. I got the maroon EZ Reader (and dealt with Walter and Ruby too, aren't they wonderful?) So no one will be asking me about me "Kindle" but it still gets a lot of questions. I think y'all should hire me for public relations.