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#1441 | |
space cadet
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Karma: 2999999
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Seattle area
Device: Rocket PRO, gen3, Pocketbook360
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Quote:
1. The shape and weight of the device, making it comfortable to hold. 2. The shape, positioning, and function of the buttons, such that it's easy to use, easy to reverse or turn sidewise, and not subject to hitting the wrong button. 3. The possibility of having this thicker shape hold a more long-lasting battery. So, here's a thought. The buttons and functioning need to be built into the basic device, but that could still be done with a thin device. Then, you (or someone) could make an after-market "holder" that would clamp onto the device to form a handle that would feel like a Rocket. It could have a proper grip, be weighted if it seems appropriate, or even have hollow compartments to hold extra SD cards or a USB cable to charge (if the cable were small enough anyway). As much as I'd like to see it, let the battery function go. So, as long as the original device had a bezel that could accept the after-market grip, with buttons that were appropriate, it would still be "thin" and you wouldn't lose your market to the competition. |
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#1442 | |
Wizard
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Karma: 10684861
Join Date: May 2006
Device: PocketBook 360, before it was Sony Reader, cassiopeia A-20
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Quote:
People DO want the thinnest possible device. They want to hold it in the shop and say "WOW (**) ... it's so thin, so light" People, however, also want a reading device they can take everywhere without worrying about how fragile the thing is. I have seen countless articles and discussions ranting about how you can take the book and read it in the bathtub, or on a beach, how you can just toss the book in your backpack. (Seriously. How many hours in your life you spent reading a [dead tree] book in the bathtub or in sauna?) What you need to quantify is how many people are impulse buyers and fanboys and how many will carefully evaluate the value of your device before buying. What market do you want to cater to? What would happen when within 3 days after launch there will be 5 reports on popular review sites (like Mobileread.com) saying how the device got broken when the person handling it sneezed, or a cat spepped lightly on the screen? I personally would prefer an ultra rugged version. No! I do NOT have an ... aehm ... "Crush Resistant Leather Cover" (TM) in mind. I think about something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ktuitTAFdw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNxjQ12kYXA&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CrpUU3cCPE I know I am minority. I also know that no affordable e-ink reader will ever be like one of those: http://ruffpc.com/products.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_4lS7Yu4Xo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaP8p...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkRQvFvw9TQ but one can dream ... (**) Now, that I think about it, I am not sure I would like to make a "WOW! ad campain" for *my* product ;-) Last edited by kacir; 02-19-2009 at 02:17 PM. |
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#1443 |
eReader
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Karma: 4968470
Join Date: Aug 2007
Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad
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My wishlist is simple
Current EZreader with the new firmware and Epson controller on a 16-grayscale screen. USB mass storage is easy to use (no messing around with network settings or browsing from E-ink) and everything but the screen is secondary to reading the book. |
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#1444 | |
Member
![]() Posts: 11
Karma: 10
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: none
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Quote:
This tube could be done as an aftermarket product and even be used with multiple readers - maybe a flange sticking out of the tube and velcro'ed to the reader. If the reader was made with this in mind, it could have an electrical connection as well. You could add controls and also an extended battery. |
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#1445 |
Member
![]() Posts: 22
Karma: 10
Join Date: Dec 2008
Device: Sony PRS 505
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Hello...New here from Paris (Fr)
Would you know which knowledge has Astak of size and prospect of the Ebook's market. ? I am a great reader....journalist as well and supporter of those devices.... |
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#1446 | |
curmudgeon
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Karma: 5748190
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Redwood City, CA USA
Device: Kobo Aura HD, (ex)nook, (ex)PRS-700, (ex)PRS-500
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Quote:
Darqref has hit it on the nose. His #2 is the absolutely crucial part! Get that right, and we can find straight-forward solutions to the rest. Get it wrong, and fixing #1 and #3 won't matter (much). The thicker, more ergonomic holder as an add-on accessory is a pretty good idea. It wouldn't even have to give up the battery support. It might, for example, contain an extra battery and have a wee little cable that snakes out and plugs into the power socket of the base device! As long as the holder also has a power socket (so I can still plug it in if needed) that'd be just fine. And if your base device's battery life is good enough, let the added batter capability go. Note: replace "power socket" with "USB socket" if USB-only is the way you've gone. The overall point remains the same. Xenophon |
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#1447 |
Wizard
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Karma: 4388403
Join Date: Oct 2007
Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis
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Add-on or Case
Robert, to reiterate some of the earlier comments, and add my own emphasis.
It may be fine to keep the device thin and get the "handle" through the case. However, I do have a couple of design thoughts that I would add. 1) It is not just about thickness. If the frame is only 1/2 inch you have an awfully small area to grasp and keep you fingers off of the screen. A good handle needs to be thick and wide enough to grasp. 2) Make sure its not floppy. Now, I don't plan on conducting an orchestra with my reader [grin]. However, I want to be able to hold it by the 'handle' and know that I have solid control of the device. I like the idea that someone above mentioned about a toilet paper sized tube that slides on the side; however, I worry that it would put too much mechanical stress on a small bevel/frame. So, here is my latest thought. Make it a light wedge. Use the handles for batteries for the light wedge. This creates a sleeve so that the handle is not just hanging out there. It takes care of the low lighting problem with eink. Furthermore, if the light wedge uses LED lighting, and batteries on both sides for the handles, then it should have pretty long battery life. In regard to the buttons. Make sure that they are easily accessible after slipping the case on. In one of my eink devices the nice cover it came with made the buttons recessed enough that pushing them became difficult. This leads to an entire new issue with regard to cramping/holding the book. Michael |
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#1448 |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 1,101
Karma: 4388403
Join Date: Oct 2007
Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis
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Auto-page
As you are planning the future software ...
One feature I really like about using mobipocket on a palm device is the ability to auto scroll through the text. I like to read while I ride the exercise bike. I set my palm to automatically scroll through the text, and my exercise is done in no time at all. I haven't asked for this ability before because of the refresh problems with e-ink. However, from your description of the epson controller, I wonder if it will be possible with the new faster controller? The palm actually scrolls with a line at a time disappearing off the top and a new one being added to the bottom of the text. If the new controller still can not handle this, how about a half of a page at a time? Just a thought for a wish list. Michael |
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#1449 | |
Enthusiast
![]() Posts: 34
Karma: 12
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Stuttgart, Germany/Wilmington, NC
Device: Kindle 2, iPhone
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Quote:
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#1450 |
Connoisseur
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Karma: 186
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CT, USA
Device: samsung i910 now - cybook later
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An old cell phone of mine had an extended life battery option, the stock battery could be slid off the back of the unit and the optional battery slid on in it's place. With the extended battery on the weight went up slightly and the thickness increased. Maybe this is the way to make 'everyone' happy on this subject.
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#1451 | |
Apeist
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Karma: 381090
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The sunny part of California
Device: Generic virtual reality story-experiential device
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Quote:
![]() I just think 8" is a happy medium. I guess I'll just have to get used to 9.7, if they are thin and light (never too thin, never too rich and never too healthy, as someone wise once said.) I do like a full page. |
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#1452 | |
Astak Director, Bus. Devl
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,560
Karma: 2500000
Join Date: Apr 2008
Device: Astak Pocket PRO
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9.7 inch.
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Both the Mentor and the EZ Reader will come out with a 9.7 inch. Jinke, that makes the EZ Reader actually HAD a V9 model that was a glass screen in 9>7 inch. It cracked too often and they stopped making it. Now they wait for the Flexi screen. PVI will HOPEFULLY start production on the 9.7 inch Flexi screen at the end of March... but could be delayed if any problems with the yield. BOTH the EZ Reader and Mentor lines will use these screens. BUT, even once they can stock the screens... they will do Alpha and Beta tests. SO, to answer your question, I am advising they will be ready in late August or early September if all goes according to plan. You will be able to buy them from us first. As we get close I will post info on what website is set up to sell them. They will have the Epson controller. That is as fast as you can get. They will do .pdf very quickly... but I need to check on djvu's. Robert B |
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#1453 | |
Astak Director, Bus. Devl
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,560
Karma: 2500000
Join Date: Apr 2008
Device: Astak Pocket PRO
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Everyone happy
Quote:
It is a good suggestion to add thickness with an extended life battery. I will suggest that for both of our lines. Your thinking is very clear!! Thank you, Robert B |
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#1454 | |
Astak Director, Bus. Devl
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,560
Karma: 2500000
Join Date: Apr 2008
Device: Astak Pocket PRO
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Miss-fires
Quote:
As mentioned, using the added thickness with an optional spare extended life battery is a really great suggestion and a winner. I am going to try on this! One thing we are VERY conscious of is what I call "misfires" where just by holding it you can accidently make a page jump. Harper-Collins first showed me this problem on the old Kindle. The EZ Reader does not have this problem and my new EZ Reader PRO also has avoided this problem. I promise we will not make this mistake if I can help it! Thank you, Robert B |
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#1455 | |
Astak Director, Bus. Devl
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,560
Karma: 2500000
Join Date: Apr 2008
Device: Astak Pocket PRO
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Prospect of eBooks market
Quote:
Bonjour, mon ami!! From what I know, most sources seem to feel that by the end of 2009, 2 Million eBook Readers will sell. I agree with that BUT it could be a lot higher IF all of the manufacturers can get behind a real NON-DRM EPUB format. That is the problem that hampers the eBook. People hate the disparity of three main formats and none of them work together. In my own opinion, the eBook Industry is it's own worse enemy. If the Amazons of the world would only standardize a format... sales would mushroom for everyone. Robert B |
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Tags |
astak mentor, e ink, e-book reader, idpg show, touchscreen, wireless |
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