Jointech JE100 - ebook reader

[wallcraft]

It is a bit strange to have a product called eBook with no support for eBook file formats. This might or might not run MobiPocket or MS Reader or eReader or µBook software, see DRAFT - A Beginner's Guide to WinCE Ebook Reader Software.

[Faenad]

Seems like a lot of similar small ARM based tablet are coming on the market recently.
The SmartQ7, skytone A700, supposedly soon an Apple tablet, Chrunchpad, etc.

If the price tag is low enough it will be a great alternative to readers like the Kindle DX.

[sirbruce]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why is it that a lot of people feel that reading a book using an LCD screen will cause eyestrain? We use LCD monitors and read a lot on the computer, laptop, netbook, etc. Watch TV on LCD screens, play video games on LCD screens amd I don't hear cry of eyestrain. So why is it when reading a book people do cry eyestrain? I do not get eyestrain from reading on my LCD monitor.

It could be age, or it could be just good eyes.

Eyestrain comes from having to focus a lot for long periods of time. If you're playing games or watching video, you aren't focusing as much as you do when reading text, particularly if it's a small font. Eyestrain from spending long hours at the computer every day is very common, and more common in older people than younger people.

There is some belief that the light-emitting nature of a CRT or LCD exacerbates this problem. I don't know if there's actual medical evidence for that, but I think most everyone who has read on an EInk or non-emissive display for long periods of time agree it's easier on the eyes.

Some people also think EInk looks more like the printed page than an LCD does.

[yvanleterrible]

Very interesting. PDFs make it valuable as a magazine reader. All that's missing is a decent price, worldwide distribution in a time frame that is not the "week of four thursdays".(AKA never)

[junkyardwillie]

Fail. With Pixel Qi's LCD screen right around the corner why would you spend money on this device. I'd rather not go half blind trying to read on this and wait for a Pixel Qi netbook which would have more functionality as well. I'm glad to see companies are thinking outside the box on what an eReader should be but this is going no where fast. At least they haven't wasted much money in development besides photoshop there's still time to swap out for a no backlight LCD and some better battery time then they can come back to the table to talk with the grown ups.

[yvanleterrible]

I know I'll just wake up the ire of someone with this comment but it Physically looks a little like the device I wish aPple would make.

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why is it that a lot of people feel that reading a book using an LCD screen will cause eyestrain? We use LCD monitors and read a lot on the computer, laptop, netbook, etc. Watch TV on LCD screens, play video games on LCD screens amd I don't hear cry of eyestrain. So why is it when reading a book people do cry eyestrain? I do not get eyestrain from reading on my LCD monitor.

Actually I do get eyestrain from my monitor but it's less because I look away more frequently than I do when I'm reading a novel. Even so, my eyes hurt at the end of a workday. That's why I found eInk so attractive when I first saw it.

[Ham88]

Seeing as this has become part of this thread I don't like reading on a back lit lcd, such as my laptop, but I love reading on the lcd on my jetbook. So I think the whole eyestrain thing is just the backlight, but I'm no expert

[ProDigit]

there are a zillion products out like this!
If you look at the MID market, you have so many devices where you could read etext on easily. But none offer good battery life nor screen resolution to read books comfortably; comparable to an ebook reader like the kindle or sony reader, or alikes.
And none have an e-ink screen.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

No price on the device? Of course not. Because, based on the specs I've seen, price would be about the only thing keeping me from buying one of these.

As I am from the "LCD works fine for me!" camp (hey... that should be a chant!), I'd look forward to reading on it.

Dudes.

Color.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by Ham88

Seeing as this has become part of this thread I don't like reading on a back lit lcd, such as my laptop, but I love reading on the lcd on my jetbook. So I think the whole eyestrain thing is just the backlight, but I'm no expert

I agree...I do not have the backlight cranked all the way up and I adjust the background color to what works for me...I sense many who have such disdain for LCD readers have never even tried/thought of this ability. I happen to light a background that is slightly off-white in a yellow/brown parchment like tint. But some also will be more sensitive to the scan rate of the panel and thus prone to more easily reach a point of eye strain. Heck some people simply do not blink enough while reading which causes the eye to dry out and be felt as it that is eye strain.

==========================

To the thread in general: I think most folks around here understand there is no single perfect medium for reading...the beauty is we have choices. But for people to make blanket statements based on their own experiences/preferences or of some "research paper" probably paid for by the very industry who it ends up promoting, well, they are just wrong or worse yet, ignorant. Plus it always stirs-up the pot in a non-productive fashion as there is no answer only opinion.

[yvanleterrible]

Being ignorant is not a sin. Wanting to remain ignorant is.
I believe that people having joined this community is repentance enough.
And I am pretty sure that no one present is communicating with the aid of eink... how ever we'd wish.

[doreenjoy]

Three hours of battery life?

That's a deal breaker for me, sadly.

[ProDigit]

There actually is a trick on reading in an optimized environment. I can't believe it but I once read a book written in the late '80's,beginning '90's that held this info (as well as a lot of scientific data and results and much research), costed +$80.
But even back then they already knew if you're going to work with computer screens,the trick is to view over your screen to the background.
Then adjust the brightness/contrast in such a way that the screen seems to blend in with the background (often on laptops used in normal environments that would mean set the brightness nearly to minimum).
Once the screen has about the same amount of knits or light intensity of your background, boost it with 5 or 10% brightness.
That is the perfect setting for reduced eyestrain.

A too high brightness will oversaturate and tire the eyes.
A too low set brightness will cause your eyes continuously to be distracted by the background which appears lighter than the screen. Also, a too low contrast ratio could result in a more reflective image on the screen, and the eyes might get strained more due to glare (seeing light being reflected on a reflective LCD screen).

So the screen needs to be set brighter than the environment to 'call' the attention of your eyes (they will more naturally travel to the screen instead to the environment), but it can not be set too bright for that causes the eye strain.

So a lot of people complain about eyestrain on LCD's just because they don't know how to adjust the screen to the right brightness!
A white field on an LCD screen on a good set brightness setting, should not appear much brighter than a white paper or an ebook reader.

Same goes for E-ink. Reading your E-ink device actually hurts in full sunlight, and your eyes get damaged doing so!
E-ink is about the perfect screen for reading in the shadows and inside under mild light (as well as Pixel Qi's technology).

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by bminata

1. Batt life.
2. LCD screen = eyesore for heavyreading.

Originally Posted by Nate the great

I use an LCD device as my primary reader, and haven't found that to be true. I think you've overgeneralized your dislike of LCD screens into an invalid conclusion.

Originally Posted by Abelturd

I totally agree. I've been using an lcd device as my primary reader for a while and I can confirm that the eyestrain is considerably bigger. :-P
3-6 hrs battery life for reading?

I've been reading on my LCD for 7 years(?) I've no problems with eyesore and I do a lot of heavy reading... I think it depends on the person. I've known people that could watch at a 60Hz CRT screen without getting a headache (while I got one just glancing at it...)

I did wonder how long I did with one battery charge on my PDA... I think I'll try to measure it this week...

Originally Posted by brecklundin

I agree...I do not have the backlight cranked all the way up and I adjust the background color to what works for me...I sense many who have such disdain for LCD readers have never even tried/thought of this ability. I happen to light a background that is slightly off-white in a yellow/brown parchment like tint. But some also will be more sensitive to the scan rate of the panel and thus prone to more easily reach a point of eye strain. Heck some people simply do not blink enough while reading which causes the eye to dry out and be felt as it that is eye strain.

When I read at night, I have a black screen with an off-white lettering. Works perfectly. When I'm reading in the sun (yes, I can read in direct sunlight), I've an off-white background with black lettering.

Which leads met to wonder what kind of LCD screen it is, transflective or not... I wonder if people who think that you can't read from a LCD screen ever seen a transflective screen. It makes all the world of a difference.

Comparing the two PDA's we have at home, one with a transflective screen and one with a more conventional display, I notice the main difference is the way the backlight works. On my PDA (the transflective one), you cannot see the backlight, it is evenly spaced across the screen. On the older PDA, you can see where the backlight is hidden behind the screen. There are two brighter areas. And you can't see anything on that older PDA if you're outside... While on my PDA, it doesn't matter at all whether I'm inside with the backlight on or outside, in full sun-light, with the backlight off.


Edit:
Some searching found me this:

Graphical-subsystem
Display+Type: color transflective TFT display
Display;Color;Depth: 16 bit/pixel (65536 scales)
Display-Diagonal: 7 " (178 millimetres)
Display+Resolution: 800 x 480 (384000 pixels)
Viewableisplay-Size: 6.01 " x 3.61 " (152.63 x 91.58 millimetres)
Dot_Pitch: 133.1 pixel/inch (0.19079 millimetre/pixel)

It is starting to look better and better!