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

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by nathanb

Hello. Can someone catch me up to speed?

I want to know what is going on with the Astak Mentor e-books. Did the 5 inch become the EZ Reader Pocket Pro? What happened to the 6inch and 9.7inch ones?

Is there a place I can find all this information (without having to read 150+ pages on this thread)?

Thanks!

Nathan

Reading this thread will be a hoot! The thread gets pirated a couple times, but overall, it would make a great non-fiction book!

Astak has 2 lines of readers. The Mentor line, and the EZReader line. The EZReader is Jinke's Hanlin line of readers, but redubbed for the American market.

I can't be more explicit than that, for fear of being incredibly wrong.

[Musicman]

Robertb,

My EZ-Read arrived friday and I have been playing with it all weekend.

It truely is impressive and the music player is superb.

It was everything you said and more!

Any idea on when the firmware upgrade to support Adobe Digital and Ereader DRM will be ready?

Thanks..

[NeweReader]

Originally Posted by Robertb

We HAVE to get the word out and we need the exposure.

Robertb

I was just at CNET.com, one of my favs sites. I thought that this would be a great place to to get the EZ Reader reviewed (or the Pocket Pro). They review all kinds of devices. You would get great exposure! Molly Wood is one of my favorites and she does a video “Buzz Report” show that includes “The Gadget of the Week”. I think it would be awesome to have the EZ Reader as that gadget!

I searched around their site and found this page -
http://www.cnet.com/doing-business-with-us/
Quote from site: “You’ll find information on how to submit your product for review, how to advertise with us, how your site can become part of the CNET Media Partners ad network, how to get your software and games listed on CNET Downloads, and more.”

Hope this helps and if you like the idea - good luck!
NeweReader

[aleks]

Does anyone have an answer to Sonist's question "So, what's the deal with the 9.7" reader? Is it coming, and if so, when?"

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Sonist

So, what's the deal with the 9.7" reader? Is it coming, and if so, when?

Amazon is already out with the K DX, so it's about time....

I just saw this Onyx 9.7", which seems to be available now (even if it seems a bit ugly/cheap - hopefully the price will correspond to its looks.) Anyone bringing it to the US? Astak?

Dear Sonist:

The official word from PVI is that the Flexi screen will be in mass production by Fall, 2009. The Onyx may be a glass screen like perhaps the Kindle DX. I do not know. I only know that PVI makes the Flexi and it will not be in mass production until Fall. That is direct from casual conversation.

I agree, and you know that already, that this is taking SO long!! But, you do not want a glass screen as it cracks easily. You cannot rush into mass production until the "yield rate" is up. Otherwise the cost is very high. I know it is very wanted.

I do not know that Astak will bring the Onyx to North America. We already have two factories with backorders for the Flexi screen ready to jump on them in the Fall. However, I will look online and see.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by NeweReader

Robertb

I was just at CNET.com, one of my favs sites. I thought that this would be a great place to to get the EZ Reader reviewed (or the Pocket Pro). They review all kinds of devices. You would get great exposure! Molly Wood is one of my favorites and she does a video “Buzz Report” show that includes “The Gadget of the Week”. I think it would be awesome to have the EZ Reader as that gadget!

I searched around their site and found this page -
http://www.cnet.com/doing-business-with-us/
Quote from site: “You’ll find information on how to submit your product for review, how to advertise with us, how your site can become part of the CNET Media Partners ad network, how to get your software and games listed on CNET Downloads, and more.”

Hope this helps and if you like the idea - good luck!
NeweReader

Dear NeweReader:

Thank you!! I will look into CNET and submit the paperwork. That is a great idea. I am presently waiting for Popular Science. They contacted me Friday wanting to do reviews of the Pocket PRO.

We KNOW we need more reviews and CNET is fabulous!!

We are also talking to Into Tomorrow With Dave Gravestein.

By the way, we just bought a special camera that takes full HD streaming video and then allows you to post automatically to My Space and FaceBook. Look for videos in a few weeks on the Pocket PRO!!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Musicman

Robertb,

My EZ-Read arrived friday and I have been playing with it all weekend.

It truely is impressive and the music player is superb.

It was everything you said and more!

Any idea on when the firmware upgrade to support Adobe Digital and Ereader DRM will be ready?

Thanks..

Dear Musicman:

Did you try the equalizer on the EZ Reader yet?? I love that feature. It is buttom number 8. PLEASE read the FAQ sheet at: www.mobiebook.com. That sheet contains helpful hints and more for the EZ Reader and will really make things easy for you. I wrote it and am proud of it.

Adobe has now been paid for and the sample sent to Adobe by Jinke. Once approved we can post it on the new website. I expect about three weeks .

Fictionwise says it will finish the SDK for eReader in Linux in three weeks. Then Netronix and Jinke have to PORT it to the devices. I expect about 6-7 weeks.

We are more anxious than even you are. Selling without DRM is no fun.

The Pocket PRO will come ported with ADE.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by nathanb

Hello. Can someone catch me up to speed?

I want to know what is going on with the Astak Mentor e-books. Did the 5 inch become the EZ Reader Pocket Pro? What happened to the 6inch and 9.7inch ones?

Is there a place I can find all this information (without having to read 150+ pages on this thread)?

Thanks!

Nathan

Dear Nathan:

Welcome!! Griffonwing is right, this thread would make a great book!!

Today I posted info on the 9.7 inch and, of course, the Pocket PRO is not a Mentor but an EZ Reader. We have two distinct lines. The Mentor Lite will be released in about 5 weeks.

The fastest way to get up to speed is to visit my blog: www.robertbEZ.blogspot.com

You can also send me a personal message.

Welcome to the World of Astak, Nathan... the trials and accomplishments of a small eBook Reader Manufacturer with outstanding product but very little money to advertise. I think we are proof that BIG and GOOD are not necessarily the same.

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Musicman:

Adobe has now been paid for and the sample sent to Adobe by Jinke. Once approved we can post it on the new website. I expect about three weeks .

Fictionwise says it will finish the SDK for eReader in Linux in three weeks. Then Netronix and Jinke have to PORT it to the devices. I expect about 6-7 weeks.

We are more anxious than even you are. Selling without DRM is no fun.

The Pocket PRO will come ported with ADE.

Robertb,

Thanks for the update, I'll keep my eye out for the upgrade.

I did not try the equalizer - I just played my music at the default settings and thought it sounded great.

I will check for the fact sheet on the equalizer.

I will also be looking for the Pocket Pro (Slate blue of course) when its released.

My daughter has her eye on my EZ-Reader, so hopefully the Pocker Pro will not be too long in coming...

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Nathan:

Welcome!! Griffonwing is right, this thread would make a great book!!

Way to state the obvious, there, Robert!

Originally Posted by Robertb

Today I posted info on the 9.7 inch and, of course, the Pocket PRO is not a Mentor but an EZ Reader. We have two distinct lines. The Mentor Lite will be released in about 5 weeks.

The fastest way to get up to speed is to visit my blog: www.robertbEZ.blogspot.com

I checked the blogspot twice, once upon reading the post, and again about an hour or two later. I don't see any new post. Are you sure it uploaded correctly?

Also, great to hear about the Onyx. So, this will be 3 lines of readers for Astak? Or will the Onyx be released under the EZ Reader or Mentor name?

[AbFabGab]

Robertb, it would be great if you could make some kind of
comparison page or something similar, showing the differences
between the different readers.

I'm keeping my eye on the Mentor Lite and the Pocket PRO
as I have a teenager whom I wish to gift a device. : )

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by AbFabGab

Robertb, it would be great if you could make some kind of
comparison page or something similar, showing the differences
between the different readers.

I'm keeping my eye on the Mentor Lite and the Pocket PRO
as I have a teenager whom I wish to gift a device. : )

Dear AbFabGab:

I wish it was possible to post a comparison page. Unfortunately, if I even remotely stray from talking about my devices I instantly get criticism and people crying foul. I did post, a few pages back, a link to see an independent blog on the Astak EZ Reader versus the Amazon Kindle 2 and I got a few objections for doing that.

No, it is better for me to stay clear of comparisons. It is way too controversial and I have learned that everybody sees things differently. I see the "Whispernet" that Kindle uses to be a trap... others see it as a blessing. Besides, I have about 7 devices coming out in the next ten months. My opinon is that the EZ Reader Basic and EZ Reader PRO are perfect for a teen as they are rock solid and reliable. To me that would be first priority. Others will and do disagree on priority, but I would want my teen to have a gift that is worry free first.

I DO appreciate your comments and your good intention.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

Way to state the obvious, there, Robert!



I checked the blogspot twice, once upon reading the post, and again about an hour or two later. I don't see any new post. Are you sure it uploaded correctly?

Also, great to hear about the Onyx. So, this will be 3 lines of readers for Astak? Or will the Onyx be released under the EZ Reader or Mentor name?

Dear Griffonwing:

We are only taking a look at the Onyx on the internet. There is noy yet any thought of carrying it.

Every now and then I just have nothing to blog about. Today is a meeting on the colors of the EZ Reader with the executives so I am deeply invloved in that to get your slate blue.

I wish I had daily news but blog only when something important comes up or we have a decision on something.

[AbFabGab]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear AbFabGab:

I wish it was possible to post a comparison page. Unfortunately, if I even remotely stray from talking about my devices I instantly get criticism and people crying foul. I did post, a few pages back, a link to see an independent blog on the Astak EZ Reader versus the Amazon Kindle 2 and I got a few objections for doing that.

No, it is better for me to stay clear of comparisons. It is way too controversial and I have learned that everybody sees things differently. I see the "Whispernet" that Kindle uses to be a trap... others see it as a blessing. Besides, I have about 7 devices coming out in the next ten months. My opinon is that the EZ Reader Basic and EZ Reader PRO are perfect for a teen as they are rock solid and reliable. To me that would be first priority. Others will and do disagree on priority, but I would want my teen to have a gift that is worry free first.

I DO appreciate your comments and your good intention.

I should have clarified a bit further..
I meant a comparison among Astak devices only.
Like what makes the Mentor Lite different than
Pocket PRO, etc.

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Griffonwing:

We are only taking a look at the Onyx on the internet. There is noy yet any thought of carrying it.

Ooopsie! I misread your post. I read it as "I do know that Astak will bring.." instead of "I do not know..."

Originally Posted by Robertb

Every now and then I just have nothing to blog about. Today is a meeting on the colors of the EZ Reader with the executives so I am deeply invloved in that to get your slate blue.

Woo! Good luck with that! I've seen almost a dozen people clammoring for a slate blue reader. Seems to be a very popular color choice. Hopefully they will agree.