Cool-er: light, trendy, inexpensive e-book reader

[Tuna]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Other than the fancy colours, it looks absolutely identical to the CyBook, so I'm pretty sure that the physical case, the buttons, etc, will be the same.

It's really not the same case.





Note rounded top and bottom edges on the cybook, different button, inset grey stripe and different bezel. On top of that the Cool-ER features an activity LED on the top right. the Cool-ER also has the 'end caps' (where the USB and headphone sockets go) in a different plastic, with the outer case wrapping around them.

[HarryT]

OK, you're right, it's not identical, but it's VERY similar. The CyBook also has an activity LED in the same place as the Cool-ER, although it doesn't show up in the picture you've posted.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm certainly not aware of any particular criticism of the "feel" of the CyBook's buttons. It feels just fine to me - not heavy but "positive", and that (to me) is good.

Are the buttons on your device physically different hardware that is installed in the case? It seems that the cool-er has just a flexible area on the case itself that you have to press. This may be a newer design but not better than you have.

Dale

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Are the buttons on your device physically different hardware that is installed in the case? It seems that the cool-er has just a flexible area on the case itself that you have to press. This may be a newer design but not better than you have.

Dale

You're right, Dale, that is different. The Gen3's buttons are "inside" the case and are accessed through an opening. I hadn't appreciated that difference - thank you for pointing it out. I still maintain, however, that buttons with a "positive" action are a good thing - as long as they aren't difficult to press, of course!

[jessTay]

well I'll definately update you guys about what the buttons feel like...

... if I am ever able to order one (why is patience so hard when it come to ebook readers?)

[Kisxela]

I have preordered this ereader so I was curious if it supports hungarian letters. I sent them a text and they sent me a scan back which shows the display with the text on it. It is almost identical to the original text.
Hungarian_Text.zip

[Hatgirl]

The Daily Mail has a hands-on review.

She likes it the best of all the devices she has tried , but the button thing came up again.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm certainly not aware of any particular criticism of the "feel" of the CyBook's buttons. It feels just fine to me - not heavy but "positive", and that (to me) is good.

The original Cybook had very stiff button to change page and it was a problem for me. The newer model is much better in this respect but I still have some issues with it when reading for long stretches.

There was a lot of criticism of the original Cybook D-pad here at MR so you certainly should be aware of it.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by tompe

The original Cybook had very stiff button to change page and it was a problem for me. The newer model is much better in this respect but I still have some issues with it when reading for long stretches.

There was a lot of criticism of the original Cybook D-pad here at MR so you certainly should be aware of it.

I was referring to the current CyBook. Yes, the original CyBook did have rather a stiff button but, having fixed that problem a year ago, do you really think that Netronix are likely to have reintroduced it?

[tompe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I was referring to the current CyBook. Yes, the original CyBook did have rather a stiff button but, having fixed that problem a year ago, do you really think that Netronix are likely to have reintroduced it?

Since the design is changes I suppose anything can have changed with respect to this. And I actually think the new design for the Cybook is not really so good for a page turning button. I still think it is a bit too hard to press.

[jessTay]

for canadians, you can now preorder on the cooler site.. only 20 shipping!

I think i'm going to hold out now though... my mom hinted that maybe she'll chip in for an iLiad as a christmas present this year :P
she thinks cuz it is better for pdfs and has the annotation feature that it'll be better for my article readings at uni

[Godzil]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I was referring to the current CyBook. Yes, the original CyBook did have rather a stiff button but, having fixed that problem a year ago, do you really think that Netronix are likely to have reintroduced it?

Yes they can since the case design is significantly different, even the hardware can be different even if it use the same PCB form factor

[sassanik]

I sent them a email in regards to the prc format that they have listed. This is the reply that I got:

Hi Amy,

We really appreciate your support!

Thanks for contacting CoolReaders and sorry for the delay in replying.

We are working with Adobe Digital Editions for DRM documents and the COOL-ER supports 9 file types: PDF, EPUB, FB2, RTF, TXT, HTML, MP3 JPG and PRC. So, yes, you can use DRM .PRC files and non-DRM .PRC files with your COOL-ER.

I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Kate

That is good news, though I thought PRC was mobi files and that amazon was holding on tight to the reins of that one?

Amy

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by sassanik

I sent them a email in regards to the prc format that they have listed. This is the reply that I got:

That is good news, though I thought PRC was mobi files and that amazon was holding on tight to the reins of that one?

PRC is MOBI, and the CoolReader definitely does not support DRMed PRC/MOBI. We know this because no EInk Reader has been allowed (by Amazon, which owns Mobipocket) to support MOBI DRM and Adobe DRM at the same time. It seems likely that it does support DRM-free PRC/MOBI, although the company is so flaky it is hard to be sure. Adobe's mobile Digital Editions supports Adobe PDF and ePub ebooks with and without DRM (Adobe PDF ebooks are sometimes called Adobe Digital Editions ebooks).

[mtravellerh]

Got this mail today by Interead:

Thank you for your recent pre-order.

As a new company, we’re really excited by the demand for our COOL-ER ereaders. This has been higher than we anticipated.

Your pre-order delivery has been scheduled for the the beginning of July.

I will send a second email to you containing a unique reference code so you can provide your payment details nearer the delivery date. Your COOL-ER will then be dispatched to arrive with you at the beginning of July.

I apologise if this has inconvenienced you - we delayed delivery by a week to include the latest software upgrade into your COOL-ER.

Yeah!