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

[emellaich]

RobertB,

You may not be able to tell us if any changes have occurred, but I'd like to point out some feedback that might be passed to the factory. It looks to me like the thumbwheel is not handy given the way the case fits.

Usually, I try to offer a solution when I have a criticism, but in this case I'm not sure how I would provide greater access to the thumbwheel while still keeping both the thumbwheel and the device protected from drops.

[Musicman]

Robertb,

To shift gears a little and to move on to something you might be able to fill us in on, where do you stand with the opening of your new Site goezbook.com, and the update on the firmware for the EZ-book??

[lamaz]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Griffonwing:

Thank you. That is how I see it too. There is nothing that I know of in the way of near-term future products that will remotely be viable competition for the Pocket PRO. That is not the Salesman talking... that is just based on facts. The size and lightness will be incredible, the page turns are damned near instantaneous (from my perspective), it supports up to 16GB SD in a dozen formats, has HIGHER resolution, has all those other great features, and comes in the colors CHOSEN by MobileRead Forum members. Then you get the user-switchable battery and the leather case included... THIS should really be a HOT one.

Cannot comment on August 15 but no reason to feel worried yet either.

Hi Robertb,

My English isn't very well so I would like to understand "the user-switchable battery" is sold with the reader or it is an accessory that we can buy in more.

I am currently wrinting an article on your reader to the site ebouquin.fr, specializing in readers and e-books in France, so I don't want to do mistakes.

Other question your EZ Reader Pocket Pro will be in other countries, like France, or not?

Thanks

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Sonist:

Yes, I also have noticed a strange glow eminating from his picture. Griffonwing may just be Satin. AND... nobody has heard anything new from the parrot. WHAT did he do with old "Squawky". There was no post that explained any disappearance about the parrot. He never even mentioned the parrot... after so many of us had become very fond of that parrot. I think we should demand a photo from Griffonwing with today's dated newspaper and a photo of the parrot.

I have no paper, but I crawled out of the hammock at first break of day to snap this picture for you. Hopefully this will put your mind at ease.

Pay no attention to the random words which the griffon (parrot, as you think) wrote. Just random words, as he is illiterate.

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by lamaz

Hi Robertb,

My English isn't very well so I would like to understand "the user-switchable battery" is sold with the reader or it is an accessory that we can buy in more.

I am currently wrinting an article on your reader to the site ebouquin.fr, specializing in readers and e-books in France, so I don't want to do mistakes.

Other question your EZ Reader Pocket Pro will be in other countries, like France, or not?

Thanks

I can help a little bit here. "User-Switchable Battery" only means that you have access, via a screwed hatch, to replace the battery yourself, instead of sending it out to be replaced. Just like your remotes or devices that you can pop off the battery compartment, you can do that with this device.

Many other eink reader devices allow you no control or access to the battery.

I think there is a place you can order a new battery as well, so if it begins to not hold as long of a charge, order a battery, and you can switch them out yourself. It saves time (a week to ship, and a week to return) and also postage (shipping both ways).

[robvarga]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

I can help a little bit here. "User-Switchable Battery" only means that you have access, via a screwed hatch, to replace the battery yourself, instead of sending it out to be replaced. Just like your remotes or devices that you can pop off the battery compartment, you can do that with this device.

Many other eink reader devices allow you no control or access to the battery.

I think there is a place you can order a new battery as well, so if it begins to not hold as long of a charge, order a battery, and you can switch them out yourself. It saves time (a week to ship, and a week to return) and also postage (shipping both ways).

I seem to remember that it was said that the device uses a Nokia mobile phone battery (don't remember which model), so if that is correct, then it should really be easy to get hold of another battery, and possibly even an external charger. Hopefully an international model is used so that it is possible to get hold of one in Europe, too... I don't know which Nokia models are available in the US.

Best regards,

Robert

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by robvarga

I seem to remember that it was said that the device uses a Nokia mobile phone battery (don't remember which model), so if that is correct, then it should really be easy to get hold of another battery, and possibly even an external charger. Hopefully an international model is used so that it is possible to get hold of one in Europe, too... I don't know which Nokia models are available in the US.

Best regards,

Robert

That is true of all Jinke devices; it is not unique or specific to Asktak.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by emellaich

RobertB,

You may not be able to tell us if any changes have occurred, but I'd like to point out some feedback that might be passed to the factory. It looks to me like the thumbwheel is not handy given the way the case fits.

Usually, I try to offer a solution when I have a criticism, but in this case I'm not sure how I would provide greater access to the thumbwheel while still keeping both the thumbwheel and the device protected from drops.

Dear Emellaich:

I need to not go into details about the Pocket PRO yet as according to the factory we should not discuss it yet. Look at the case of the EZ Reader and you will note that the factory makes one hell of a good case. The new case is even better. Let me only say I looked and our technical team looked and there is no problem.

I do not want to get into details yet on the Pocket PRO as the official release has NOT been given. Let us table this for now and I will give more detail and photo on this exact subject when we have official release. I just want to stay safely clear for a while.

On rereading your message, sir, I think I see you are saying that the V5 case blocks some use of the scroll wheel. I can only say that the little protrusion or nib on the thumbwheel means your thumb does not have to rest on the actual wheel to use it. You CAN have the V5 in its case and have access by thumb to the scroll wheel useage!

Sorry I misread!!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by lamaz

Hi Robertb,

My English isn't very well so I would like to understand "the user-switchable battery" is sold with the reader or it is an accessory that we can buy in more.

I am currently wrinting an article on your reader to the site ebouquin.fr, specializing in readers and e-books in France, so I don't want to do mistakes.

Other question your EZ Reader Pocket Pro will be in other countries, like France, or not?

Thanks

Dear Lamaz:

Griffonwing and others did a GREAT job of answering your battery question! Griffonwing really knows his stuff and is one of the sharpest people. Yes, the battery is readily available online and one screw holds on the battery cover. The box contains a screwdriver perfect for that screw (but it is a standard screw head) which I find pretty amazing and thoughtful! It could not be easier to change the battery... maybe a 1 minute job. This is one HUGE advantage of the EZ Reader line and I am grateful that you brought it up! It is sinfull that other manufacturers do not give battery access. The replacement battery is a Nokia BL4C (readily available online for $9.99 USD) This info is already on the EZ Reader FAQ sheet on our new website.

We are allowed to sell EZ Reader product into Europe ONLY through our website (www.goEZebook.com). That website is due to open very soon. You will not find it in European stores. This is our agreement with the factory and we honor it.

Vous ais mon ami!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

I have no paper, but I crawled out of the hammock at first break of day to snap this picture for you. Hopefully this will put your mind at ease.

Pay no attention to the random words which the griffon (parrot, as you think) wrote. Just random words, as he is illiterate.

Dear Griffonwing:

I always kid you and rib you because I feel very comfortable with you. Your answer on the battery question shows you really know your stuff! I am grateful!

Just be aware that although I do kid you... I also hold you in true esteem.

I am also grateful that the griffon (parrot) survived and is alright. I see him as far from illiterate as he taught you great English! Have you considered a fine college for the parrot? Harvard may have a place for him!

[griffonwing]

I've never been esteamed before.. cept when I was in a sauna that one time. that was nice.

i decided against a video. you hear me actually speak and the whole idea of "pirate and suave debonaire" will get flushed away.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Musicman

Robertb,

To shift gears a little and to move on to something you might be able to fill us in on, where do you stand with the opening of your new Site goezbook.com, and the update on the firmware for the EZ-book??

Dear Musicman:

YES, it is taking forever!! The site is essentally done and all the changes that were recommended by MobileRead Forum members were taken into effect. The site looks and works much better and the Flash has been greatly slowed down and is more user friendly.

As you know, Barnes&Noble bought Fictionwise. Our friends at Fictionwise are TRYING hard to deal with us fairly and openly per what we had settled before the purchase. BUT... big corporations like B&N have rules and regulations and a legal department and so much more. They are good people but, like all large corporations, they move slowly and carefully and deliberately. The old agreement we had with Fictionwise does not work for B&N entirely. So... we are plodding through drafts of a new agreement. That is where we stand... trying to get something that both sides can live with. It could happen still this week (or not).

[griffonwing]

the Plastic Logic and the Ez Reader line are worlds apart in terms of target audience. At least, currently. Your future 9.7 inch devices will rival their lineup, but your 5-6" models have very differing targets.

[Musicman]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Musicman:

YES, it is taking forever!! The site is essentally done and all the changes that were recommended by MobileRead Forum members were taken into effect. The site looks and works much better and the Flash has been greatly slowed down and is more user friendly.

BUT... big corporations like B&N have rules and regulations and a legal department and so much more.

The old agreement we had with Fictionwise does not work for B&N entirely. So... we are plodding through drafts of a new agreement. That is where we stand... trying to get something that both sides can live with. It could happen still this week (or not).

It figures it had to be lawyers.... They are not an easy breed to satisfy...

Thanks for the update!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

the Plastic Logic and the Ez Reader line are worlds apart in terms of target audience. At least, currently. Your future 9.7 inch devices will rival their lineup, but your 5-6" models have very differing targets.

Dear Griffonwing:

Fully agree. The plain target for the large 8 by 10 Plastic Logic device is going to be textbooks, magazines and newspapers.

The target audience for the 5 inch P.P. is all about instantaneous response and convenience. The P.P. will play the music while people read eBooks or they go into TTS and listen to the books while reading a newspaper. When they are done, they pop it into their pants pocket or purse and go off for adventure.

NOW... let me deal with a certain video that people are talking about! At last year's CES I MENTIONED that MY blue EZ Reader had been dropped off of tables by customers while playing with it. I did NOT say "I recommend taking the EZ Reader and dropping it off a table". I did not say "dropping it off a table is a great idea". I did not say "it will always survive being dropped off a table". I certainly did not say "try running your car over the crush-resistant case".

Some weasles have been returning easy-to-see abused product back claiming RobertB says it will take the pounding of dropping it!!

READ THE USER MANUAL!! It says: "treat your EZ Reader like any fine electronic instrument". It says "be careful and treat it like you want it to last". For God's sakes, people, USE your heads (all two of them in some cases). It is a very well built machine that HAS stood up to a drop. That does NOT mean I advise dropping it. It certainly does not mean "stands up to any abuse and keeps on ticking". It means FOR A SIMILAR MOBILE BOOK READER THIS ONE OFTEN FORGIVES SOME SANE AMOUNT OF ABUSE...BUT NO GUARANTEE!!

Jesus, I treat all of you as intelligent and learned people who know how to treat an electronic device. Don't come back saying "RobertB suggests dropping it off a cliff and it will be good for it". This is unfathomable to me that people would take a video to mean "it is impervious to dropping"!!

O.K.: DO NOT DROP YOUR EZ READER!!! IT MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY IF WE SEE OBVIOUS CARELESSNESS OR PURPOSEFUL NEGLECT!!

My GOD... this is amazing!!!