B&N and Verizon Jump Into E-Reader Fray with iRex - Page 11

Crowl · 09-24-2009, 09:24 PM

If they were correct then they could always include a demo book in the firmware so that stores had something to demo without a memory card being in the device.

Darqref · 09-25-2009, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Will the iRex have ePub via ADE so we don't have to be stuck with eReader?

Will the iRex have ePub via eReader so we don't have to be stuck with ADE? I haven't bought a single epub yet, and probably won't until I can purchase, use, and convert it WITHOUT INSTALLING ADE.

I know I can break the drm, but currently you must have ADE installed and use it to download the file so that it can be converted. My choice would be to never have ADE on my computer.

Demented · 09-25-2009, 08:24 AM

I got a reply to my blog post at Irex... here's the info...

@Matthew
The new IREX reader will initially only be available in the U.S., next month on the Frankfurt Book Fair we will announce our further plans for the IREX DR800.

@Max
Note taking capabilities are not yet enabled, initially we wanted to focus on the reading experience. However we plan to add the functionality via a firmware update.

Yes, the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

@Ann Barrett
Not at launch, the IREX reader is initially launched in the U.S. only.

@craig
#1 No at launch it will only be available via Best Buy stores.

#2 Approx.6000 page turns or several days, but the exact battery life depends largely on the usage pattern.

#3 Absolutely, with just a thumb on the rocker bar you can navigate the menu, open a book, add a bookmark, change fonts , etc…

Mr. Goodbar · 09-25-2009, 09:37 AM

I just posted a question over there about suspend/sleep functionality. Hopefully they'll answer that question. I certainly hope they now have a similar sleep/suspend/wake times as their competitors.

Andanzas · 09-25-2009, 09:40 AM

You already got your answer.

Quote:

Yes it does. It takes about 3 seconds to restart from sleep mode.

I guess all the questions in that blog come from MR members. My question was about the dictionary.

Mr. Goodbar · 09-25-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andanzas

You already got your answer.

I guess all the questions in that blog come from MR members. My question was about the dictionary.

That was a pretty fast response! It's great to hear and if the battery life is decent this will definitely be my next device. Can't wait to get my hands on one.

JSWolf · 09-25-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darqref

Will the iRex have ePub via eReader so we don't have to be stuck with ADE? I haven't bought a single epub yet, and probably won't until I can purchase, use, and convert it WITHOUT INSTALLING ADE.

I know I can break the drm, but currently you must have ADE installed and use it to download the file so that it can be converted. My choice would be to never have ADE on my computer.

The problem will be then that if you do not have ADE, then most ePub won't be accessible to you. The odds are that most of the readers that support ePub with DRM will be using ADE. So unless you plan on buying a Kindle or a Jetbook, you may very well be out of luck as far as staying away from ADE. Sure you can stick with your Gen3 and Mobipocket, but you won't get any books in Mobipocket from any new publishers who are not based in the US.

ahi · 09-25-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

The problem will be then that if you do not have ADE, then most ePub won't be accessible to you.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

- Ahi

Ps.: Mobileread needs more smilies to allow users to depict various shades of disdain, rage, and despair. Please and thank you!

acidzebra · 09-25-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahi

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

- Ahi

Ps.: Mobileread needs more smilies to allow users to depict various shades of disdain, rage, and despair. Please and thank you!

only if we also get more

Shaggy · 09-25-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zerospinboson

Isn't the whole point that they were no longer allowed to sell the iLiad in the US anyway, due to the non-replaceable battery issues? Anyway, I doubt they will discontinue the iLiad before the DR800 is available in Europe.

I don't think non-replaceable batteries has anything to do with it. My understanding of the US issue was that there were some problems with FCC regulations after they changed a manufacturing process/location. They said they were working on re-certification, but I don't know if that was ever completed.

The EU came out with a directive a while ago addressing non-removable batteries (not the same thing as non-replaceable). However, existing devices (like the iLiad) were grandfathered in. So that wouldn't prevent continued sales.

Shaggy · 09-25-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowl

Weird, assuming they got approval initially before starting to sell it then that would mean that they had to make some significant changes to the hardware later.

I think their manufacturing location/process changed, not necessarily the hardware design.

Shaggy · 09-25-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sforce

Engadget said it does have onboard memory, Techcrunch thinks it does not have onboard memory. I think they both agree that the supplemental memory slot is SD. I can't see MicroSD, as the need(cost) for the smaller size card is not necessary.

To the onboard memory question, it really makes no sense not to have some included onboard memory. I think Techcrunch is simply wrong on this point.

I think pilotbob was probably correct in his earlier post. The on board memory is likely for the OS. Book storage is probably done via SD cards.

That's just a guess though.

jotas · 09-25-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

I think pilotbob was probably correct in his earlier post. The on board memory is likely for the OS. Book storage is probably done via SD cards.

That's just a guess though.

Hi,

Obviously, they will need some sort and amount of memory for OS and device to run.

But, probably, there is no memory for user/book storage, to down cost and save price. So, you can add or exchange your own card with high capacity and/or high speed SD(HC) cards, like digital cameras. SD card/user storage would be reachable also by using USB connection (Irex should continue to have folders, common files and drag-and-drop storage, isn't it?).

But, either case:

- If on board flash memory (512KB, 1, 2GB?), why not add a common, cheap, and easy to access SD external slot for moving or having multiple SD cards? Easy to use, computer management, save time, battery recharge cycles, battery usage, cabling, speed...

- If no on board flash memory, and only SD storage, why not to have SD external slot for same reasons.

(?)

Regards.

JSWolf · 09-25-2009, 12:10 PM

The problem is that by using SD for the storage memory, it's going to use up the battery even more than if it has internal flash ram. What a bad idea (IMHO).

Faenad · 09-25-2009, 01:45 PM

I would rather have an internal slot than an external slot.
An internal slot provide better environmental protection and is more solid. You can't lose the SD card in an inside slot (I remember some devices like the Ipaq Hx4700 where the SD card had a tendency to pop out alone if a small pressure was applied on it, thus triggering the eject mechanism).
Once the card is inside, it will remain accessible by connecting the reader to the PC.

As for SD only memory, I would rather have that than a fixed amount of internal memory without card slot.
The difference in consummation is generally minimal ; on the other hand many devices have various issues (firmware bugs) related to the use of memory card. Corruption problems, SD slot slow to wake up when resuming from standby, issues when a card is removed without closing a book, etc.
I hope it will not be the case here, as you can't avoid using the SD and these problems ruin the user experience.

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09-24-2009, 09:24 PM	#151
Crowl Wizard Posts: 1,340 Karma: 1160346 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Southport, GB Device: Kindle Voyage, PW Signature edition	If they were correct then they could always include a demo book in the firmware so that stores had something to demo without a memory card being in the device.

09-25-2009, 08:24 AM	#153
Demented Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Baton Rouge Device: DR800SG, Nook, Cybook Original	I got a reply to my blog post at Irex... here's the info... @Matthew The new IREX reader will initially only be available in the U.S., next month on the Frankfurt Book Fair we will announce our further plans for the IREX DR800. @Max Note taking capabilities are not yet enabled, initially we wanted to focus on the reading experience. However we plan to add the functionality via a firmware update. Yes, the Merriam-Webster dictionary. @Ann Barrett Not at launch, the IREX reader is initially launched in the U.S. only. @craig #1 No at launch it will only be available via Best Buy stores. #2 Approx.6000 page turns or several days, but the exact battery life depends largely on the usage pattern. #3 Absolutely, with just a thumb on the rocker bar you can navigate the menu, open a book, add a bookmark, change fonts , etc…

09-25-2009, 09:37 AM	#154
Mr. Goodbar Wizard Posts: 1,005 Karma: 98078 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Mini 4	I just posted a question over there about suspend/sleep functionality. Hopefully they'll answer that question. I certainly hope they now have a similar sleep/suspend/wake times as their competitors.

09-25-2009, 12:10 PM	#164
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,887 Karma: 146918083 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The problem is that by using SD for the storage memory, it's going to use up the battery even more than if it has internal flash ram. What a bad idea (IMHO).

09-25-2009, 01:45 PM	#165
Faenad Ad astra per aspera Posts: 347 Karma: 724 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mexico Device: PRS-505, PRS-300 & HTC HD2	I would rather have an internal slot than an external slot. An internal slot provide better environmental protection and is more solid. You can't lose the SD card in an inside slot (I remember some devices like the Ipaq Hx4700 where the SD card had a tendency to pop out alone if a small pressure was applied on it, thus triggering the eject mechanism). Once the card is inside, it will remain accessible by connecting the reader to the PC. As for SD only memory, I would rather have that than a fixed amount of internal memory without card slot. The difference in consummation is generally minimal ; on the other hand many devices have various issues (firmware bugs) related to the use of memory card. Corruption problems, SD slot slow to wake up when resuming from standby, issues when a card is removed without closing a book, etc. I hope it will not be the case here, as you can't avoid using the SD and these problems ruin the user experience.