Plastic Logic QUE event (Thu 7:30 am PT)

[DawnFalcon]

"They felt that they were giving you enough internal storage that you shouldn't need more."

*Sigh*

There's also other issues, even if this were true (and it's not) - for example, being able to use a SD card to copy files onto the device without having to plug it into the USB drive, and being able to copy files onto a SD card on PC's where the USB ports are locked down.

[kazbates]

It seems a bit arrogant to me when a company thinks they "know" what's good enough for me.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by kazbates

It seems a bit arrogant to me when a company thinks they "know" what's good enough for me.

Then again, who would buy the more expensive version. I think they should just have 1 model, with 2GB, and the Wireless and a microSD slot for the $650. I think that would have made more sense.

BOb

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by kazbates

It seems to me that they were going for what I call the "Sharper Image" buyers but in reality, it's the "Kindle/Sony" buyers who will make or break a product.

I agree that "Sharper Image" buyers now seems to be their target, and it isn't entirely business users. Not having native support for MS Office documents for example is a major minus for businesses:

You can transfer or side-load and view the following file types on QUE: PDF, GIF, JPEG, PNG, BMP and ePub can be side-loaded and read natively on QUE.

Text, printable formats such as PDF, Microsoft Office (2003/2007), E-mail, Calendar, HTML (e.g., Maps), RTF, etc. can be transferred using the QUE desktop application.

You would expect a WinCE device like the QUE to have advantages for MS Office support, but in fact the Android-based eDGe will come with Documents To Go® software and so will be able to read/edit office documents on its LCD screen at least.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

From that:

Question:
If two people each have a QUE and share an account, can they read the same eBook, file, or ePeriodical at the same time?
Answer:
Each QUE must be individually registered to a unique account.


Um... what now? Is that a no.


BOb

I would take that as a no.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Question:
If two people each have a QUE and share an account, can they read the same eBook, file, or ePeriodical at the same time?
Answer:
Each QUE must be individually registered to a unique account.

Um... what now? Is that a no.

This seems to be incorrect (or beside the point). The QUE should be virtually identical to a Nook when buying from the B&N store. This means that there is no limit on the number of devices that can be reading the same ebook. For example (from the QUE FAQ):

Question:
If I buy a book through bn.com for my iPhone, can I also read it on my QUE?
Answer:
Since the digital locker is shared, anything purchased from BN.com will be wirelessly downloaded via Wi-Fi or 3G to your QUE.

Question:
Can eBooks that have already been purchased from Barnes & Noble be transferred to QUE?
Answer:
You can side-load or transfer eBooks in the ePub or PDF formats purchased from BN.com onto the QUE. These will also be delivered via Wi-Fi.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

This seems to be incorrect (or beside the point). The QUE should be virtually identical to a Nook when buying from the B&N store. This means that there is no limit on the number of devices that can be reading the same ebook. For example (from the QUE FAQ):

Ok... so what "account" are they talking about? I thought it was a bit strange. If I own 2 Que's do they each need their own account? Perhaps there is a Que account vs a B&N account?

BOb

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Ok... so what "account" are they talking about? I thought it was a bit strange. If I own 2 Que's do they each need their own account? Perhaps there is a Que account vs a B&N account?

BOb

Apparently, there is:

QUE owners can transfer or give a device to another person; however each QUE is tied to a specific QUE.com user account. QUE will prompt the user to validate the account credentials to download content. Credentials are established when the device is linked with the account. If the user has a credit card associated with the account that card number will be used to encrypt any content that is protested by DRM. The new owner will need to link their account to their new QUE.

http://quesupport.barnesandnoble.com/knowledge/55

[kazbates]

I can answer the question of "what account". . . I think. The rep told me that with the 8G version you automatically have access to a wireless network (like the iPhones AT&T but I can't remember the exact carrier) and there is no additional monthly fee.

He also told me that you can download content in the approved formats via the USB cable. I don't know what that means with purchases from the B&N store but if it's like the Kindle, you should just be able to connect to the store and download. I wouldn't think that would allow book sharing, though.

[CyGuy]

Leaving off the SDHC card reader is a deal breaker for me. I also don't like how much bezel there is on the device, it should be 1/4 as large as it currently is.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by kazbates

It seems a bit arrogant to me when a company thinks they "know" what's good enough for me.

Oh, you mean like Microsoft and Apple?

[kazbates]

Exactly!

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by CyGuy

Leaving off the SDHC card reader is a deal breaker for me. I also don't like how much bezel there is on the device, it should be 1/4 as large as it currently is.

Yes, it is ridiculous that they have not found a way to incorporate a card reader into a device this big! And besides, 4GB are plenty for a reader, but for "business document management" it is very little.

The bezel is probably that big for stability.

[daffy4u]

"The Kindle Chronicles" site has a nearly 10 minute Que demo video from CES. near the end, Maureen Mellon, senior director of product marketing at Plastic Logic explains the difference between the touch screens on the Que and Sony Readers and why the Que does not have the glare.

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

"The Kindle Chronicles" site has a nearly 10 minute Que demo video from CES. near the end, Maureen Mellon, senior director of product marketing at Plastic Logic explains the difference between the touch screens on the Que and Sony Readers and why the Que does not have the glare.

There is still a "glare" if you want to call it that on the Que because you can see your reflection or the reflection of a light source in the top layer just as you can with the Sony. I would think that's fairly common with any "shiny" surface. The Sony 600 is a HUGE improvement over the 700 which definitely had the "air" layer she was talking about but the reflectiveness of both the Que and the 600 seemed very similar to me.

I have a capacitive cell phone which requires me to make a more specific finger touch than the touch function of my Sony reader. I barely have to sweep my finger across the screen to turn the page. I do like the capacitive touch of my Pre but it can be a bit "touchy" on occasion to register that I've made a selection on the screen.

The Que has some attractive features it's just a shame it's priced so high. I'm still waiting to see what's coming soon. The mirasol technology has me very intrigued.