Introducing the new Bebook Neo

[orwell2k]

Originally Posted by AlfonsVH

The BeBook Neo is a rebranded Onyx Boox, which—if I'm not mistaken—does not support FB2.
The other BeBooks are made by HanLin and do include FB2.

That;s what I am afraid of.

But further research shows that the OEM version (Onyx Boox 60) on the Dulin's Books web page does list FB2 and DjVu support:

http://www.dulinsbooks.com/index.php...d=655&parent=0

From Dulin's for the Book 60:

E-Book formats
EPUB , PDF,Mobipocket, Fb2, TXT, PDB, HTML, CHM, DJVU. Works with Adobe DRM/Adobe Digital Editions

I have written to BeBook, but who knows if a reply will be forthcoming - after all, they have not responded to their own forum thread, which would seem important for them to do... :shock:

And according to this review:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59781

the Onyx Boox 60 has FBReader, which would mean FB2 is supported - all very confusing...

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by orwell2k

At face value the device sounds and looks pretty good. But I'm unclear about a couple of things:

(1) You say pre-order is possible at €279, but the BeBook page has it at €299 - is there some way to get this "discounted" price?

Thanks for pointing that out. I think I goofed.

[Zetmolm]

The book I'm currently reading on my brand new Onyx Boox (latest firmware installed) is in FB2 format. So yes, it is supported. I guess they added FB2 support in one of the firmware updates.

I could not open an FB2.ZIP file, though (the BeBook One claims support for the zip format, but the Onyx Boox and so presumably the BeBook Neo do not have it).

[orwell2k]

Originally Posted by Zetmolm

The book I'm currently reading on my brand new Onyx Boox (latest firmware installed) is in FB2 format. So yes, it is supported. I guess they added FB2 support in one of the firmware updates.

I could not open an FB2.ZIP file, though (the BeBook One claims support for the zip format, but the Onyx Boox and so presumably the BeBook Neo do not have it).

Thanks for that!

As I pointed out above, the Onyx Boox 60 reviewed here on MR states that FBReader is on the device, which to me means FB2 is support (as you have confirmed) - not sure when they added it or if it was always there but overlooked, but either way having FB2 makes me a happy-chappy!

Any chance of someone posting any snaps of an FB2, and maybe a brief description of the options and so on (I'm assuming it will be very similar to other FBReader devices, like PB360, but it would be nice to see).

Also, anyone know if the firmware for these babies has a lot of development in Eastern Europe (like other readers that include FB2 - the Hanlins, PocketBooks, etc.)? That would explain the inclusion of FBReader, although.

Support of FB2.zip files is not a biggie for me - it saves a little space, but I don't zip them anyway as nearly all my FB2s are less than 1MB each (usu. 500-800kB), and on a 4GB SD card who really cares?

[Dulin's Books]

Originally Posted by pietvo

Can you describe how to buy an ebook OTA? The manual doesn't tell. I have seen a screen dump with an 'Online shop' icon, but I am curious how you buy a book from say B&N or any other one that sells DRM'ed ePubs.
When I have bought a book on my laptop and I have a webserver on my laptop or anywhere on my home network can I also download bought books from it to the Boox using Wifi?

I just attempted to purchase a book OTA for the first time myself friday night. I ran into 2 issues. My Video camera died so I have only part of teh attempt video. the second was that It asked me for my Adobe ID. I wasn't expecting it having nvever tried before and I couldn't think what id/password combo i used.

Ill be trying again today.

But basically it went like a normal sale as if you were at your computer at home, I signed in and was able to enter my CC number etc. I just hit this snag with the ID.

This was at Books on Board.

[Dulin's Books]

Originally Posted by weedfreak

Unfortunately Dulins is not an option for Europeans as they, rather short-sightedly in my mind, do not ship to Europe.

Sorry. We have a policy of not selling into countries where our product is already sold by another vendor/distributor. PocketBook and Onyx are both sold in most countries in Europe. We continue to ship to "legacy" countries like the UK and Spain since we had customers there before the other distributors arrived.

I understand as a small business owner how tough it is to get a business going and grow it on the sometimes small margins we are forced to live with in order to compete "the big boys". The distributors in Europe are paying higher costs up front to make the items available in their Countries. They should be rewarded for their efforts instead of undercut by someone like me who doesn't have to deal with VATs and Import duties etc. They have families and employees to support too

edit- I'm sorry I will correct the site. DJVU support is planned in an update. It is not currently supported

[orwell2k]

Originally Posted by orwell2k

Thanks for that!

As I pointed out above, the Onyx Boox 60 reviewed here on MR states that FBReader is on the device, which to me means FB2 is support (as you have confirmed) - not sure when they added it or if it was always there but overlooked, but either way having FB2 makes me a happy-chappy!

Any chance of someone posting any snaps of an FB2, and maybe a brief description of the options and so on (I'm assuming it will be very similar to other FBReader devices, like PB360, but it would be nice to see).

Also, anyone know if the firmware for these babies has a lot of development in Eastern Europe (like other readers that include FB2 - the Hanlins, PocketBooks, etc.)? That would explain the inclusion of FBReader, although.

Support of FB2.zip files is not a biggie for me - it saves a little space, but I don't zip them anyway as nearly all my FB2s are less than 1MB each (usu. 500-800kB), and on a 4GB SD card who really cares?

Now I'm a little confused - I received a reply from BeBook to my queries regarding the Neo, and they confirmed the pre-order price of €299 (not 279) - no surprise there! But they also advised me of the eBook formats and specifically did not list FB2!

Does FBReader come as part of the standard firmware on the device (Onyx Boox / Neo)??

[Stormchild]

Orwell2k
My Neo should arrive soon (I hope). Be patient and I will let you know as soon as possible.
It is listed at £279 so at current rates 299 euros is right.

[AlfonsVH]

Originally Posted by Stormchild

My Neo should arrive soon (I hope). Be patient and I will let you know as soon as possible.

Same here.... I CAN'T WAIT

[orwell2k]

Originally Posted by orwell2k

Now I'm a little confused - I received a reply from BeBook to my queries regarding the Neo, and they confirmed the pre-order price of €299 (not 279) - no surprise there! But they also advised me of the eBook formats and specifically did not list FB2!

Does FBReader come as part of the standard firmware on the device (Onyx Boox / Neo)??

So I asked BeBook again about formats and also about the cover issue, as the Onyx Boox 60 comes boxed with a pretty cool leather cover. Since FB2 not being mentioned on the list was probably an oversight (as FBReader is probably in the firmware) I was also hoping the leather cover omission was also an oversight.

Alas, 1 out of 2 aint bad, I guess, when it comes to BeBook! The answers I received from BeBook are as follows:

1. Will FBReader be included in the firmware, and hence FB2 supported by BeBook Neo? Answer: The BeBook Neo also supports FB2 files. The FBReader will not be removed from the firmware. We aim to support as many formats as possible.

2. Does the Neo come with a cover like the Onyx Boox 60? Answer: The Neo does not come with a protecting case. We'll be offering various cases available for purchase separately.

I guess nothing is perfect!

Now to decide where to buy (in Europe) and how to justify buying this and an iPad!

(1) BeBook Neo from BeBook - I get the cool BeBook logo, but no cover, only in white, for €299 (plus €9 shipping and potentially €20-40 for a cover).

http://mybebook.com/6-inch-ereaders/...duct_info.html

(2) BeBook Neo from e-readerweb.nl - I get the cool BeBook logo, but still no cover, but a choice of black or white (why is this not on the BeBook page? ), for €299 = shipping + cover (yesterday it was €279, today €299 with a €20 book voucher, but as they're probably mostly in Dutch I'd rather have the lower price - guess I missed my chance!).

http://e-readerweb.nl/index.php?item...id=572&lang=NL

(3) Onyx Book 60 - from LibrisNova, white, with a cover (black or white, brown soon) no cool BeBook logo, for €299 plus €10 pre-order discount voucher (use code "Booxpreorder" at checkout).

http://www.elektronischlezen.nl/Webw...ginpagina.html
http://www.elektronischlezen.nl/Webw...ox-6-inch.html

I guess (3) seems the best deal, as you get €10 discount plus no need to buy a cover (at least €25 saving I would guess).

Option (2) was good at €279 but they obviously put a stop to that as quickly as possible - damn!

[LenzGr]

Originally Posted by orwell2k

(3) Onyx Book 60 - from LibrisNova, white, with a cover (black or white, brown soon) no cool BeBook logo, for €299 plus €10 pre-order discount voucher (use code "Booxpreorder" at checkout).

http://www.elektronischlezen.nl/Webw...ginpagina.html
http://www.elektronischlezen.nl/Webw...ox-6-inch.html

I guess (3) seems the best deal, as you get €10 discount plus no need to buy a cover (at least €25 saving I would guess).

Actually, with this deal you also get an USB power plug, so you can charge the device independently from being connected to a PC

And if the BeBook Neo Firmware is available for download like the one for the Boox itself, it might actually be possible to switch...
So the only thing missing would be the cool logo. I could live with that.

LenZ

[orwell2k]

Originally Posted by LenzGr

Actually, with this deal you also get an USB power plug, so you can charge the device independently from being connected to a PC

And if the BeBook Neo Firmware is available for download like the one for the Boox itself, it might actually be possible to switch...
So the only thing missing would be the cool logo. I could live with that.

LenZ

I agree!

I have a few AC USB chargers, so I'm not so worried about getting that, but put that with the cost of a cover and the €10 discount, and the Onyx 60 looks like the way to go...

Except now I need to buy an iPad, so may have to hold off on the new eInk device...

[Sweetpea]

I'd go for the cover and not the logo, myself...

and I'd hold off the Ipad and go for the Boox!

[orwell2k]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I'd go for the cover and not the logo, myself...

and I'd hold off the Ipad and go for the Boox!

I have a BeBook and a PB360, as well as an iRex DR1000S, so at the moment I'd like the iPad before I get another eInk device.

I will keep using my PB360 for general reading - great battery life, brilliant reader functions (esp. FB2 - ePub still sucks, but that's an ePub issue on all readers), very compact/light size.

Strangely, I never had an interest in iPhones. I am a bit of a Mac fanboy (I have an iMac and MacBook Pro, plus an older PPC PowerBook G4), but have not had the slightest interest in iPod Touch or iPhone. I have friends with iPhones that have never used Macs, and they keep insisting my life would be somehow better with an iPhone, but I just can't see it. But I hate mobile phones in general, which is why I probably never wanted an iPhone, so I have the most basic and compact phone I can get away with. I certainly don't need a bulky iPhone that's too small for serious computing - I still don't have an iPhone, and never will.

But iPad appeals to me because it's big enough to be used for normal computer tasks, but compact enough to be much easier to transport than even a laptop. And the point-and-do approach appeals to my wife, a non-tech person, as I'm sure it will to many others who don't feel the need to know what's going on "under the hood".

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by orwell2k

I have a BeBook and a PB360, as well as an iRex DR1000S, so at the moment I'd like the iPad before I get another eInk device.

<snip>

No matter, I'd still go for the Boox The lottery won't cooperate, otherwise I'd have one already

(but I understand your stance on the Iphone, I prefer to have an actual phone as mobile phone... though mine isn't exactly compact but it is sturdy and I can throw it out a window...)