First look at DR800SG (video review)

[Starlicy]

Originally Posted by rhadin

Thanks for the second video review. It has convinced me that the iRex is not for me at this time. I wouldn't have know for certain without your help.

You're welcome. Sorry you don't like iRex but I'm glad I helped


This device is definitely not perfect, but I still like it better than Sony, mainly because of the good quality and the perfect size of the screen. With PRS900 I can barely read in my bedroom, but had no problem with DR800SG. Yes, with iRex you don't get as much functions as Sony, and the case is not as nice. But I brought the reader to read, and if I need to tilt the device at a certain angle and turn up the light to read, then I might as well just read on my laptop/iPhone.

I'm hoping one day either iRex will wake up and add the missing functions through firmware updates, or some guru will figure out some 3rd party patches. When that day comes (which I hope soon), this device will definitely be the champion of all

[AlpGlide]

Originally Posted by Starlicy

You're welcome. Sorry you don't like iRex but I'm glad I helped


This device is definitely not perfect, but I still like it better than Sony, mainly because of the good quality and the perfect size of the screen. With PRS900 I can barely read in my bedroom, but had no problem with DR800SG. Yes, with iRex you don't get as much functions as Sony, and the case is not as nice. But I brought the reader to read, and if I need to tilt the device at a certain angle and turn up the light to read, then I might as well just read on my laptop/iPhone.

I'm hoping one day either iRex will wake up and add the missing functions through firmware updates, or some guru will figure out some 3rd party patches. When that day comes (which I hope soon), this device will definitely be the champion of all

I couldn’t agree with you more! Let's just enjoy basic reading functionality now, and wait and see

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Starlicy

You're welcome. Sorry you don't like iRex but I'm glad I helped


This device is definitely not perfect, but I still like it better than Sony, mainly because of the good quality and the perfect size of the screen. With PRS900 I can barely read in my bedroom, but had no problem with DR800SG. Yes, with iRex you don't get as much functions as Sony, and the case is not as nice. But I brought the reader to read, and if I need to tilt the device at a certain angle and turn up the light to read, then I might as well just read on my laptop/iPhone.

I'm hoping one day either iRex will wake up and add the missing functions through firmware updates, or some guru will figure out some 3rd party patches. When that day comes (which I hope soon), this device will definitely be the champion of all

Thanks for the informative review. I will be one of the many people sitting on the sidelines until Irex improves the device. However, it is definitely on my observation list. It is all up to Irex and/or our favorite hackers.

[rhadin]

Like HansTWN, I am not giving up on iRex. I had high hopes for it but the number 1 hesitation I have is the reliance on the pen. I just know I will misplace it. As you showed in your video, you can use the bar instead, but I don't see that as a good, full-time solution.

Supposedly iRex will have a touchscreen version. That I would like to see.

It will also help if iRex comes through with the rumored/promised software updates that will provide missing function.

[Mr. Goodbar]

Originally Posted by rhadin

Like HansTWN, I am not giving up on iRex. I had high hopes for it but the number 1 hesitation I have is the reliance on the pen. I just know I will misplace it. As you showed in your video, you can use the bar instead, but I don't see that as a good, full-time solution.

Supposedly iRex will have a touchscreen version. That I would like to see.

It will also help if iRex comes through with the rumored/promised software updates that will provide missing function.

I was a little skeptical about using the bar as well, but it is at least as fast as navigating on a Kindle. Since the bar input will also roll from top to bottom or vice versa it is actually a little more convenient than the Kindle. The only area I find myself using the pen is navigating a Calibre version of the NY Times or when I need to input for search. The pen will speed up some things, but the alternative is pretty good as well. Takes a couple of days to get used to it, but once you do it's good.

[Jumpn Jack Flash]

Originally Posted by Mr. Goodbar

I was a little skeptical about using the bar as well, but it is at least as fast as navigating on a Kindle. Since the bar input will also roll from top to bottom or vice versa it is actually a little more convenient than the Kindle. The only area I find myself using the pen is navigating a Calibre version of the NY Times or when I need to input for search. The pen will speed up some things, but the alternative is pretty good as well. Takes a couple of days to get used to it, but once you do it's good.

I received my unit yesterday and have only used the pen once. I find the bar easy to use when holding it. Maybe I have big hands

[Kolenka]

Anyone else find the placement of "Continue Reading" annoying? I installed the SD card hack, and now if I use list view (which I like a bit better since I get author + title in book listings), Continue Reading is on page 2. Not a very quick or convenient way to get back to your book.

Oh well, I went in and fixed it myself, now it appears first in the list, as it should.

[badbob001]

Originally Posted by Mr. Goodbar

I was a little skeptical about using the bar as well, but it is at least as fast as navigating on a Kindle. Since the bar input will also roll from top to bottom or vice versa it is actually a little more convenient than the Kindle.

What did you mean by "the bar input will also roll from top to bottom"? I'm thinking you mean on a one-page menu screen, moving the selection past the last item will bring the selection to the first item and vice versa (it wraps around).

I guessing you don't mean that the bar supports UP and DOWN presses in addition to the current LEFT, RIGHT, and ENTER. Doesn't the Kindle 2 have a four-way joystick? I would think the added UP and DOWN controls would make some navigation faster or uniquely possible.

[Jumpn Jack Flash]

Originally Posted by badbob001

What did you mean by "the bar input will also roll from top to bottom"? I'm thinking you mean on a one-page menu screen, moving the selection past the last item will bring the selection to the first item and vice versa (it wraps around).

I guessing you don't mean that the bar supports UP and DOWN presses in addition to the current LEFT, RIGHT, and ENTER. Doesn't the Kindle 2 have a four-way joystick? I would think the added UP and DOWN controls would make some navigation faster or uniquely possible.

Maybe in the future iRex could support a long press as up/down when in non book screen.

[badbob001]

Originally Posted by Jumpn Jack Flash

Maybe in the future iRex could support a long press as up/down when in non book screen.

I believe long press is page up and page down, which is useful for jumping through a library without using the stylus.

Does holding down the MENU button do anything special like going straight to the home screen? If not, then perhaps IREX can use a held-down MENU button as a modifier key, so with the MENU button held down, LEFT and RIGHT on the flip bar is UP and DOWN. To reduce accidental popup of the real menu, they can have an option to require a double-click of the MENU button to open the menu.

But any real need for this? It may be needed if they plan to allow all features to be accessible without a stylus, such as selecting a word to lookup or highlighting lines, though they can probably use Long Press to cycle between lines and left/right to cycle between words within a line... (like on the Kindle 1, I believe).

[peaceridge]

Originally Posted by Kolenka

Anyone else find the placement of "Continue Reading" annoying? I installed the SD card hack, and now if I use list view (which I like a bit better since I get author + title in book listings), Continue Reading is on page 2. Not a very quick or convenient way to get back to your book.

Oh well, I went in and fixed it myself, now it appears first in the list, as it should.

How did you fix it yourself?

[Mr. Goodbar]

Originally Posted by badbob001

What did you mean by "the bar input will also roll from top to bottom"? I'm thinking you mean on a one-page menu screen, moving the selection past the last item will bring the selection to the first item and vice versa (it wraps around).

I guessing you don't mean that the bar supports UP and DOWN presses in addition to the current LEFT, RIGHT, and ENTER. Doesn't the Kindle 2 have a four-way joystick? I would think the added UP and DOWN controls would make some navigation faster or uniquely possible.

Yep, wrap around would be a better description. I was struggling with the right word and obviously didn't make it very clear!

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Goodbar

That didn't seem to work for me.

Probably depends on whether the page numbers are embedded in the text or not.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Jumpn Jack Flash

I don't want to sound like I am defending iRex as Shaggy has been tarred with that brush

Be careful. Saying something nice about iRex is an unforgivable offense to some.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by PapaSqrt

Ok just got mine, and I have it plugged in to get some juice.... but I see no indication that is it charging. The LED light has not illuminated. Anyone else have this issue? or do is there something wrong with my new toy?

When you first get it out of the box, the device is actually turned 'off'. Most of the time when you're not using it the device will be in sleep mode. You can't actually turn it off without letting the battery run out.

I'm assuming that's the difference. When it's really 'off' the LED won't light up. Ever since the first charge/boot, mine always has the LED now.