Firmware Updates - Page 3

Dulin's Books · 03-10-2010, 01:02 PM

Since Onyx was mentioned in the first post and there is /was some angst about Onyx updates in anotehr thread I thought I would mention this. It's just my personal opinion and doesn't reflect the opinions or policies of Onyx International.

Onyx has posted 4 updates since January. 1.1 in January. 1.2 quickly followed by a bug patching 1.2.1 in February and now 1.3 in March. A function has been added with each one. They have stated what they expect to have done by 1.5.

And in the middle of this there were complaints about them not publishing updates. Complaints about only finding out about an update by looking at forums. There was a 1.2.2 firmware that went out with some units that had SOME of the things they wanted in for 1.3 but people were annoyed they couldn't get it straight from Onyx and got it from the user community.

I guess i sort of understand that. But I think being angry, when there have been 3 useful upgrades in 3 months, is a little much.

HorridRedDog · 03-10-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yar-PocketBooker

We upload our firmware updates very often to all our websites - the latest one is dated January this year, and the new updates are coming very soon.
Plus, we listen very carefully to our consumers who suggest improvements and we implement these improvements or fix bugs, noticed by our readers.

Actually the PB 360 is very likely to be my next reader. One feature that I liked very much in my EB-1150 was being able to switch between 2 books with one press. I now find that the 360 can do 10 (or more).

I'm sorry to go off subject, but will PocketBooke come out with a large format reader? I frequently have to study from PDF manuals with circuits and diagrams. Being able to easily switch from one to another would be a dream come true.

JSWolf · 03-10-2010, 01:06 PM

What I would like each firmware by every company to do is show us what version ADE the ADE in the firmware is based on so we can tell how updated or not it is. And Adobe forcing all the mobile ADE to be updated would help a lot. We cannot be having devices with different versions of ADE floating around as what will work on some won't work on others. So let's get Adobe to pull the licenses if ADE is not kept up-to-date in a timely fashion.

JSWolf · 03-10-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HorridRedDog

Actually the PB 360 is very likely to be my next reader. One feature that I liked very much in my EB-1150 was being able to switch between 2 books with one press. I now find that the 360 can do 10 (or more).

I'm sorry to go off subject, but will PocketBooke come out with a large format reader? I frequently have to study from PDF manuals with circuits and diagrams. Being able to easily switch from one to another would be a dream come true.

For PDF, the worst choice is a 5" reader.The smaller the screen, the worse it'll look. Even 6" isn't great.

Shaggy · 03-10-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HorridRedDog

So your answer would be to wait for the "perfect" ereader.

No, I'm saying wait for a reader that is worth the cost at the time you buy it. That doesn't have to be a perfect reader. It can still be worth the cost with those deficiencies. What I would not recommend is buying a reader that would require updates in order to be worth the cost.

Quote:

All I'm saying is that a company that has offered updates in the past is preferable, to me, over a company that has offered very little.

That sounds good, but the problem is there is no guarantee that a company that has offered updates in the past will continue with that pattern. There is also no guarantee that future updates will address what you consider to be deficiencies.

Quote:

And there is NO perfect ereader.

For someone, somewhere ANY ereader will be;
...

You're right, there is no reader that is perfect for everyone, but individuals may find a reader that is perfect for them.

Shaggy · 03-10-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What I would like each firmware by every company to do is show us what version ADE the ADE in the firmware is based on so we can tell how updated or not it is. And Adobe forcing all the mobile ADE to be updated would help a lot. We cannot be having devices with different versions of ADE floating around as what will work on some won't work on others. So let's get Adobe to pull the licenses if ADE is not kept up-to-date in a timely fashion.

I'm not sure any manufacturer would agree to a license that required them to keep up to date with the 3rd party software or loose their license.

HorridRedDog · 03-10-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

For PDF, the worst choice is a 5" reader.The smaller the screen, the worse it'll look. Even 6" isn't great.

"...but will PocketBooke come out with a large format reader?"

I also do a lot of reading for pleasure, 5" would be easy to carry around though.

JSWolf · 03-10-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HorridRedDog

"...but will PocketBooke come out with a large format reader?"

I also do a lot of reading for pleasure, 5" would be easy to carry around though.

Personally, I find 6" a good size for carrying around. Putting a reading in your pocket is a bad idea and it makes it easier to break the screen.

JSWolf · 03-10-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

I'm not sure any manufacturer would agree to a license that required them to keep up to date with the 3rd party software or loose their license.

This is to benefit the user. I could care less if the manufacture was put out by this. As it is now, ePub has to be created for the lowest common denominator and unless all versions of mobile ADE are updated, then we are up shits creek. So really, lets get Adobe to lean on ALL the manufacturers and make them update.

HorridRedDog · 03-10-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

Since Onyx was mentioned in the first post ...

"I don't have an ONYX reader, but I do take note when they, or others, release an update."

Not having an Onyx I don't know one way or another about problems. I was using it as an example of a company that tries to make their product better.

After starting starting the thread, though, I read in a review where the PocketBook 360 has the EXACT features that I want. If they will make a large format reader.

I might even sell the Sony. And I love my Sony (mostly).

Dulin's Books · 03-10-2010, 01:32 PM

I knew that- i was just saying that since your post and that other thread were both talking about updates...

PocketBook already makes 6inch readers and they have a 9.7 inch reader on the way

ShellShock · 03-10-2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm not sure what you mean when you say that Sony don't support LRF any more. The LRF capabilities are exactly the same as they were when you bought your 505. LRF support hasn't gone away merely because Sony's store now sells ePub files.

But as I made clear in my post, it is no longer possible to buy ebooks from Sony's own store and have them display in the same way as the ebooks that Sony sold to us when we bought the device, and on which we may very well have based our purchasing decisions. I bought the PRS-505 partly based on how well it displays ebooks with full justification etc; these books so happened to be LRFs; now Sony have unilaterally decided they will not sell LRFs anymore I feel they are obliged to ensure its replacement is as least as good when it is rendered on the device.

ShellShock · 03-10-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

When you bought the PRS-505, was there a guarantee by Sony that it would support future formats?

I am not talking about future formats, I am talking about the existing format that Sony FULLY supported when I bought my PRS-505: LRF. I don't really care what format they support/sell, as long as it looks as good as the format in place when I gave them my money.

etienne66 · 03-10-2010, 02:03 PM

It probably isn't a good idea to force the ebook manufacturers to keep up to date or lose their license, but I don't see why they can't require them to show the version of ADE that is being used. I see that all the time in devices. Yet when I go to the about screen on my Sony 600 it doesn't even mention Adobe Digital Editions, let alone tell you what version it is.

It would be nice if the MobileRead wiki included that information. However I think this information might be hard to find for some of the ebook readers out there. Perhaps Adobe should indicate what versions their licensees are using.

Etienne66

Shaggy · 03-10-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShellShock

I am not talking about future formats, I am talking about the existing format that Sony FULLY supported when I bought my PRS-505: LRF. I don't really care what format they support/sell, as long as it looks as good as the format in place when I gave them my money.

As Harry points out, it still supports the same formats as when you bought it. I understand what you're saying, but I'm not sure if there's a basis for that expectation. They did offer an upgrade to support the new format that their store is selling. The fact that it doesn't have an identical feature set may be disappointing to you, but it was never promised or implied that it would.

That's the problem with the current eBook industry, the "standard" keeps changing and there aren't any guarantees.

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03-10-2010, 01:02 PM	#31
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	Since Onyx was mentioned in the first post and there is /was some angst about Onyx updates in anotehr thread I thought I would mention this. It's just my personal opinion and doesn't reflect the opinions or policies of Onyx International. Onyx has posted 4 updates since January. 1.1 in January. 1.2 quickly followed by a bug patching 1.2.1 in February and now 1.3 in March. A function has been added with each one. They have stated what they expect to have done by 1.5. And in the middle of this there were complaints about them not publishing updates. Complaints about only finding out about an update by looking at forums. There was a 1.2.2 firmware that went out with some units that had SOME of the things they wanted in for 1.3 but people were annoyed they couldn't get it straight from Onyx and got it from the user community. I guess i sort of understand that. But I think being angry, when there have been 3 useful upgrades in 3 months, is a little much.

03-10-2010, 01:06 PM	#33
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,291 Karma: 145488788 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	What I would like each firmware by every company to do is show us what version ADE the ADE in the firmware is based on so we can tell how updated or not it is. And Adobe forcing all the mobile ADE to be updated would help a lot. We cannot be having devices with different versions of ADE floating around as what will work on some won't work on others. So let's get Adobe to pull the licenses if ADE is not kept up-to-date in a timely fashion.

03-10-2010, 01:32 PM	#41
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	I knew that- i was just saying that since your post and that other thread were both talking about updates... PocketBook already makes 6inch readers and they have a 9.7 inch reader on the way

03-10-2010, 02:03 PM	#44
etienne66 Groupie Posts: 185 Karma: 9832 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas, US Device: Kindle 2, PRS-600 Black, PRS-650 Red, Adam w/ Pixel Qi(pre-ordered)	It probably isn't a good idea to force the ebook manufacturers to keep up to date or lose their license, but I don't see why they can't require them to show the version of ADE that is being used. I see that all the time in devices. Yet when I go to the about screen on my Sony 600 it doesn't even mention Adobe Digital Editions, let alone tell you what version it is. It would be nice if the MobileRead wiki included that information. However I think this information might be hard to find for some of the ebook readers out there. Perhaps Adobe should indicate what versions their licensees are using. Etienne66