Delstar OpenBook at Walgreens

[pendragginp]

pendragginp, as for replacing an 1150 or 1200, it may not be bad for you just to get away from the old .imp format.

Oh I do have other devices, but the only backlit ones I have are the imp. I do like the 1150 for reading at night in bed, even though i have a light for the 505.

[Highroller]

Well mine is in WV. Shipped out of Chicago last night. UPS says I will get it tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Katelyn

First thoughts but I wanted to get something posted tonight. I haven't had a chance to spend quality time with it yet!
.............

Does the invoice state anything about returns? I know the general Walgreens policy states no refunds for opened items (see http://www.walgreens.com/topic/help/...returns#Return), but they also have this statement on that page:

"How can I return online General Merchandise orders? If an item is an exception to our standard return policy, you will find return instructions on the receipt below the product description."

Since this is not a bottle of shampoo or OTC medicine, it might, and should, have a different policy for return if opened.

[annestover]

Hello Everyone! I am new, this is my first post, but as with many of you I am drawn to the OpenBook from Delstar. This will be my first eReader, unless my iPhone counts.

As with many others I have some concerns that OpenBook may not have the features advertised in the manual. Being new to the whole eReader thing I don't have the technological skills necessary to do much tweaking... so I called Walgreen.Com.

I explained to the man that there are concerns the readers are "not as advertised" and that people would like to know about their return policy. I was told "Absolutely you can return the eReader if it is not satisfactory to you. We would rather have the return and have a happy customer". So I feel confident that we will find a willing return especially since they are now aware of the gap between advertised features and actual features. I also explained about the margins/font color, etc...

I hope this helps you all as much as your posts have helped me.

BTW my OpenBook is in the hands of UPS

[bryanzs]

Originally Posted by Katelyn

You have to hold down the power button for about 5 seconds before it starts up but it opens immediately to the menu - no boot time.

That sounds great, thanks! I currently have an iRex iLiad (eInk) reader and it takes about a minute to start up - and that's too long. Even I can wait 5 seconds, though

But I was really hoping to be able to read PDFs on the unit, and so far that doesn't sound like it's going to be too successful...

Originally Posted by annestover

...so I called Walgreen.Com.

I explained to the man that there are concerns the readers are "not as advertised" and that people would like to know about their return policy. I was told "Absolutely you can return the eReader if it is not satisfactory to you. We would rather have the return and have a happy customer". So I feel confident that we will find a willing return especially since they are now aware of the gap between advertised features and actual features. I also explained about the margins/font color, etc...

Thanks! I suspected that they would take returns on electronics where the boxes were opened.

Yesterday I complained to them about the bogus review on their website from a jerk who admitted to not owning the OpenBook nor having even seen one. Today the bogus review is gone! So Walgreens does seem to listen to its customers.

My OpenBook is "out for delivery" today on a UPS truck. Should have it this afternoon.

[intobooks]

Hi everyone! First time poster here. I have been watching this thread since last Sunday when the Walgreens advertisement first came out. I finally caved and purchased the Openbook this past Saturday (thinking it would be the last day it would be on sale) and UPS should be delivering it tomorrow.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their helpful comments. Thanks bryanzs for the heads up on the $10 discount. Katelyn thanks for posting your first impression and pics so quickly.

[DaleDe]

Would somebody post the dimensions and weight? I would like to update the wiki with more data, or you are welcome to do it.

Dale

[Katelyn]

I tested more PDF files and still no love.

I also tried to adjust font sizes and margins using Calibre but it didn't make any difference. I tested at different times - one setting at a time so as not to confuse the results.

It weights 6.7 oz. and measures 4 x 5.875 inches.

It's actually a cute little thing if they could just fix the bugs!

I'm calling Delstar now to ask if they anticipate any sort of firmware update. They have an 800 number on their Website and the address is in Florida.

OK tech support people are out to lunch but they said to call back in 1 hour.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Katelyn

I tested more PDF files and still no love.

I also tried to adjust font sizes and margins using Calibre but it didn't make any difference. I tested at different times - one setting at a time so as not to confuse the results.

It weights 6.7 oz. and measures 4 x 5.875 inches.

It's actually a cute little thing if they could just fix the bugs!

Which format did you try in Calibre? It sounds like it is not using CSS. Does it support italics, bold? Thanks for the dimensions, how thick is it.

[bryanzs]

Originally Posted by Katelyn

I tested more PDF files and still no love.

I also tried to adjust font sizes and margins using Calibre but it didn't make any difference. I tested at different times - one setting at a time so as not to confuse the results.

It weights 6.7 oz. and measures 4 x 5.875 inches.

It's actually a cute little thing if they could just fix the bugs!

Thanks for that extra info. I've sent an email to Delstar asking about any firmware updates - I'll let everyone know as soon as I hear something back (start holding your breath...now!)

I also reread the on-line manual, and found this little bit near the end funny:

User Manual
We have included an electronic copy of our manual for your review on our E-reader. Simply choose the “User Manual” option from the main menu, and press the M button to enter……Are we sure this will be in there?

So I'm guessing the manual isn't on the device? And the version of the manual they have on-line is a bit of a "pre-release"...

[Katelyn]

Originally Posted by bryanzs

So I'm guessing the manual isn't on the device? And the version of the manual they have on-line is a bit of a "pre-release"...

The text file on the device just refers the user to the Website for the manual.

[bryanzs]

Originally Posted by Katelyn

It weights 6.7 oz. and measures 4 x 5.875 inches.

That is nice and light! Less than 50% heavier than my cellphone.

Thanks for calling Delstar - I wasn't optimistic about hearing back from them on my email

[Katelyn]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Which format did you try in Calibre? It sounds like it is not using CSS. Does it support italics, bold? Thanks for the dimensions, how thick is it.

I tested both epub and html and it strips away all formatting - italics, bold, center justification, etc. Very sad.

The thickness I'm calling at 7/16th or .4375.

Originally Posted by Katelyn

I tested both epub and html and it strips away all formatting - italics, bold, center justification, etc. Very sad.

The thickness I'm calling at 7/16th or .4375.

Sounds like it is converting all book formats to TXT if it is stripping out all the character formating. That will be a deal breaker for me, unless they update the firmware soon.

As far the manual, the fact that it changed from one day to the next, as we noted much earlier in this thread, shows that it is a work in progress. Perhaps the firmware is also a work in progress. Some of he newer readers like the JetBook and Libre have already had a few firmware updates, so perhaps the OpenBook will have some too. I'm a bit concerned at the lack of published specs and info, though.