What will the Nook & Kindle do to Astak?

[Sylver]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear John F:

I am not supposed to talk down any other device here so I need curtail my comments. The Nook $149 uses Wi-Fi, meaning it has an elementary browser only, meaning it can go to one pre-set (by the factory) bookstore. This is only my understanding.

The Astak is not wireless and uses a USB cable to the computer. This meams you use a full-browser on the computer and can therefore buy from any eBook Store that uses Adobe Digital Editions for DRM OR you can go anywhere for FREE or non-DRM eBooks .

Robert, see Fincary's post, the nook also uses a USB (you don't have to use its wifi or 3G function if you don't like buying books from N&B) and there is nothing in the nook that prevents you from using a full-browser on the computer and buying from any eBook store or going anywhere for free non-DRM ebooks. Wifi is definitely not a necessity for ereaders, but it's better than no network at all and you can connect to your home wireless connection and use a very basic browser to at least check news and email.

Compared to PP, the nook has a bigger and better contrast screen, same page turn speed, mp3 playback quality via phonejack is better and it also has a mono speaker; its lacking of folder structure really sucks but one can easily softroot it. It does not have TTS, but it has a built in dictionary, so it's a wash on that. It also does not support as many file formats as PP especially the txt support, but most book readers may not find many other formats that PP supports are that useful. To me, the real drawback is the battery life on the nook (due to the touch screen). I like the power of PocketPro, but let's be frank here, the PP screen contrast really sucks compared to the nook's, and now Kindle DX has come out with the new e-ink generation Pearl, Astak really needs to improve the screen contrast on PP and lower the price to be staying in the playground - sorry the nature of any kind of business is brutal, we just need to face it one way or the other; I understand your frustration, but the belief that most buyers don't care about functions or device quality and don't do any research but will just go for the cheaper or better looking unit (as implied in some recent posts here after the nook price drop) is simply not true.

[Sylver]

Originally Posted by jusmee

I won't start trying explain just what rooting means to an Australian

However, I am guessing you mean you gained root access to the underlying linux operating system, yes?

you are almost right, but it's not running on linux but Android.

[jusmee]

Originally Posted by Sylver

Compared to PP, the nook has a bigger and better contrast screen, ..... Astak really needs to improve the screen contrast on PP and lower the price to be staying in the playground - .....

Very interesting, especially after them making such a song and dance about having nothing but the best A-grade screens. So once again, it must be their software that sucks. If it wasn't for lbook, I fear us PP owners would be lost.

[jusmee]

Originally Posted by Sylver

you are almost right, but it's not running on linux but Android.

Ah yes, of course. Although, Andriod IS linux based. see http://developer.android.com/guide/b...s-android.html

Android relies on Linux version 2.6 for core system services such as 
security, memory management, process management, network stack, and 
driver model. The kernel also acts as an abstraction layer between the 
hardware and the rest of the software stack.

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by jusmee

Very interesting, especially after them making such a song and dance about having nothing but the best A-grade screens. So once again, it must be their software that sucks. If it wasn't for lbook, I fear us PP owners would be lost.

I'm a bit curious about this. Would you mind expanding on the lbook comment?

[John F]

Fincary, thank you for the detailed explanation of the Nook.

Originally Posted by Robertb

...

The Astak is not wireless and uses a USB cable to the computer. This meams you use a full-browser on the computer and can therefore buy from any eBook Store that uses Adobe Digital Editions for DRM OR you can go anywhere for FREE or non-DRM eBooks .

And the Nook can function in the exact same manner!

[jusmee]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

I'm a bit curious about this. Would you mind expanding on the lbook comment?

2 things - firstly, they (lbook) are working on settings to control/optimise display quality, and secondly they are constantly working on the firmware in general, and I get the feeling that this latest proposed attempt at getting changes to the firmware out of Jinke (changes, many of which we have listed time and time again and had ignored) might be the last.

Seems like Jinke only agreed to do it reluctantly. The wording "The factory that makes Pocket PRO and EZ Reader is willing to do a firmware upgrade. BUT... they want me to poll. We may not get everything so please pick three items that you want to see." It shouldn't be that are willing to do it, conditionally - if they were truly interested in supporting the product, they would have already been releasing fixes for the many shortcomings. Even the "may not get everything so please pick three items" rankles. Why wouldn't they be keen to fix all the problems? We shouldn't have to beg them to improve their product. Sadly, I think Junke have moved on to newer products. Happens often in the fast moving world of consumer electronics.

Sorry to be negative. Luckily, the latest lbook firmware is quite useable for my reading habits, so at least I am not left needing to upgrade to a newer device for a while.

[Blossom]

I agree with Jusmee,
being one who just switch to Lbook's firmware I can say it's really is what I expected the original firmware to be like. The contrast is 75% better with Lbook. No battery drain issues. Coolreader works wonderful that I have switch to EPUB and currently converting all my MOBI overs. Imagine that.
Before I had to use a booklight to read my books even in good indoor lighting and with the Lbook I don't need to.

The battery life of a e-reader was one of the most important features that made me choose the PP. Right now I only charge once a month with mine. I showed my husband the new firmware and he was amazed at the difference and has shut up finally about buying it for me. lol

I think firmware is the biggest issue with the EZReader but like Jusmee said Lbook has saved me from running out and purchasing another reader. The battery life of the EZ Reader is it's greatest asset. The SD Card feature for me would be second because I don't have to hook the reader up to the PC at all. Lbook has a copy feature where you can copy directly from the SD Card to the internal memory. The third is that it's so lightweight which is means I can actually hold it like a book for hours.

One of the main reasons I went with the PP was it had no internet access, I have other devices for that. I would love dictionary support which I really miss when using the PP but I'm not running out buying a Nook or Kindle because of the price drop for me it wasn't price really but EZReader had features I wanted out of everything I looked at, the firmware was a bit of a disappointment but Lbook has changed that for me.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by jusmee

Very interesting, especially after them making such a song and dance about having nothing but the best A-grade screens. So once again, it must be their software that sucks. If it wasn't for lbook, I fear us PP owners would be lost.

Dear Jusmee:

The song and dance is true. We DO use A-grade screens. I believe so does the Nook. There are manufacturers that use B-Grade and undersell. Yes, the 5 inch Pocket PRO is smaller than the 6 inch Nook, of course. Better?? That is very, very subjective at best. I think what was meant by the initial poster is the Nook has the LCD screen on the bottom. The E-Ink part is the same.

I am not here to talk down other devices. I am here to try to set ours apart. If someone likes the Nook buy it. If you like the Pocket PRO buy that. I will say again... check with reputable reviewers. They rate the Pocket PRO as very fast on page turns and the Nook relatively slow.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Sylver

Robert, see Fincary's post, the nook also uses a USB (you don't have to use its wifi or 3G function if you don't like buying books from N&B) and there is nothing in the nook that prevents you from using a full-browser on the computer and buying from any eBook store or going anywhere for free non-DRM ebooks. Wifi is definitely not a necessity for ereaders, but it's better than no network at all and you can connect to your home wireless connection and use a very basic browser to at least check news and email.

Compared to PP, the nook has a bigger and better contrast screen, same page turn speed, mp3 playback quality via phonejack is better and it also has a mono speaker; its lacking of folder structure really sucks but one can easily softroot it. It does not have TTS, but it has a built in dictionary, so it's a wash on that. It also does not support as many file formats as PP especially the txt support, but most book readers may not find many other formats that PP supports are that useful. To me, the real drawback is the battery life on the nook (due to the touch screen). I like the power of PocketPro, but let's be frank here, the PP screen contrast really sucks compared to the nook's, and now Kindle DX has come out with the new e-ink generation Pearl, Astak really needs to improve the screen contrast on PP and lower the price to be staying in the playground - sorry the nature of any kind of business is brutal, we just need to face it one way or the other; I understand your frustration, but the belief that most buyers don't care about functions or device quality and don't do any research but will just go for the cheaper or better looking unit (as implied in some recent posts here after the nook price drop) is simply not true.

Dear Sylver:

Thank you for posting and for your information. Yes, you can use the connection thru USB to get around buying from B&N... but statistics show that is not the case. 98% of the books purchased by Nook buyers are done by wireless.

Let us not argue. I could explain again the benefits of the Epson Controller. the User-replaceable battery, that the Pocket PRO comes WITH the case and ear buds, that it has TTS, and 20 formats, and 26 languages.... but people should and will buy what they want and what they perceive as the best value. Arguing about it does no good.

Soon, the new Astak devices will have the SIPix screens and those are excellent.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I agree with Jusmee,
being one who just switch to Lbook's firmware I can say it's really is what I expected the original firmware to be like. The contrast is 75% better with Lbook. No battery drain issues. Coolreader works wonderful that I have switch to EPUB and currently converting all my MOBI overs. Imagine that.
Before I had to use a booklight to read my books even in good indoor lighting and with the Lbook I don't need to.

The battery life of a e-reader was one of the most important features that made me choose the PP. Right now I only charge once a month with mine. I showed my husband the new firmware and he was amazed at the difference and has shut up finally about buying it for me. lol

I think firmware is the biggest issue with the EZReader but like Jusmee said Lbook has saved me from running out and purchasing another reader. The battery life of the EZ Reader is it's greatest asset. The SD Card feature for me would be second because I don't have to hook the reader up to the PC at all. Lbook has a copy feature where you can copy directly from the SD Card to the internal memory. The third is that it's so lightweight which is means I can actually hold it like a book for hours.

One of the main reasons I went with the PP was it had no internet access, I have other devices for that. I would love dictionary support which I really miss when using the PP but I'm not running out buying a Nook or Kindle because of the price drop for me it wasn't price really but EZReader had features I wanted out of everything I looked at, the firmware was a bit of a disappointment but Lbook has changed that for me.

Dear Blossom:

As you know, I have been very honest on here about my frustration with the firmware coming from our factory. I have also been very vocal at this office that releasing firmware that drains batteries is apprehensible.

Frankly, I am overjoyed that you like the lBook firmware. I will likely switch over also until the factory can get an F.U. out that is really top notch with no detractions.

What this Astak dedicated forum is about is to find ways to make things even better for those who own our devices. If it be Lbook firmware then that is great. However, I will not stop pressing the factory to do it better.

I am appreciative of your thoughts and your post!

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I have other devices for that. I would love dictionary support which I really miss when using the PP

If you are using the current Lbook firmware and CoolReader 3 then you do have dictionary support, BUT you have to provide the dictionary.

The user named DoktrJones has provided a download for an English language dictionary in this thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86563

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by jusmee

2 things - firstly, they (lbook) are working on settings to control/optimise display quality, and secondly they are constantly working on the firmware in general, and I get the feeling that this latest proposed attempt at getting changes to the firmware out of Jinke (changes, many of which we have listed time and time again and had ignored) might be the last.

Seems like Jinke only agreed to do it reluctantly. The wording "The factory that makes Pocket PRO and EZ Reader is willing to do a firmware upgrade. BUT... they want me to poll. We may not get everything so please pick three items that you want to see." It shouldn't be that are willing to do it, conditionally - if they were truly interested in supporting the product, they would have already been releasing fixes for the many shortcomings. Even the "may not get everything so please pick three items" rankles. Why wouldn't they be keen to fix all the problems? We shouldn't have to beg them to improve their product. Sadly, I think Junke have moved on to newer products. Happens often in the fast moving world of consumer electronics.

Sorry to be negative. Luckily, the latest lbook firmware is quite useable for my reading habits, so at least I am not left needing to upgrade to a newer device for a while.

Dear Jusmee:

I agree. WE shouldn't have to beg them to improve their product. JUST be aware that Astak needs to work with these folks. Please don't hang on the way that I worded things. The meaning was clear enough... we have a good chance and cooperation to improve things. That is a good step.

They are not "problems". Getting Coolreader or a new FB2 or even Dictionary Support is damned nice... but it is not a problem. The device works great without. I am NOT saying we do not want all of these; and am saying that I want them as bad as anybody... just be aware that an angry factory can hurt our end users and playing nice seems to be essential. Yes, I am the type that does NOT pussyfoot around. I would be a hell of a lot more direct. But, the relationship between the factory and Astak is a fragile thing due to lack of volume. And remember... that same factory built a really great device named the Pocket PRO in the first place.l

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

If you are using the current Lbook firmware and CoolReader 3 then you do have dictionary support, BUT you have to provide the dictionary.

The user named DoktrJones has provided a download for an English language dictionary in this thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86563

Dave Thank You so much! I had no clue I can add a dictionary now!.

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Just keep your eyes on www.EZread.com! Right now you will note some of the very lowest prices on the web. That is a good start! Anybody that would rather pay $15.99 instead of $10.99 is not our target. Just enjoy the pricing and watch what is going to be done! Your point is well made and you are spot-on!

I just checked the price for the first book that I see on www.EZread.com website Dean Koontz's Frankenstein : Lost Souls:


www.EZread.com price: US$19.99

B&N price: $9.99

Amazon.com price for the same book: $9.99

Kobobooks.com sell it for $9.99

Question: Who needs the store where you can buy the same book but pay twice more for it?