Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)

[mobelby]

RobertB,

Sounds like jinke and bebook are showing off the next gen ez reader at Cebit in Hanover in March. Still seems as if the connectivity is undecided, which suggests they are taking a very late decision on one of the key features of the device - ie the front page of mobile read reports it's a "3G and/or Wifi".

Getting excited that we're all about to see photos and/or videos soon.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by mobelby

RobertB,

Sounds like jinke and bebook are showing off the next gen ez reader at Cebit in Hanover in March. Still seems as if the connectivity is undecided, which suggests they are taking a very late decision on one of the key features of the device - ie the front page of mobile read reports it's a "3G and/or Wifi".

Getting excited that we're all about to see photos and/or videos soon.

Dear Mobelby:

Yes, they will be showing off the EZ Reader Plus and EZ Reader Pro. There also is some talk they will unveil prototypes of the 9.7 inch EZ Reader TRUE.

I have three photographs of the EZ Reader Plus/Pro and will get a few more ready to bring up on MobileRead Forum once I get the word.

The 3G and/or Wi-Fi situation is an earnest debate. We have been talking for about 7 weeks with AT&T on 3G and it is not easy. For example, aside from the cost of the SIM card and such... can we/do we want to buy a 30-day card and then require the user to choose a final plan cost? In the end, all of this means some cost bron by the buyer. With Wi-Fi, the initial cost is like an $18 additional cost versus $80 additional cost to us to have them in 3G.

THAT is why no decision has been made yet. The cost to go 3G both before and after the sale... ultimately born by the end user... is a real impact. Wi-Fi is a light "before sale" cost and really no "after sale" cost.

Yes, soon we will do a video on the base EZ Reader and the PRO.

I am more anxious than you even to release the info!

Robert B

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Robertb

The 3G and/or Wi-Fi situation is an earnest debate. We have been talking for about 7 weeks with AT&T on 3G and it is not easy.

If the device has bluetooth, then tethering to a cell phone may be possible. The phone providers don't always like allowing this, but it is another way of putting the cost up front (bluetooth hardware and software). The downside is that the reader has to have an appropriate cell phone and data plan. Bluetooth and WiFi would be enough for me (or even just WiFi).

Another way to do this is to allow USB OTG mastering, and confirm that one or more USB 3G dongles work (I'm not sure if existing dongles conform to OTG power limits though).

[cerement]

I know we're still in the early days (relatively speaking) of eInk reader designs (and BOOX has just updated with 10 new designs), but all of the companies (Astak included) seem focused on adding even more features. Is there any chance we'll be seeing a feature limited ("Lite", "Economy", "Student", "Lightweight", "Budget") ebook reader any time soon? Something along the lines of 5" or 6" eInk screen, minimal bezel, SD card, no touchscreen, no cellular, no wifi, minimal buttons, mini-USB or micro-USB ... thinking something along the lines of what the iPod shuffle is to the iPod Classic ...

[griffonwing]

I am of the same mind. All I am looking for is something to read books on. I want to hook it to my PC in order to copy the books over, and perhaps to create/edit folders. I then wish to unplug it from the PC and take it with me to read books on.

I have no desire to be on the plane and go "Hey, this lady next to me is reading a book. I really HAVE to have that book, and NOW, even though I have 2 hundred other books here in my hands that I haven't read yet." punch punch login download. "And here it is."

As for music, I have a creative zen, other people have ipods, irivers, zunes, etc. And I don't need a music or audiobook player. No 3G, no Wi-Fi, no Touchscreen. Just a simple reader that will read the books I have.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

I am of the same mind. All I am looking for is something to read books on. I want to hook it to my PC in order to copy the books over, and perhaps to create/edit folders. I then wish to unplug it from the PC and take it with me to read books on.

I have no desire to be on the plane and go "Hey, this lady next to me is reading a book. I really HAVE to have that book, and NOW, even though I have 2 hundred other books here in my hands that I haven't read yet." punch punch login download. "And here it is."

As for music, I have a creative zen, other people have ipods, irivers, zunes, etc. And I don't need a music or audiobook player. No 3G, no Wi-Fi, no Touchscreen. Just a simple reader that will read the books I have.

While I agree on parts of this, I do like to make annotations on my ebooks, so, touchscreen is very handy then. It is part of my standard reading. I could do without wifi/3G though...

[tompe]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

If the device has bluetooth, then tethering to a cell phone may be possible. The phone providers don't always like allowing this, but it is another way of putting the cost up front (bluetooth hardware and software). The downside is that the reader has to have an appropriate cell phone and data plan. Bluetooth and WiFi would be enough for me (or even just WiFi).

It is also sometimes possible to make your phone into a WiFi access point and then WiFi is enough. The problem using a SIM cards id that you usually cannot have an unlimited data plan on two SIM cards.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Robertb

The 3G and/or Wi-Fi situation is an earnest debate. We have been talking for about 7 weeks with AT&T on 3G and it is not easy. For example, aside from the cost of the SIM card and such... can we/do we want to buy a 30-day card and then require the user to choose a final plan cost? In the end, all of this means some cost bron by the buyer. With Wi-Fi, the initial cost is like an $18 additional cost versus $80 additional cost to us to have them in 3G.

Robert.... how about something where the user get's a pre-paid sim card. ldpost.com sells them from an MVNO Oxygen. Perhaps you could look at that situation? You can use them if you have an AT&T phone.

BOb

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by tompe

It is also sometimes possible to make you phone into a WiFi access point and then WiFi is enough. The problem using a SIM cards id that you usually cannot have an unlimited data plan on two SIM cards.

This is where Bluetooth can be the solution, permitting use of one SIM card in the phone to provide the access for the eBook Reader. Bluetooth can also provide cordless headphones, and even cordless remote control of the device. Cordless keyboards for searching are also possible. Even more things are possible.

Dale

[F.F.]

Wifi+Bluetooth is way better than US-only 3G...

kindle has 3G but its limited to US... if you plan to sell worldwide you must pick a non-US-only solution...

I like the idea of a bluetooth keyboard. with an apropriate software this would be way better than kindle's keyboard...

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by F.F.

Wifi+Bluetooth is way better than US-only 3G...

kindle has 3G but its limited to US... if you plan to sell worldwide you must pick a non-US-only solution...

If he is talking SIM card, he is talking GSM which is pretty much world wide.

But I think BYOSC (bring your own sim card) is the only solution since there are so many carriers in Europe/Asia. US/Australia you have the country wide carriers.

BOb

[DAG]

I have been following the Mentor for over a year, their web site had pics and gave several release dates none were kept. It really sounds great but Sony and Amazon both came out with new readers while people watched the Mentor web site. They did come out with a reader but it was not any great deal. I'll belive they will release when it goes on the market. Also every time I read about this reader the price goes up.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by cerement

I know we're still in the early days (relatively speaking) of eInk reader designs (and BOOX has just updated with 10 new designs), but all of the companies (Astak included) seem focused on adding even more features. Is there any chance we'll be seeing a feature limited ("Lite", "Economy", "Student", "Lightweight", "Budget") ebook reader any time soon? Something along the lines of 5" or 6" eInk screen, minimal bezel, SD card, no touchscreen, no cellular, no wifi, minimal buttons, mini-USB or micro-USB ... thinking something along the lines of what the iPod shuffle is to the iPod Classic ...

Dear Cerement:

Yes, actually. There is a Mentor Light coming... we hope in April. That is a 6 inch. There is also a 5 inch coming out in both the EZ Reader and Mentor lines this Summer.

It is too early to put prices on the 5 inch units. We HOPE we can do the Mentor Light around $219... but this is still conjecture.

Do not forget, the EZ Reader Basic Bundle Pack is the BEST basic eBook Reader I know of and FRY's often puts them on sale at $269. That is a hell of a good bargain for so much... and the leather case and 2GB SD card, and ear buds, and reader/writer all are included along with 200 classics. "Basic" does not have to mean "devoid" of useful things!

Robert B

[mobelby]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

If he is talking SIM card, he is talking GSM which is pretty much world wide.

But I think BYOSC (bring your own sim card) is the only solution since there are so many carriers in Europe/Asia. US/Australia you have the country wide carriers.

BOb

I still think it's a very strange business decision if jinke forces customers to pay for a 3G option with or without a subscription. At the end of the day it's a book reader and surely it should just be an option if we wish to pay more to get 3G access !

I will happily pay for the option to have wifi and if there is no wifi I'm going to wonder why I've waited and not bought the basic ez reader/bebook instead, especially since I could have got it months ago when the aussie dollar was actually worth more than a couple of peanuts.

[Darqref]

Hey Robert

Any chance you could drop by Seattle over Easter Weekend? NorWesCon is a large regional SF convention (lots of people who READ), and we've had many previous panels/events on the subject of electronic books and reading. We'll likely get lots of Sony and Amazon hardware around, but smaller vendors won't be there. If you could bring some of your samples along, I bet you'd draw some interest. Hardware to handle is always popular.

This year's Guest of Honor is R.A. Salvatore, and the Spotlight Publisher is Wizards of the Coast. They'd love you even more if you could display some of his books. The Con website has an early version of the schedule, if you need to limit your time.

http://www.norwescon.org/eventschedule.htm