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

[jessTay]

at least i think its fake... otherwise your trimming and waxing skills are impressive

[Robertb]

Dear All:

My blog today has a little info on a new device that we are putting thru trials. It is a 7 inch COLOR screened eBook. My blog is: www.robertbEZ.blogspot.com

The device just arrived and so there are scant facts posted in the blog but more than here.

I would be interested in discussion on whether a Color-screened eBook Reader would catch your interest and how you would plan to use it! In my mind I see that most printed books are black ink on white paper... but I know there are a ton of uses and even requirements that go beyond simply reading books.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by derrell

Thats sort of strange because ever since I noticed the goEZebook.com url that RobertB has in his sig it has said that it was parked. Which I took to mean that someone had already registered that domain. Just checked again before this post and still shows as parked.

Also not meaning any disrespect to RobertB but I sort of take what he says in this thread the same way I take anything that a salesman says. You have to sort cock your head to one side squint your eyes a little and try to parse out the good bits while letting the I want to sell you something bits go on by.

I have to say that I am excited about the hinted at Spectrum that might use the PixelQi display. This could be a low cost larger size reader that could handle PDFs, not that I have many pdfs, and more web like content. I really like being able to navigate through a book easily and quickly, with a tap on screen. To me that is part of the reason that I like etexts. Put simply hyperlinks and the ability to search and do dictionary lookups.

I just hope that someone will pay a little closer attention to the ergonomics that go into them. I have to say the ergonomics of the EZ-Reader leave a lot to be desired at least for large pawed induviduals. The thing is actually hard for me to hold onto. Some of that could be fixed by simpling moving the page turn buttons up to the center of the side of the reader. I realize that Astak most likely has very little input on any design considerations but it would be nice if there were more reading devices that were actually comfortable to hold.

Dear Derrell:

Fair enough. I also am a bit skeptical of salespeople being 100% accurate. However, this is not as much an intent to deceive as it is that salespeople are often not senior management. I am a Director and I am Senior Management I suppose, but I know from 25 years in this electronics game that GOOD salespeople have what is known as "fire in the belly"... they see the world with optimism and their optimism spurs them on. So, is it possible that I sometimes engage in optimistic viewpoints? Yes. Because I believe in my company and I believe in myself to make things come to pass. Sometimes they do not come to pass and then I feel like I failed. So, Derrell is right that I do "bet on the come line" a bit. But, electronics is exciting and there is so much in the pipeline at once. If I tell you about the Mentor Intrique and Electra... or the EZ Reader TRUE... I am telling you exactly what I have been told by my factory or as senior management for Astak... and I believe fully that it is going to happen.

However, soon you will see the new website up and running. That site will be a breath of fresh air. It will feature a great FAG sheet, eBooks, comments, interactivity, and a lot more... and it will improve over the next months. The website is indeed ours and we are hopefully within a week or ten days from opening up the website.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Robertb

I would be interested in discussion on whether a Color-screened eBook Reader would catch your interest and how you would plan to use it!

There is a similar discussion in Smart Q7 Tablet. This is 11 pages long, so you might want to start with Chippy's review.

When I switched from a Nokia 770 to the much larger iLiad for ebook reading the thing I missed most was color for illustrations in SciFi magazines (and the iLiad has 16-level greyscale). I now almost exclusively read on my EZ Reader (smaller with 4-level greyscale, and relatively poor image support), so color illustrations obviously were not a deal breaker for me. Color is generally seen as essential for magazines. PDFs also seem to do relatively well on LCD screens, because they can be quickly panned and zoomed.

You don't say if the color screen is LCD, but the other big issue is battery life. The Smart Q7 has 8-12 hours with 2 days on standby and that is probably about my minimum requirement these days. My 770 had a long standby life but only about 4 hours of reading time and that was limiting sometimes. Another issue with LCDs is reading outside, which is usually only possible with transflective screens.

A 7" color screen is a nice size for armchair reading. I also have a PeperPad 3 with a screen of this size. See Visual Tour of FBReader on a Pepper Pad 3 for some screenshots (click on the images to get full-size versions). Note that I almost always used this in landscape mode using its built-in stand. However, this was in part because the keyboard wings on the device made portrait mode unwieldy. It has a pathetic battery life, so I used in on the arm of an armchair and plugged into mains power all the time.

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Derrell:

However, soon you will see the new website up and running. That site will be a breath of fresh air. It will feature a great FAG sheet, eBooks, ...

WOW!! It's not everyday you see a site that has a list of
Frequently Asked Guesstions!

and JessTay. Yes, the facial mop is real. My handlebar is a bit longer right now, and I am growing the goat back out ( For the last 6 moths or so I was sporting a Wild Bill Hickock handlebar and soul patch).

And yes, ladies, the attractive fellow you see to your left IS available. Hard to believe, isn't it.

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

WOW!! It's not everyday you see a site that has a list of
Frequently Asked Guesstions! ...

Oh, it this what "FAG sheet" meant?!

And I thought Robert was being particularly enlightened and inclusive....

[Musicman]

Just went to the Ereader site (Ereader.com) and they have a link to Robertb's blog..

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

There is a similar discussion in Smart Q7 Tablet. This is 11 pages long, so you might want to start with Chippy's review.

When I switched from a Nokia 770 to the much larger iLiad for ebook reading the thing I missed most was color for illustrations in SciFi magazines (and the iLiad has 16-level greyscale). I now almost exclusively read on my EZ Reader (smaller with 4-level greyscale, and relatively poor image support), so color illustrations obviously were not a deal breaker for me. Color is generally seen as essential for magazines. PDFs also seem to do relatively well on LCD screens, because they can be quickly panned and zoomed.

You don't say if the color screen is LCD, but the other big issue is battery life. The Smart Q7 has 8-12 hours with 2 days on standby and that is probably about my minimum requirement these days. My 770 had a long standby life but only about 4 hours of reading time and that was limiting sometimes. Another issue with LCDs is reading outside, which is usually only possible with transflective screens.

A 7" color screen is a nice size for armchair reading. I also have a PeperPad 3 with a screen of this size. See Visual Tour of FBReader on a Pepper Pad 3 for some screenshots (click on the images to get full-size versions). Note that I almost always used this in landscape mode using its built-in stand. However, this was in part because the keyboard wings on the device made portrait mode unwieldy. It has a pathetic battery life, so I used in on the arm of an armchair and plugged into mains power all the time.

Dear Wallcraft:


This 7 inch has 8-10 hours on one charge. Not earthshaking... but not bad as it has a browser.

I always appreciate your comments and posts. I will go see Chippy's Review!! I will also take this trial unit outside in the sunlight!!

[jessTay]

well then griffonwing, it is extremely well groomed.

As for a colour ereader, I think people who are really into graphic novels would go for that. They are on the rise as a form of literature and think one that would easily adapt to being read online since people already look at comics and such online. It would be awesome to be able to download some of your favourite colour graphic novels in ebook and in the closest colours you could get.

Even though many have a limited colour scheme or are black and white, what colour that is contained on the cover images, or to use Daniel Clowes "Ghost World" as an example, the limited colours (most black and white images also have a wash in a blue-green twilight blue), are important.

I've had to read a few graphic novels for school so far and have read more on my spare time. My brother viewed WATCHMAN on a comicbook pdf viewer.. that would be great to see on an ebook with a big enough screen

[Robertb]

Dear All:

Astak will be carrying the EZ Reader "Pocket PRO" in 5 inch and we are ordering it in colors. Colors discussed are: Black, White, Deep Purple, Metallic Pink, Metallic Red, and Lime Green.

You already know that the EZ Reader is the most reliable eBook Reader on the market (based on feedback in this thread and FRY's electronics figures for returns). I am not stretching it to make this statement as it has proven a very capable device with reliability its mainstay.

The EZ Reader Pocket PRO will have everything that the EZ Reader has in a smaller package. It is not a stretch to say that it will also be a rock-solid product with great software. I am trying to ensure that it will have the Epson controller and will let you know. The price will be $209 with occasional discount to $199.

This was all decided one hour ago and we are working out the details now. Full specs, when available, will be on my blog.

Many of you will not care about a five inch; but many others have remained steadfast that it is needed. Likewise, colors are wanted by many people and I think these are good choices in colors. I am working out the Pantone Color Wheel next. The biggest advantage this device has over others is that it is E-Ink and it is totally reliable and not a gamble on quality... and you know the Astak warranty and customer service are outstanding. You wanted a $200 eBook Reader and I have listened!

[DG25]

This new 7" device, what screen does it have? eInk? LCD (pixelQ maybe)?

I just wish someone will release a tablet reader with a pixelQ screen (7"-10"), with touch interface and a browser. Just for reading stuff online (in color lcd mode) and reading offline (ebooks in eink mode).

[slayda]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

Astak will be carrying the EZ Reader "Pocket PRO" in 5 inch and we are ordering it in colors. Colors discussed are: Black, White, Deep Purple, Metallic Pink, Metallic Red, and Lime Green.

You already know that the EZ Reader is the most reliable eBook Reader on the market (based on feedback in this thread and FRY's electronics figures for returns). I am not stretching it to make this statement as it has proven a very capable device with reliability its mainstay.

The EZ Reader Pocket PRO will have everything that the EZ Reader has in a smaller package. It is not a stretch to say that it will also be a rock-solid product with great software. I am trying to ensure that it will have the Epson controller and will let you know. The price will be $209 with occasional discount to $199.

This was all decided one hour ago and we are working out the details now. Full specs, when available, will be on my blog.

Many of you will not care about a five inch; but many others have remained steadfast that it is needed. Likewise, colors are wanted by many people and I think these are good choices in colors. I am working out the Pantone Color Wheel next. The biggest advantage this device has over others is that it is E-Ink and it is totally reliable and not a gamble on quality... and you know the Astak warranty and customer service are outstanding. You wanted a $200 eBook Reader and I have listened!

When?

[AJ Starr]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

Astak will be carrying the EZ Reader "Pocket PRO" in 5 inch and we are ordering it in colors.

YEAH!! Can't wait!

[derrell]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Sometimes they do not come to pass and then I feel like I failed. So, Derrell is right that I do "bet on the come line" a bit. But, electronics is exciting and there is so much in the pipeline at once. If I tell you about the Mentor Intrique and Electra... or the EZ Reader TRUE... I am telling you exactly what I have been told by my factory or as senior management for Astak... and I believe fully that it is going to happen.

Perhaps my remark was a little more combative than I thought it was, if so apologies. I have no problem with people trying to sell me something. It is my responsibility to determine if what they have is what I want. That being said I have owned an EZ-Reader for five days now and for the most part I like it. I will post some of my thoughts about it in the Hanlin V3 forum after I've had it long enough to have more than just first impressions. I understand your position with Astak and I really do appreciate your willingness to wade into shark infested waters and keep the people on these forums informed to the best or your ability about what is going on with your companies plans about reading devices.

[SaraD]

Originally Posted by Robertb

However, soon you will see the new website up and running. That site will be a breath of fresh air. It will feature a great FAG sheet, eBooks, comments, interactivity, and a lot more... and it will improve over the next months. The website is indeed ours and we are hopefully within a week or ten days from opening up the website.

Please? The new 5" unit sounds very tempting, especially if it gets the Epson controller, but I would really like to see specs, prices, and some good pictures of everything that will be coming this summer/early fall before making a choice too early. Waiting and spending a bit more might provide an even better option - like a 6" with a flexible material screen.

I will go for a black one, but if my husband decides on a unit it would be the red one (though cherry red is better than fire engine).