US Prices for IQ, 602 and 902 will go up starting January 1st 2011

[Icewyng]

Wow... I am glad I already have my IQ. 180$ would have been too much for me.

Now, if this is what they want to do, I think they better deliver on that 2.2 Froyo update promise. At least, they would have something the PDN and Cruz does not have.

[asjogren]

If PocketBook wanted to get $US180 for the IQ, here is what I think would bridge some of the gap (without hardware redesign):

1) Get the eReader APP to be best-in-breed. By that I mean, Adobe DRM support of both ePUB and PDF, more options to make PDF less cumbersome on a 7 inch screen (fonts, reflow, margins), more usability features (I really like the tap on right side of screen to page forward), perhaps one free translation dictionary downloadable with good integration with the APP, the Text To Speech feature for multiple languages (was this promised?)
2) Integration with Overdrive.com for direct download of public library eBooks (like Overdrive for Android - but with PDF too)
3) Android 2.2 (yes, I know it is coming soon - but perhaps the price increase should occur WHEN the new features arrive)
4) Rework pre-installed APPs so that they use less of precious memory

Basically, I would like to have just ONE eReader APP (ignoring Kindle and DRM Mobi). And I would like to have more space for APPs.


If there is a future hardware version of the IQ, I think that cheap additions would be:
1) add a microphone (Skype and voice memo possibilities)
2) more memory

I do like my PocketBook IQ. And I trust that development will deliver Android 2.2 and that promised improvements to the eReader APP will be coming.

Part of the value of my IQ is the company behind it. For example, if the Pandigital Novel (white) can be purchased for $US110, then PocketBook IQ is worth $US140-$US150 to me for almost the same hardware.

[K-Thom]

the Text To Speech feature for multiple languages (was this promised?)

Yup, up to 27. Would have been nice if they came up with one at least. Well, sold it anyway.

[asjogren]

Perhaps I am naive, but I believe PocketBook will deliver much of what was promised.

Raising prices BEFORE - well that is a poor decision.

[JimMcLaren]

Originally Posted by asjogren

Perhaps I am naive, but I believe PocketBook will deliver much of what was promised.

I believed PB would deliver a new firmware with a decent browser in it for the 302. Nine months later and still waiting...

[cfrizz]

Unhh. Time to start looking for other options. I was waiting for them to get the drm issue straightened out. But now with the increase, that takes them out of the running.

[Dulin's Books]

what drm issues?

[cfrizz]

As far as I know right now drm restricted books cannot be read on it. The software has to be fixed to allow ADE to work on it. I was waiting to hear that it was done. Until then I was going to wait to purchase one.


Quote:
Originally Posted by katzki
I guess I'm missing something here but I cannot find a way to read DRMed epubs on my IQ. The Adobe Digtal Edition on my PC would not detect IQ as an ereader. No way to convey books to IQ.

Anyone knows how?

Yes, in fact, I do. The PB reader does not support DRMed files yet. This will be changed before end of this year, same as the until now missing TTS. If you absolutely need that DRMed book, please download he fabulous txtr application for now.
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[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by cfrizz

Yes, in fact, I do. The PB reader does not support DRMed files yet. This will be changed before end of this year, same as the until now missing TTS. If you absolutely need that DRMed book, please download he fabulous txtr application for now.
__________________
PR and Sales Pocketbook

Deutsches MobileRead Forum rocks!
MM-Klub: PB360° owners unite!

That applies to Adept-DRM'ed epubs in the PB Reader app, not the IQ itself. The IQ has no DRM issues in other apps.

Kindle DRM'ed ebooks work fine.
Ditto for Kobo and Fictionwise DRM.
And library ebooks work fine in the Overdrive app.
And if you can get ahold of Txtr (which I haven't been able to) even generic ADEPT DRM books are accessible. (Not sure how well Aldiko 2.0 works with DRM'ed files; it's way new.)

Until the PB Reader app is finalized, the IQ is a perfectly fine generic Android 2.0 webpad. If/when the finalized PB apps and 2.2 update materialize the value equation might imoorove but intil then...

[K-Thom]

That applies to Adept-DRM'ed epubs in the PB Reader app, not the IQ itself. The IQ has no DRM issues in other apps. (...) Until the PB Reader app is finalized, the IQ is a perfectly fine generic Android 2.0 webpad. If/when the finalized PB apps and 2.2 update materialize the value equation might imoorove but intil then...

You're quite right, but don't you think a device which is advertised as being able to display DRM'd content should perform this by using the built-in firmware and reading app?

This is neither the first DRM-capable device Pocketbook built nor the first time the Adept-DRM is used in any device.
Right now DRM support is missing as much as TTS on the IQ as you buy it. You have to install additional, third-party reading apps to fill the gap. This stunt has never ever been pulled with any dedicated reading device of any company I know.

And the IQ is clearly advertised as reading device, not as tablet!

But I stand corrected if proven (however unlikely) wrong.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by K-Thom

You're quite right, but don't you think a device which is advertised as being able to display DRM'd content should perform this by using the built-in firmware and reading app?

This is neither the first DRM-capable device Pocketbook built nor the first time the Adept-DRM is used in any device.
Right now DRM support is missing as much as TTS on the IQ as you buy it. You have to install additional, third-party reading apps to fill the gap. This stunt has never ever been pulled with any dedicated reading device of any company I know.

And the IQ is clearly advertised as reading device, not as tablet!

1- Anybody who bought it as a reader, counting solely on the built-in app should return it until it does.

2- Round these parts we *knew* before ordering that the shipping firmware was incomplete.

3- This is *not* the first time PB or other ebook vendors have shipped product with pre-release firmware. It's not even the first for me (my BeBook was also shipped with missing features that were added later and needed several monthly updates to reach stability). Other companies (Jetbook, Bookeen, and iRex, at least) come to mind. Others do the same and don't even bother to issue fixes.

4- This is what playing at the bleeding edge is like. You seen the other IQ threads around here? About rooting it? About finding workarounds to the lack of Marketplace and Android memory management? About exploring android and finding good useful apps? This is what most of us willingly signed up for.

5- If it is not what you expected you have ample grounds to return it; do so. Get a Kindle or NookColor. They do what they're advertised as doing. And not much else. But what they do, they do very well. Or get an iPad.
Those are mainstream consumer products and not hobbyist products.

Given that Google does *not* license Android for tablets (much less readers) anybody buying one should know they're buying a hobbyist toy.
And toys are for playing with.
If you're not going to play with it, why keep it?

[citac]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

1- Anybody who bought it as a reader, counting solely on the built-in app should return it until it does.

2- Round these parts we *knew* before ordering that the shipping firmware was incomplete.

4- This is what playing at the bleeding edge is like. You seen the other IQ threads around here? About rooting it? About finding workarounds to the lack of Marketplace and Android memory management? About exploring android and finding good useful apps? This is what most of us willingly signed up for.

5- If it is not what you expected you have ample grounds to return it; do so. Get a Kindle or NookColor. They do what they're advertised as doing. And not much else. But what they do, they do very well. Or get an iPad.
Those are mainstream consumer products and not hobbyist products.

Given that Google does *not* license Android for tablets (much less readers) anybody buying one should know they're buying a hobbyist toy.
And toys are for playing with.
If you're not going to play with it, why keep it?

Agreed with everything you said, but I can attest that the IQ is not just a toy. I bought it to be used as an aide in class to enter student attendance, and be able to tell them their results when they ask. I'm using the full version of OfficeSuite, well worth the price. Until I got it, I carried my 15" laptop with me, which would then sit there unused. It's weight, along with the weight of textbooks, 40+ handouts, quizzes and whatnot was causing me back problems.

I had no intention to do so at first, but I will see about connecting it to the uni network so I can upload my files to our system. My colleagues are impressed by it, and at least one of them is seriously considering buying it. So for me, this is a multipurpose device which I can use to produce as well as to consume. I use my Astak for reading for a long amount of time, but the IQ is perfectly fine for those moments I'm on a break between classes.

I've never been an early adopter, and I'm finding it fun. I'm already developing a reputation at our uni as the one with the techno gadgets!

[tselling]

I guess the only good news about the price hike is for resale value.

[fjtorres]

Oh, I agree the IQ can be used for serious work, Citac; that is the end goal of the "playing" for most of us, I suspect. But that productivity doesn't come for free, does it? You did your homework first, figuring out what the device is and how it works. When you're doing the early adopter dance what you get is a function of what you put in. And the fun lies in maximizing the utility by getting there early, being "the first kid on the block" with the new productivity "toy".

[citac]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Oh, I agree the IQ can be used for serious work, Citac; that is the end goal of the "playing" for most of us, I suspect. But that productivity doesn't come for free, does it? You did your homework first, figuring out what the device is and how it works. When you're doing the early adopter dance what you get is a function of what you put in. And the fun lies in maximizing the utility by getting there early, being "the first kid on the block" with the new productivity "toy".

Yes, definitely. It took a lot of time and effort, but when I finally made my decision, I went into it with my eyes wide open so I knew what I could expect. I must say I was pleasantly surprised, and I haven't had a single issue with my IQ. I'm quite enjoying myself, and when there's something I don't understand or have issues with, I ask questions, and people offer advice or point to the right direction. This forum has been of enormous help.