Finally im out of Irex

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Kent Walters

Now, iRex has included the Wacom (with a higher upfront cost and shorter runtime) on the 800--but just for navigation. In the original announcement, iRex said that the 800 was primarily for reading only--a high priced Kindle DX competitor, whose only real advantage is a better file system.

They say that writing ability will be added to the DR800. I don't think they've indicated when though.

[Kent Walters]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

They say that writing ability will be added to the DR800. I don't think they've indicated when though.

Yes, and they have also said, several times, that the DR1000SW would be coming out soon. And promised a succession of forthcoming fixes to the DR1000S’ OS, so that we now have as many, though different, problems as ever. Inasmuch as iRex has said that the DR800 is for reading only, I can’t imagine that many people will buy based on an implied IOU.

The fact that writing (that being iRex’s strength) is not included on the DR800 suggests to me that they are having problems implementing it. That leads me to believe that the two platforms are not as similar as DR1000 owners might hope, so that we might benifit from increased sales.

It appears to me that iRex has, again, jumped the gun, and is preparing to deliver a beta product as prime.

Kent Walters

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Kent Walters

I can’t imagine that many people will buy based on an implied IOU.

No argument there, I've said the same thing on multiple occasions.

The fact that writing (that being iRex’s strength) is not included on the DR800 suggests to me that they are having problems implementing it. That leads me to believe that the two platforms are not as similar as DR1000 owners might hope

The piece of the puzzle I think you're missing is that they are in the midst of completely changing the viewer applications for both the DR800 and DR1000. The current open source PDF viewer is being replaced with an Adobe based viewer, and the current Mobipocket viewer is being dropped.

The DR800 is being released with the new viewers, the DR1000 will receive them in the future as a firmware update.

That is the most likely reason that writing isn't ready yet. They have probably been working on getting the "read only" mode of those new viewers completed and haven't had enough time to port the writing capability into them. That's probably also why they are not releasing the updates for the DR1000 yet.

I'm guessing that around the same time the DR1000 get it's firmware upgrade with the Adobe applications, the DR800 will receive the writing ability (the two are probably directly related).

[Kent Walters]

Shaggy,

You have missed my point entirely; I was not talking about iRex's reasons for releasing the DR800 before it was finished, but only their choice to do so. Releasing products (and firmware) before it is finished seems to be iRex's habit, and it does baffle me. If iRex continues this way, I think it will be the death of the company, and that will be sad.

Kent Walters

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Kent Walters

I was not talking about iRex's reasons for releasing the DR800 before it was finished, but only their choice to do so.

Define "finished". In this case, they've said from the beginning that writing won't be available at the initial release. This is not a case of them promising features that turned out to be incomplete/missing.

[Kent Walters]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

Define "finished". In this case, they've said from the beginning that writing won't be available at the initial release. This is not a case of them promising features that turned out to be incomplete/missing.

It is as I said; they are releasing the 800 as a read only device--when the reviews come out in the popular press (and they will) it will be compared, heads up, with the Kindle Dx. The 800 will certainly sell where Amazon's wireless service is not available, but in those population centers where both services are available I believe that Amazon will have a tremendous advantage due to Amazon's name recognition and the fact that the press has already made Amazon and Kindle 'cool' in the public eye.

If (and I'm just saying if) the 800 turns out to be buggy, it will get clobbered in the press, perhaps killing iRex (and Shaggy, I don't want that to happen).

OTH, if iRex waited until writing was 'finished' on the 800 (and it is stable), the only heads-up comparisons could be made with the large screen write-enabled readers coming out early next year, from companies the public is not familiar with. Compared to those, if it is stable and reliable, the 800 will blow away the competition.

Priced similarly to the Kindle Dx, I think even those who don't perceive a need for writing would opt for the 'extra' as a better value, just in case they might want writing later.

Marketing decisions are always a gamble, and I hope that iRex wins, I just think they are going about it the wrong way; the 800 release is going to be big, and if it falls, it will fall hard. iRex is taking on Goliath when they could wait to take on lesser Davids, and perhaps even topple Goliath later.

I think iRex is timing for the Xmas rush, and I think the release is premature.

Kent Walters

[kleykenb]

Originally Posted by dek

My college made a final decision that we don't consider DR1000 because of its high price and fragile nature of it. For now, we decided to purchase Table PC for the faculty.

Personally, I sold my DR1000 to a friend of mine and now I use my computer and printer. I also realized that reading journal articles on paper is not that bad.

Wise decisions. Good to hear your college did not get itself into the DR nightmare like so many others.

[kleykenb]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

No argument there, I've said the same thing on multiple occasions.



The piece of the puzzle I think you're missing is that they are in the midst of completely changing the viewer applications for both the DR800 and DR1000. The current open source PDF viewer is being replaced with an Adobe based viewer, and the current Mobipocket viewer is being dropped.

The DR800 is being released with the new viewers, the DR1000 will receive them in the future as a firmware update.

That is the most likely reason that writing isn't ready yet. They have probably been working on getting the "read only" mode of those new viewers completed and haven't had enough time to port the writing capability into them. That's probably also why they are not releasing the updates for the DR1000 yet.

I'm guessing that around the same time the DR1000 get it's firmware upgrade with the Adobe applications, the DR800 will receive the writing ability (the two are probably directly related).

Are you really guessing or are you just iRex's PR stooge with inside information ?
Of course, if iRex would make promises of firmware upgrades that include new applications then they would have to keep them. Unlike them you can keep people hooked for them without them having to risk breaking yet another promise. So who provides you with your information ?
Frankly, I don't think it's probable that all of what you say will happen, it is more probable that iRex will continue not to deliver on their promises and has become very cautious about adding more.
It is also very likely that at some point promised new features for the DR will not appear for the DR anymore but end up in new devices from iRex ... and that people with a DR will be in a situation where they actually have to pay iRex for a new device to get said promised features.

[afm528]

Most of the posts seem to be from DR1000 owners. I purchased the model prior to the DR1000, the iliad. It promised to be a great machine, but there were/are far too many bugs and quirks for it to be a dependable device. Much of the promised features never appeared, or when they did appear, they were on a new device, as has been suggested above.

Given irex's past history of poor support for their devices and of releasing beta versions of their products and never fully delivering the promised package, I will steer clear of them, and advise anyone considering one to learn from history lest you be doomed to repeat it.

[sarikan]

Hi afm528,
I would like to clarify one thing. Despite all these problems, and having to feel like an idiot who pays £500 to become a beta tester, the screen size of IRex devices is so useful that it is still not possible for someone to find an alternative for certain type of documents.
I'll be taking a closer look at plastic logic device, which should be introduced in January at USA, but to be honest, I am not expecting a miracle.

[tjdean256]

Originally Posted by sarikan

... I am not expecting a miracle.

Me neither. The Plastic Logic is still vaporware and has been for how long now?. Futhermore, it will be based on Windows CE. Being a user of Windows Mobile 6, I expect PL to be putting out fires for as long as the device is in existance. The only thing that interests me about the device is the plastic screen and the possibility of being able to use it to collect data in the woods.

td

[WookieReader]

I am not sure what to do. Obviously the negative posts on the new 10" are cause for concern.

However, I have the Iliad 2nd Edition and have taken it everywhere and it has been flawless, so I must be some anomaly out here. I have a Mac and really enjoy them, and the Iliad just mounts as a hard drive and I drag PDF files to a document folder and they all open just fine. The memory, SD ability, large screen, and Wacom look great. I would rather have other features such as WiFi and 3G, but really is no trouble to do it from my home. Battery life is a real concern, but as others have posted, I don't see anything else out there with the screen size and Wacom.

[myprecious]

@WookieReader
I've had dr1000s for almost a year now. I am very pleased with the device. I think that the people who gramble about dr are just a vocal minority. Surely they won't agree with me, but it seems they have forgotten that dr is just an ebook reader - nothing more. If you are satisfied with iliad you will love dr

[WookieReader]

The points are well taken. This forum is invaluable for researching facts and opinions. When I initially looked at the market I was very nervous about the Irex customer service feedback as well as general comments. However, the experience has been positive and since I have had no problems I can't vouch for any. The 800 sounds promising, as do many new products on this site, but to date I think part of the controversy is that no one has really dominated the market yet with that balance of features and cost.

I am sure 5 years from now some models will have color, 4 DuoCore processors, WiFi, 5G, 1TB of memory, 6mos battery, and a lifetime of documents in the device. Somehow, just an extremely efficient b&w unit with Adobe PDF suite of full editing and highlighting would be fine with me. After all, it is books. IMO it would be better to be extremely good at the niche instead of a full 2lb tablet running MS or Mac OS. I scan everything now and being totally business and personally paperless would be great with light weight.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Kent Walters

I believe that Amazon will have a tremendous advantage due to Amazon's name recognition and the fact that the press has already made Amazon and Kindle 'cool' in the public eye.

Absolutely true. But I don't think anything iRex does or doesn't do with regards to functionality is going to change that. With or without handwriting at initial launch, Amazon is going to be the 800 lbs gorilla. I don't think iRex has any illusions about being able to beat Amazon/Sony in the consumer market.