just pulled the trigger on a pocket pro

[Laura81]

^ I agree! Hoping they will at some point allow us to be able to delete ebooks directly off the device and make it so we can read .lit files on it as I find that impossible even though it says it can read them.

[Javed]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

Not only do they upgrade constantly, they listen to us here, and implement the changes that we want. Granted, it may take some time, and some things are still on the list, but they are constantly evolving and improving the product.

[basschick]

so it arrived. i opened the box, which was well-packed, plugged in the pocket pro and discovered something i had not realized - you can read the pocket pro while it's charging! as a cybook gen3 owner, i haven't had this option, so this was pretty cool.

the pp started up quickly, the screen is nice and crisp, and it was easy to zoom the text one size. while a few things took me a minute here and there, mainly because i'm used to my cybook, i easily created 4 folders and put in a bunch of baen free library books and some other free books that i liked into the pp easily, then i was off and reading. then i remembered it's a christmas present and put it away in its box

so far, i think it's very nice - easy to use, comfortable to hold, nice features, easy to understand manual (i did check it out). true, i didn't spend more than a couple hours with it, but i think arie is going to love it! and what with folders and reading while charging, i suspect there's an aztak in my future...

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by basschick

so it arrived. i opened the box, which was well-packed, plugged in the pocket pro and discovered something i had not realized - you can read the pocket pro while it's charging! as a cybook gen3 owner, i haven't had this option, so this was pretty cool.

the pp started up quickly, the screen is nice and crisp, and it was easy to zoom the text one size. while a few things took me a minute here and there, mainly because i'm used to my cybook, i easily created 4 folders and put in a bunch of baen free library books and some other free books that i liked into the pp easily, then i was off and reading. then i remembered it's a christmas present and put it away in its box

so far, i think it's very nice - easy to use, comfortable to hold, nice features, easy to understand manual (i did check it out). true, i didn't spend more than a couple hours with it, but i think arie is going to love it! and what with folders and reading while charging, i suspect there's an aztak in my future...

Glad to hear you liked it. I'm not a big pusher for updating unless you have to, but I strongly recommend the latest firmware from Astak, it has increased the battery life significantly. I am on day 17 since the update down one bar.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

I've seen mentioned the difference in peoples opinion on the PP not being as intuitive as the Sony readers, yet I find the PP quite simple and effective to interact with. Are you able to, for my curiosity sake, give a few examples of how the Sony is more intuitive?

I've done this elsewhere, but.....General issues with the PP

the menu font is way too small

If you have an SD card inserted it ALWAYS goes to it rather than where you last were (internal memory)

bookmarking is a pain the butt and very non-intuitive - on the sony it's just one button to set of clear. The sony menu has a bookmark page and simply select the bookmark you want to go to.

The mp3 player is almost unusable without a manual in front of you.

It's difficult to know what the arrow keys on the keypad do as the function changes. I still can't figure out when and how to use hyperlinks

What does "Music is playing" on the menu mean???

The screen contrast is poor compared to either the Sony 505 or the Kindle2

The buttons don't always work -- you have to sometime press twice or multiple times.

There may be other things I've forgotten...

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

I think one of the biggest advantages of Astak over the Sony is their dedication to updating the firmware. Not only do they upgrade constantly, they listen to us here, and implement the changes that we want. Granted, it may take some time, and some things are still on the list, but they are constantly evolving and improving the product.

That, to me, trumps any other ebook company on the market.

hee-hee this could read as a negative to me and many others. The Sony doesn't NEED to be upgraded because the Software was developed properly in the first place. I don't want to have to constantly upgrade my firmware, I just want it to work and let me read.

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by kennyc

The screen contrast is poor compared to either the Sony 505 or the Kindle2

I find that quite interesting (not wanting to start a flamewar) about the Kindle2. You are the first I have read who hasn't complained about the contrast with it. I see quite a few posts on amazon.com about the screen contrast and the recommendation to install the font hack to try and overcome some of the issue.

I can't comment on whether the screen contrast is poor in comparison to other readers as the PP is the only one I have and seen.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

I find that quite interesting (not wanting to start a flamewar) about the Kindle2. You are the first I have read who hasn't complained about the contrast with it. I see quite a few posts on amazon.com about the screen contrast and the recommendation to install the font hack to try and overcome some of the issue.

I can't comment on whether the screen contrast is poor in comparison to other readers as the PP is the only one I have and seen.

Certainly it the 505 is better, but listed in order best to worse 505, kindle2, PP.

I also compared my 505 with the Sony 300 and 600 at the Sony store. The 300 and the PP are identical as far as contrast, the 600 is a bit better -- I'd put it as tied with the Kindle2 as far as display contrast.

Note too that there are variations in individual screens and between models as the eInk screens require an individual adjustment during manufacture of the various readers.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I've done this elsewhere, but.....General issues with the PP

<snipped>

If you have an SD card inserted it ALWAYS goes to it rather than where you last were (internal memory)

Annoying, but not as annoying as not having the last title read at the TOP of the "Recently Read list(s)" (per memory location).There are a lot of "housekeeping" issues when you have a removable memmory device..."What, if anything, has changed since last powered?"

bookmarking is a pain the butt and very non-intuitive - on the sony it's just one button to set of clear. The sony menu has a bookmark page and simply select the bookmark you want to go to.

I , also fing use of bookmarks confusing. That coupled with the "Space in Title" issue....

The mp3 player is almost unusable without a manual in front of you.

Getting there is the big issue . The controls work pretty much like my other cheap players do.

It's difficult to know what the arrow keys on the keypad do as the function changes. I still can't figure out when and how to use hyperlinks

Here is where I need the manual.

What does "Music is playing" on the menu mean???

IMHO "Audio Player" would be a better choice for English (Covers Podcasts, Audio books as well as Music). But the difficulty may be in translating to other languages and keeping the title short.

The buttons don't always work -- you have to sometime press twice or multiple times.

I see this occasionally (when there is No activity LED). On rare other times, pageturns get really slow (over a minute). A Power Cycle clears this (annoying).

There may be other things I've forgotten...

Same here

[jusmee]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I've done this elsewhere, but.....General issues with the PP

the menu font is way too small

Yes it is small.

Originally Posted by kennyc

If you have an SD card inserted it ALWAYS goes to it rather than where you last were (internal memory)

Only if you turn it off - which is not necessary as it uses so little power. Just keylock it instead.

Originally Posted by kennyc

bookmarking is a pain the butt and very non-intuitive - on the sony it's just one button to set of clear. The sony menu has a bookmark page and simply select the bookmark you want to go to.

and coupled with bookmarks not working if there are spaces in the folder names - yeah, not good

Originally Posted by kennyc

The mp3 player is almost unusable without a manual in front of you.

I had no troubles with it at all

Originally Posted by kennyc

It's difficult to know what the arrow keys on the keypad do as the function changes. I still can't figure out when and how to use hyperlinks

I need to learn more about using hyperlinks myself, but most books I read have none, so I haven't bothered yet.

Originally Posted by kennyc

What does "Music is playing" on the menu mean???

Playing music in the background while you read.

Originally Posted by kennyc

The screen contrast is poor compared to either the Sony 505 or the Kindle2

I had some books with poor contrast, until I realised it was because they were ePubs that defaulted to a pale Times Roman font. By converting them to mobi format, and choosing IBOOKN font when reading, you get about twice the contrast or more. I suspect it's because of the change from 4 gray levels to 8 in the new reader.

- they really need to work hard on improving ePub !!

Originally Posted by kennyc

The buttons don't always work -- you have to sometime press twice or multiple times.

This is better in the later firmware, but a good decisive press, rather than a quick click, always seems to work for me.

Originally Posted by kennyc

There may be other things I've forgotten

[Robertb]

Dear Kenny and all:

I think sometimes people do not fully understand Firmware Upgrades. They are not really correction only. They also improve the device. Yes, we do monitor the Astak threads and send emails to the factory to make corrections where needed. But, we also use Firmware Upgrades to add features that were never advertised (such as Hyperlinks and the Search Function). I try very hard to make the device better from the info on MobileRead Forum. To me, that is a good way to do things. I DO need to update the FAQ sheet again to expalin HOW to utilize the Hyperlinks and the Search Function.

Kenny... nobody I know has ever had the slightest problem with the Music Zone. It plays really well and plays WHILE you read music. We are now trying to build in better control of the volume while you read thru the scroll wheel. I am hoping we can get it to do more with the Music Zone.

Yes, when you have an SD card in the slot it becomes the primary. Most people seem to like that as they load on their books and music onto the card and not the internal memory.

The menu font sizing improvement was done in the November 5 Firmware Upgrade.

Agreed, "Music Is Playing" is a poor choice of wording. This happens when the factory is in China. It should say "Music Zone is available or ready" or something like that. It is somewhat useless info that is confusing.

The bookmarking was improved in a September Firmware Upgrade. All I have heard on here is that the bookmarking is now fine. Kenny, let me know what you encounter with Bookmark after you do the Firmware Upgrades (if you have not yet) and I will have the factory rework again. I am always open to your help.

[bbusybookworm]

Originally Posted by jusmee

I need to learn more about using hyperlinks myself, but most books I read have none, so I haven't bothered yet.

Hyperlinks are a little unintuitive to use on the PP the first time, but once you get used to it its ok.

On a a page with hyperlinks, click on the Menu Button and select "Follow link" then enter the number that appears next to the link and tit the Menue button again.

The number of Key presses needed is a bit of a pain, but for the rare occasion I need to use one, it works ok.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Kenny and all:

I think sometimes people do not fully understand Firmware Upgrades. They are not really correction only. They also improve the device. Yes, we do monitor the Astak threads and send emails to the factory to make corrections where needed. But, we also use Firmware Upgrades to add features that were never advertised (such as Hyperlinks and the Search Function). I try very hard to make the device better from the info on MobileRead Forum. To me, that is a good way to do things. I DO need to update the FAQ sheet again to expalin HOW to utilize the Hyperlinks and the Search Function.

Kenny... nobody I know has ever had the slightest problem with the Music Zone. It plays really well and plays WHILE you read music. We are now trying to build in better control of the volume while you read thru the scroll wheel. I am hoping we can get it to do more with the Music Zone.

Yes, when you have an SD card in the slot it becomes the primary. Most people seem to like that as they load on their books and music onto the card and not the internal memory.

The menu font sizing improvement was done in the November 5 Firmware Upgrade.

Agreed, "Music Is Playing" is a poor choice of wording. This happens when the factory is in China. It should say "Music Zone is available or ready" or something like that. It is somewhat useless info that is confusing.

The bookmarking was improved in a September Firmware Upgrade. All I have heard on here is that the bookmarking is now fine. Kenny, let me know what you encounter with Bookmark after you do the Firmware Upgrades (if you have not yet) and I will have the factory rework again. I am always open to your help.

Oh I absolutely understand Robert. I've been in the software business for going on 30 years. I've worked virtually all areas from backend to UI to QA at various times. I think I have a very good perspective on what works and what doesn't in a UI both from a technical perspective and as a user. I also understand the difficulty of creating an easy to use UI when you trying to include many options.

The issues I've had with the PP I've listed (above) and a couple of times elsewhere.

I believe my firmware is current and I've seen no change in the menu font size -- of course many people don't have an issue with it in any case.

As far as the bookmarks, it is just not clear/simple/easy. On the Sony there is a single bookmark key. You press it a bookmark is set or removed. Simple easy to use and understand. The bookmarking on the PP is difficult to understand and use in comparison there are multiple bookmarks and they must be added/deleted separately etc. It is confusing.

Same thing with the mp3 player -- so put me down as number one on the list that has had problems in using it. It is confusing to have to remember to press button # 7 for this or button #5 for that. On the Sony there is a dedicated menu (or appropriate size!) that allows playing or stopping the music. The volume controls are dedicated buttons (as they are on the Kindle2) to change the volume without interfering with reading (I honestly don't remember if this is true or not on the pp). And certainly both play music while reading.

The internal memory (or the location of the last book read) should be the primary location. This is just simply wrong to me. I think if proper UI design along with user testing of this and the other functions I've mentioned had been done they may have been implemented differently. I get the feeling -- particularly with your mentioning of the enhancements you are asking the factory for that true and proper usability studies have not been done, nor were they done by Jinke which is at the core of many of the usability issues.

Just my thoughts. Thank you for listening.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by bbusybookworm

Hyperlinks are a little unintuitive to use on the PP the first time, but once you get used to it its ok.

On a a page with hyperlinks, click on the Menu Button and select "Follow link" then enter the number that appears next to the link and tit the Menue button again.

The number of Key presses needed is a bit of a pain, but for the rare occasion I need to use one, it works ok.

yeah, it's exactly that kind of non-intuitive operation that I have issues with. On both the Kindle and Sony it works just like on a PC. You move the cursor to the hyperlink and press go. Simple.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by bbusybookworm

Hyperlinks are a little unintuitive to use on the PP the first time, but once you get used to it its ok.

On a a page with hyperlinks, click on the Menu Button and select "Follow link" then enter the number that appears next to the link and tit the Menue button again.

The number of Key presses needed is a bit of a pain, but for the rare occasion I need to use one, it works ok.

this is the method for mobi files. For PDF and ePUB you can use the 9/0 keys to move through the hyperlinks on the page and then the menu/ok to traverse the one that is selected. As you move through the page the selected hyperlink will be underlined, which could result in a double underline if the format also underlined it.

This can be a little confusing as the 9/0 normally do prev/next pages. If you normally use this keys to read a book and the page doesn't change then it is likely you hit a page with links on it.

Dale


Dale