Any Jan Firmware?

[John F]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Aegeus:

I agree with you that the industry is growing and new things will come. However, from my eye on the industry, what will come will cost a lot of bucks.

First off, Touchscreen can raise the price by $80-$90. AND... many touchscreens (witness the new Sony PRS-900BC at $549) are NOT at all clear (you lose about 35% in resolution clarity. New crystal clear touchscreens are coming... but not quite yet.

...

The Sony PRS-900BC is $399 on the Sony site, and is available for $399 at other sites.

[omro]

I didn't make use of the last firmware update, as people said it was a bit flakey. The only improvement I want is the ability to erase files on device. Otherwise, I'm very happy with it as it currently stands.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by John F

The Sony PRS-900BC is $399 on the Sony site, and is available for $399 at other sites.

Dear John F:

Thank you. I only saw one review and they said that the price was $549. I will cheerfully stand corrected and I thank you for the post!!

Sony PRS-900BC is $399.

[LJ Miehe]

Originally Posted by aegeus

I would say it very easily

My opinion is that although capable of handling many formats and having many features compared to it's rivals; our device does not even have a full keyboard! Just think how hard we will be using the dictionary function after it has been added to our device.

Don't get me wrong; I love my device and use it a lot; but it doesn't make me forget it's lacking parts. I am pretty sure next time this year we will be talking about color screens, touch screens, full keyboards, connection types of the device (wi-fi, gsm etc.) integration with bookstores etc. I believe that this development speed in e-book readers is very rapid, compared to similar products (like for example mp3 players)

I believe that our devices are first and good premature examples of e-book readers. If we can not get more firmware updates and new features till next year; our device will look like a gray screen calculator compared to upcoming new products. I just don't want to have an outdated reader next year, which is a short period I think for this product.

There's still a lot to add to our device which can easily be seen from the suggestions and I know that I shouldn't be eager to get a new firmware each month; however I just don't want to stay with an "damped" device.

Regards.

Response:

I have few things to say about this post and this is really geared towards a mentality not the person specifically but I do appreciate a debate if they would like to discuss this.

The mentality of the latest and greatest is what I feel hampers many of these new devices and technologies. Let me take a few of the point in this post and give my commentary.

1. It needs a color screen - I bought a eInk device specifically because it would not have glare and would display text in a close manner to a book, so in my opinion resources would be better spent on other areas of this devices lifecycle.

2. It needs a keyboard - Why, sure if you need to look something up in a dictionary that could be interesting but other than that it is not that useful if it increases cost. I need a device that turns pages fast, supports a gazillion formats, long battery life, awesome bookmarking and a simple way of getting files in and out of the device on Windows, Mac and Linux.

3. It needs a Touchscreen - could be nice but only if it was a minor increase in price and didn't hamper the quality of the reading experience and the touchscreen is only good if the user experience was made better so I can navigate my reader better, only then would I say "yes" I will upgrade for that feature. I am talking Apple level of UE here.

4. Wireless connection - Maybe but that will be a huge drain on battery life and honestly, we all need to get back to a little more reading because with the amount of books I have in EPUB and PDF, I need to read a whole lot more before I am even going to need to add a single book.

5. Bookstore Integration - I would say yes, this is an area that is rapidly developing and Astak should build in application that can serve as that integration so we can get DRM stuff pretty easy. This improves the readers experience.

All in all, I want a better ereader, not some device that will eread and do all this other stuff not as good or makes it have a keyboard, color and wifi so it can compete with every device on the planet. Just give me a fast, good user interface, bug free ereader with a decent screen size so I can do whats most important.... getting back to reading.

Thoughts?

[theducks]

Originally Posted by LJ Miehe

Response:


5. Bookstore Integration - I would say yes, this is an area that is rapidly developing and Astak should build in application that can serve as that integration so we can get DRM stuff pretty easy. This improves the readers experience.

Why do you need Integration?
For that, you need network connectivity.

Now, Having Book store compatibility is what we really need.

Books that are formatted for pocket readers, not forcing us to scale and approximate, without resorting to 3rd party applications which are ruled out if you don't mess with the evil DRM they are infested with.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by theducks

Why do you need Integration?
For that, you need network connectivity.

Now, Having Book store compatibility is what we really need.

Books that are formatted for pocket readers, not forcing us to scale and approximate, without resorting to 3rd party applications which are ruled out if you don't mess with the evil DRM they are infested with.

Network connectivity is one way to achieve Integration but not the only way. My iPod integrates well using a USB connection. A USB connection is used by Sony to integrate their store to the device. Mobipocket integrates mobile readers with their PC reader. There are many more. So need it too strong a word.

ePUB is certainly well suited and scaled to whatever size eBook device you own.

Dale

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Network connectivity is one way to achieve Integration but not the only way. My iPod integrates well using a USB connection. A USB connection is used by Sony to integrate their store to the device. Mobipocket integrates mobile readers with their PC reader. There are many more. So need it too strong a word.

ePUB is certainly well suited and scaled to whatever size eBook device you own.

Dale

The problem I have with that is it is really only Windows users supported by that. Kind of makes me chuckle a little when all these Linux-based devices are released, yet only Windows (occasionally Mac) supported applications are released for managing the device - think the Sony PRS devices.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

The problem I have with that is it is really only Windows users supported by that. Kind of makes me chuckle a little when all these Linux-based devices are released, yet only Windows (occasionally Mac) supported applications are released for managing the device - think the Sony PRS devices.

Yes, that is exactly why I own a Windows machine. I also have a SunOS machine but windows is specifically the only OS that runs many of the applications that I need to be able to run. So why fight it and just complain that I can't do something.

Dale

[Dan21]

Wheres the dictionary? That feature is what will throw my colleagues into the pocket pro boat.

[Javed]

Originally Posted by Dan21

Wheres the dictionary? That feature is what will throw my colleagues into the pocket pro boat.

@Dan21
Robertb says they are working on it. I am looking forward to this also.

[theducks]

Please explain to this old guy how you would use a dictionary on a PEz,

Given:

Websters 1913 version is available free (links to a better Version somewhere in the archives) at PG

You have no easy way to :mark a word in your text and have a Menu Item: "Look up in Dictionary" to use

You have no keyboard and are limited to the clunky Search (that does work with the 1913 Websters, but: smack: )


And the load times and you lose your place in what you are reading

[Dan21]

Ducks:

There may be a way to utilize numbers 1-5 for selecting words, and the dictionary wouldn't loose your place it would appear as a small pop up in the bottom of the screen

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Dan21

Ducks:

There may be a way to utilize numbers 1-5 for selecting words, and the dictionary wouldn't loose your place it would appear as a small pop up in the bottom of the screen

That might work
Lrt's see
Press 0 to select hyperlinks,
press 1-5 to set bookmark, EXCEPT when in epub, Then press 6

Sheesh!
Keywords: Unified, Interface

We have become accustomed to the Hodge podge of UI we got from all the independent IBM PC era vendors. . Things have not gotten better with time.

[LJ Miehe]

Originally Posted by theducks

That might work
Lrt's see
Press 0 to select hyperlinks,
press 1-5 to set bookmark, EXCEPT when in epub, Then press 6

Sheesh!
Keywords: Unified, Interface

We have become accustomed to the Hodge podge of UI we got from all the independent IBM PC era vendors. . Things have not gotten better with time.

Why is the bookmarking feature different in ePubs compared to other formats? I don't mind it just had to learn the different way to bookmark.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by LJ Miehe

Why is the bookmarking feature different in ePubs compared to other formats? I don't mind it just had to learn the different way to bookmark.

The other formats only support up to 5 bookmarks in the book. The new method supports more and ePUB and PDF both use the new method. Note that this method is similar but not identical to the mobi method which is also different from the "other" formats. The new methods do free up the 5 keys which may be used for something else at some point.

Dale