IREX DR800SG review

[Mr. Goodbar]

Originally Posted by superhero

Thank you everyone for answering my questions. I have just one more. Does it have a built in dictionary?

I went ahead and ordered one. I wanted something with the clarity of the Nook and the size of the Sony. I have both and while I like them neither quite do it right...it sounds like the iRex will bridge the gap.

No dictionary at this point. It's still referenced in the manuals, but was dropped from the initial release. Some speculation that it will come with a firmware update, but we'll have to wait and see on that.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by superhero

Thank you everyone for answering my questions. I have just one more. Does it have a built in dictionary?

I went ahead and ordered one. I wanted something with the clarity of the Nook and the size of the Sony. I have both and while I like them neither quite do it right...it sounds like the iRex will bridge the gap.

So far, no dictionary.

[Gleidson]

Originally Posted by Mr. Goodbar

No dictionary at this point. It's still referenced in the manuals, but was dropped from the initial release. Some speculation that it will come with a firmware update, but we'll have to wait and see on that.

Hello folks, I'm a newcomer posting here, but I have already followed, for two months, a bunch of threads. My main intent on doing so is to reach the restless decision in choosing which eReader I should grab, Sony Daily Edition or Irex DR800SG. That said, I have followed mgmueller's always punctual and pertinent threads/posts, what has given me valuable points on.

I made a point of posting here for the first time inasmuch as this particular topic is a capital issue for my decision - dictionary. As I'm an English student and lover (BTW, I do like to learn from my mistakes, so if I commit any, please, don't hesitate to correct them), this characteristic is mandatory. Thus, is there sure is this feature going with an ongoing firmware?

[MobileTechReview]

There is currently no dictionary and no guarantee that there will be one.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Gleidson

Hello folks, I'm a newcomer posting here, but I have already followed, for two months, a bunch of threads. My main intent on doing so is to reach the restless decision in choosing which eReader I should grab, Sony Daily Edition or Irex DR800SG. That said, I have followed mgmueller's always punctual and pertinent threads/posts, what has given me valuable points on.

I made a point of posting here for the first time inasmuch as this particular topic is a capital issue for my decision - dictionary. As I'm an English student and lover (BTW, I do like to learn from my mistakes, so if I commit any, please, don't hesitate to correct them), this characteristic is mandatory. Thus, is there sure is this feature going with an ongoing firmware?

In my opinion and experience, you never can be sure about features in the next firmware update. Neither with iRex nor with any other manufacturer (not just for eBook readers, this applies for every single product). You never can know about a company's strategy for example. In this case, iRex management for example may decide to leave out some features to position iRex 1000S against iRex 800. Wouldn't be the first time (again, valid for whatever product, not just readers), already finalised and approved updates don't get released because of politics.
(There are lots of anecdotes like that around Windows XP vs. Windows Vista.)
And on the other hand, you never can know about the manufacturer's focus. Resources may be bound for other products or markets.
Meaning: Always purchase products based on the features they already have. Not based on features they should have or might have in the future.

[Mr. Goodbar]

I would second mgmueller's advice. I personally believe there is very high probability that it will be added in a future release, but a good plan is to never purchase a product based on future capability. Companies plans can change, market conditions can change, companies can fail. Any of these factors can obviously have an impact on future release strategy. Best of luck in your search.

[Shaggy]

Just adding my opinion regarding the dictionary...

If you look at the version of the DR800 manual that was submitted to the FCC, it actually includes a section on using a dictionary. The manual included with the initial release does not. My guess is that it is something they either plan on adding but didn't quite have ready yet, or else something that was already in there but had to be removed at the last minute (maybe because of a bug, etc).

However, I don't think I've seen iRex comment on it yet. So we're not sure if it's something they are still working on or not.

As the others have said, if a dictionary is a requirement for you, then I would wait until one is available for the DR800 before you order one. Don't rely on future plans/promises from any company. Buy a device based on what it's capabilities are at the time you buy it.

[Gleidson]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

In my opinion and experience, you never can be sure about features in the next firmware update. Neither with iRex nor with any other manufacturer (not just for eBook readers, this applies for every single product). You never can know about a company's strategy for example. In this case, iRex management for example may decide to leave out some features to position iRex 1000S against iRex 800. Wouldn't be the first time (again, valid for whatever product, not just readers), already finalised and approved updates don't get released because of politics.
(There are lots of anecdotes like that around Windows XP vs. Windows Vista.)
And on the other hand, you never can know about the manufacturer's focus. Resources may be bound for other products or markets.
Meaning: Always purchase products based on the features they already have. Not based on features they should have or might have in the future.

Thank you, mgmueller, for the reply . Speaking of it, I clearly remember reading this very same advice in some other thread. What I did find striking in your standpoint is how plain and reasonable it is, which I take into consideration ever since. But what, somehow, makes me to get back to this query is exactely the tecnical feasibility of implementing a such feature as a dictionary on a device dubbed an open plataform. Simple put, I fancy it could be followed up with a firmware update or a "homebrew app" (taking Midori for exemple. Any guess on this?).

[Gleidson]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

Just adding my opinion regarding the dictionary...

If you look at the version of the DR800 manual that was submitted to the FCC, it actually includes a section on using a dictionary. The manual included with the initial release does not. My guess is that it is something they either plan on adding but didn't quite have ready yet, or else something that was already in there but had to be removed at the last minute (maybe because of a bug, etc).

However, I don't think I've seen iRex comment on it yet. So we're not sure if it's something they are still working on or not.

As the others have said, if a dictionary is a requirement for you, then I would wait until one is available for the DR800 before you order one. Don't rely on future plans/promises from any company. Buy a device based on what it's capabilities are at the time you buy it.

First off, thank you all for your words, they're very welcome.

With the Regard of waiting until one [dictionary] is available for the DR800, unfortunately I don't have this much time. I have a business travel to the U.S (March 13 - 20), within this period I have intent on buying an ereader. However things on DR800 will likely not change up to that time. What only increases my indecision!

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Gleidson

First off, thank you all for your words, they're very welcome.

With the Regard of waiting until one [dictionary] is available for the DR800, unfortunately I don't have this much time. I have a business travel to the U.S (March 13 - 20), within this period I have intent on buying an ereader. However things on DR800 will likely not change up to that time. What only increases my indecision!

The best you could probably do is contact iRex and find out their plans for dictionary support, I have not seen them state anything publicly about it yet. However, you'd still be taking a leap of faith, in that you'd be relying on their future plans and it wouldn't have a dictionary when you bought it.

[Gleidson]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

The best you could probably do is contact iRex and find out their plans for dictionary support, I have not seen them state anything publicly about it yet. However, you'd still be taking a leap of faith, in that you'd be relying on their future plans and it wouldn't have a dictionary when you bought it.

Thank you again, Shaggy . I'll likely grab the Sony PRS-900 instead. You know, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!

[rskolin]

Truly an outstanding review. As a former Kindle1 owner, I am in the market for a replacement and the 800SG is the best I've seen so far.

I couldn't find anything on the iRex Website, but I was wondering if any foreign languages are supported on the 800SG? My wife is Korean, and I would love to have a device that she could use in her native language text of Hangul. I noticed that Newspaper Direct does have some Korean editions available, although I haven't been able to find any ebooks in Hangul online.

Does anyone know the answer to this?

Thanks.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by rskolin

I couldn't find anything on the iRex Website, but I was wondering if any foreign languages are supported on the 800SG?

In general, PDFs and ePubs with embedded fonts should work. The PDFs won't reflow, and ePubs are restricted to "left to right" languages (a limitation of Adobe's software, not the ePub standard). Also, support for displaying filenames and metadata, and for keyboard input, may be lacking. See epub problem!!(DR800SG) for a possibility relevant discussion.

[Bic]

I really was looking forward to this new e-reader primarily because of the screen size. To me 8" is optimal. But I'm disappointed to hear:
(1) no dictionary
(2) no search function
(3) stylus [how long before that is lost?!] & no stylus holder on reader -- can you use your fingers?
(4) no Wi-Fi

Any info on these items is welcomed.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Bic

(2) no search function

It does let you search inside a document. Is that what you meant?

(3) stylus [how long before that is lost?!] & no stylus holder on reader -- can you use your fingers?

The cases/covers have a stylus holder. I wouldn't recommend using any eInk device without a case/cover.