How's jBook going to compete with Kobo Reader?

[afa]

Originally Posted by livingenzyme

First of all, I'd like to say that you made some very valid points.

The standard price for JBL is now under $100. When I say standard, I don't mean you can just find that price at any time. But I do mean if you just look perhaps once every couple days you are bound to find it at that price somewhere nowadays. Prices fluctuate for everything nowadays. A smart buyer is a buyer that wait a few days to find the best price for it.

I'm not really familiar with many of the online stores based in US since I don't live there. So if you could point me to a couple of sites to be on the look out for, I would really appreciate it. Frankly, if I can get the JBL for under a $100, then I think I'm just going to get it. That seems like too good a price to pass on.

While true that many feel e-ink display is better, I just don't see it as that big of a deal. I borrowed my neighbor's kindle and read a long long time with it. Better contrast, yes. Worth for me to deal with only 1 real format to work with? Nope.

I just went on YouTube and saw a video review of the Aluratek Libre (which is essentially the same device, right?). And I have to say, the screen looked just fine to me. So I agree, e-Ink is not that big a deal.

Again, bluetooth is nice, but in the end it's just something that you will say "that's nice to have... but what's it for again?"

Agreed.

First of all, JBL does support DRM. Works just fine.

Well, yeah, but only PDBs. Not ePub and/or Mobi.

And any dedicated ebook reader will eventually learn how to strip out the drm and really own their ebooks. Heck, I think I'll work on a windows based app to do this when I have the time.

Which I have to eventually learn, too. But first, I have to get a reader!

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who think bigger is better and those who like the mobility of their devices.

I most definitely fall into the former category, though I would modify your statement to say "know" instead of "think". The difference isn't that bigger does not mean better (when it comes to reading, I would argue it most certainly does), but which of the two is 'more' important.

In your case, it's mobility; in my case, the size is tempting because I have no intentions of carrying the reader with me anywhere. My reading is done almost exclusively at home, so I don't need it to fit in my pocket. As long as it's small and portable enough to be comfortable in my hands, it's all good. And for the record, I would always buy a laptop that had a 15" or bigger screen (for the same reason as above).

You got both of these wrong. The dictionary on the JBL will work in every format except pdf. Also, it also supports drm mobi, which is what's important.

Actually, I think I got only one wrong. I didn't know about the dictionary. I though I read somewhere that it didn't work in Mobi or ePub, but I guess you're right.

But the only DRM that it supports is the eReader i.e. PDB. That's what the jetBook website says. (Oh, and if PDB is somehow the same as Mobi, then I plead ignorance. So you'll get no points for that.)

Now, I'd like to point out the two biggest advantages of the JBL over most other readers, including the fabled kobo.

SD expandable is a must on my books. It doesn't limit you to any fixed memory size that the company decided to make.

Actually, that's not an advantage, since the Kobe has an SD card reader as well.

AA batteries as oppose to a built in battery is also a must.

I admit, that does sound good.

As for your supposed strong points, like bluetooth and mp3. These are non-issues. These are extras added onto the device that has nothing to do with the spirit of reading. It's like putting those kids' flashy twinkling star stickers on it. Sure, makes it looks nice. But in the end, do we even care?

Actually, that was exactly the point I was making... MP3s in ereaders are a useless feature for me. For one, I can't concentrate on the book if a song I really like comes on.

But folks, I'm just having a discussion here. If you really really like the kobo, please help yourselves to it.

Now, now. No need to hide behind that. Your last name is Ectaco, isn't it? James Ectaco.

By the way, I really do want to know about those websites for deals on JBL...

[petechan]

My two cents on the Libre vs Kobo side:

I actually was very interested in the Kobo due to the battery life and bigger screen. The things I like about my Libre:
1. I actually appreciate the mp3 player just in case I want to close my eyes and listen to something, instead of having to bring a separate mp3 player
2. I like the slider on the right side, allows one handed holding and page-turning.
3. I think the Kobo people are having some problem with displaying font sizes on epub.
4. I still don't know if the timer on the Kobo will invalidate library books once the lending period is up. The libre has no internal timer.

[jblitereader]

Originally Posted by afa

By the way, I really do want to know about those websites for deals on JBL...

Actually, you don't have to look far. Just check this forum from time to time. Everytime a deal comes up, someone is bound to post it on here. Like the following threads.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81360

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81096

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81179

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79908

To point out a few.

The last time it went on sale for 99.00 plus free shipping, I got several units for my extended family. I also started a website that allows people to download free e-books. Soon, I'll have thousands up for people to choose from. A whole library...

[afa]

I'll keep an eye out. And here's some Karma for you.

[aagstn]

The Kobo Reader seems nice, but I prefer having eReader DRM support and I really like having access to the internal battery. This one seems to be sealed in there like the Sony units and that was one of the reasons I passed on the Sony Pocket Reader. Also, I prefer the 5 inch screen. I really don't want a reader any bigger or any smaller than the JBL. Still for $149 the Kobo reader seems like a nice choice and it will be sold in Borders which definitely will help. I personally have no preference for eInk over reflective LCD. I don't find either to be much different for reading. My JBL has changeable batteries, seems to be easier to load books onto reading some of the Kobo complaints, supports DRM I use and was $50 cheaper. Even at $120 I would take the JBL over the Kobo so I think there is still some room on the market for Jetbook.

[causticmuse]

Well, I love my JBL, but I've been looking at either the Kobo reader or the Sony 300 Pocket just to access ADE format books from various public libraries that use Overdrive. I'm not sure that Kobo will have full compatibility with Overdrive yet, but I know that the Sony does, and both have been at the almost acceptable $140-$150 price point for the past week.

If Ectaco added ADE/Overdrive capability to the JBL, I wouldn't even look at another reader.

[greenapple]

I hope with the competition, Ectaco should see fit to upgrade its firmware sooner than later. The wide line spacing (for epub) is driving me up the wall.

[bob1xxx]

Ive got the Libre pro and the only advantage the Kobo has is a 6' screen otherwise I personally think it inferior to my libre pro

[Pranananda]

Hi folk,

I am looking at the JBL also. I like the low price.

I disagree that the ipad sucks though. Perhaps it's not the best dedicated ebook reader, and I use my ipod touch as much as my ipad because of the portability. But with the ipad, I'm not tied to my desktop to watch movies, as I can stream them wirelessly all over my home. The video on the ipad is nice. As are the games. Reading PDFs doesn't suck, and you get color. And browsing the web. The ipad is more of a netbook/laptop replacement for those folks who are consuming media but not really creating any.

But for reading fiction, the ipad is not great. It works better with media with lots of pictures or video. I use my ipod to read because its so portable. Even more so than the JBL.

But I am still interested in trying the JBL.

[jblitereader]

Originally Posted by Pranananda

I disagree that the ipad sucks though.

I guess suck is too strong of a word. Let just say I don't think it's worth the price tag. In a month or so, the android adam will come out. I've looked at the specs of both of these devices. The adam is about a light year ahead of the ipad but at half the price.

[JSWolf]

From what I have been reading, the JBL/Libre do not support hyperlinks. So if you have an endnote in an ePub eBook, good luck getting to it.

[bjkel]

I was tossing up between the Kobo reader and JetBook Lite. The reason being is that these two devices have finally been put up at a more respectable price in Australia. Not great but not the outrageous prices other dedicated ebook readers have been here.

What swayed me towards the Jetbook Lite is:
- The folders, I can sort my books out under authors.
- The AA batteries, I didn't want the bother of having to hook it up for recharging and waiting for it before I could read again.
- More choices in formats, didn't end up converting any of my html books as they read very well in the JetBook Lite. Although, some of the covers don't show up, I guess I can fix that by playing with the files, haven't been bothered yet.
- And I'm also not an e-ink convert. People say they get used to the page turning on them, but I'm not convinced. I like to flick through pages sometimes and I can see that flash page turning really annoying me.

I guess it all depends what you are after in an ebook reader. I don't need audio, wireless or the many other bells and whistles you get with some readers, just wanted something that I can sort my books out well on and read them. JetBook Lite does this well. I do miss backlight though.

[Desertway]

Originally Posted by bjkel

.
- The AA batteries, I didn't want the bother of having to hook it up for recharging and waiting for it before I could read again.

I keep reading this comment. Is it the case that with many ereaders you can't use the device while it is charging? I can use my Libre while charging. Of course, there has to be an outlet.

[jblitereader]

Originally Posted by Desertway

I keep reading this comment. Is it the case that with many ereaders you can't use the device while it is charging? I can use my Libre while charging. Of course, there has to be an outlet.

Here is what I meant when I commented about the AA batteries. I travel more often than not. And more often than not, I forget to plug my devices in to recharge and whatnot.

But my number 1 complaint about a built in battery is of the cost for replacing it if it dies. My ipod's battery went bad some time ago. It cost me $90 to replace it.

[bjkel]

Originally Posted by Desertway

I keep reading this comment. Is it the case that with many ereaders you can't use the device while it is charging? I can use my Libre while charging. Of course, there has to be an outlet.

I read you can't with the Kobo. Maybe I might of been misinformed? Not sure about other dedicated readers. Those were my reasons for choosing Jetbook Lite over Kobo. However, some of those things can probably be fixed with upgrades to Kobo firmware.