Gen3 Hold the Phone! Firmware Update has ARRIVED!!!

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by guguy

As Hadrien told me, firmwares between 0.91 and 0.98 were probably
"unstable" (even for a beta) because of the new features they included
and that's probably why you've been waiting so much

Anyway, I'm glad you have this near-to-final-version firmware since I guess
this means your review is to be published next week!

I hope all your frustation vanished as soon as you received this firmware

I do believe you're right!

And I now feel confident about certain things, confident enough to start writing a first review.

I can guarantee that my frustration over not being able to read Secure Mobipocket has vanished!

Derek

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by guguy

As Hadrien told me, firmwares between 0.91 and 0.98 were probably
"unstable" (even for a beta) because of the new features they included
and that's probably why you've been waiting so much

Anyway, I'm glad you have this near-to-final-version firmware since I guess
this means your review is to be published next week!

I hope all your frustation vanished as soon as you received this firmware

Not *all* my frustration, but a good part of it regarding Mobipocket ebooks.

Derek

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

Not *all* my frustration, but a good part of it regarding Mobipocket ebooks.

Derek

So what still frustrates you other then having DRM laden ebooks?

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So what still frustrates you other then having DRM laden ebooks?

Okay, This is all going to be in my first review, but:

1. No way to add additional TrueType fonts at this time. At least, it doesn't "appear" that the system has recognized the one's I've added. But this is supposed to be coming.

2. No way to choose whether to *just* show the header along with the progress bar - it has a progress bar now - without showing the page # footer. That takes up too much space when showing Header, Body Text, Footer and Progress Bar. And the Progress Bar can't be hidden.

3. Mobipocket Desktop Reader does *not* recognize the Cybook as a Mobi device. This doesn't prevent you from registering the device's PID with Fictionwise and Mobipocket directly, but it's an annoyance. However, I'm willing to bet that this will be cleared up by the next Mobipocket Reader update or so.

4. We have a Lookup function, but it's a bit flakey. Sometimes it works, sometimes it drops me back out to the Library. Not that I lose my position within the ebook, just it's a hassle to find the book and restart.

5. I *really* wish that turning off the Cybook and then turning it back on - when I was already in an ebook - did not drop me out to the Library.

6. I'd still like to see a 'Goto First' and 'Goto Last' - and if possible, a 'Goto Page#' option in the contextual menu that shows up inside an ebook.

7. While I can find some PDF ebooks formatted for the Sony PRS, the (current with this firmware release) inability to zoom and pan isn't all that.

8. I'd kind of like them to add - if they don't already have it planned - a Desktop/Notebook app to manage firmware updating and Library/Catalog management. I mean, if one chooses to not use the SD card - I've got a 2GB card sitting in there right now - it would be nice to be able to have one app that creates/maintains the main library of ebook purchases, yes?

But these are just my first impressions.

Derek

[guguy]

Desktop/Notebook app to manage firmware updating and Library/Catalog management

Well, can't you manage your ebook catalog with Mobipocket Reader Desktop,
since there should be, as you said, an update to handle the gen3 ?

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by guguy

Well, can't you manage your ebook catalog with Mobipocket Reader Desktop,
since there should be, as you said, an update to handle the gen3 ?

No doubt, but what about the HTML, TXT and PDF ebooks? Hmmm... *AFTERMARKET*!!!

Derek

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

No doubt, but what about the HTML, TXT and PDF ebooks? Hmmm... *AFTERMARKET*!!!

Derek

How do you want your ebook content managed? Or are you just looking for like something to list for you what it is you have?

[JSWolf]

Given all the things that yet do not work properly or are to come, I really do not think the Gen3 will be released in October.

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Given all the things that yet do not work properly or are to come, I really do not think the Gen3 will be released in October.

You may be right. I know that they've made significant progress in 0.98 from 0.91, and I believe that what we've received is not even the most recent version - although I presume that is because 0.98 may well be their last 'release' version, and they're working with stable, yet 'development' versions in-house.

It will be interesting to see what comes with the next firmware update.

Derek

[jbenny]

I would agree that items 2, 4, 5 and 6 are critical and need to be fixed in the released product. Items 4 and 5 would be especially important to me. Thanks for keeping us all informed.

Originally Posted by delphidb96

Okay, This is all going to be in my first review, but:

1. No way to add additional TrueType fonts at this time. At least, it doesn't "appear" that the system has recognized the one's I've added. But this is supposed to be coming.

2. No way to choose whether to *just* show the header along with the progress bar - it has a progress bar now - without showing the page # footer. That takes up too much space when showing Header, Body Text, Footer and Progress Bar. And the Progress Bar can't be hidden.

3. Mobipocket Desktop Reader does *not* recognize the Cybook as a Mobi device. This doesn't prevent you from registering the device's PID with Fictionwise and Mobipocket directly, but it's an annoyance. However, I'm willing to bet that this will be cleared up by the next Mobipocket Reader update or so.

4. We have a Lookup function, but it's a bit flakey. Sometimes it works, sometimes it drops me back out to the Library. Not that I lose my position within the ebook, just it's a hassle to find the book and restart.

5. I *really* wish that turning off the Cybook and then turning it back on - when I was already in an ebook - did not drop me out to the Library.

6. I'd still like to see a 'Goto First' and 'Goto Last' - and if possible, a 'Goto Page#' option in the contextual menu that shows up inside an ebook.

7. While I can find some PDF ebooks formatted for the Sony PRS, the (current with this firmware release) inability to zoom and pan isn't all that.

8. I'd kind of like them to add - if they don't already have it planned - a Desktop/Notebook app to manage firmware updating and Library/Catalog management. I mean, if one chooses to not use the SD card - I've got a 2GB card sitting in there right now - it would be nice to be able to have one app that creates/maintains the main library of ebook purchases, yes?

But these are just my first impressions.

Derek

[HarryT]

Hi Derek,

Given that (as I understand it) there's no support for folders, how well do you think the Library Manager would work for, say, a couple of thousand books? Would it be practical to use? Is it just a "flat" list of books or is there any form of search capability?

[MikeF74]

I think the only way they could possible ship in October is if they have all of the devices boxed up really soon with whatever firmware they have at the moment (labeling it as 1.0 so as not to appear unprofessional). They presumably wouldn't have time to flash every devices with the latest and greatest firmware before they went out the door, so they'd have to include a CD-ROM with and instruction sheet. Just throw one of these in each box before shipping it out.

So, while meeting an October shipping deadline is possible... it still seems unlikely. They really need to start accepting pre-orders really soon.

Personally, I guess I'll wait to see what the Kindle is all about before making a final decision between the 505, Gen3, and Kindle. When October 15th is here, I'll be itching to order something. Bookeen better have an order page up by then or they may get lost in the excitement.

[penty]

I don't foresee the Cybook having a resident library manager. It would have to be on the Desktop.

Originally Posted by HarryT

Hi Derek,

Given that (as I understand it) there's no support for folders, how well do you think the Library Manager would work for, say, a couple of thousand books? Would it be practical to use? Is it just a "flat" list of books or is there any form of search capability?

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Hi Derek,

Given that (as I understand it) there's no support for folders, how well do you think the Library Manager would work for, say, a couple of thousand books? Would it be practical to use? Is it just a "flat" list of books or is there any form of search capability?

Tell me about it. Right now I've got over 60 ebooks stored on my SD card - in the /eBooks folder - and with the seven on my Cybook, that makes for a lot of paging through the Library. Yes, switching to 20 ebook thumbnails per page helps, but the text strings of the titles are displayed so small below each thumbnail, I can't really read them. That's the sorrow of needing both regular and reading glasses. I shudder to think what it would be like with an SD card stuffed with 1000 titles, all accessible only in a single, non-collectioned, folder! (And I've got one SD which has 1,000 PG titles in it. It's not fun to page through.)

Derek

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by MikeF74

I think the only way they could possible ship in October is if they have all of the devices boxed up really soon with whatever firmware they have at the moment (labeling it as 1.0 so as not to appear unprofessional). They presumably wouldn't have time to flash every devices with the latest and greatest firmware before they went out the door, so they'd have to include a CD-ROM with and instruction sheet. Just throw one of these in each box before shipping it out.

So, while meeting an October shipping deadline is possible... it still seems unlikely. They really need to start accepting pre-orders really soon.

Personally, I guess I'll wait to see what the Kindle is all about before making a final decision between the 505, Gen3, and Kindle. When October 15th is here, I'll be itching to order something. Bookeen better have an order page up by then or they may get lost in the excitement.

Mike,

If the Kindle doesn't get down below the $400 mark, I think enough customers will be upset they'll be willing to wait a while longer for the Cybook. This will be especially true the closer the Kindle approaches the $500 price point. Or so I see it. The Sony may use a proprietary ebook format, but it's got a great price point for eInk readers!

Derek