PP Poll of Favorite Features

[6charlong]

Originally Posted by polly

What really baffles me is that none of the reviewers are at all curious about reader software - how it organizes books, if it uses metadata or not, how hard or easy it is to side load and find books on the device. They rave about 3G and assume that people who use ereaders are too stupid to load content from a computer. Sigh... Rant over.

Hi Polly. I share your rant. I think the reviewers are looking for what they would want in a reader and it's probably something that will distribute newspapers and magazines directly to their customers; Wifi is great if that’s what you need. I can only guess why but they don’t seem to realize that they have the wrong paradigm. The important thing about publishing is not that it uses ‘ink on paper’; the importance of publishing is the content.

I have a beautiful book with great photos of the moon and planets, galaxies, stars and nebula. It’s full of beautiful, full color images on big 14.25 by 17.25 inch glossy paper. I compared it with a paperback copy of The Tale of Two Cities, which was published on 4.25 by 6.5 inch pages with a reading area of just 3.25 by 5 inches. Then I measured the Pocket Pro and found a reading screen size of 3 by 4 inches. Obviously if you tried to publish Cosmos on a Pocket Pro no one could read it.

Books, newspapers and magazines are published in all sorts of ways based on how best to present the content and for some content Wifi is best but it’s not best for all. Criticizing any 5-inch book reader for not having Wifi is like criticizing a submarine for riding low in the water. If your only paradigm for warships is the battleship, then submarines can’t possibly rise to your standard. (That wasn’t meant as a pun but I’m going to leave it.)

I bought a single copy of a newspaper called "The New York Observer" to try it out. It seemed to me that while it worked, it felt tight on the Pocket Pro. So I got a single copy of the "Washington Times," a regular sized newspaper. They did a fair job formatting it (after I resized the font) and the banner looked great, but reading it compared poorly to reading a book, either fiction or nonfiction.

This is a new technology and I expect it will take awhile for the reviewers to catch on and figure out how to evaluate book readers. In the meantime, let’s keep ranting. It can’t hurt.

[tmclough]

Originally Posted by georgeogoodman

I see this as yet-another example of the "there must be one and only one solution to any need" Syndrome. There could never be more than one way to accomplish the same thing. If it is possible to read a book on a device, in order for it to be successful, it must be better at book reading than any other device ever created or it is a COMPLETE FAILURE!

By extension, if a device is capable of book reading AND Internet use, then ALL book reading devices must have Internet capability to be successful.

God help us if Amazon puts out a new Kindle with a cup holder!

Another way of looking at it is as another example of "One size fits all" vs "Different strokes for different folks".

I, for one, have always been and always will be different from most people, and proud of my difference. Maybe wanting an "ebook reader" that's designed for you to "read ebooks" instead of "read webpages" (which I would call a "webpage reader", or a web browser) is one way in which I'm different from the masses. (Or, at least different from the masses of professional electronics reviewers.)

[CCampbell202]

Hello All,
I read all the previous posting and I have to agree with most. I chose the Pocket Pro because I didn't want to be tied down to one format like the Kindle, Nook or Sony Reader. Nor did I want to have to be tied down to purchasing my reading material from one place. I don't care about wireless, touch screen, color or a keyboard. Isn’t that what laptops are for? I have so many other things that I can use to surf the web with. I am not looking for an all in one device. I want a device that is not only portable, pocket and purse friendly, but will allow me to carry my choice of books without limiting me to the number of books I can have at one time. I have over 4000 books in either .LIT or .HTML format that I want to be able to read and not have to worry about trying to convert to a different format or God forbid, repurchase just to read on an ereader. I don’t like the idea of once I purchase something, if they, for what ever reasons decide to; can remove that purchase from my device. I too like being different and don’t like following the masses. I want something that conforms more to my needs rather than having to change my needs to fit the mold already in place. I also hate reviews that penalizes when an item doesn’t have something rather than review it on what it actually does. Like RobertB said, there are those that want certain items and those that don’t. Why should I pay for something that I don’t want or need? I chose the Pocket Pro because in my opinion it offered the most options and accessories for the price and it fits me. Again, this forum, the members here, the support and knowledge really were the selling points that lead me to purchase not 1 but 2 Pocket Pros.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by polly

I share your pain. If I read one more article about how the iPad is going to kill the Kindle...

I wonder sometimes if those reviewers actually read books on anything, let alone an ebook reader. There are at least a dozen independent book stores selling ebooks to all comers. A reader really needs its own dedicated book store and the ability to buy books with the reader to be successful?

What really baffles me is that none of the reviewers are at all curious about reader software - how it organizes books, if it uses metadata or not, how hard or easy it is to side load and find books on the device. They rave about 3G and assume that people who use ereaders are too stupid to load content from a computer. Sigh... Rant over.

Dear Polly and all:

Yes, I think from my experience talking to reviewers that they do not get this whole idea. The Kindle model essentially says: "One format, one wireless device, one eBook store, one choice". I tell them the Pocket PRO has 20 formats and end users can buy from hundreds of websites freely and with our blessing. I tell them people really like this feature more than any other and it makes for a good experience. They do the review and write: "Has 20 formats but I only need EPUB, Astak does not have a bookstore of their own, could be a problem finding eBooks, and not a real eBook Reader as it does not have wireless". I call them and say: "you missed the point" and they say: "that is how we saw it".

Sony was the first but Kindle is the yardstick. Everything is measured against the Kindle. Many of the reviewers own a Kindle and that is their perspective of "how an eBook Reader really is".

I am NOT complaining about "poor Astak"... but I am irritated that so many reviewers are using a Kindle yardstick to measure the Kindle and that same yardstick to measure Astak devices. I, personally, am NOT interested in buiding a Kindle and calling it an "Astak". I think what we are selling is better than the Kindle in many ways. That is just my thinking. But, how would it be if a reviewer used the Astak Yardstick to measure a Kindle? That could be fun. Then we might hear: "heavier, bigger, does not come with a case, has only one format, can buy eBooks from only their own website, thicker, has this wireless thing that ties me only to them, needs an SD card slot, and I need to send the device back to get a battery change ".

I have no animosity at all toward Kindle or their end users and mean no offense here... but a level playing field by reviewers would be nice.

[DaleDe]

Kindle was the first and that is the yardstick. Everything is measured against the Kindle. Many of the reviewers own a Kindle and that is their perspective of "how an eBook Reader really is".

Kindle was certainly not the first. There were Sony PRS-500's in the USA more than a year before there were Kindle's. Jinke devices were even earlier although not prior to the Sony Libre which came out in 2004 in Japan.

Dale

[AJ Starr]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Polly and all:


Kindle was the first and that is the yardstick. Everything is measured against the Kindle. Many of the reviewers own a Kindle and that is their perspective of "how an eBook Reader really is".

I just got back from my local library [brick and mortar style]. There's a new author I want to check out her writing style before I start buying her ebooks. Anyway.....

Since I hadn't been to the library for a while, I asked, "Has this library joined the 21st Century and provide ebooks?" The young boy helping me looked confused, so I clarified, "Do you have ebooks for dowload?" He replied, sortof confused, "You mean like on a Kindle?" Being a loyal anti-Kindle member my reply was "The Kindle is the very last device I would ever use, but yes, ebooks I can use on MY reader."

Unfortunately, no. My library still doesn't have ebook check outs, even though the Omaha's Library does provide ebooks for download loans. We are a suburb to Omaha, but since we have our own library, I can't check out from Omaha's. I will point out, my city library does have "Net Library" where there are ebooks I can read on-line, and Overdrive Audio book loans.

We'll get there someday.....

AJ

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Kindle was certainly not the first. There were Sony PRS-500's in the USA more than a year before there were Kindle's. Jinke devices were even earlier although not prior to the Sony Libre which came out in 2004 in Japan.

Dale

Dear Dale:

Thank you. I guess I had better brush up on early eBook Readers. You know better than me on who came out first!

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Dale:

Thank you. I guess I had better brush up on early eBook Readers. You know better than me on who came out first!

jinke may have preceded Sony. I am trying to get a handle on it but I need some data from Jinke. Here are some Jinke milestones I found on their web site: (of course these don't talk about shipping product but they had brochures dated April 2003.

2003 Hanlin eBook with zero-power-consumption when reading was awarded Production & Study Outstanding Contribution Awards.

2003 eBook of zero-power-consumption when reading was awarded the First Prize of Tianjin Technology Invention Award.

2003 Electronic Blackboard/Whiteboard Recording & Reading System was listed on National Torch Project of National Science & Technology Ministry.

2002 Hanlin eBook was selected to display in the great hall of the people national brands exhibition center.

2002 eBook of zero-power-consumption when reading was listed on National Torch Project of National Science & Technology Ministry.

2000 The first eBook with zero-power-consumption when reading was listed in the Important Science & Technology Project of Tianjin Science Committee.

Dale

[IndecisiveMe]

Originally Posted by Laura81

I never judge a device by reviews, at least not professional reviews. I much prefer to come here and get the opinions of people who actually use the devices on a daily basis.

And that's why I've been visiting MobileRead so much since I joined a couple of weeks ago. I think I am finally getting closer to making a decision!

[hidari]

Originally Posted by IndecisiveMe

And that's why I've been visiting MobileRead so much since I joined a couple of weeks ago. I think I am finally getting closer to making a decision!

Well, I have had my PP for three days now and read a book and a half on it.. Have to say Form Factor/Landscape mode/ and epub&pdf mode are my top three... But

Also love the Key lock... simliar to Sony's on/off on my 505....

[manifestor]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Polly and all:

Yes, I think from my experience talking to reviewers that they do not get this whole idea. The Kindle model essentially says: "One format, one wireless device, one eBook store, one choice". I tell them the Pocket PRO has 20 formats and end users can buy from hundreds of websites freely and with our blessing. I tell them people really like this feature more than any other and it makes for a good experience. They do the review and write: "Has 20 formats but I only need EPUB, Astak does not have a bookstore of their own, could be a problem finding eBooks, and not a real eBook Reader as it does not have wireless". I call them and say: "you missed the point" and they say: "that is how we saw it".

Sony was the first but Kindle is the yardstick. Everything is measured against the Kindle. Many of the reviewers own a Kindle and that is their perspective of "how an eBook Reader really is".

I am NOT complaining about "poor Astak"... but I am irritated that so many reviewers are using a Kindle yardstick to measure the Kindle and that same yardstick to measure Astak devices. I, personally, am NOT interested in buiding a Kindle and calling it an "Astak". I think what we are selling is better than the Kindle in many ways. That is just my thinking. But, how would it be if a reviewer used the Astak Yardstick to measure a Kindle? That could be fun. Then we might hear: "heavier, bigger, does not come with a case, has only one format, can buy eBooks from only their own website, thicker, has this wireless thing that ties me only to them, needs an SD card slot, and I need to send the device back to get a battery change ".

I have no animosity at all toward Kindle or their end users and mean no offense here... but a level playing field by reviewers would be nice.

Robert,

I totally understand your frustration. It seems to me those reviewers don't really own an ebook reader and use it on a regular basis. They base their reviews on their speculations and not hands-on experience. And by hands-on experience, I don't mean just fiddling with the reader for a few hours. I mean using it for a reasonable period of time, no less than a few weeks. It's only then you'll find what you really need from an ebook reader.

I for one don't really care for wifi on my reader. I manage my library on my PC and it's much easier that way, then I simply copy everything to an SD card and there I go. And I don't think the current e-ink technology would make for a really satisfactory web-browsing experience. I judge an ebook reader by how good a reading experience it provides, and that means easy-on-the-eyes screen, page turn speed, ease of navigation, bookmarking, table of content support, hyperlink support, library management, text reflow capability, font choice, multi-format support, multi-language support...and so on. And I wouldn't compare an ebook reader to a netbook or a tablet, they are really different gadgets to me. And an ebook reader shouldn't attempt to be something that it is not.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by manifestor

Robert,

I totally understand your frustration. It seems to me those reviewers don't really own an ebook reader and use it on a regular basis. They base their reviews on their speculations and not hands-on experience. And by hands-on experience, I don't mean just fiddling with the reader for a few hours. I mean using it for a reasonable period of time, no less than a few weeks. It's only then you'll find what you really need from an ebook reader.

I for one don't really care for wifi on my reader. I manage my library on my PC and it's much easier that way, then I simply copy everything to an SD card and there I go. And I don't think the current e-ink technology would make for a really satisfactory web-browsing experience. I judge an ebook reader by how good a reading experience it provides, and that means easy-on-the-eyes screen, page turn speed, ease of navigation, bookmarking, table of content support, hyperlink support, library management, text reflow capability, font choice, multi-format support, multi-language support...and so on. And I wouldn't compare an ebook reader to a netbook or a tablet, they are really different gadgets to me. And an ebook reader shouldn't attempt to be something that it is not.

Dear Manifestor:

I am starting to get more proactive. Now when I send out an eval to a reviewer I tell them straight out that the Pocket PRO does not have wirless by CHOICE... and it is not a defect. I mention that 60% of the people on MobileRead Forum like it non-wireless and how existing wireless only ties and restricts the end user to buying from one website. They think of wireless like it is on a notebook... a real browser takes you anywhere. They do not understand that the browser on wireless eBook Readers is a joke. It "browses" one option only!!

[hidari]

Maybe the fifth generation of ebookreaders will come with a walkietalkie/washlet/coffemaker/3DTV funtionality....... I can't wait.......

Kind of like my mobile phone that has TV on it with 60 channels..... that I never watch....

As the Police sang..... Too much information (or ebook functions) running through my brain too much information driving me insane......

Or even better as a message to ebook companies: Keep it simple.......