PocketBook 360 Questions

[Bookster]

Originally Posted by Kameli

Boot time isn't the whole story. It is just the time it takes to get to the main menu. After that it also takes some time to open the book. I just tested and with a novel I am reading it takes 28 seconds to get from the power off to reading book. The opening time varies a lot depending on the format, size etc of book so it could be very annoying.

But from some threads on this forum I figured out there is actually no need to shut down the device. I turned the auto power off off and instead have it auto lock keys and g-sensors so the power usage is almost same as shutdown (e-ink display uses power only when it changes) and a book is ready to read instantly instead of 28 seconds it takes if I turn the power off.

You can also set the PB so that it will open on the last page it was showing before you shut it down. It works rather well- I'm not sure if there's the usual "numbering page" problem with Adobe Viewer (basically, ePubs have page numbers determined- i.e. fixed and not based upon accidents of visualization like bigger or smaller fonts, and whilst fbreader generically ignores this, AV respect it, so you may find yourself some lines before you've left off).

[Kameli]

Originally Posted by Bookster

You can also set the PB so that it will open on the last page it was showing before you shut it down. It works rather well- I'm not sure if there's the usual "numbering page" problem with Adobe Viewer (basically, ePubs have page numbers determined- i.e. fixed and not based upon accidents of visualization like bigger or smaller fonts, and whilst fbreader generically ignores this, AV respect it, so you may find yourself some lines before you've left off).

I have set it so that it automatically loads the last page. So when I turn the power on in 28 seconds I have page I was reading. 12 seconds for boot and 16 seconds to open the book to spot where I was. Boot time alone is useless number. What matters is how fast you get the book showing.

[IndecisiveMe]

Jess, I live in Australia, so the wall charger wasn't an option. If my laptop is turned off, I use my iPhone wall charger for my Pocketbook, it works perfectly. I think any generic USB/wall charger would work.

I did want the wrist lash, but I didn't need everything else in the comfort pack, I so didn't get it. I will get a generic wrist lash as some point, probably in pink

The boot time on the Pocketbook 360 is really fast. I've read about other people leaving their readers on all the time because they just want to read as soon as they are ready. That's not a problem with the PB360, it's literally only a few seconds, and I'm a very impatient person.

You'll be very happpy with the PB360

[valerian]

Originally Posted by kacir

If you want all the great features that PocketBook 360 firmware has, plus 6 inch screen plus audio player, you can get PocketBook 301.
The only difference between
PB360 vs. PB301 is

• Lid vs. "classic book-like" cover (*)
• 5 inch vs. 6 inch screen
• no audio vs. mp3 player
• accelerometer vs. no accelerometer

(*) there are some great looking, high quality handmade leather covers available from PocketBook for PB301

Tell me, what reader has more functionality than PB360? Apart from the ability to listen to mp3.

• PB360 has THE most functions that I will need for reading books. Things like folders, on-screen-keyboard, ability to copy or move files ...
• Hardware looks and feels cool.
• You can rotate the screen any way you wish - hence the name 360°, so the control elements (buttons) can be on left or right or bottom or even top. When I saw that, I knew that one day I will buy the device.
• The device has lid that protects the screen without adding bulk to the device
• The firmware is built on Free software and we can tinker with it
• The firmware is very, *very*, VERY configurable. You can, for example, change overall look of the GUI, you can remap all keys to your liking.
• you can view books in any language, even in Arabic, Hebrew, or far east languages. ANY language that can use UTF8 and has font available.
• PocketBook company actively fosters developement of third party software.
• THEY EVEN SUPPLY LINUX TERMINAL EMULATOR THAT CAN BE RUN ON DEVICE! So you can tinker with insides of the system disk, you can pull out any configuration file you wish, you can, for example, extract any language translation file from inside the machine, so users here on Mobileread can supply new translations or improve existing ones. It took me some 5 minutes to get the language files and post them to the thread about firmware. Next day there were several new or improved translations supplied by my fellow mobilereaders.

the 5 inch screen has the same number of pixels as 6 inch one. The pixels are just 5/6ths smaller.
I have had 6 inch reader - Sony PRS500 - before and I do not perceive PocketBook 360 as small.
The fact that you can fine tune the appearance of the text on page and that you can use just any font at any size (with a very small step) contribute greatly to the readability.

In my opinion PocketBook has one of finest firmwares out there. Hardware is not THAT different - apart from the lid that nobody else has. I have never tried to use RSS reader and I have heard that some Czech guy had problem generating RSS feeds in win 1250 codepage.
The software on PocketBook is very, VERY stable, configurable to great extent and, most importantly, is built in such a way that it is easily extend-able, tinker-able and hack-friendly.
To install a third party replacement for internal application, all you need is to drag and drop a file into a directory when you connect the reader to PC.

Yes there is.
http://pbook.s3.amazonaws.com/fbreader_180e_src.zip
http://code.google.com/p/fbreader-po...downloads/list
http://bookfast.org/category/pocketbook/themes <- you can view that one with translate.google.com
http://pocketbook-free.sourceforge.net/
PocketBook company supplies working Software Developement Kit, organizes programming competitions for development of third-party applications and even supplies prizes for winners.

There is one more address
http://www.the-ebook.org/?page_id=545
This is the Russian forum where the PocketBook company crowd sourced the specification of PocketBook 360° hardware and software. This is the reason it is so well designed. The company listens to the customers.

Oh ...
One more thing ...
if you want all features mentioned above, plus touch screen, plus USB host (to connect a keyboard or USB key), plus WiFi have a look at PocketBook 302 ;-)

Hi, found your "article" very helpful. I live in very country Australia and want an ereader pretty much just for buying and reading books. My internet connection is via wireless and I would prefer a wireless connection when buying books rather than using the USB. Which pocketbook would I buy. Don't have blueray and we are on the 3G network.

[valerian]

Originally Posted by IndecisiveMe

Jess, I live in Australia, so the wall charger wasn't an option. If my laptop is turned off, I use my iPhone wall charger for my Pocketbook, it works perfectly. I think any generic USB/wall charger would work.

I did want the wrist lash, but I didn't need everything else in the comfort pack, I so didn't get it. I will get a generic wrist lash as some point, probably in pink

The boot time on the Pocketbook 360 is really fast. I've read about other people leaving their readers on all the time because they just want to read as soon as they are ready. That's not a problem with the PB360, it's literally only a few seconds, and I'm a very impatient person.

You'll be very happpy with the PB360

Thanks for an earlier reply. Where did U buy your pocketbook - I too am in Australia. Thanks

[IndecisiveMe]

Originally Posted by valerian

Thanks for an earlier reply. Where did U buy your pocketbook - I too am in Australia. Thanks

I bought it from Pocketbook in the States http://www.pocketbookreader.com/

It arrived within a week and was $320 AUD, including postage. I LOVE it.

[Kameli]

Originally Posted by IndecisiveMe

The boot time on the Pocketbook 360 is really fast. I've read about other people leaving their readers on all the time because they just want to read as soon as they are ready. That's not a problem with the PB360, it's literally only a few seconds, and I'm a very impatient person.

It really depends on use. If I decide to read couple hours then it is no problem. If I read during commercial breaks in TV or use it as checking some manual then 28 seconds it takes to boot and load current book is too long. Since there is very little benefit at actually turning it off I just let it on.

[IndecisiveMe]

Originally Posted by Kameli

It really depends on use. If I decide to read couple hours then it is no problem. If I read during commercial breaks in TV or use it as checking some manual then 28 seconds it takes to boot and load current book is too long. Since there is very little benefit at actually turning it off I just let it on.

I leave mine on if I'm using it within a reasonable period of time, too. I have it set to turn off after one hour. I haven't timed my PB360, but I highly doubt it's ever taken 28 seconds to boot. I also have mine load the last page it was on, so I can always start reading as soon as it starts up.

[Kameli]

Originally Posted by IndecisiveMe

I leave mine on if I'm using it within a reasonable period of time, too. I have it set to turn off after one hour. I haven't timed my PB360, but I highly doubt it's ever taken 28 seconds to boot. I also have mine load the last page it was on, so I can always start reading as soon as it starts up.

I think boot takes 12 seconds. When I got load the last page on it takes some additional time. With last book total was 28 seconds. With one I am currently reading it is 18 seconds. It seems to vary a lot depending on book.

[jessc]

Thank you all, that was exactly what I needed to know and you completely sold me on the PB360!

Except...with the Aluratek on sale at Fry's right now for 1/3 the price, I have to give that a try first and see if it can meet my needs. If not, I can return it within 30 days and get the Pocketbook after all. I'm now seriously lusting after the PB360, so maybe I'll put it on my Christmas list or something...

[jessc]

Aaaand after trying the Aluratek and continuing to lust longingly for the PB360, I finally gave in and ordered one. The Libre is a decent ereader, but I think the PB360 will be much better for me, for many reasons. Thanks again to everyone who shared so much information that helped me make that decision!

Now I just have to try to control my eagerness and impatience until it arrives and I can name it 'George', and hug it, and pet it...

[Logseman]

Originally Posted by jessc

Aaaand after trying the Aluratek and continuing to lust longingly for the PB360, I finally gave in and ordered one. The Libre is a decent ereader, but I think the PB360 will be much better for me, for many reasons. Thanks again to everyone who shared so much information that helped me make that decision!

Now I just have to try to control my eagerness and impatience until it arrives and I can name it 'George', and hug it, and pet it...

You could call it Mickey instead. Around here it's called the Mighty Mouse :P

[Mickey330]

Originally Posted by jessc

... [snip] and I can name it 'George', and hug it, and pet it...

Snicker.

Loved those on Saturday morning!

Marilyn