Jointech JE100 - ebook reader

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Heh. You just can't keep a good LCD argument down.

I don't consider a 3-6 hour battery life to be a deal-breaker, because I don't generally have more than a few hours a day free for reading, and I suspect that the device could be charged on-the-fly with battery- or solar-based chargers.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by manifestor

I don't think we would ever turn off the backlight with the traditional LCD display, so there's no point estimating the battery life with the LCD off.

By the way, 3 hours is just too short for reading fictions. I go longer than that when I'm really absorbed in a certain book. And the need to charge more often hinders the reader's autonomy.

Hmm, I do turn off my backlight when I'm reading in a well-lit area (like outside). And it is not a traditional LCD display. I wouldn't want to turn off that backlight on that other PDA, not even in a well-lit area.

Originally Posted by ProDigit

To clear up a misunderstanding the 'reflective' screen I was talking about was not about the LCD crystals but the surface finish.
Basically all LCD screens are 'reflective' screens,only some manufacturers prefer to layer the screen with an anti-glare filter. The anti-glare filter is the one that makes the screen look blurry and hard to read in sunlight.
You can remove this layer if you (carefully) peel it off. The process takes about 24 hours to do so (first soaking in water for about 20 hours)...

I really should make a picture of both PDA's... Both have a screen protector, but one is transflective, the other traditional. It's not only an anti-glare filter that is the difference. It's also the way the backlight works.

I don't consider a 3-6 hour battery life to be a deal-breaker, because I don't generally have more than a few hours a day free for reading, and I suspect that the device could be charged on-the-fly with battery- or solar-based chargers.

3 hours is a bit on the low-side, I think... But I'll see this week how long my battery lasts. I won't put it on a charger until it's at 30% (that's when my software starts bugging me...)

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Heh. You just can't keep a good LCD argument down.

I don't consider a 3-6 hour battery life to be a deal-breaker, because I don't generally have more than a few hours a day free for reading, and I suspect that the device could be charged on-the-fly with battery- or solar-based chargers.

It's not a deal breaker, but it does give me pause. I'd prefer 8+ hours of battery life.

[Abelturd]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

I don't consider a 3-6 hour battery life to be a deal-breaker, because I don't generally have more than a few hours a day free for reading, and I suspect that the device could be charged on-the-fly with battery- or solar-based chargers.

It would be a whole different matter if the recharging cycle would take only a couple of minutes, like 2 or so. Then, I think, we could cope even with 3-6 hours of battery life.
Isn't it funny (paradoxical) that even with all the technological progress going forward in huge leaps, there's still no convenient solution to storing energy?

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

We brought you the first leaked picture of the JE100 back in October.
Jointech wasn't ready to announce the device, but now they are.

According to the product page, the JE100 has a 7" LCD touch screen. Here are the specs:


This is the device I was hoping for (aside from the battery life). Since it runs WinCE there is a good chance that it will also run Mobipocket Reader, MSReader, eReader, as well as be relatively easy to use by the average Windows user.

There is also a gallery of images here. They're all photoshopped, sadly.

I too like the compatibility of having Windows CE on it, and the LCD vs. Eink thing doesn't really bother me. I'm not sure I'd like the touch screen aspect though. Even the battery life doesn't phase me much, I seldom read for more than three hours at a stretch, I'd just have to remember to plug it in to recharge after every reading session. Parroting what several others have said, I would love to see this with the Pixel Qi screen...

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by Abelturd

Isn't it funny (paradoxical) that even with all the technological progress going forward in huge leaps, there's still no convenient solution to storing energy?

I'd call it "tragic," myself. Since the energy crisis in the seventies, we've neglected research on batteries and energy storage. We're still paying for that neglect now.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why is it that a lot of people feel that reading a book using an LCD screen will cause eyestrain? We use LCD monitors and read a lot on the computer, laptop, netbook, etc. Watch TV on LCD screens, play video games on LCD screens amd I don't hear cry of eyestrain. So why is it when reading a book people do cry eyestrain? I do not get eyestrain from reading on my LCD monitor.

Dear JS:

It must be those Vulcan Eyes, sir.

I am getting eye strain and squint even now working on my desktop.

I DO agree, however, that it is an individual thing. There are two camps.

I do remember plane trips working on my Dell Axim with LCD and my eyes would tear up badly in 30 minutes.

Astak is meeting with Pixel Qi on this Wednesday to try to bring out a 7.5 inch eBook Reader with their technology.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear JS:

It must be those Vulcan Eyes, sir.

I am getting eye strain and squint even now working on my desktop.

I DO agree, however, that it is an individual thing. There are two camps.

I do remember plane trips working on my Dell Axim with LCD and my eyes would tear up badly in 30 minutes.

Astak is meeting with Pixel Qi on this Wednesday to try to bring out a 7.5 inch eBook Reader with their technology.

And I'm anxiously awaiting the outcome of that particular meeting...

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear JS:

It must be those Vulcan Eyes, sir.

I am getting eye strain and squint even now working on my desktop.

I DO agree, however, that it is an individual thing. There are two camps.

I do remember plane trips working on my Dell Axim with LCD and my eyes would tear up badly in 30 minutes.

Astak is meeting with Pixel Qi on this Wednesday to try to bring out a 7.5 inch eBook Reader with their technology.

I'm a software developer, and sit behind a monitor most of the day. I also read on an LCD screen. I've no problems with eye strain at all. Only when I sit behind my own CRT screen at home, when it's getting dark and my background is light (like on this forum)

[Mr. Dalliard]

No thanks.

Haven't they heard? Pixel Qi is here!

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dalliard

No thanks.

Haven't they heard? Pixel Qi is here!

No, it's not. The screen isn't available yet.

[astra]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

How could I not know what I am talking about? I stated my experience, then expressed an opinion.

I then Googled the terms you suggested and found only anecdotal evidence on the first 4 pages. This is not enough to overrule my own experience.

If you believe that your own experience has a value, then why do you dismiss someone else's experience as

I think you've overgeneralized your dislike of LCD screens into an invalid conclusion.

A better way to divide the 2 categories is:

1, a small number people who make unfounded statements;
2, most everyone else (who don't give a damn)

I fall into a 3rd group. I merely point out the unfounded statements.

The statements are as much founded as yours.
I do get eye strain from reading texts for longer than 30 minutes on LCD monitor.
So for me, ebook reader with LCD screen is not an option, because LCD screens do cause eye strain for me. I came to this conclusion long time before eInk was invented (so, I didn't know about alternatives). I just never read ebooks before Sony Reader because I could not (albeit I tried).

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by astra

I do get eye strain from reading texts for longer than 30 minutes on LCD monitor.
So for me, ebook reader with LCD screen is not an option, because LCD screens do cause eye strain for me. I came to this conclusion long time before eInk was invented (so, I didn't know about alternatives). I just never read ebooks before Sony Reader because I could not (albeit I tried).

I notice there's a difference between reading on a monitor or on a smaller screen like a PDA. I wouldn't want to read great amounts of text on my monitor, I agree, this causes eye strain. Part of the reason is that a monitor is too large. Another is the distance between you and the monitor (which is hard to change) which can cause you to squint (which in turn creates tired eyes...)

If my only option had been a monitor, I doubt I'd ever have started reading electronically...

[lee1234]

I wouldn't be reading on an ebook reader device that is using LCD. If it is acceptable, I will be reading my ebooks on my laptop.

[ColdSun]

Oh boy here we go again with the LCD vs e-Ink debate... "Your eyes will be incinerated!" I had a Sony e-reader for 6 months and hated it. The only positive was the battery life. On the other hand, I've been reading on some form of LCD device for 8 or 9 years. I've been using computers since I was a kid and I still have 20/20 vision. For as many of you who complain or preach about your eyes being hurt by LCD, there are just as many of us who are doing fine with them. I think we all need to understand there are two camps and most of us aren't going to be swayed to the other. I do find it interesting that they are releasing more LCD devices for reading again, and we have quite a bit of MR readers who recently purchased the SmartQ 7 (including me). LCD lives!

As far as this device, for just reading it looks really nice. I like having WinCE on it. I'm hoping the screen is high quality with good contrast and brightness controls. The battery is kind of a disappointment, but I've dealt with that before. I guess it depends on the price for me. If it is released at $300 like most over-priced single-purpose devices these days, I'll stick with my SmartQ 7. If they get real and price it accordingly without the Kindle-greed, I'll definately pick one up.