Goodbye bookeen

[rireed3]

Originally Posted by DerSchwarzePrinz

I had 2 freezes during 4 weeks while using the device about 1-2 hours a day.
What problems are there with files on the SD card?

That number of freezes seems about the same as with my mobi version from Bookeen via eXpansys. It seems to help to make sure you 'close' the USB connection from the PC before you unplug the cable.

I'd quite like to get an explanation from Bookeen or Weltbild why Weltbild seems to be the only place Gen3 is sold with epub/Adobe and 'folders'. It appears that Bookeen have never allowed a re-flash file of this firmware, even when they handed out Beta copies of mobi-DRM/folders firmware at a show in Paris last July.

The poster below had trouble with the only other Bookeen device, Opus, that has epub/Adobe/folders firmware ('pous' is his typo for Opus). He says taking out the SD card helped, but I don't know any other details:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...&postcount=715

Richard

[infinidim]

Originally Posted by Snuffi

Not to spoil your expectations but what exactly are you waiting for when you say you wait for a "better software" for three more months?

Set aside the question of when, we already pretty much know "what" will be in the next FW:

1) ePub -> If you're waiting for that then it's definitely valid to set a deadline and switch to a competitor if there is nothing on the horizon a few months from now
2) folder view -> while this is a feature I am hoping to get my hands on, it's not "the one feature" I would rather buy a new device than live without it. I am also not sure whether this would then qualify as "better software"
3) a few tweaks and fixes -> there's almost certainly nothing ground-shaking in there

So, while I think the FW update might make a valued difference for current Cybook users, I highly doubt it will change much for someone who would rather buy a new device for all the new features and possibilities which are on the market today. I would not set unrealistic hopes on the coming FW, it will not bring the Cybook on par with the state-of-the-art of today (after all, the model is two years old), it's more of a polish and shine than a new motor.

One exception, as mention above though, is ePub. That is a new motor and something entirely new if you want to go down that road...

"ePub" is what I am waiting for. No much........

I also want this supplier to do what it says it's going to do...ship the firmware or just tell us what is happening.......

I have even e-mailed them a number of times and not got an answer......

Infinidim

[GeoffC]

...it's coming soon - undergoing final verification....

[loramel]

I sadly have to join the lament which is going on here and will eventually say good bye myself.

I got my Gen3 about 10 months ago and always had crashes, but at a tolerable level (3 per week). But about 2 month ago it started to get worse, and now I am a point were I can't use the internal flash anymore ( repeated crashing, freezing, even after complete reformatting and reflashing several times).

I think (and hoped) a new firmware should foremost address the stability of the device, albeit the promised new features would be a nice thing to have.

The non existence of a new firmware and the lack of any response from Bookeen's support to several requests about my problem leaves me with a feeling of being left out in the rain.

In the beginning I was recommending the Gen3, but no longer, quite on the contrary, and as ebook addict I certainly will buy a reader again once the Gen3 has died completely, and sadly but definitely it won't be a Bookeen device.

[delphidb96]

Me, I'm selling one of my Gen3s on eBay and buying a Kindle 2. Then, oncet I gets everything ported over, I'm selling the *other* one and buying a Nook. Between Kindle and ePub, I should be fully covered as far as current and future ebook releases are concerned. Sigh.

Derek

[cmbs]

Software is extremely important. A product that crashes all the time is a bad product. They don't tell you on their website that it will crash constantly. Or that you won't be able to read most pdfs with it.

You know what else is important? Addressing customer problems. Doing what you say you'll do, and doing it well and in a reasonable time frame. They don't mention anywhere on their website how much they don't care about customer problems or providing a quality product.

They care about sales. That's it. They prove it every day with their actions.

It's all well and good to say "I'll give them until this date and then I'm switching" but the fact is they've got your money. You bought the product. What do they care if you buy 12 other readers next week?

Some of us don't have money to buy readers until we find one that works well. My experience with Bookeen has me scared that all readers are this bad. I don't know who to trust.

Oh, and the idea that writing to them will spur them into correcting problems is nice, and would work on people who actually care about the customers' experience, but they've proven they aren't going to respond in any valuable way. In fact, they're real big on totally ignoring.

I've never dealt with another company so obviously unconcerned about their customers' experience.

[EowynCarter]

I got my Gen3 about 10 months ago and always had crashes, but at a tolerable level (3 per week). But about 2 month ago it started to get worse, and now I am a point were I can't use the internal flash anymore ( repeated crashing, freezing, even after complete reformatting and reflashing several times).

Souuds to me more like a corrupted internal memory than firmware bug. What version of the cybook do you have ? What format are you reading ?

In the beginning I was recommending the Gen3, but no longer, quite on the contrary, and as ebook addict I certainly will buy a reader again once the Gen3 has died completely, and sadly but definitely it won't be a Bookeen device.

Mmm, not to be mean, but, who care about your life ?

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Souuds to me more like a corrupted internal memory than firmware bug. What version of the cybook do you have ? What format are you reading ?


Mmm, not to be mean, but, who care about your life ?

Eowyn, you're quite possibly correct in the first part of your reply. However, your second part is cruel and reprehensible. He deserves an apology from you.

Derek

[EowynCarter]

Yeah, derek i guess you're right.
loramel, don't take this personally. I just had to get it out.

Oh, and the idea that writing to them will spur them into correcting problems is nice

That depands on what your saying.
"Function X would be cool", "it would work better like this", "i don't like that because.." That kind of remark is constructive.
Saying "get the firmware released now or i'll go buy an other reader", is totally useless, and won't get anyone anywhere.

Or that you won't be able to read most pdfs with it.

That the case for ANY 5" or 6".... pdf on cybook don't crash, but they are totally unreadable.

[roncri]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

That depands on what your saying.
"Function X would be cool", "it would work better like this", "i don't like that because.." That kind of remark is constructive.
Saying "get the firmware released now or i'll go buy an other reader", is totally useless, and won't get anyone anywhere.

And exactly how far have constructive remarks got us?

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by roncri

And exactly how far have constructive remarks got us?

And exactly how far whining and complaining about how bad bookeen is got us ?

Neither will change the fact bookeen seams overbooked. But the first case case senario is more likley to motivate the peaple at bookeen to move faster.

[ProfJulie]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

And exactly how far whining and complaining about how bad bookeen is got us ?

Neither will change the fact bookeen seams overbooked. But the first case case senario is more likley to motivate the peaple at bookeen to move faster.

Well, I think that is the point of this particular thread...many of the folks who have posted here have given up waiting for Bookeen to do anything and are moving on to other devices. I don't know why you feel the need to even post in this "Goodbye Bookeen" thread since it is quite clear you are commited to Bookeen and don't find it odd that they are treating their customers so badly, unless you just wish to further antagonize the disappointed readers here by your comments.

I'm not ready to purchase another eInk reader yet, but I can say for absolute certainty, I will not purchase another Bookeen product (and I will never recommend their products to any of my friends or people in my book club).

There have been some interesting announcements of new devices over the last few weeks and I'm excited to see there are more options to choose from. I am particularly interested in the Nook.

[roncri]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

And exactly how far whining and complaining about how bad bookeen is got us ?

Neither will change the fact bookeen seams overbooked. But the first case case senario is more likley to motivate the peaple at bookeen to move faster.

Neither has gotten us anywhere so there is no point promoting one approach with respect to Bookeen. I don't know if they are overbooked or just don't care. They have show essentially zero interest in their existing customer base and have basically left us in the dark.

I'm far past "get the firmware released now or i'll go buy an other reader", I'll never buy another Bookeen product again. Maybe not the most constructive remark but maybe, just maybe, Bookeen will realize how badly they managed their relationship with Cybook Gen3 owners and won't make the same mistake in the future.

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by ProfJulie

Well, I think that is the point of this particular thread...many of the folks who have posted here have given up waiting for Bookeen to do anything and are moving on to other devices. I don't know why you feel the need to even post in this "Goodbye Bookeen" thread since it is quite clear you are commited to Bookeen and don't find it odd that they are treating their customers so badly, unless you just wish to further antagonize the disappointed readers here by your comments.

I'm not ready to purchase another eInk reader yet, but I can say for absolute certainty, I will not purchase another Bookeen product (and I will never recommend their products to any of my friends or people in my book club).

There have been some interesting announcements of new devices over the last few weeks and I'm excited to see there are more options to choose from. I am particularly interested in the Nook.

Nook ? that US only crap ? (Yeah, not a problem to you, but it is to me).

Neither has gotten us anywhere so there is no point promoting one approach with respect to Bookeen. I don't know if they are overbooked or just don't care.

Respect, care, they goes both way you know.
If you treat people like crap, don't be surprised to be treated like crap in return.

[ProfJulie]

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Nook ? that US only crap ? (Yeah, not a problem to you, but it is to me).

Oh, so that explains your devotion to Bookeen then? You have limited options and Bookeen is your best choice?

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Respect, care, they goes both way you know.
If you treat people like crap, don't be surprised to be treated like crap in return.

Respect people, sure, I agree with you. But we are talking about a company that is providing poor customer service. Companies that operate like this don't usually stay in business for long...or perhaps you think companies that treat their customers like "crap" should continue to be supported by their customers? In the US (and other countries too), basic economics are at work here...