New firmware upgrade on Tuesday

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by aegeus

2. I think to be able to change the font type during reading would be perfect; without going back and forth between settings etc.


So far these are my findings.

Regards.

This works in FB2 and Mobi already. Many things are format dependent.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by booknut

I just downloaded and installed the new firmware from Astak, it has the option of setting the time but I believe the time can only be displayed in FB2 books. The bookmark bug with bookmarks only working properly with folders that do not have spaces, etc. in them has NOT been fixed.
The firmware actually looks the same as the one from this link
http://lbook.ua/ru/downloads/firmwarev5
and I think I will stick to the Romanian one because it has the added feature of deleting or copying a file right on the device and the delete function is really great to have. Alas, the Romanian firmware has the bug that the menus for FB2 files stay in Romanian regardless of the system setting but I pretty much use epub for all my files anyhow.
But I am very happy to see that Astak is really trying to put out new firmware, so many other companies nowadays throw a device on the market and leave the development hanging...

booknut

Dear booknut:

Thank you. We are trying. I have always seen MobileRead Forum as Interactive for Astak anyway. No matter how hard a factory will try to release a good device, it is going to be the little tweaks that will make the device great. Nowadays you cannot please all on everything... but (in the immortal words of Spock): "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few". Now we will try to make the Pocket PRO an even better device.

One thing that I wish I could change. The factory sends us these firmware upgrades but does not say much on what is on them. I am trying to get the factory to give us a bullet-point rundown on what is on each firmware upgrade.

[Javed]

Originally Posted by Robertb

One thing that I wish I could change. The factory sends us these firmware upgrades but does not say much on what is on them. I am trying to get the factory to give us a bullet-point rundown on what is on each firmware upgrade.

Robert, that would be great!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Javed

Robert, that would be great!

Dear Javed:

Just so you know. we are working now with the factory on the dictionary support, Thai language support, a clock that remains visible as you read, and more useage for the scroll wheel. There will soon be a new firmware upgrade for hopefully all of these too.

And, yes, I am asking that they detail what is in it.

Thank you for great post!!

[ThomasMcKean]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Javed:

Just so you know. we are working now with the factory on the dictionary support, Thai language support, a clock that remains visible as you read, and more useage for the scroll wheel. There will soon be a new firmware upgrade for hopefully all of these too.

And, yes, I am asking that they detail what is in it.

Thank you for great post!!

Seems to me yew are barking up the tree here. It would be better if yew focused on making the device actually work the way it is supposed to and work as advertised.

Take a look at LIT and HTML files. Why has that not been fixed yet? One would think the formats would have priority?

[jusmee]

Originally Posted by ThomasMcKean

Seems to me yew are barking up the tree here. It would be better if yew focused on making the device actually work the way it is supposed to and work as advertised.

Take a look at LIT and HTML files. Why has that not been fixed yet? One would think the formats would have priority?

We all have our own ideas about priorities. For example, I would have said that fixing the broken bookmarking system would have been much higher priority too. (doesn't work at all if spaces exist in the path)

[ThomasMcKean]

Originally Posted by jusmee

We all have our own ideas about priorities. For example, I would have said that fixing the broken bookmarking system would have been much higher priority too. (doesn't work at all if spaces exist in the path)

This is a device that is simply not ready for prime time. That's why I put it back in the box and went back to my old reader. I am keeping an eye on the updates and hoping for the best, but God knows I ain't holding my breath for an update that fixes the gazillion problems.

[jusmee]

Originally Posted by ThomasMcKean

This is a device that is simply not ready for prime time. That's why I put it back in the box and went back to my old reader. I am keeping an eye on the updates and hoping for the best, but God knows I ain't holding my breath for an update that fixes the gazillion problems.

Ha, the quality of software in "prime time" is far less than you suspect. I could tell you tales of my car's engine management software that couldn't use the temperature sensor properly to determine the correct air/fuel mixture when the engine was cold - hence I could reverse out of my driveway in the mornings - new firmware fixed it.

Then there's the "distance to empty" calculation from my fuel gauge (different car to the first one). So far out it's useless, and they can't fix it still after 2 years. Even the (simulated) analog gauge showed 1/4 full when I run out of fuel. They had to bend the fuel tank sensor arm to at least get it to read empty properly.

Software in modern commercial devices is absolutely attrocious.

[jusmee]

Hey, I just downloaded this 'latest' firmware, and the bin file is dated November 5th. Weren't we being told (after that date) that the delay was that they were still fixing problems? Doesn't make sense...

[Javed]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Javed:

Just so you know. we are working now with the factory on the dictionary support, Thai language support, a clock that remains visible as you read, and more useage for the scroll wheel. There will soon be a new firmware upgrade for hopefully all of these too.

And, yes, I am asking that they detail what is in it.

for keeping us updated, Robert. That's one of the big plusses about Astak; how we have a representative here at the forum.

[Javed]

Originally Posted by jusmee

We all have our own ideas about priorities.

Quite so. Well said Jusmee!

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by jusmee

Hey, I just downloaded this 'latest' firmware, and the bin file is dated November 5th. Weren't we being told (after that date) that the delay was that they were still fixing problems? Doesn't make sense...

Robert announced on the 7th that an update was being released week of the 9th-13th and was not released earlier like the Bebook because of a couple of bugs found. I would assume that the bugs were fixed by the 5th but Astak didn't receive the update from the factory until after the 7th (hence the time difference between firmware date and Robert's announcement).

I haven't really found an issue yet, though I have noticed my fourth recharge sat there for 12 hours and hadn't come up with the unplug icon under the new firmware. I'm leaving my PP on to see how the battery life is improved. Now is it just me or are the page turns faster under the new firmware?

[jusmee]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

I haven't really found an issue yet, though I have noticed my fourth recharge sat there for 12 hours and hadn't come up with the unplug icon under the new firmware. I'm leaving my PP on to see how the battery life is improved. Now is it just me or are the page turns faster under the new firmware?

Under Bebook firmware, I went nearly a week and it still showed 4 bars. I put Astak firmware in today, and I haven't recharged. I suspect they have the battery problem thoroughly licked. We'll see how it goes, but it looks good.

...and yes, page turns seem faster, and button response seems better (I mean it is less likely to miss a quick press of a button, or flick on the jog wheel).

Can't make the jog wheel do anything extra though, like the volume thing that was discussed.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by jusmee

Under Bebook firmware, I went nearly a week and it still showed 4 bars. I put Astak firmware in today, and I haven't recharged. I suspect they have the battery problem thoroughly licked. We'll see how it goes, but it looks good.

...and yes, page turns seem faster, and button response seems better (I mean it is less likely to miss a quick press of a button, or flick on the jog wheel).

Can't make the jog wheel do anything extra though, like the volume thing that was discussed.

Dear Jusmee:

One of the things that ruin my day is when the factory promises something and it does not happen. Yes, we are aware that the promised volume control for the scroll wheel did not happen. They have already promised it will be in the next firmware upgrade. Likewise, the Thai language support. Both are promised for the next one which will be soon.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by ThomasMcKean

This is a device that is simply not ready for prime time. That's why I put it back in the box and went back to my old reader. I am keeping an eye on the updates and hoping for the best, but God knows I ain't holding my breath for an update that fixes the gazillion problems.

Dear Thomas:

Reviewers love the Pocket PRO, most on this forum love it, and it has been a major hit. More so, it has been an incredible value for $199.

We are working really hard to bring out good eBook Readers. I wish I knew what you are expecting. Posts like yours do not help, and putting it back in the box does not help.

I am here every day trying to make this device even better. IF you want something done: list what you feel the engineers need to improve. Give me something I can take to the factory and get changes made.