iRex Battery replacement program finally moving into action?

[kusmi]

Mhh, the increased weight of the iLiad is quite frustrating - after using it for some days I feel very uncomfortable when holding this "brick" in my hands, it's just to heavy now (I'm not an Arnold Schwarzenegger kind of guy...) - I guess for me the journey of reading on ebook-readers is over now... It's just to much hassle, going back and forth with the manufacturer and all the related problems. This increased weight just added an additional nail to the coffin.

After reporting dozens of bug - and after not seeing much change in their software in the last 2 years - I guess there is no competent company in the ereader space at the moment and I will put this experiment aside. Perhaps in the future a bright company will pick up some great ideas and finally delivers a usable device, then I will take a look again.

[firekat]

kusmi,

I agree with you. Frustration reigns. I have given my "support" to the advancement of e ink reader technology with my purchase of the iLiad, and I paid dearly. Not going to do it again.

The iLiad works well as just a flat out fiction reading device - period. The promise of more advanced functionality has never panned out. The hardware is there, it has just never been made functional, at least not in a practical sense. As the device is getting on to 3 years old, a veritable lifetime in this genre, it will soon be relegated to the technological junk pile as it will be surpassed by newer devices/technologies. Right off the bat the Vizplex screens really makes the iLiad pale in comparison.

Hopefully I will get my unit returned to me after the battery upgrade. iRex has never bothered to inform me of the status. All I know is that it was received. Most other companies I have dealt with will keep you informed as to just what is going on. Most of the problems with the iLiad are related to how things are handled by iRex.

The iLiad was a good idea, it just floundered. The design was not well thought out or implemented.

For my needs I am considering a convertible tablet notebook computer. This is fraught with it's own problems. Right now the biggest shortcoming using this device versus the iLiad is battery life and that's it. I will use the iLiad till I can justify another expenditure on high tech stuff. Once it's retired I will just use it to read fiction; fiction like the original specs on the iLiad that iRex sold to us all.

[jæd]

Heh... I gave up on Mobileread a while ago because it more full of moaners who wanted to whine about Irex rather use the device. Good to see that this hasn't changed.

And yep, I've sent my device off now. By indications from others it should hopefully take 10 - 15 days. I'd want it to take much less, seeing as I'm going to have to go back to dealing with paper again, and making notes in meetings that don't transfer themselves automatically. In short, I'm back in the 20th Century.

I still haven't seen any device that can do the same, so I'm just sticking with the Iliad until either there's something much better, or it breaks...

But I've really got other things to do that hang on Irex's every word and worry if they don't call me up/email me every day...

As to battery life problems, isn't that why they're being upgraded...

[jæd]

Originally Posted by jæd

And yep, I've sent my device off now. By indications from others it should hopefully take 10 - 15 days.

I sent my Iliad off on Friday 28th last week, and this morning a parcel was at my desk. So I'm impressed...! Was a bit worried this screen might be damaged, but all seems fine.

Weight gain : My Iliad has gone from being the weight of a paper-back to the weight of a hardback. Not a big deal... It also feels more *solid*...

Doh...! I just realised that my CF card was left in the iLiad, and has been returned still there...

The Internal memory seems to have been wiped : I get the "please select your language" and the manual on boot...

[cen]

Originally Posted by jæd

I sent my Iliad off on Friday 28th last week, and this morning a parcel was at my desk. So I'm impressed...!

The turn around was great. Mine was 5 days door to door iirc, which is impressive considering the empty returns box took 3 day to get to me in the first place.

[daudi]

Originally Posted by cen

The turn around was great. Mine was 5 days door to door iirc, which is impressive considering the empty returns box took 3 day to get to me in the first place.

This clearly indicates that the UPS drivers are now fixing iliads en route.

[DigiDirk]

Then mine got its batteries replaced in the parking lot...

Called UPS 11:00h on Monday, 15:15h they collected it.

Was back on Wednesday, say 11:30h (I was not at home).

Two days!

Nothing broken, they fixed the shell access download while it was away,
but I had to tighten some screws because my iLiad developed the 5 page
jump syndrome...

Dirk

[Adam B.]

iRex!

I got my iLiad back today. I ordered the upgraded plastic backing. I had no idea that they would replace every piece of plastic on the entire device!

This is awesome. The iLiad feels much more sturdy. The plastic is smooth. I even have new buttons (the IDS button has the icon on it now). This solved a few issues I've had. The power switch seemed a little loose lately, I'd have to hit it a 2nd or 3rd time to get the iLiad to turn off. Also, last time I received my iLiad back from support, I put a small slice into the front plastic with a box cutter (oops! ).

Now, my iLiad feels better than new. It also seems heavier than it did after I just got the battery replaced . But that doesn't really bother me. I'm a very happy person now.

[yokos]

These are great news, Adam.
Complete new plastics, new buttons. Cool! My buttons looked pretty used up.
This will be cool, when my litttle iLiad will come back "brand new".

[carandol]

Originally Posted by Adam B.

iRex!

I got my iLiad back today. I ordered the upgraded plastic backing. I had no idea that they would replace every piece of plastic on the entire device!

This is awesome. The iLiad feels much more sturdy. The plastic is smooth. I even have new buttons (the IDS button has the icon on it now). This solved a few issues I've had. The power switch seemed a little loose lately, I'd have to hit it a 2nd or 3rd time to get the iLiad to turn off. Also, last time I received my iLiad back from support, I put a small slice into the front plastic with a box cutter (oops! ).

Now, my iLiad feels better than new. It also seems heavier than it did after I just got the battery replaced . But that doesn't really bother me. I'm a very happy person now.

Are you sure they haven't just sent you a completely new device?

[yokos]

I got mine, too.
As Adam said: plastic of front & back, all buttons are new.

@ carandol: I recognize my iLiad by the lumpy at the connector port; the reused the old back sticker [the one with mac address].

[Adam B.]

Originally Posted by carandol

Are you sure they haven't just sent you a completely new device?

The mac address is the same. I doubt they went through all the trouble to swap the network card.

It is odd how it always comes back with a fresh format though... Must be standard procedure on all repairs.

[yokos]

Uuuh, iLiad with new plastics stills fits in my M-Edge Neoprene Executive Jacket [looks like the current model "Pilotsbook Jacket"].