DR800SG now listed on Best Buy web site

[Mr. Goodbar]

Interesting comments from them. I wonder if this is related to the "deluxe" package. When the details were live on the system it did not mention the free books, deluxe packaging etc. It will be interesting to see what finally becomes available and when.

[badbob001]

Scraping the bottom of the barrow:

Wolfson Microelectronics' WM8352 power management/codec device has been selected to use in Irex' DR800SG eReader.
http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/arti...t-eReader.aspx

Jan van de Kamer, founder and vice president of product development at IREX Technologies, said: "We are constantly seeking partnerships with experts like Wolfson Microelectronics to help drive our innovations and we're very excited to bring the high standards of power management solutions from Wolfson to the IREX DR800SG."

The DR800SG will shortly be available in the US, with a European launch planned for the first half of 2010. The device features an 8.1in screen and 3G connectivity is said to allow users buy books anywhere at anytime.

Jess Brown, power management product line manager at Wolfson, said: "Our inclusion in the DR800SG is testament to the quality of our power management technology, as well as an endorsement of the skills and expertise of our engineering and design teams."

Here's a link to info on the chip: http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/WM8352

Would this be something that the DR1000x doesn't have?

[zacheryjensen]

Originally Posted by badbob001

Scraping the bottom of the barrow:

Wolfson Microelectronics' WM8352 power management/codec device has been selected to use in Irex' DR800SG eReader.
http://www.newelectronics.co.uk/arti...t-eReader.aspx



Here's a link to info on the chip: http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/products/WM8352

Would this be something that the DR1000x doesn't have?

Every portable electronic device has something similar to this. It may have more features than past implementations of this type of component. What this amounts to is all the "extra crap" that gets tossed in as both requirements and afterthoughts to the more specific design of the system. Basically the primary functionality of this tool is managing power sources and voltages and dealing with faults, etc. in a coherent manner. Then, because it's impossible to do an amp properly without integrating with the power supply (or you will have ground loop feedback really bad, think headphones in an integrated sound card on a PC.) then they toss that in too. It's an understandable marriage. Then you get the controller connector, for USB or proprietary connectors, and finally a simple lighting controller.

So power, audio/amp, power/battery mgmt, data port, LED's. Thing nearly every consumer device needs these days, all in one convenient package.

It's good stuff, but nothing particularly special. That is, unless nobody knew the iRex would have audio support I guess. Everything else is accounted for (micro usb, led's, battery/power)

[igorsk]

PRS-700 and PRS-600 use a slightly different model - WM8350.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by zacheryjensen

Every portable electronic device has something similar to this. It may have more features than past implementations of this type of component. What this amounts to is all the "extra crap" that gets tossed in as both requirements and afterthoughts to the more specific design of the system. Basically the primary functionality of this tool is managing power sources and voltages and dealing with faults, etc. in a coherent manner. Then, because it's impossible to do an amp properly without integrating with the power supply (or you will have ground loop feedback really bad, think headphones in an integrated sound card on a PC.) then they toss that in too. It's an understandable marriage. Then you get the controller connector, for USB or proprietary connectors, and finally a simple lighting controller.

So power, audio/amp, power/battery mgmt, data port, LED's. Thing nearly every consumer device needs these days, all in one convenient package.

It's good stuff, but nothing particularly special. That is, unless nobody knew the iRex would have audio support I guess. Everything else is accounted for (micro usb, led's, battery/power)

True, but some eBook Readers may choose to roll-their own. And given iRex's success in this area this may indeed be good news for their product.

Dale

[badbob001]

Plastic Logic just announced that Barnes and Noble will be selling the QUE through their stores and website in 2010, which makes sense since readers probably sell better with first hand experience. Irex, any chance you can get BN on distributing your device or you going to remain exclusive to BestBuy?
Link: http://www.plasticlogic.com/news/pr_..._oct272009.php

Personally, I would prefer to buy from BN over BestBuy (less sales pressure, more locations near me, can use my amex points).

I would not be surprised if the QUE share the same DRM features as the Nook (lending, full ebook access from BN Wifi). I guess the dr800sg can't offer the wifi part... Perhaps irex is delaying to get wifi in (doubt it) or at least pen annotations in so they can have at one bullet point in their favor against the competition.

[Mr. Goodbar]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

True, but some eBook Readers may choose to roll-their own. And given iRex's success in this area this may indeed be good news for their product.

Dale

I was thinking the same. Hopefully this is a sign that the device will be in the same ballpark of battery life as the other devices on the market.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by lunged

Thanks for the info, Etienne.
How annoying, though. By $150 worth of books I imagine they actually mean $0 worth of classics available free from Project Gutenberg/Feedbook/etc.
A luxury box?! Thats pretty lame. And a special pen? Does it work better or make it easier to use? If not, who cares? I wish they wouldn't pull these kind of cheap marketing tricks and just sell us the reader for $399.

It sounds like they are saying that both will be available. The "basic" DR800 for $399 and the "Deluxe" DR800 for $449. I'm guessing BestBuy was jumping the gun and didn't have everything ready on their site, and had just listed the Deluxe one. Maybe that has something to do with why they referred to that model as "Bronze"?

Personally, I'd go for the Basic one.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by Maike13

I agree. This just isn't the way to develop a loyal customer base, particularly for a company that isn't well known here in the US. Why announce an MSRP of $399 if you have no intention of selling it at this price? That's just a good way to hack people off.

I think we're jumping the gun a little bit. It sounds like BestBuy goofed up with the online listing, and have pulled it to straighten it out.

We'll have to see what options/prices they have when it goes back up and people can actually start placing orders. This may all be over nothing.

[lunged]

You are correct, Shaggy. We'll just have to wait and see. I sincerely hope they sell a basic version along with the deluxe.

[badbob001]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

It sounds like they are saying that both will be available. The "basic" DR800 for $399 and the "Deluxe" DR800 for $449. I'm guessing BestBuy was jumping the gun and didn't have everything ready on their site, and had just listed the Deluxe one. Maybe that has something to do with why they referred to that model as "Bronze"?

Maybe it's like a game console release, where at launch, you can only get it within a more expensive bundle. This of course assumes that there is enough demand. Perhaps BestBuy's margins for this at $399 are too slim. Perhaps supply is low and they want to cash in on the early adopter. Perhaps the euro-to-dollar ratio dipped. Who knows?

I would prefer if they went the Nook route and just offer a tons of accessories instead of any forced bundles. I think buyers like choices, especially if its related to personalization options.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by badbob001

Maybe it's like a game console release, where at launch, you can only get it within a more expensive bundle. This of course assumes that there is enough demand. Perhaps BestBuy's margins for this at $399 are too slim. Perhaps supply is low and they want to cash in on the early adopter. Perhaps the euro-to-dollar ratio dipped. Who knows?

Maybe, but I think we're assuming too much. For all we know at this point, the whole thing could have been a mistake. I would hope that they are planning on offering both (if there are really two) versions.

[Bert]

Seems they will indeed start with a limited edition. From a comment on their blog:

(Karel - October 28th, 2009 10:24 am) The DR800SG will be priced at $399- as originally stated. To kick things off though, we are going to be offering a limited edition model for $449 that will include a ton of free content to get your reading started, as well as other cool goodies. Stay tuned for a formal announcement soon.

[Mr. Goodbar]

Maybe this is a way to handle limited initial availability. Call it a limited edition, add a few goodies to the box and charge more! In all seriousness, I can't wait to get my hands on one of these. I like my DX, but the 8" screen has always been the sweet spot for me.

[badbob001]

(Karel - October 28th, 2009 10:24 am) The DR800SG will be priced at $399- as originally stated. To kick things off though, we are going to be offering a limited edition model for $449 that will include a ton of free content to get your reading started, as well as other cool goodies. Stay tuned for a formal announcement soon.

$399: DR800SG
$0: a ton of free content.
$20: Professional Stylus (assumes base unit contains $50 Advanced Stylus)
$30: Very nice collectible box that can 'origami' into a reading stand
-----
$449

Perhaps also:
$0: Sorry note on why Verizon connection is not ready yet so please enjoy the free content.
$0: Coupon for one complementary firmware upgrade within one year.
$0: Complementary diagnostic check of in-warranty device. A $75 value. Shipping to Netherlands not included.


I wonder what the free content is. Free for us, free for irex, or both? Most likely 150 Classic literature Books that makes one wonder if the $50 would be better spent on current books at Barnes & Noble. Self-help books? It could be something slightly better like a 30 day trial to PapersDirect (but be sure to cancel before 30 days or you'll get charged...).