Jetbook with New Formats Now at Bed Bath and Beyond

[JSWolf]

BB&B is a mainstream type shop. The Jetbook is not suitable for the average person who shops there. They don't know about DRM and stuff. They just want to buy a book, load it on the device, and read. I know that no device is perfect. But most of the other devices have DRM support so as long as you know the format, you can buy the books.

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by pwjone1

My, this is an active thread.

Anyway, I guess I'm fine with BB&B selling eBook readers. The more, the merrier. People that are unhappy with them, DRM or otherwise, will return them, that's normal business operations, I'm not going to lose any sleep over that.

I do notice that the claim of more formats supported is still up:

http://www.jetbook.net/

I figure that's mostly marketing, anyway. According to Google, DRM shows up only once on the whole jetbook web-site, so I think that could be clearer, also.

But that all said, the unit is small enough, cheap enough, and stays up long enough (20+ hours), that I would suggest it's a reasonable choice for some users. There is no perfect eBook reader out there, they're all trade-offs, so if someone opts for a Jetbook, seems like a reasonable choice for them to make. Some people are kind of pledged to only buy DRM-less eBooks, anyway, I guess I understand the thinking there. And every time I say "Screen looks small" when looking at a Sony or Kindle, only to be told it needs to be small to fit in a pocket, well Jetbook comes along and is smaller still.

I agree with you, pwjone1! BB&B has very good return policy (30 days with no questions ask as I remember) so customers who don't like jetBook by any reason can return it but they will have a chance to test the unit and see how it works. I know several people who purchased old version via NewEgg
website and NOBODY returned it yet.

[pwjone1]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

BB&B is a mainstream type shop. The Jetbook is not suitable for the average person who shops there. They don't know about DRM and stuff. They just want to buy a book, load it on the device, and read. I know that no device is perfect. But most of the other devices have DRM support so as long as you know the format, you can buy the books.

OK, I would agree that the Jetbook packaging and web site could be a little clearer on DRM, but DRM is unfortunately a cloudy issue at the moment. Does the Sony packaging say it cannot read Amazon books? Does the Amazon web-site say it won't read Sony? No, you pretty much have to take the packaging at face value, marketing is often enough the leaving of things out.

BB&B is a mainstream shop, no question, but has sold electronics, plenty of things there are over $250, the market demographics match actually pretty well I would imagine, and presumably the Jetbook is clear enough that it needs to be PC attached, so it is at least targeting PC-literates. Parents may be buying these for kids, to load up with classics, where the smaller size is maybe important, DRM is not, and I see no harm really done. I cannot imagine the Fry's give any more information on the unit (Fry's when I've been there has confined their advice mostly to "there's the box, register is up front", something I'm actually fine with), but there seemed no objection to them selling the unit. Let's not look down on the BB&B customers.

[basschick]

here's the thing. the reason bestsellers are called bestsellers is 'cause they sell the best. and so it's pretty likely that a high number of people who buy ebook readers will want to read some of those bestsellers. when they can't, they're going to feel very ripped off, which they probably will be if they buy the ebook readers to read the books that they - the mainstream public - normally read (ie bestsellers). the end result will be that whether they return their jetbook or just write the whole situation off to experience, there's a new person who is unlikely to try ebooks again in the future. that's not good for those of us who want publishers to make electronic versions of more books, the makers of jetbook or of other readers.

[rebarnmom]

Originally Posted by Kris777

They wrote in PR:
"Ectaco has plans to distribute the jetBook at over 900 Bed Bath & Beyond stores across the United States and Canada by the end of 2009"
I think not all stores carry it yet. Somebody wrote in the same topic that saw jetBook in NY store this week.

I went to my local BB&B (an hour's drive) on Thursday, so excited to see it and they didn't have it. I finally asked someone after all of my browsing and he hadn't heard of it and said that he worked in Receiving, so he would know. He said most likely that they have it in their Schaumburg location. I was bummed!

I don't have any trips into the Chicago suburbs planned and certainly no money to spend (after making our yearly donation to the American govt.), and I love my Sony, but I still would've loved to check it out!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pwjone1

OK, I would agree that the Jetbook packaging and web site could be a little clearer on DRM, but DRM is unfortunately a cloudy issue at the moment. Does the Sony packaging say it cannot read Amazon books? Does the Amazon web-site say it won't read Sony? No, you pretty much have to take the packaging at face value, marketing is often enough the leaving of things out.

Sony says what they do do and Amazon says what they do. Jetbook doesn't say what they don't do which in this case is a serious mistake. A lot of people who shop at BB&B are like my mother. And if she was to purchase a Jetbook, she'd find it the wrong device for her because it would not allow her to read the books she likes.

[galavanter]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

A lot of people who shop at BB&B are like my mother. And if she was to purchase a Jetbook, she'd find it the wrong device for her because it would not allow her to read the books she likes.

After reading this thread, filled with your redundant, multiple posts making the same point over and over again, I find it very hard to believe that your mother would ever even consider buying a jetBook. She'd never hear the end of it.

Should she decide to risk your wrath though, she might want to go to Fry's for it. On sale now for $179.00.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by kelly1010

Well, I for one would be very upset if I spent money on the e-reader, with or without the 20% coupon, and then MORE money on ebooks to find out they did not work on my ereader. I also really hate ads that are misleading. I will definitely tell all of my friends and family who see this ereader NOT to buy it.

I'm confused over whether fictionwise does or doesn't sell epub books. But it doesn't really matter to me. I will continue to stay away from them. I have no problem shopping at BooksonBoard and Sony.

There is no reason to panic yet. There has been no announcement from Fictionwise (only a rumor) and no indication that the extension won't be made unique and that it will not be clear to the user what they are buying. Jon is a rumor monger trying to stir up trouble that does not even exist yet.

Dale

[snipenekkid]

never mind

[pwjone1]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sony says what they do do and Amazon says what they do. Jetbook doesn't say what they don't do which in this case is a serious mistake. A lot of people who shop at BB&B are like my mother. And if she was to purchase a Jetbook, she'd find it the wrong device for her because it would not allow her to read the books she likes.

Here is the current Amazon Kindle 2 home page:

www.amazon.com/Kindle-Amazons-Wireless-Reading-Generation/dp/B00154JDAI

When I do a find on "Sony", nothing comes up on reading Sony books, or not (there is one comment by a user on Sonys coming with covers). When I search on DRM, it also comes up blank, only mention is in the user tags. Now, doubtless, they could wander through the Amazon forums, consumer comments, and eventually find it, but most wouldn't bother, and I think the point is made, Amazon is not all that up-front in its marketing materials on what formats it does or does not read, DRM or not.

Here is the Sony PRS-700 home page, U.S.:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fw ww.sonystyle.com%2Fwebapp%2Fwcs%2Fstores%2Fservlet %2FProductDisplay%3FcatalogId%3D10551%26storeId%3D 10151%26langId%3D-1%26productId%3D8198552921665562069&ei=TSTsSYaABoG Itgeyi6CeBg&usg=AFQjCNE7URd4CNQ5t8DVeAQlzCa1dS-vgw


First page has no mention of Amazon or DRM. To it's credit, Sony does list DRM in the specifications, but buried in a tab, and with no explanation.

Anyway, the point I was making is that none of the eBook reader manufacturers is putting the DRM issue, or the tower of Babel of formats, all that out front. They are pushing the aspects they're good at. That's known as marketing. Like I said, I don't particularly like that, but I'm not going to condemn Jetbook for not putting it out there, any more than I'd condemn Amazon or Sony for their marketing approaches.

So then, how is a consumer to know? I suppose they would consult resources like Consumer Reports, or the web resources like Mobileread, it's not really rocket science. Consumers Reports, basically says don't buy eBook readers, they're too expensive, at least in the case of Amazon and Sony. They like the technology, but think it needs to come down in price. They do pick the Amazon over the Sony, but don't really consider Jetbook, at least that I could find. Perhaps Jetbook's lower price would change their conclusion, probably not.

But really, a big part of the discussion, seems to be the Bed Bath and Beyond aspect. That they'd sell an eBook, or at least one without DRM (or maybe, that's not a Sony ), seems objectionable to some. Well, Hoover's lists Consumer Electronics as the one of the main areas of BB&B sales (#3), and further lists Target and Walmart as prime competitors (both of which carry eBook readers). So partly, they're responding to competition. BB&B has a pretty good relative PE ratio, is having some problems with the slump (most retailers are), but it says in the company statement that they need to find new products and areas, this eBook seems to me to be part of an effort in that direction. Obviously BB&B is doing a LOT better than its closest competitor, LnT, so lets give the people that run it a little credit. Median income on its customers is generally higher. eBook readers in BB&B (along with the 20% coupons) are doubtless floor traffic generators, another marketing technique, an often effective one, and retailers are fighting very hard to get consumers back on their floors right now. Have to get people back into stores before they'll start buying stuff again. Is the consumer in BB&B somehow dumber, or less educated than the consumer in Walmart, Target, BB (would have included CC, but...)? Well, ignoring perhaps the sexist aspect in that question for a bit, I would say the objective evidence is actually the opposite, from the BB&B demographics. Some of the sharpest, most educated, most informed shoppers out there are female, somebody's Mom might get confused (mine would not, she's the one that runs the PC in the family, Dad, well, Dad is retired), new technology can be confusing at times, doesn't matter the age or the sex. However, if you go into BB&B you'd realize quickly enough, some of what they sell is quite complicated, lots of factors or trade-offs involved, knowledge needed to make the right decisions. What they offer is a lot of choice. Nothing wrong with that. And in the end, do most of us, when we buy something, really know what's inside, how the product is designed, every last detail of it? Does a BB customer know more about what they're buying than a BB&B customer? I think not. Mostly we study things a bit, ask friends, read up and research if we can, look for a name we're familiar with (hence the whole branding thing), maybe ask the salesman (all too often that's good for a laugh), and then just make our best guess.

And in the end, that's why I'm fine with BB&B carrying the Jetbook. It offers the consumer more choices. And for some, the Jetbook will be the right choice. It's cheaper than the competition, it supports a lot of formats, and for many, its lack of DRM is just fine. Maybe they're opposed to DRM, maybe they want the kids to stay with the classics, or don't want unfettered access to the online stores (and the consequent surprises on the credit card bill). Or they're looking at the Jetbook as a way to dip a toe in the water, a not too expensive way to try out eBooks while waiting for the technology to mature. Let's not equate being a BB&B customer with being dumb.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by pwjone1

And in the end, that's why I'm fine with BB&B carrying the Jetbook. It offers the consumer more choices. And for some, the Jetbook will be the right choice. It's cheaper than the competition, it supports a lot of formats, and for many, its lack of DRM is just fine. Maybe they're opposed to DRM, maybe they want the kids to stay with the classics, or don't want unfettered access to the online stores (and the consequent surprises on the credit card bill). Or they're looking at the Jetbook as a way to dip a toe in the water, a not too expensive way to try out eBooks while waiting for the technology to mature. Let's not equate being a BB&B customer with being dumb.

a BB&B customer is not dumb. But if they don't know about DRM and all that goes with it, then they are not going to know that the Jetbook cannot display say most eBooks from the NYT best seller list. The way I see it, the customer is going to purchase one, try to buy an eBook that has DRM and be unable to.

We know about DRM or can ask questions and get good answers on MR. We know they Jetbook does not support any DRM. So we can make an informed choice to buy one or not. But go to Etaco's website and it does not mention the lack of DRM and the form requesting eBooks makes it look like once I purchase a Jetbook, I can get all the eBooks I want for free. That's not how it works. And Etaco's comparison chart contains a lot of wildly inaccurate information when comparing Sony and Amazon. For the average person, the lack of DRM formats is not fine. It's what will be a real deal breaker after the purchase has been made.

[galavanter]

I just returned from BBB with a jetBook.

I was going to get one at Frys but the closest store that had them in stock was a 50 mile round trip, twice the distance of the Frys nearest me. I wanted to touch it first but was told I could not.

A BBB is a few miles from me, they had it in stock, and I thought the already updated software would be nice. I also wondered if any slight improvements might have been made internally. Like the OP said too, the software update on the site still says it's beta...

I'm really posting about the coupon and their return policy. Like everyone else in America it seems, I get the BBB 20% coff oupon in the mail regularly, and regularly throw it out.

If you go to the BBB site, http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com and scroll down, you can sign up for email alerts, IF you haven't already. You must give them your name and address too after you click submit, but they IMMEDIATELY send you an email with a 20% off coupon, that you must print out. I don't currently have a printer, so I saved it as a PDF on a flash drive and went down the street to a place that could print it out for me. It had my name on it, but BBB never asked me for ID. I did however, swipe my own CC, so maybe they checked then...

So yes the 20% off coupon is good for the jetBook, and they had a powered up display unit at customer service (stuck to plexiglass unfortunately so you couldn't hold it) that allowed you to actually use it.

I asked about their return policy. I was told I could return it ANYTIME ("YEARS from now") and get a credit to my CC. I am not a BBB frequent shopper, so I said "You're like Costco", and she replied "yes".

$20.00 more than Frys, same as Newegg (I must pay sales tax), but I had a nice ride on the bike and have it in hand, software update pre-installed.

[Kris777]

Thank you for your comments, Galavanter! I hope you will have a good experience with your jetBook - the same as many jetBook owners on this forum!

[Faenad]

I just returned from BBB with a jetBook.

If you have one with the updated software, can you tell me what the font and margins looks like?

With the original software, the photos of the review showed horrible fonts and margins. A very small left margin, while the right margin is bigger.



I asked in the jetbook review thread if it was possible to change the embedded fonts like with the Cybook or the Sony, but didn't get any reply, so I guess it's not possible. Any luck with the new software?

I guess it's possible to create your own custom PDF with your own fonts, but it's a hassle to do that with every book you read.

Also, about PDF, is the reflow support now available?

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Faenad

I asked in the jetbook review thread if it was possible to change the embedded fonts like with the Cybook or the Sony, but didn't get any reply, so I guess it's not possible. Any luck with the new software?

I think the review I wrote I said that you can't change the fonts. I asked Jetbook that question. But, that was with the original firmware. It may have changed.

BOb