Announcement from EZ Read/Astak Team

[Luigino]

Originally Posted by jenifer.ezread

Hi Luigino,
Currently, we do have plans for new devices in different sizes with a number of screen improvements, etc.. However, do to the price wars in the market between other eBook readers like the Kindle and Nook, we can't compete as a smaller company. We plan to keep and eye on the market and continue scheming for a more economical, improved eBook reader.
In other words, keep checking back for updates!

Hello Jenifer,

as I said I was asking you just because other companies are fighting with prices but they are putting EVERYTHING unnecessary in their ebook products. For me it'd be OK to make a 9" eBook reader with just eInk Pearl (which at least it's already out instead to wait SiPix that's still with some little problems) and a microUSB + microSD slot avoiding WiFi and 3G...
You can see for WiFi and 3G actually Companies are fighting with colour Tablets to navigate which I am NOT interested... and I'm pretty sure 6" ebooks market was too little because the display is TOO WAY LITTLE!

I am sure if YOU (Astak) make a 9"-9.7" product, you could have more market (and more earning-money) than 5" and 6" because people doesn't want to waste time hurting their eyes reading on a small device (like 5"-6").
In fact as you probably have understand, I am waiting since almost 2 years for an 9"-9.7" ebook which doesn't have WiFi neither 3G because it would CUT DOWN price and be more affordable for most of people!... (Kindle DX Graphite in fact costs too much because it has WiFi and 3G!)

Now, after those little considerations, I hope Astak WILL DECIDE to create NOW this 9"-9.7" device, even it's also easier to build than a color tablet PC and it has ONLY 3" more than a 6"...

Remember: initial investments with RIGHT consideration of consumer goals will make money...

Look:
- Irex filed bankrupt because they didn't listened really to consumer needs and they made products with WiFi and 3G with a too high price;
- Plastic Logic is almost to go bankrupt because their ebook device is with WiFi and 3G for an high price which people doesn't need really it so they won't buy it;
- Amazon sold LOTS of devices Kindle DX Graphite because it's a 9"-9.7" with native PDF support and more readability even if it has Free 3G.

Hope those two examples are enough to make Astak to go in the direction for a product WITHOUT WiFi and 3G. ;-)

Thanks for the attention,
Ciao,
Luigi

if you have doubts or critics for me, just tell me... let's discuss :-)

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by Luigino

I am sure if YOU (Astak) make a 9"-9.7" product, you could have more market (and more earning-money) than 5" and 6" because people doesn't want to waste time hurting their eyes reading on a small device (like 5"-6").

I like my 6" screen and am planning on getting a reader with a 5" screen because I want smaller, not larger; I want something that fits in a pocket, not something I'll need a backpack to carry around with me. I want something comfortable for reading one-handed on a crowded train; when I'm at home and have space, I can read on the laptop.

I went from a PDA to an e-ink reader, and I *loved* reading on the 320x320 pixel screen. I changed because I got tired of the batteries dying mid-book, not because I wanted a bigger reading space.

I am not quite comfortable reading letter-sized PDFs with 1" margins on my PRS-505. But only "not quite;" I'll do it sometimes anyway because that's easier than converting complex formatting.

One of the problems with larger screens is breakage--they're more fragile, and whether or not it should be customer's responsibility to be accordingly more careful, the fact is that someone whose reader broke is less likely to recommend it, less likely to get another one when upgrades are available. Unsatisfied customers, even if it's "their own fault," are not repeat customers.

[Davimee]

I agree... I love my 5" pocket pro! When I bought it I was looking for the reader with the smallest footprint, so it would fit easily into my purse. I mostly just read fiction books with no pictures, so a bigger screen really isn't necessary for me. I really love the compact size, and I can see just fine on the 5" screen without straining my eyes. It's much easier for me to read on my Pocket Pro than it is to read on my laptop. My laptop strains my eyes. I think there will be a market for 6" devices for quite a while. Larger sizes (9 and up) are more of a specialty market, I would think. People who read a lot of pdfs, or books with a lot of large graphics. But for just the average reader, I would think the smaller reader would be plenty sufficient. I could be mistaken.

[jenifer.ezread]

Originally Posted by Luigino

Now, after those little considerations, I hope Astak WILL DECIDE to create NOW this 9"-9.7" device, even it's also easier to build than a color tablet PC and it has ONLY 3" more than a 6"...

There are definite advantages to having a 9" device, but I have to agree with Davimee, the majority of readers using eBooks are reading "just text" format, fiction and etc. Also, even though you'd be turning a page more often, you can get the text size to be incredibly HUGE on the 5-6" devices.

I think for a 9" venture, it would be a lot easier of course than creating a color tablet. At the same time, I think our image rendering on the gray scale would require tons of improvement. Also, like Elfwreck said, bigger screen, bigger problems with breaking and etc.

Since I can't speak for our manufacturer and all of my bosses, they could be very well scheming for a 9" right now. I'll let you know if I hear any news about it!

[Luigino]

HI Jenifer, Davimee and Elfwreck,

About "problems with breaking" it's true if using glass...but recently I've heard it's going to use sort of plastic screen... Philips S.V. in the Netherland its doing searchs on it... plus other manufacturers are going on this direction since plastic screen would be also more economic than glass...anyway, Elfwreck, same thinking is appliable for who has a notebook/netbook which have glass display that would break if the device falls down (like me which I own a Sony Vaio notebook)...

About you, Elfwreck and Davimee, I agree too with you...most of people love 5"-6" because they just read text books, in fact I didn't say "no people doesn't want to hurt eyes", I said "MOST peoples wouldn't hurt eyes when reading different kinds of books like text books, technical PDF, japanese mangas"...which in fact is better a 9"-9.7" device.

Otherwise how we could explain that success of Amazon selling lots of their Kindle DX Graphite (both 6" and 9.7")?...

I stay tuned about hearing from Astak for a 9"-9.7" device... actually at Berlin's IFA 2010 they are announcing new products like Asus and others...

I think and I am pretty sure with presence in the market of Kindle DX Graphite, times are mature for 9"-9.7" products or eBooks market will die for sure and Tablet won't have big market for sure because there are already plenty of netbooks... (Remember, already in the past tablets tried to conquer the market with failure...)

Ciao,
Luigi

[o0-0o]

Yes, I strongly believe that there are a huge needs for large screen ebook readers, preferably between 9.7" to 11". Many users like me want to read technical papers or text books using ereaders. Quite often I just browse through the papers looking for the right paper to read in detail. In such cases I don't want to wast the paper to print them. 9.7" or larger reader is quite rare on the market. Once there are more options and the price is lower, there will be a huge surge on the needs of such larger readers.

Originally Posted by jenifer.ezread

There are definite advantages to having a 9" device, but I have to agree with Davimee, the majority of readers using eBooks are reading "just text" format, fiction and etc. Also, even though you'd be turning a page more often, you can get the text size to be incredibly HUGE on the 5-6" devices.

I think for a 9" venture, it would be a lot easier of course than creating a color tablet. At the same time, I think our image rendering on the gray scale would require tons of improvement. Also, like Elfwreck said, bigger screen, bigger problems with breaking and etc.

Since I can't speak for our manufacturer and all of my bosses, they could be very well scheming for a 9" right now. I'll let you know if I hear any news about it!

[diokdin]

Oh, I just found out now that Robert retired. He will surely be missed. He helped me with my Paint Peeled PP issued. Hope he'll dropprd by here, to say hey to us.

Welcome, Jennifer.

[ReaderEatter]

Originally Posted by cloggy

Well, this was written by Robert on August 4 after he returned:
"For those who do like me, luckily the vast majority, I arrive at work tomorrow in the afternoon and have a few appointments but will soon have the time to set this forum right again."

..and this was announced today to justify his "retirement", 6 days later:
"Robert has recently required a break for health reasons, and we hope that his knee troubles will be alleviated very soon. We also wish him the best of luck in the future."

I'm not questioning your best intentions, but for me..it smells fishy..(and as this is a public forum, I'm afraid you cannot remove Robert's "return" message.)

Hello all:

I really am RobertB (formerly with Astak). I am happy that Jenifer is making an effort here; but let us set a few facts straight.

1. My health is fine and so is my knee. I had this knee operation to extend my career... not to quit it!! Out of respect for Jenifer I will not state reasons herein on why I am not with Astak. I do not want trouble; but outright lies are harmful to me.
2. I most certainly did not retire!! I was not given a choice of any kind; just an hour or so (unpaid) to clean out my desk.

It is unfortunate that businesses do what they feel they must do and I am just a pawn in that game. However, I do miss all of you and I only wish that the powers that be KNEW what you and I were building was good for Astak.

It is also unfair for me to comment in any way on Astak or its products... I simply cannot. I am actively looking for other work and we will see where that leads. That does NOT lessen how much I miss all of you. That is one of the worst parts of this mess.

In the meantime, I am back on the streets again looking for employment. Remember me fondly, all. ALL of you do remain in my heart and my prayers!!

[ReaderEatter]

Originally Posted by cloggy

Well, this was written by Robert on August 4 after he returned:
"For those who do like me, luckily the vast majority, I arrive at work tomorrow in the afternoon and have a few appointments but will soon have the time to set this forum right again."

..and this was announced today to justify his "retirement", 6 days later:
"Robert has recently required a break for health reasons, and we hope that his knee troubles will be alleviated very soon. We also wish him the best of luck in the future."

I'm not questioning your best intentions, but for me..it smells fishy..(and as this is a public forum, I'm afraid you cannot remove Robert's "return" message.)

Hello all:

I really am RobertB (formerly with Astak). I am happy that Jenifer is making an effort here; but let us set a few facts straight.

1. My health is fine and so is my knee. I had this knee operation to extend my career... not to quit it!! Out of respect for Jenifer I will not state reasons herein on why I am not with Astak. I do not want trouble; but outright lies are harmful to me.
2. I most certainly did not retire!! I was not given a choice of any kind; just an hour or so (unpaid) to clean out my desk.

It is unfortunate that businesses do what they feel they must do and I am just a pawn in that game. However, I do miss all of you and I only wish that the powers that be KNEW what you and I were building was good for Astak.

It is also unfair for me to comment in any way on Astak or its products... I simply cannot. I am actively looking for other work and we will see where that leads. That does NOT lessen how much I miss all of you. That is one of the worst parts of this mess.

In the meantime, I am back on the streets again looking for employment. Remember me fondly, all. ALL of you do remain in my hearty and my prayers!!

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Metal Mick

Hi all,

in Oz, there industries such as IT (Information Technology (computers)), where a resignation or termination sees the departing employee end their work immediately. A security guard or similar then escorts the person from the building with personal belongings. If there is a minimum notice period, then that is usually paid out.

In this light, Robert's departure may be explainable, but still there is something about this that makes me a little uncomfortable.

Cheers,

Like maybe the fact that Robert didn't post/announce this himself?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

There are those of us who would rather not deal with the security risks of being on facebook.

This was the thing Robert and I got into it over the original "contest" they held. I'm still of the same opinion as then.

Jennifer I think you've been had. It's never good to start off a relationship with a lie and I think that is exactly what you've done. I will not believe that until verified otherwise.

If Robert posts and says this is the case then I'll believe it.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by kennyc

This was the thing Robert and I got into it over the original "contest" they held. I'm still of the same opinion as then.

Jennifer I think you've been had. It's never good to start off a relationship with a lie and I think that is exactly what you've done. I will believe that until verified otherwise.

If Robert posts and says this is the case then I'll believe it.

Don't be too hard on Jenifer. She may or may not have been privy to the real reason Robert "left" and even if she did, she is really in no position to say anything other than what Astak tells her to say; jobs are hard to find.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Don't be too hard on Jenifer. She may or may not have been privy to the real reason Robert "left" and even if she did, she is really in no position to say anything other than what Astak tells her to say; jobs are hard to find.

I understand, but there is a difference in saying "Robert is no longer with the company and I'm here to help you" and "Robert has retired and we've opened a new web forum and ..."

Particularly given the presence and personal nature of Robert in this forum. If it were really true then he retired, he would have announced that to us himself.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I understand, but there is a difference

Particularly given the presence and personal nature of Robert in this forum. If it were really true then he retired, he would have announced that to us himself.

Oh, I had no doubts from the beginning that Robert was at least essentially fired and said so here. And I agree, there is a difference in saying "Robert is no longer with the company and I'm here to help you" and "Robert has retired and we've opened a new web forum and ..." However, Jenifer may not have known that Robert was sacked. Even if she did but the company told her to say he had retired, she would have met with the same fate had she refused to do so. I'm not saying it is right, but jobs are scarce.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Oh, I had no doubts from the beginning that Robert was at least essentially fired and said so here. And I agree, there is a difference in saying "Robert is no longer with the company and I'm here to help you" and "Robert has retired and we've opened a new web forum and ..." However, Jenifer may not have known that Robert was sacked. Even if she did but the company told her to say he had retired, she would have met with the same fate had she refused to do so. I'm not saying it is right, but jobs are scarce.

So to keep a job one should lie? What else? where is the line drawn?