Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)

[HarryT]

Yes, obviously don't "press" on the screen, but if you find yourself putting your hand on it just to support the device, that's totally harmless.

With my CyBook, however, it lives in its case permanently, and I generally hold it just like I would a book, with the case hinged open like a book and holding the spine and the two edges. I did the same with my Sony Reader, and I'd imagine the same should be comfortable with the EZ Reader too.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, obviously don't "press" on the screen, but if you find yourself putting your hand on it just to support the device, that's totally harmless.

With my CyBook, however, it lives in its case permanently, and I generally hold it just like I would a book, with the case hinged open like a book and holding the spine and the two edges. I did the same with my Sony Reader, and I'd imagine the same should be comfortable with the EZ Reader too.

Dear Harry:

Yes, the case on the EZ Reader is made so that you can open it and bend it back without hurting the case. This means that you can, conveniently, keep the device in the case and hold the unit comfortbaly while using it. Some will wish to remove it and some will not... but in either case it works fine.

By the way, yesterday we saw the first samples of the Metallic Red and Electric Blue colors. We all loved them so much that we are adding a silver color as well. All of this is for the second build... but we are planning now to go with Black, White, Red, Blue and Silver. Is this earth-shaking innovation? Certainly not! But it does mean we are listening and even trying to anticipate what many of you will want in the near future.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by dki

Oh, I sooo hope not... Light and thin is important up to some point, and when you reach that point, it only matters when it's foldable screen. I can only comment on Cybook - a very light and thin device. I was literally afraid to hold it without a cover (even when I saw it in the pictures, I decided that there is no point in buying it without a cover, as it would be uncomfortable). It was less comfortable to hold for a long periods of time that my RCA 1100, despite being much lighter and thinner. And I have small hands .

RCA has a bulge on one side, and it's rubberized - does not slip in your grip, and the bulge makes a good gripping point (that's where the battery is, I guess). I understand that the necessity of using a cover changes things a bit, but maybe you could design a rubberized cover that somehow resemble RCA and that fits a thin and light device? As an option? Anybody who likes light and thin, can have a different cover. I'd rather have a hefty rubberized cover, and I think that might be a cheaper way to go in the development.

And let's not forget the screen protection - Cybook cover did not have any - so even when the device was covered, during reading the screen was susceptible to scratches and pressure. I think with the eink it would be good to offer a clear plastic screen cover that could be attached to the device cover, that would not reduce print quality by much, but offer some protection (and yes, I understand that for the touch-screen that is useless). And also, you could offer those thin film covers, that only protect from scratches (my Cybook is untouched, but my RCA has scratches, as I could not find a film cover that would fit).

But, if a design of the device itself could be affected, think of the battery possibilities... Obviously, all the batteries in the ereaders on the market now are light and thin... If you could put a really large one in the bulge - it could have weeks of use, rather than days offered now. I, for instance, would go for that, rather than lightness and thinness. Also, if that could be side-lighted, to read in the dark, with larger battery this could be doable without reducing the reading time to several hours... My RCA has a good 20 reading hours in it (it's turned low), so with the new technology, you could have days even with side-lighting, if there was a way to put a larger battery in.

Sorry for a long post... Daydreaming, I think. But, Robert, you might be our only hope... Nobody else is really listening.

As for in-person participation in CES, even thought I live in the US, I really can't (vacation time is scarce and hard to come by, and I'm on the East Coast). But anytime you are in NY please let me know, I'll be delighted to lay my hands on the actual prototypes and complain...

Dorota

Dear Dorota:

This is a very valid suggestion and we will look into that. There is only so much room inside the case (I know because we have taken two completely apart to understand what makes them work better). I will recommend to Jinke of China that they consider a larger battery... although, like said before, there is only one screw on the battery door and the battery comes right out. Jinke even provides (included) a small screwdriver for this. The battery is a Nokia B14C and is readily available online. Carrying a second battery is certainly easy enough.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by SaraD

Yes, please, and also pictures showing the sides, top, bottom, and back. The front is of course the most important part, but I wonder what buttons may be located on the sides (the way the voulme buttons are on my cell phone), where the SD card slot is, and where the USB connects. Very few of the websites selling e-book readers show these types of pictures and I find myself wondering.

Dear Sara and all:

YES!! There is a great suggestion! I will try to take some pictures and post them on the www.astak.com website. Give me time! Webmasters work at their own pace and I can take the pictures today and they may not be up for two weeks.

The point is that I think this will help; and I will take the pictures with my large and ungainly hands holding the unit different ways.

Robert B

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Robertb

The battery is a Nokia B14C

BL-4C or BL-5C, see New to ereaders, questions about Hanlin.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Robertb

to go with Black, White, Red, Blue and Silver. Is this earth-shaking innovation? Certainly not! But it does mean we are listening and even trying to anticipate what many of you will want in the near future.

What no pink and green? FAIL.

Just kidding!

BOb

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Robertb

This is a very valid suggestion and we will look into that.

The battery is a Nokia B14C and is readily available online. Carrying a second battery is certainly easy enough.

The good news here is that after 6 months of so you can usually get the same form factor battery with more capacity. Although, with the current batter life of the 6inch ereaders I don't see why you really need more capacity.

BOb

[dki]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

The good news here is that after 6 months of so you can usually get the same form factor battery with more capacity. Although, with the current batter life of the 6inch ereaders I don't see why you really need more capacity.

BOb

This was only a sideline to a concept of more solid ereader... And more available power is more available power. You might need it (for instance for sidelighted screen). And if you do not need it, it's just as well, you don't have to use it. Also, I am all for easily replaceable battery, but there are instances when you just cannot replace it for one reason or another (last time it was a screwdriver - needed that tiny one - I did not take it with me going for vacation, and could not get it while there).

Dorota

[dki]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Dorota:

This is a very valid suggestion and we will look into that. There is only so much room inside the case (I know because we have taken two completely apart to understand what makes them work better). I will recommend to Jinke of China that they consider a larger battery... although, like said before, there is only one screw on the battery door and the battery comes right out. Jinke even provides (included) a small screwdriver for this. The battery is a Nokia B14C and is readily available online. Carrying a second battery is certainly easy enough.

Robert B

Originally Posted by pilotbob

The good news here is that after 6 months of so you can usually get the same form factor battery with more capacity. Although, with the current batter life of the 6inch ereaders I don't see why you really need more capacity.

BOb

This was only a sideline to a concept of more solid ereader, really. What I wish for is something a little like RCA 1100 - solid, not to stuff an overlarge battery in an oversmall case... Still, more available power is more available power. You might need it (for instance for sidelighted screen). And if you do not need it, it's just as well, you don't have to use it. Also, I am all for easily replaceable battery, but there are instances when you just cannot replace it for one reason or another (last time it was a screwdriver - needed that tiny one - I did not take it with me going for vacation, and could not get it while there).

Dorota

[SaraD]

Robert B,

Thank you in advance for the pictures. Since they are something that you can mostly control, I know you will deliver. By "mostly" I refer to the timing issue you mentioned since that relies on somebody else's list of priorities. The Astak and Mobiebook sites are among those I check weekly for any updates so I will probably see the pictures sooner rather than later when they do appear.

A related idea that I don't see often is a nice diagram that tells what the buttons do (primary and secondary functions) with the little lines or numbers on the item and a list next to it like you generally see in the owner's manual, but most people never bother opening. I now make a point of actually reading the owners' manual when I buy an item and again later. It is amazing how many additional things I've learned about my KitchenAide blender and Bunn coffee/tea pot. I pick those items as examples because they are straightfoward to operate, but have additional options or little ways to improve performance that are not obvious. Sometimes I will download the owners' manual just to look at those diagrams when comparing items before purchasing and just did so with a crockpot (don't laugh - the fancy ones have temperature probes, smart timers, and lots of options operated by just a few controls). However, other times I will remove an item from consideration because a diagram of the functionality is too hard to find.

Off-topic pet peeve: Why do automobile companies make is so hard to find how much ground clearance a vehicle has? On-topic reason I bring it up: I read about certain vehicles types like I read about e-book readers and generally skip over certain companies because I cannot find the type of information that will interest me enough to read further.

These points are more marketing/presentation related than about how it works, but I do find them to be imporant factors in my decision making process.

Thank you for listening!

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by SaraD

Robert B,

Thank you in advance for the pictures. Since they are something that you can mostly control, I know you will deliver. By "mostly" I refer to the timing issue you mentioned since that relies on somebody else's list of priorities. The Astak and Mobiebook sites are among those I check weekly for any updates so I will probably see the pictures sooner rather than later when they do appear.

A related idea that I don't see often is a nice diagram that tells what the buttons do (primary and secondary functions) with the little lines or numbers on the item and a list next to it like you generally see in the owner's manual, but most people never bother opening. I now make a point of actually reading the owners' manual when I buy an item and again later. It is amazing how many additional things I've learned about my KitchenAide blender and Bunn coffee/tea pot. I pick those items as examples because they are straightfoward to operate, but have additional options or little ways to improve performance that are not obvious. Sometimes I will download the owners' manual just to look at those diagrams when comparing items before purchasing and just did so with a crockpot (don't laugh - the fancy ones have temperature probes, smart timers, and lots of options operated by just a few controls). However, other times I will remove an item from consideration because a diagram of the functionality is too hard to find.

Off-topic pet peeve: Why do automobile companies make is so hard to find how much ground clearance a vehicle has? On-topic reason I bring it up: I read about certain vehicles types like I read about e-book readers and generally skip over certain companies because I cannot find the type of information that will interest me enough to read further.

These points are more marketing/presentation related than about how it works, but I do find them to be imporant factors in my decision making process.

Thank you for listening!

Dear SaraD

The mobiebook website is under serious construction now and SO much is getting done. I hate legaleese... but the terms and conditions of sale have to be done and finally are. RobertB's corner is done, with insights on future events and my stance on what is affecting the industry and helpful hints. I think we have one of the best FAQ sheets I have ever seen and that is done. It lays out a ton of simple ways to navigate your EZ Reader, how to fully utilize the Music Zone on the EZ Reader, and what to try IF anything does hang up. It is all in American English and I wrote it so I hope to God people will love that. It is a work in progress, of course, and more items will be added as they come up but I think it is extremely helpful and shows our commitment to people that own the EZ Reader. All of these things are in the process of being posted to the site by the webmaster. We still are trying to get the final piece done: the actual payment system for credit cards.

A GOOD estimate now is about 10-14 days more and the website will be open and people can buy. Already 35 people have signed up on the site as Members and it is barely a site so far... THANK YOU ALL for that support! Please, everyone, membership is free and it cannot hurt you and can only help you... so go to www.mobiebook.com and sign up.

I took all the pictures that were wanted with my big fat hands holding the EZ Reader and showing it from the standpoint of ergonomics and every edge of the unit and the thiness. There is even a shot showing the horizontal display mode. It is HARD posing for these pictures as you have to contort your wrist at abnormal angles to avoid glare sometimes and get a decent shot. I am waiting for the webmaster to post those on www.mobiebook.com; and they are due to be up Monday.

I do a lot of flying... so if I am offline and can not respond... I am probably on another trip. Next week on Monday I am off to Chicago showing off the EZ Reader to retail corporate buyers.

I DID get an EBW-1150 in my hands to sense the ergonomics. There are some real strongpoints there; and we will take this input to the design department. Maybe some of the general idea (staying strictly clear of copyright infringement) can be incorporated).

Have a great weekend!

Robert B

[Xenophon]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear SaraD
[SNIP]

I DID get an EBW-1150 in my hands to sense the ergonomics. There are some real strongpoints there; and we will take this input to the design department. Maybe some of the general idea (staying strictly clear of copyright infringement) can be incorporated).

Have a great weekend!

Robert B

Hooray for Robert B, who actually listens to potential customers! Thanks for following up on the EBW-1150; I hope that you can incorporate its best points without any IP problems.

Xenophon

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

Hooray for Robert B, who actually listens to potential customers! Thanks for following up on the EBW-1150; I hope that you can incorporate its best points without any IP problems.

Xenophon

Dear All of MobileRead Forum:

Just so all know, the first shipment of 500 EZ Readers (by Astak) is into our warehouse and the new www.mobiebook.com website is under construction... opening in 10-14 days. Visit it and take a look!

Membership on our site is free and sign-up to be a member takes only a few moments! We have a special price of $299 for the EZ Reader with Leather Crush-Resistant Carrying Case and Ear Buds (included) to the first 100 buyers (at least) on that site. It includes 8 free classics pre-loaded. Anybody on our waiting list will get this same deal... so do not worry. The email for waiting list is: rubyl@teamresearchinc.com

This price is about $30 LESS than I told you it would cost... so that is refreshing!

We will be shipping as soon as the new website is operational!

Robert B

[NeweReader]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Harry:

By the way, yesterday we saw the first samples of the Metallic Red and Electric Blue colors. We all loved them so much that we are adding a silver color as well. All of this is for the second build... but we are planning now to go with Black, White, Red, Blue and Silver. Is this earth-shaking innovation? Certainly not! But it does mean we are listening and even trying to anticipate what many of you will want in the near future.

Robert B

Robert B,

When you post pictures of the EZ Reader, is there any way you can post pictures of the colored ones also, so we can see what the colors look like?

I am so excited about getting my EZ Reader, but I am still debating which color and seeing them would sure help. I could get a Black one now and be happy, but I would hate to find later that I would have loved the Blue or Silver one better. Tough decisions - buy now or wait for a colored one?

Thanks much.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by NeweReader

Robert B,

When you post pictures of the EZ Reader, is there any way you can post pictures of the colored ones also, so we can see what the colors look like?

I am so excited about getting my EZ Reader, but I am still debating which color and seeing them would sure help. I could get a Black one now and be happy, but I would hate to find later that I would have loved the Blue or Silver one better. Tough decisions - buy now or wait for a colored one?

Thanks much.

Dear NeweReader:

Send me your email address and I will send you pictures of the unit in red and blue. I WANTED to put the pictures up on the site BUT our Operations Manager was scared that it might confuse people. We only have Black (actually, more accurately, a very nice dark charcoal) at this point.

Companies are always conservative and want to not push pictures of things they do not have yet. Me? I love color and think that will eventually be a nice change of pace. BUT... remember, the charcoal EZ Readers are about $30 off now ($299 with case and earbuds included) and when the colors arrive the price MAY be $329 or so. Also, until the company knows we can sell the colored ones the supply will be very low.

WHY may the price go up? It is a matter of the retail stores. When they carry the product, they need a certain amount of margin. If the MSRP is $299then they are not interested as the margin is not sufficient. Right now we do not have that worry so we can do this special price.

Robert B