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

[Over]

Lol, it really sounds like the interviewed guy was a little bit drunk

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by dki

Are you serious about the device being usable while charging?? Kudos to you, then, others do not cut it. Honestly, I don't understand why Cybook or Sony cannot be used while charging, but this is a VERY strong point against them, in my opinion. I hope Mentor will have the same option and I will be able to read in bed while my ebook is connected to the charger. And the battery is important too. I'd love to be able to change the battery, you should have a package with additional battery & a charger that is just for the battery. My old Axim had that, and it came very handy. Admittedly, it could only go for about 10 hours on the charge, but with two batteries I could make it through the longest airplane trips.

The Sony readers cannot be used to read an eBook while you are charging via USB. But if you charge using an AC adapter, then you certainly can use it to read an eBook while it's charging. The 505 and 700 do not come with AC adapters, but you can pick up a PSP AC adapter that works fine.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by kacir

Our member imagitronics has spotted a video from CES featuring the Astak device http://https://www.mobileread.com/for...975#post323926
direct YouTube address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3gshDchF-o

MobileRead links are broken (delete the existing http:// when pasting a full link), original post is https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...6&postcount=22.

The video includes an interview with Robertb, and shows the blue EZ Reader. The case now has pockets for notes and spare SD cards. Robert fudged the DRM issue (Secure MobiPocket not mentioned).

Reading between the lines, it seems that FictionWise may be gaining traction with their "eReader now ePub later" story line.

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by kacir

Our member imagitronics has spotted a video from CES featuring the Astak device http://https://www.mobileread.com/for...975#post323926
direct YouTube address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3gshDchF-o

jetBook review with pictures from CES:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36047

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

The video includes an interview with Robertb, and shows the blue EZ Reader. The case now has pockets for notes and spare SD cards. Robert fudged the DRM issue (Secure MobiPocket not mentioned).

It's hard to trust a tech reporter that doesn't know what he is talking about. The Sony and Kindle are NOT limited to DRMed formats. Also, you don't HAVE to use whispernet to put your own books on the Kindle.

Then again, if that is the public perception then this is a problem that Sony and Kindle need to address. Then again, as RobertB did say, they want the back end sales. So, to tell people you don't NEED their attached book stores is probably a bad idea. But, isn't more devices sold give greater potential book sales?

BOb

[echoleaf]

So no Mentor then? CES seems to be a bit of a bust as far as e-readers are concerned.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by echoleaf

So no Mentor then? CES seems to be a bit of a bust as far as e-readers are concerned.

Companies are slow in embracing this technology... But about the EZ Reader Pro, I don't think they planned to show it there:

Originally Posted by Robertb

So, what IS the plan. The plan is to only show the PRO in private meetings with some huge markets. Soon after CES, I would hope to give more info. Photos will probably be released in early February with release coming in late February. Price discussion is only in the most elementary talks right now but should firm during CES.

[echoleaf]

Ah - I had read that before. And seemingly wished myself into believing the 'more info' part was going to be at CES :-)

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by echoleaf

Ah - I had read that before. And seemingly wished myself into believing the 'more info' part was going to be at CES :-)

Well, I was hoping (against all odds) too

But where would we be without hope?

[echoleaf]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

But where would we be without hope?

I'd probably be staring at a TV and eating too much ice cream.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by echoleaf

So no Mentor then? CES seems to be a bit of a bust as far as e-readers are concerned.

As promised, the Astak booth had a large kiosk showing 6 styles of Mentor. Please go to www.mobiebook.com and under FORUM view RobertB's Corner for a full run-down on Astak at CES. Pictures will be forthcoming as soon as we can post them.

Thank you,

Robert B

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Robertb

As promised, the Astak booth had a large kiosk showing 6 styles of Mentor. Please go to www.mobiebook.com and under FORUM view RobertB's Corner for a full run-down on Astak at CES. Pictures will be forthcoming as soon as we can post them.

Thank you,

Robert B

Sounds like it was an exciting time. I am sure you were disappointed to see the delay in the 9.7". Was there anything about a 6" (or 5") running Fictionwise eReader format? The Jinke (EZ reader pro) product for the near future sound very exciting as well. What are the dates for it?

Dale

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

MobileRead links are broken (delete the existing http:// when pasting a full link), original post is https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...6&postcount=22.

The video includes an interview with Robertb, and shows the blue EZ Reader. The case now has pockets for notes and spare SD cards. Robert fudged the DRM issue (Secure MobiPocket not mentioned).

Reading between the lines, it seems that FictionWise may be gaining traction with their "eReader now ePub later" story line.

Dear Wallcraft:

The blue EZ Reader is my own and as I always said I love it and I use it.

I am doing all I can to avoid problems with Amazon/Mobipocket. I do not want problems; and we are shying away from causing any. Yes, we are gaining traction with Fictionwise/ eReader as Mobi does not seem to wish to allow us to use their format. That is a shame as I admire what they have. You have to do a little reading between the lines here. I wish this problem would just disappear; but it seems that we are finding a Mobi door to be shut. As such, other formats mat be a better alternative; and Fictionwise is filled with caring and concerned people that have opened the door warmly and been there for us time and again.

We have ALWAYS championed the most open format we can find. We are looking for great .pdf and an end to this DRM dilemma that users face. In a free market system, it would seem to me that DRM should be done away with. You need copyright protection for the authors and publishers... but you also need a just system that makes things EASY for the end user.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Sounds like it was an exciting time. I am sure you were disappointed to see the delay in the 9.7". Was there anything about a 6" (or 5") running Fictionwise eReader format? The Jinke (EZ reader pro) product for the near future sound very exciting as well. What are the dates for it?

Dale

Yes, the 9.7 is an irritation as I see it as absolutely wanted by so many people. I have always gone by the premise: "find a need and fill it". There is that need, particularly in education and other fields.

We have an NDA in place with Fictionwise and I try hard not to say too much about our dealings. Fictionwise is a quiet and good company that doesn't beat its own chest very often. Let us just say that we are positive that a Fictionwise format on both EZ Reader and Mentor appears to be about all set to happen.

The EZ Reader PRO is an incredible excitement. It not only looks good but it offers so much that MobilRead Forum members have wanted. I see it as what a lot of people have longed for all along. We are looking right now at release in late February or March. Jinke will not allow release until they are ready. They KNOW they have something very, very special here.

We liked the 6 inch Mentor line-up. There were some great machines there and very polished. I still am not head-over-heals with the controls; but the on-screen cursor system would be a wonderful way to please Americans. While a 5 inch is talked about; panel makers are making tons of panels in 6 inch and that means that this is their least expensive size. The reason for a 5 inch was thought to be cost savings. Now that is not panning out just yet.

Robert B

[pkovak]

I wish it was "late February or March" already
Can't wait to read some reviews and finaly have my own eReader! I read so many books on PC that it would be definitely worth the cost.
I hope they will have also good support for non-DRM books, as I will simply not buy any book with DRM. I am already concidering buying many books from Baen if they are DRM-free, there are many authors that are more then worth such investment. I am not interested in lending books for my money, only to find out they don't work in few years time. I have seen quite a lot of similar examples in software industry.