Ectaco JetBook update coming on 2 April - Page 9

wodin · 05-06-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgeorg

Thanks galavanter!
You don't know the half of it: I tried to order the EZreader from Frys, then I looked into European Hanlin sales sites (expensive), then I was going to buy the Sony 505...

Really, I'm not certain if I am so indecisive or if the state-of-the-technology in ereaders is just confusing! I love "toys", have an advanced degree in CS, teach IT technology at the university level - I would think that I should be quite sure of what I want! Of course, I do not have the option of actually seeing/using the devices.

All of the devices have pros and cons. The jetbook screen display (and refresh) seems quite good for a 5" device which is my main concern, and thanks again for your screen images. I'm very content for now with non-DRM mostly txt format books - so this is a great price-point to see if I really would use an ereader on a frequent basis.

I'll probably just take the (slight) risk - after all, there are all the wonderful knowledgeable people on this forum to help! I really do appreciate it.

I have had my jetBook for a little over a week now, and I'm overall very pleased with it. The 5" screen is very readable, in fact better than my 6" Sony PRS505, and the extra inch is the break point regarding portability. I can fit the jetBook in my trousers pocket (unless I'm wearing tight jeans), but there is no way I can do that with the Sony, even if I take the leather cover off.

The software has good points and not such good points. One of the things I really like is the hierarchical file/folder structure. It makes locating books a breeze. The bad is the lack of support for embedded hyperlinks. TOCs just don’t seem to work, however that is partly compensated for by the text search capability. The UGLY is the lack of DRM support! I have the capability to deDRM Mobi files, but if I didn’t have that it would be a deal breaker. I like reading new releases, and nearly all of them only come encrypted.

rgeorg · 05-08-2009, 04:14 PM

Thanks to all for the info. My mother just ordered a jetbook from BB&B for me.They say 2 weeks for delivery since none were in stock, but they deliver to her door (no charge I think). And she had the 20% off coupon.
So, with luck I'll have it in about 3-4 weeks. Good timing for my school to finish and I'll have time to play with it.

The no-DRM support doesn't bother me at all, but I would miss folders as I like to organize by book type. Glad I don't have to do without!

Haven't told my husband yet about the latest purchase.....it's so small that perhaps I can hide it! ;-)

smithno · 05-08-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithno

I reloaded 30e with no problem. Guess I'll wait for 30g or the final release, which ever comes first. I finished a PDF book from Feedbooks this AM and have a couple Mobi books queued up to read next.

For anyone interested, 30i is out. I installed it today and my half a dozen test books all behave the same. So far, I am 2 for 2 with Calibre-created mobi format books and 0 for 3 with Calibre-created epub books. The epub books all open, but end with the table of contents. I do have at least one epub book that I got from Feedbooks that works fine. I wish it supported HTML directly...

Kris777 · 05-09-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgeorg

Thanks to all for the info. My mother just ordered a jetbook from BB&B for me.They say 2 weeks for delivery since none were in stock, but they deliver to her door (no charge I think). And she had the 20% off coupon.
So, with luck I'll have it in about 3-4 weeks. Good timing for my school to finish and I'll have time to play with it.

The no-DRM support doesn't bother me at all, but I would miss folders as I like to organize by book type. Glad I don't have to do without!

Haven't told my husband yet about the latest purchase.....it's so small that perhaps I can hide it! ;-)

rgeorg, I wish you get your jetBook soon and enjoy reading on it! Let us know when you get it

galavanter · 05-09-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithno

For anyone interested, 30i is out. I installed it today and my half a dozen test books all behave the same. So far, I am 2 for 2 with Calibre-created mobi format books and 0 for 3 with Calibre-created epub books. The epub books all open, but end with the table of contents. I do have at least one epub book that I got from Feedbooks that works fine. I wish it supported HTML directly...

Thanks for the alert. I was able to install it on the first try with my Mac and have had no issues yet. I just opened a book of each file type and all seems well. No resets necessary and the auto off worked twice in a row.

I have had the different problem when converting dedrm'd azw files to mobi (2 of 3). They won't open on the jetBook, I get a "unknown compression method" mssg. But when I then convert the mobi to epub in Calibre, they open and read fine.

DaleDe · 05-09-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galavanter

Thanks for the alert. I was able to install it on the first try with my Mac and have had no issues yet. I just opened a book of each file type and all seems well. No resets necessary and the auto off worked twice in a row.

I have had the different problem when converting dedrm'd azw files to mobi (2 of 3). They won't open on the jetBook, I get a "unknown compression method" mssg. But when I then convert the mobi to epub in Calibre, they open and read fine.

You may have to expand them and rebuild them using low compression in mobi creator. It is possible the jetBook is using FBReader code and it cannot open some mobi files that have high compression.

Dale

galavanter · 05-09-2009, 11:07 PM

Thanks for the info. It's interesting to learn more about the conversion process. I think I will stick with the rather simple epub conversion using Calibre and my Mac. So far so good.

galavanter · 05-12-2009, 06:04 PM

I sold my Kindle today locally to a MR member. She said my jetBook looked "sharper". The jetBook 30i update has taken care of the auto off issue. It now works as it should for me.

Ectaco seems to be monitoring these forums. I look forward to the next update with dictionary support for all file formats.

The jetBook is absolutely a great alternative to the E-ink screens. soilwork made an good post (#92) about a larger jetBook. Compared to the newly announced Kindle DX, it would be superior imho.

The young college kids testing the DX are going to be horrified when viewing (studying) pdf files. The slow refresh rate that is.

I use the jetBook for pleasure reading only, but I am thrilled to have discovered it.

Canuck_in_Japan · 06-02-2009, 09:04 PM

At first I wanted the Sony Reader but the one thing I hate about these ereaders is the ridiculous time delay when turning pages-I love the fact that the jetbook doesn't have that. I was looking at it on newegg and it says it's $300 though! Some people mentioned that it was $199. Has the price shot up?

Another vote for Jetbook forums please.

wodin · 06-02-2009, 09:12 PM

Hmph!

Fry's is $299 too, Newegg still has the white ones for $199 tho'. It looks like the MSRP of $299 is being pushed. I wouldn't drag my feet ordering a white one from Newegg. I have a feeling they won't last long!

I'd have thought they'd get the firmware out of beta before they did that!

rgeorg · 06-03-2009, 02:35 AM

Is the Bed, Bath & Beyond price not still available? It goes for $250 and you can get a 20% off coupon which brings the price to $200 +tax. I got a black one. If it's not in stock they will ship it to your home (apparently for a $17 surcharge).

Yes, the quick page turn is great and it more than compensates for the 5" screen size.

HarryT · 06-03-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuck_in_Japan

At first I wanted the Sony Reader but the one thing I hate about these ereaders is the ridiculous time delay when turning pages

It takes about half a second. That's almost certainly a heck of a lot faster than you can turn the page of a paper book.

exvaxman · 06-05-2009, 10:50 PM

OK guys, I love my jetbook (got rid of the Sony) but I need a decent hard case for it and a mid about the same size. My father *HAS* to go out to every freaking weekend festival and many do not allow backpacks. I have a mid for my son that keeps him occupied, the jetbook and battery backup for me, but it is a gun case that causes consternation. Otterbox does not have anything, so I am looking for suggestions. Oh - aquapak are the best anti-water packaging. Used them for years for the Softbook in a hot tub. Greatest customer service I have ever dealt with as well.

06-02-2009, 09:12 PM	#130
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	Hmph! Fry's is $299 too, Newegg still has the white ones for $199 tho'. It looks like the MSRP of $299 is being pushed. I wouldn't drag my feet ordering a white one from Newegg. I have a feeling they won't last long! I'd have thought they'd get the firmware out of beta before they did that! Last edited by wodin; 06-02-2009 at 09:17 PM.

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05-08-2009, 04:14 PM	#122
rgeorg Guru Posts: 675 Karma: 3314796 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Europe & USA Device: K3/3G(2x), Glo HD, Amazon Voyage	Thanks to all for the info. My mother just ordered a jetbook from BB&B for me.They say 2 weeks for delivery since none were in stock, but they deliver to her door (no charge I think). And she had the 20% off coupon. So, with luck I'll have it in about 3-4 weeks. Good timing for my school to finish and I'll have time to play with it. The no-DRM support doesn't bother me at all, but I would miss folders as I like to organize by book type. Glad I don't have to do without! Haven't told my husband yet about the latest purchase.....it's so small that perhaps I can hide it! ;-)

05-09-2009, 11:07 PM	#127
galavanter Zealot Posts: 117 Karma: 958 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: jetBook, iPod Touch, Kindle 3	Thanks for the info. It's interesting to learn more about the conversion process. I think I will stick with the rather simple epub conversion using Calibre and my Mac. So far so good.

05-12-2009, 06:04 PM	#128
galavanter Zealot Posts: 117 Karma: 958 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: jetBook, iPod Touch, Kindle 3	I sold my Kindle today locally to a MR member. She said my jetBook looked "sharper". The jetBook 30i update has taken care of the auto off issue. It now works as it should for me. Ectaco seems to be monitoring these forums. I look forward to the next update with dictionary support for all file formats. The jetBook is absolutely a great alternative to the E-ink screens. soilwork made an good post (#92) about a larger jetBook. Compared to the newly announced Kindle DX, it would be superior imho. The young college kids testing the DX are going to be horrified when viewing (studying) pdf files. The slow refresh rate that is. I use the jetBook for pleasure reading only, but I am thrilled to have discovered it.

06-02-2009, 09:04 PM	#129
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	At first I wanted the Sony Reader but the one thing I hate about these ereaders is the ridiculous time delay when turning pages-I love the fact that the jetbook doesn't have that. I was looking at it on newegg and it says it's $300 though! Some people mentioned that it was $199. Has the price shot up? Another vote for Jetbook forums please.

06-03-2009, 02:35 AM	#131
rgeorg Guru Posts: 675 Karma: 3314796 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Europe & USA Device: K3/3G(2x), Glo HD, Amazon Voyage	Is the Bed, Bath & Beyond price not still available? It goes for $250 and you can get a 20% off coupon which brings the price to $200 +tax. I got a black one. If it's not in stock they will ship it to your home (apparently for a $17 surcharge). Yes, the quick page turn is great and it more than compensates for the 5" screen size.

06-05-2009, 10:50 PM	#133
exvaxman Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 38 Join Date: Mar 2006	OK guys, I love my jetbook (got rid of the Sony) but I need a decent hard case for it and a mid about the same size. My father HAS to go out to every freaking weekend festival and many do not allow backpacks. I have a mid for my son that keeps him occupied, the jetbook and battery backup for me, but it is a gun case that causes consternation. Otterbox does not have anything, so I am looking for suggestions. Oh - aquapak are the best anti-water packaging. Used them for years for the Softbook in a hot tub. Greatest customer service I have ever dealt with as well.

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