New firmware upgrade on Tuesday

Robertb · 11-09-2009, 08:16 PM

Dear All:

A new firmware upgrade will be posted tomorrow morning PST.

Included will be:

1. This upgrade will have a change made that will greatly extend the battery charge life on both the Pocket PRO and the EZ Reader Basic. This is what you have seen in the BeBook upgrade minus two faults we had corrected.

2. Finally the font size increases will be changed!! So many have found them either too big or too small. This should, hopefully, give you font size increases that are just right!!

3. Additional usage of the scroll wheel (such as raising and lowering the volume). We are just starting with this scroll wheel improvement!!

4. We hope it will have Thai Language Support. It IS coming! We just have not confirmed it is on this one yet.

We are now close to having (after months of people asking) Dictionary Support. It will not be on this firmware upgrade; but the factory is actively working on it and it will be soon!!

Again, everyone, we are listening and trying to make the Pocket PRO even better!!

Go to www.theEZreader.com tomorrow (Tuesday, November 10) and do the firmware upgrade!!

snowcandy · 11-09-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertb

2. Finally the font size increases will be changed!! So many have found them either too big or too small. This should, hopefully, give you font size increases that are just right!!

Out of curiosity, I have set the font size on all my ePub books to 24pt (with the help of Calibre) as I found it to be the perfect size for me, would this firmware update affect my font size in any way?

jpt · 11-09-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:
2. Finally the font size increases will be changed!! So many have found them either too big or too small. This should, hopefully, give you font size increases that are just right!!

Any chance of more font sizes for text files? Perhaps a smaller minimum one? Also, it'd be nice if the larger sizes kept the margin the smallest one does.

Thanks.

-- J.P.

nomad · 11-10-2009, 01:01 AM

Will there be a fix for bookmarks ? They do not work for folders with spaces in them ...

Regards,

Michal

Javed · 11-10-2009, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertb

A new firmware upgrade will be posted tomorrow morning PST.

Looking forward to the upgrade.

to the Astak team!

Javed · 11-10-2009, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertb

We are now close to having (after months of people asking) Dictionary Support. It will not be on this firmware upgrade; but the factory is actively working on it and it will be soon!!

This is exciting news, Robert! Looking forward to this in a future upgrade.

jusmee · 11-10-2009, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertb

3. Additional usage of the scroll wheel (such as raising and lowering the volume). We are just starting with this scroll wheel improvement!!

How is this accomplished? Do you push it in, or hold some other button at the same time to get the volume to change?

cvkemp · 11-10-2009, 09:35 AM

Just downloaded the new firmware for my Ezreader basic. This looks much nicer when viewing PDFs and epubs. And I like the time and date.

Thanks

Chuck

93terp · 11-10-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvkemp

Just downloaded the new firmware for my Ezreader basic. This looks much nicer when viewing PDFs and epubs. And I like the time and date.

Thanks

Chuck

Hi Chuck,

Did you download the update dated November 5, 2009?

ssophon · 11-10-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertb

4. We hope it will have Thai Language Support. It IS coming! We just have not confirmed it is on this one yet.

We are now close to having (after months of people asking) Dictionary Support. It will not be on this firmware upgrade; but the factory is actively working on it and it will be soon!!

Wow, this is what I am looking for. I wish this will come out soon together with the new model.

Any news on the new model yet. I am waiting to see this. Believe me, if you can come out with the new model (either including keyboard or touch screen) that include these features I will not hestitate to own one.

Looking forward to you see it soon.

booknut · 11-10-2009, 11:07 AM

I just downloaded and installed the new firmware from Astak, it has the option of setting the time but I believe the time can only be displayed in FB2 books. The bookmark bug with bookmarks only working properly with folders that do not have spaces, etc. in them has NOT been fixed.
The firmware actually looks the same as the one from this link
http://lbook.ua/ru/downloads/firmwarev5
and I think I will stick to the Romanian one because it has the added feature of deleting or copying a file right on the device and the delete function is really great to have. Alas, the Romanian firmware has the bug that the menus for FB2 files stay in Romanian regardless of the system setting but I pretty much use epub for all my files anyhow.
But I am very happy to see that Astak is really trying to put out new firmware, so many other companies nowadays throw a device on the market and leave the development hanging...

booknut

AJ Starr · 11-10-2009, 11:23 AM

I upgraded to the new firmware today.

For all those who are confused by the date: This is the November 5, 2009 update, whether it is listed as 20090511, or 05112009, or any other format. Remember, we American's use a different dating format than the rest of the world. Personally, I prefer YYYYMMDD, it makes it much easier to sort on computers. However, I adjust to however it is listed.

It does have the date and time you can see in the settings selection. Setting it is not intuitive, until you play with it. Just hit the number keys in order, don't try to 9am by hitting just the 9. Hit 0 then 9.

The zooms are better in PDF and probably epubs (I don't use epubs, so I can't confirm this)

I am still having trouble with the wheel on the right. I can't seem to press and move it at the same time. It doesn't matter to me since I don't use that. But I couldn't get it to access the "volume" for the TTS. But in playing with it, I noticed that the TTS sounds better....

Robert...did they upgrade the TTS voice? It sounds much better to me now. Or am I getting senile? (senior moment)

I can't speak to the better battery, since I've had excellent battery life from day one. But, there again, I always turn mine all the way off when I am not using it, even if it is for a few minutes. And, yes, the new clock does reset when you do this.

Where does the clock come into play? Is it needed to check out library books, or in the FB setttings as a previous post here said. Or what?

Thanks, ASTAK and Jinke's....looking forward to more improvements as you make them.

AJ

theducks · 11-10-2009, 12:01 PM

I agree with A J the date format (dd-mm-yyyy)is not what many of us are used to seeing in the USA. Time appears to be 24hr (My default, on my computers, being Ex-Navy

).

I love

the additional stock font choices.

Astak Request: Please package any Release notes, Revised Manuals and even Relevant FAQ in the Zip (Rar) file. (we probably will store these on the PEz for reference

anyway.

AJ Starr · 11-10-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

I agree with A J the date format (dd-mm-yyyy)is not what many of us are used to seeing in the USA. Time appears to be 24hr (My default, on my computers, being Ex-Navy

).

I love

the additional stock font choices.

Astak Request: Please package any Release notes, Revised Manuals and even Relevant FAQ in the Zip (Rar) file. (we probably will store these on the PEz for reference

anyway.

Excellent Idea! I am keeping each firmware download in a seperate subfolder under PEZ updates folder on my computer. That way each firmware's release notes would be kept with it.

AJ

(I'm ex-Air Force and current dependent of retiree)
PPS: still haven't got all the rubber paint off mine, You sanded yours didn't you?

Robertb · 11-10-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jusmee

How is this accomplished? Do you push it in, or hold some other button at the same time to get the volume to change?

Dear Jasmee:

I will be the last one to get it on my Pocket PRO because of a busy day. We are going to be selling through 49 new retail stores in the USA and they are installing demo counters and there are a lot of details to still do.

It has been explained to me that all you do is push in on the "nib" (the protrusion on the scroll wheel) to get into another mode. Once you are in the mode you want (for example "volume", you control with up and down on the scroll wheel.

I am praying that this change is indeed on this firmware upgrade. If not, there will be a second firmware upgrade almost immediately.

To answer other questions: yes, I suspect that the new upgrade will change any pre-existing font sizes you may have already installed. I do not know for sure as I do not use calibre. I just know that everyone (members of MR and reviewers) has universally disliked the graduation of the font increases. This upgrade is supposed to make the garduation much more practical.

I will ask my tech people to try it and then write better info than I can give you.

11-09-2009, 08:16 PM	#1
Robertb Astak Director, Bus. Devl Posts: 2,560 Karma: 2500000 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Astak Pocket PRO	New firmware upgrade on Tuesday Dear All: A new firmware upgrade will be posted tomorrow morning PST. Included will be: 1. This upgrade will have a change made that will greatly extend the battery charge life on both the Pocket PRO and the EZ Reader Basic. This is what you have seen in the BeBook upgrade minus two faults we had corrected. 2. Finally the font size increases will be changed!! So many have found them either too big or too small. This should, hopefully, give you font size increases that are just right!! 3. Additional usage of the scroll wheel (such as raising and lowering the volume). We are just starting with this scroll wheel improvement!! 4. We hope it will have Thai Language Support. It IS coming! We just have not confirmed it is on this one yet. We are now close to having (after months of people asking) Dictionary Support. It will not be on this firmware upgrade; but the factory is actively working on it and it will be soon!! Again, everyone, we are listening and trying to make the Pocket PRO even better!! Go to www.theEZreader.com tomorrow (Tuesday, November 10) and do the firmware upgrade!!

11-10-2009, 01:01 AM	#4
nomad Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: EZ Reader	Boomarks ? Will there be a fix for bookmarks ? They do not work for folders with spaces in them ... Regards, Michal

11-10-2009, 11:07 AM	#11
booknut Zealot Posts: 105 Karma: 42644 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PW1 + PW2, NOOK HD	New Firmware I just downloaded and installed the new firmware from Astak, it has the option of setting the time but I believe the time can only be displayed in FB2 books. The bookmark bug with bookmarks only working properly with folders that do not have spaces, etc. in them has NOT been fixed. The firmware actually looks the same as the one from this link http://lbook.ua/ru/downloads/firmwarev5 and I think I will stick to the Romanian one because it has the added feature of deleting or copying a file right on the device and the delete function is really great to have. Alas, the Romanian firmware has the bug that the menus for FB2 files stay in Romanian regardless of the system setting but I pretty much use epub for all my files anyhow. But I am very happy to see that Astak is really trying to put out new firmware, so many other companies nowadays throw a device on the market and leave the development hanging... booknut Last edited by booknut; 11-10-2009 at 11:13 AM.

11-10-2009, 12:01 PM	#13
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,816 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	We have more standard fonts I agree with A J the date format (dd-mm-yyyy)is not what many of us are used to seeing in the USA. Time appears to be 24hr (My default, on my computers, being Ex-Navy ). I love the additional stock font choices. Astak Request: Please package any Release notes, Revised Manuals and even Relevant FAQ in the Zip (Rar) file. (we probably will store these on the PEz for reference anyway. Last edited by theducks; 11-10-2009 at 12:02 PM. Reason: Typo

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
PRS-500 Second Firmware Upgrade	CO'Neil	Sony Reader	0	04-03-2010 08:33 PM
How to do a firmware upgrade!!	Robertb	Astak EZReader	1	02-07-2010 05:51 PM
PRS-500 Upgrade firmware	ambertape	Sony Reader Dev Corner	0	12-15-2009 08:04 AM
The new 12 firmware upgrade - My take	DDHarriman	Bookeen	17	09-08-2008 06:23 PM
Firmware Upgrade Available!	scottcstoness	Sony Reader	65	08-06-2007 11:13 PM

11-10-2009, 09:35 AM	#8
cvkemp Loving life Posts: 1,412 Karma: 7991496 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hot Springs Village, Arkansas Device: PaperWhite 5,iPhone 13, IPad, MacBook Air	Just downloaded the new firmware for my Ezreader basic. This looks much nicer when viewing PDFs and epubs. And I like the time and date. Thanks Chuck

11-10-2009, 11:23 AM	#12
AJ Starr Guru Posts: 815 Karma: 1029784 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nebraska, USA Device: PEZ, Color Libre, 2@Sony T1, Onyx i62HD	I upgraded to the new firmware today. For all those who are confused by the date: This is the November 5, 2009 update, whether it is listed as 20090511, or 05112009, or any other format. Remember, we American's use a different dating format than the rest of the world. Personally, I prefer YYYYMMDD, it makes it much easier to sort on computers. However, I adjust to however it is listed. It does have the date and time you can see in the settings selection. Setting it is not intuitive, until you play with it. Just hit the number keys in order, don't try to 9am by hitting just the 9. Hit 0 then 9. The zooms are better in PDF and probably epubs (I don't use epubs, so I can't confirm this) I am still having trouble with the wheel on the right. I can't seem to press and move it at the same time. It doesn't matter to me since I don't use that. But I couldn't get it to access the "volume" for the TTS. But in playing with it, I noticed that the TTS sounds better.... Robert...did they upgrade the TTS voice? It sounds much better to me now. Or am I getting senile? (senior moment) I can't speak to the better battery, since I've had excellent battery life from day one. But, there again, I always turn mine all the way off when I am not using it, even if it is for a few minutes. And, yes, the new clock does reset when you do this. Where does the clock come into play? Is it needed to check out library books, or in the FB setttings as a previous post here said. Or what? Thanks, ASTAK and Jinke's....looking forward to more improvements as you make them. AJ

Advert

Advert