Introducing the Viewsonic VEB 620 & VEB 625

Nate the great · 04-09-2010, 09:31 AM

cross posted from The Digital Reader

Viewsonic announced 2 new e-readers yesterday at The Gadget Show Live in the UK.The details in the press release are rather sparse, but I do have some information.

The VEB 620 & VEB 625 both have a 6″ epaper screen, 2GB storage, SD card slot, and an accelerometer. The VEB 625 also has Wifi and a touchscreen. If you look at the picture on the left, you can see the letters 3G on the bottom edge. There was no mention in the press release, so don’t get your hopes up. Also, I’m still waiting to hear about format support.

The devices were only announced for a European release and are supposed to be available now. The projected retail is £175 (VEB 620) and £205 (VEB 625), and both prices are excluding VAT.

surfinjim · 04-09-2010, 10:43 AM

Seems to be based on Netronix software, isn't it ? The page footer looks very similar...

Nate the great · 04-09-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfinjim

Seems to be based on Netronix software, isn't it ? The page footer looks very similar...

I agree. Also, the beveled left and right edges remind me of the PB302. This could be the first coop Pocketbook/Netronix design.

surfinjim · 04-09-2010, 10:53 AM

You're right ! I'm using the 302 pic as avatar and I didn't notice it

The PCB layout seems also new.

gastan · 04-09-2010, 11:05 AM

Viewsonic has the spec sheet on their European website:
http://www.viewsoniceurope.com/uk/assets/074/16573.pdf

File support: XML(epub, fb2), HTML(html, htm), pdf, txt, rtf, mp3

Features:

Book Library
Bookmark
Note Taking (VEB 625)
Text Search
Music Mode
Font Size (S/M/L/XL/XXL)
Landscape
Go To Page
Delete

I think it interesting that they don't mention any image file formats. Didn't see any mention of a dictionary, either.

Still, if it was available in the U.S. I would be very interested in the VEB 625. I have just about given up any hope that the promised 8" - 10" devices will be available this year.

eLiNK · 04-09-2010, 11:42 AM

That thing glares as hell.
There're some real pictures at the-ebook.org .

Geppetto · 04-09-2010, 12:15 PM

VEB625 model has got stylus and WiFi: could it be the same Netronix 604 device turned into the new device that Pocketbook is going to sell as 602?

BTW, When will it be distributed outside UK?

wallcraft · 04-09-2010, 12:31 PM

This is also a PDF user guide under downloads at Viewsonic >> VEB625. These look like a very nice devices, however there is no mention of Adobe Digital Edtions or Adobe DRM in anything I have seen so far (although I assume it is supported). I agree with gastan that there does not seem to be a dictionary.

Back on March 24th, The EBook reported that these are made by Jinke. That would be a departure for them, but with PocketBook becoming the direct brand for Netronix I can see Jinke branching out into OEM waters.

fjtorres · 04-09-2010, 12:53 PM

The spec sheet talks of using the motion sensor to turn pages. That, plus the button layout suggests it may be a Pocketbook Global relative.

BooksForABuck · 04-09-2010, 01:57 PM

Looks overpriced and me-too from a feature standpoint. Coming this late to market, I'd think they would be looking to do something special. What makes this compelling vs. a Sony, Kindle or Nook?

Rob Preece
Publisher, www.BooksForABuck.com

Geppetto · 04-09-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

The spec sheet talks of using the motion sensor to turn pages. That, plus the button layout suggests it may be a Pocketbook Global relative.

I agree. Jinke A6 specification does not talk about G sensor. http://www.jinke.com.cn/Compagesql/E...pro/newpro.asp
It talks about capacitive touchscreen (doesn't talk about stylus). Plus, A6 accessories don't include neither cover nor strap (Pocketbook does).

Well, time will tell...

Geppetto · 04-09-2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BooksForABuck

Looks overpriced and me-too from a feature standpoint. Coming this late to market, I'd think they would be looking to do something special. What makes this compelling vs. a Sony, Kindle or Nook?

You're right, if you consider it from an American point of view, not from a European one. Consider that:

- they will be sold in Europe only;

- Nook is not sold in Europe;

- If you buy Kindle from Europe you have to pay expensive shipping costs + import taxes which amount to 25%;

- Sony PRS600 costs 299 euros and PRS300 is 199 euros. Plus, believe it or not, Sony does not sell directly ereaders in many European countries (Italy and Spain, for example). If you consider that 1 euro = 1,33 dollar...

Dulin's Books · 04-09-2010, 02:43 PM

the row of 5 buttons seems superfluous to me. their functions could all be handled by the 5-way.

BlackVoid · 04-09-2010, 03:02 PM

Can it browse the web via Wifi and/or 3G?

Dulin's Books · 04-09-2010, 03:06 PM

viewsonic previously sold the 6inch Netronix as the VEB612 http://www.viewsonic.com/products/veb612.htm so it stands to reason that this is Netronix again.

04-09-2010, 09:31 AM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Introducing the Viewsonic VEB 620 & VEB 625 cross posted from The Digital Reader Viewsonic announced 2 new e-readers yesterday at The Gadget Show Live in the UK.The details in the press release are rather sparse, but I do have some information. The VEB 620 & VEB 625 both have a 6″ epaper screen, 2GB storage, SD card slot, and an accelerometer. The VEB 625 also has Wifi and a touchscreen. If you look at the picture on the left, you can see the letters 3G on the bottom edge. There was no mention in the press release, so don’t get your hopes up. Also, I’m still waiting to hear about format support. The devices were only announced for a European release and are supposed to be available now. The projected retail is £175 (VEB 620) and £205 (VEB 625), and both prices are excluding VAT. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Nate the great; 04-09-2010 at 09:36 AM. Reason: attached pictures

04-09-2010, 11:05 AM	#5
gastan Addict Posts: 221 Karma: 801624 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: US Pacific Northwest Device: LePan II, Kobo Aura	Viewsonic has the spec sheet on their European website: http://www.viewsoniceurope.com/uk/assets/074/16573.pdf File support: XML(epub, fb2), HTML(html, htm), pdf, txt, rtf, mp3 Features: Book Library Bookmark Note Taking (VEB 625) Text Search Music Mode Font Size (S/M/L/XL/XXL) Landscape Go To Page Delete I think it interesting that they don't mention any image file formats. Didn't see any mention of a dictionary, either. Still, if it was available in the U.S. I would be very interested in the VEB 625. I have just about given up any hope that the promised 8" - 10" devices will be available this year. Last edited by gastan; 04-09-2010 at 12:42 PM.

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04-09-2010, 10:43 AM	#2
surfinjim Member Posts: 19 Karma: 60 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Paris Device: Netronix, customs, Bookeen, iRex, PRS-700	Seems to be based on Netronix software, isn't it ? The page footer looks very similar...

04-09-2010, 10:53 AM	#4
surfinjim Member Posts: 19 Karma: 60 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Paris Device: Netronix, customs, Bookeen, iRex, PRS-700	You're right ! I'm using the 302 pic as avatar and I didn't notice it The PCB layout seems also new.

04-09-2010, 11:42 AM	#6
eLiNK Addict Posts: 344 Karma: 6494 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: PRS-505, KDXG	That thing glares as hell. There're some real pictures at the-ebook.org .

04-09-2010, 12:15 PM	#7
Geppetto Addict Posts: 232 Karma: 748 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Sony PRS600, Cybook, Hanvon N520, Sony PRS300, Onyx Boox, Kindle 3	VEB625 model has got stylus and WiFi: could it be the same Netronix 604 device turned into the new device that Pocketbook is going to sell as 602? BTW, When will it be distributed outside UK?

04-09-2010, 12:31 PM	#8
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	This is also a PDF user guide under downloads at Viewsonic >> VEB625. These look like a very nice devices, however there is no mention of Adobe Digital Edtions or Adobe DRM in anything I have seen so far (although I assume it is supported). I agree with gastan that there does not seem to be a dictionary. Back on March 24th, The EBook reported that these are made by Jinke. That would be a departure for them, but with PocketBook becoming the direct brand for Netronix I can see Jinke branching out into OEM waters.

04-09-2010, 12:53 PM	#9
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	The spec sheet talks of using the motion sensor to turn pages. That, plus the button layout suggests it may be a Pocketbook Global relative.

04-09-2010, 01:57 PM	#10
BooksForABuck Zealot Posts: 123 Karma: 150001 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Long Beach, CA Device: Color Nook, Kindle 2, Palm III, eBookWise, HP Jornada	Looks overpriced and me-too from a feature standpoint. Coming this late to market, I'd think they would be looking to do something special. What makes this compelling vs. a Sony, Kindle or Nook? Rob Preece Publisher, www.BooksForABuck.com

04-09-2010, 02:43 PM	#13
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	the row of 5 buttons seems superfluous to me. their functions could all be handled by the 5-way.

04-09-2010, 03:02 PM	#14
BlackVoid Evangelist Posts: 415 Karma: 510423 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Sony PRS-505	Can it browse the web via Wifi and/or 3G?

04-09-2010, 03:06 PM	#15
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	viewsonic previously sold the 6inch Netronix as the VEB612 http://www.viewsonic.com/products/veb612.htm so it stands to reason that this is Netronix again.