Cool-er: light, trendy, inexpensive e-book reader

[Godzil]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Kacir:
They KNOW how to integrate the Epson Into a device to get the maximum out of it. ALSO, realize that they DOUBLED the processor as well to 400MHz!

Ho yes you're right, the netronix EB600 clone have already a 400Mhz CPU, the PRS700 have an iMX 31 (~512Mhz CPU) the kindle too use the iMX31.. No seriously, they are really genious! (by the way Epson is already used by the sony and the kindle, like I already sayed)
By the way who really make eBook reader beside Netronix, Jinke, Sony and Lab126? (I speak about people who really make device, not prototypes that will never reach the market.)

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Godzil

By the way who really make eBook reader beside Netronix, Jinke, Sony and Lab126? (I speak about people who really make device, not prototypes that will never reach the market.)

iRex.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Godzil

Ho yes you're right, the netronix EB600 clone have already a 400Mhz CPU, the PRS700 have an iMX 31 (~512Mhz CPU) the kindle too use the iMX31.. No seriously, they are really genious! (by the way Epson is already used by the sony and the kindle, like I already sayed)
By the way who really make eBook reader beside Netronix, Jinke, Sony and Lab126? (I speak about people who really make device, not prototypes that will never reach the market.)

Dear Godzil:

We have run accross a few other eBook Reader manufacturers in China actually. You are mainly right, there are not a lot beyond prototype. Those few, though, do seem to have a decent product that is selling... they just are not yet set up with a worldwide distribution network. However, there are only a few that are "for real".

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear Godzil:

We have run accross a few other eBook Reader manufacturers in China actually. You are mainly right, there are not a lot beyond prototype. Those few, though, do seem to have a decent product that is selling... they just are not yet set up with a worldwide distribution network. However, there are only a few that are "for real".

Yes, that's my impression too. A lot of Chinese products, but they don't make it (easily) to the western market. And that's not only for the ebook market.

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Yes, that's my impression too. A lot of Chinese products, but they don't make it (easily) to the western market. And that's not only for the ebook market.

Right you are. I just got my watch phone in today. Went to Cingular Wireless and started a new service plan with them.

It's a bit bulky, and a bit convoluted as to why they put this setting under this menu and such, but overall, it's not too bad. It seems to work fine.

Much better than my old phone, which I purchased about 5-6 years ago.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by griffonwing

Right you are. I just got my watch phone in today. Went to Cingular Wireless and started a new service plan with them.

It's a bit bulky, and a bit convoluted as to why they put this setting under this menu and such, but overall, it's not too bad. It seems to work fine.

Much better than my old phone, which I purchased about 5-6 years ago.

Dear All:

Actually, Astak is looking at a watch phone right now for the elderly and for children. The phone has 4 preset buttons to call with, has an emergency button to notify parents or caregivers, and has a GPS tracking system so parents or caregivers can find children that are taken or wonder off or the elderly that may wonder off also.

For example, Griffonwing could easily train his parrot to call him and track the bird when Forum members try to steal off with him!!

AND... one of the watch phones is in Slate Blue!! Other colors are pink, lime green, and purple (just as info).

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Yes, that's my impression too. A lot of Chinese products, but they don't make it (easily) to the western market. And that's not only for the ebook market.

Yes, there is a problem there. The Chinese and Taiwanese )God bless them) are a very self-assured and prideful people (no offence to anyone intended). That means they sometimes put the old "Ugly American" story into reverse. They are SO assured of what they have that they resist changing for anyone or any reason.

Thus, great devices languish around waiting for them to adapt it to the North American market. Jinke is a lot better than most... but none are exactly aware fully that North America is a different animal. It is not just translation to English... the competition is different, the way we maybe look and expect with controls is different, the way we may use the devices is different.

[JSWolf]

I asked about Mobipocket DRM on Twitter and they responded...

Unfortunately, no on the Mobipocket b/c Amazon owns that & will not allow if u are using Adobe DRM (which COOL-ER uses)

So the Cool-er will not have Mobipocket DRM on board.

[Hatgirl]

The Cool-er returns policy is now up on their website. No mention if shipping fees are/aren't refunded. The rest seems reasonable. Guess we'll see how it's actually implemented.

[Godzil]

Ho another netronix hardware/software EB600 come out :

http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/30/n...g-commodities/

(and now, explain me how Cool-er can make it's own software if everyone else have the same?)

[mtravellerh]

Originally Posted by Godzil

Ho another netronix hardware/software EB600 come out :

http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/30/n...g-commodities/

(and now, explain me how Cool-er can make it's own software if everyone else have the same?)

Every netronix clone has a different software. The similarities might stem from the fact that almost all the new readers have the ADEPT engine integrated.

[Godzil]

Originally Posted by mtravellerh

Every netronix clone has a different software. The similarities might stem from the fact that almost all the new readers have the ADEPT engine integrated.

The shown picture does not come from ADE mobile sdk, but from an application that allow you to choose the book you want to read...

And Cool-er have the same.. Strange? No, it's the same software.

Maybe the new device (not the cool-er) will not have ePub/ADEPT support (or PDF/ADEPT) but the bookshel is the same application. Only the backend that read ebook file format may change.

This device is another proof that Cool-er didn't make the firmware at all...

[Tuna]

I don't think proof was ever needed.

I expect that Netronix have a set of software components that can be put together to 'make up' an e-reader with a given feature set. Interread and other customers can pick and choose what they want ('design the firmware'), but they won't be choosing a different bookshelf program or music player from the others, unless they want to pay for bespoke development (unlikely).

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Godzil

(and now, explain me how Cool-er can make it's own software if everyone else have the same?)

I agree that so far we have not seen any evidence of Cool-er specific software. Once there are 2-3 variants of the new Netronix devices in the wild we will be able to find out if anyone (other than Bookeen) has significant custom software. Note that the device presumably comes standard with a basic user interface (menus etcetera), and that it is going to be expensive for a reseller to use a custom mobile Adobe Digital Editions.

[Godzil]

As far as I know, the only one who made real custom firmware on netronix hardware are PocketBook and Bookeen