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

[kelly1010]

RRBurton,

I would wait and make sure this ereader works with DRM'ed files, since you plan to get free books from your library. The SONY, does work with the library's free ebooks as long as they are in PDF Format---(I KNOW, I KNOW none of you need to tell me that PDF sucks....the books are free so I don't really care how it looks on the page).

[kelly1010]

However, if I had to choose between this and the Jetbook, I'd choose the COOL-ER. I like the design of the Cool-er ALOT better than the Jetbook (which is really ugly and cheap looking, in my opinion).

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

So, do they support folders?

I'm not sure how they get 750,000 titles. Perhaps they count each e-book format separately.

Thanks Wallcraft - was just going to post that question. When will someone give us folders!!! I'm up to 35 pages of books on my k - romance, mystery, biography, horror.

[Faenad]

To be competitive they are gonna have to sell a lot less than 250$.


They may have good intentions, although their 750K ebooks shop seems a gross exaggeration, but at the end of the day would you buy a Hyundai if it was almost the same price as an Audi?

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by grooks

Had they set the price at $200 I think they would have trouble meeting demand.

or $400, WITH FOLDERS!!!

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by kelly1010

RRBurton,

I would wait and make sure this ereader works with DRM'ed files, since you plan to get free books from your library. The SONY, does work with the library's free ebooks as long as they are in PDF Format---(I KNOW, I KNOW none of you need to tell me that PDF sucks....the books are free so I don't really care how it looks on the page).

The specifications of the Reader indicate that they do support DRM on the ADE books (ePUB and PDF). Since they got the software from Adobe this makes sense. I would expect this to work on ADE books you buy and those you check out of a library.

Dale

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

"Supports DRM" is not the same as "your device can read this ebook." I don't have ADE registered (and am not planning to do so), and don't have Microsoft Reader installed on my computer--but when I add PC to the list, it shows me books in Microsoft Reader. (Including public domain books that they only offer in MS Reader.)

I understand that they're expecting users to just buy books and push "install whatever I need to read this" buttons, but I don't have to like it.

And, of course, since they don't mention the existence of DRM at all, there's no way to tell which of their books are and aren't DRM'd.

I agree it should be mentioned but neither does Amazon. They just assume since you own a Kindle you will be able to read the books, DRM or not.

Dale

[grooks]

Originally Posted by rrburton

This Coolreader seems to fit my desires. I think it's gonna be my choice. I don't think content format is going to be a problem for me, I'll be just tracking down free content and using Chicago Public Library (once i get a card). ePub should be fine.

If you plan to get some of your content from the Chicago Public Library you will probably only be able to get pdf. If their contention that ADE is used then pdfs should be used fine.

[mobelby]

I agree with porkupan that RobertB should not be knocking any competitor's products without hard facts.

I have always been grateful to RobertB for his willingness to share information about upcoming Astak products but in my opinion making disparaging allegations about your competitors' products that are about to beat you to market is not a way to win friends and influence people.

I'm sure we will get a hands on review of both the cool-er product and the Mentor lite product within the next month so consumers can make their buying decision based on true specifications and factual experience.

[sassanik]

Okay I have to admit it, the fun colors totally make me want one!

$250 is a bit high, but if it supports alot of formats well I would probably go for it.

I love my little eb1150, but having to convert DRM'd stuff can get annoying.

Did I mention I like the pretty colors?

Amy

[grooks]

For those concerned about the $250 price tag, I found this on their FAQs:

The recommended retail price of the COOL-ER is shown below, but look out for special offers and promotions:
- $249 (US)
- £199, including VAT
- €225, including VAT

Maybe there will be a slightly lower price once it's released.

[Renaldo]

I liked the looks of it at first, but after looking at some of the pics on Endgadget, it looks kind of cheaply built. Granted, I've never handled one and this is just what I'm getting from pics, so take everything I say with that in mind. The screen looks good, 'A' or 'B' it looks nice. The buttons and the case though, while eye catching at first, really look cheaply built and kind of crappy. The case looks like it's all plastic, not aluminum like I thought it might be. There's a seam going down the side which makes me think this. The buttons look kind of flimsy and ill placed. It's not a product I'd spend $250 on. It looks like a chinese knockoff you'd find at a swapmeet or on Ebay going for $99-$150.

Now, if the pics aren't doing it justice, and it's got an aluminum case, I think it would sell really well between $150-$200.

[DaleDe]

It looks identical to the Cybook that goes for $350.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by porkupan

However it is still very unclear, where did they get the library of 750,000 titles...

Mostly PDF format. I could not find any ePub. But then I did not look that hard.

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

Quick note: going through searching by titles for each letter of the alphabet (7404 "A" books, 4565 "B" books, etc.) gets a total of 87,867 ebooks. Which is rather a bit short of 750,000, even if they count multiple filetypes as multiple books. I rather imagine they don't offer 9+ filetypes for each.

Before I read your post I did an empty title search and got 105,968 hits. I also totaled the categories and got 104,361. I may have missed something. Amazon has 111K in fiction alone. Cooler has 33K. They both have some duplicates and some PD works in there. I did notice they had more titles under Business & Investing than Amazon, though. I think you're quite right that they are stretching things with counting each format. It looks like not all titles are available in every format, though.