Cool-er: light, trendy, inexpensive e-book reader - Page 12

Hatgirl · 05-22-2009, 06:01 PM

PC Magazine likes it.
http://labs.pcw.co.uk/2009/05/
http://www.pcw.co.uk/personal-comput...r-ebook-reader
I am soooo getting one of these. Black, silver or lavender is the only question left!

Robertb · 05-22-2009, 06:23 PM

Purposely NOT saying anything bad about my worthy competition, please realize that they are based in the U.K. and Astak is based in California.

Even IF the two devices are considered essentially the same... realize that support matters. With my EZ Readers and the soon-to-be-released Mentor Lite, I am online almost all the time to answer your questions and help you if you do need technical support. You know, already, from the EZ Reader that there have been almost zero returns BUT when something seems to go wrong... we take care of you immediately.

I think that is important. This is the first introduction of Netronix devices into the North American market. They are new devices and new devices can have problems. I hope people will look at the question first of: "What do I do IF I have a problem". Astak has a history of great FAQ sheets that are helpful and prevent problems. Astak is here on the forum in person. Astak has USA technical support. Astak takes returns to a USA address. Nobody has EVER had a complaint about Astak support because it is good.

So... that is what I will say. Let the Cool-er stand on its own merits. That is as it should be. But do think about the support, the cost of shipping, and the aggravation of being without your device for months (possibly). If you do not care... then no problem. But if you want the support Astak has been famous for... then our Mentor Lite may be a far better deal.

Hatgirl · 05-22-2009, 07:10 PM

Um... I live in Ireland. USA-based support is a black mark for the Mentor from my point of view.

Personally, I'm going to spend the week downloading free ePub books while I wait for the European shipping option to come online for the Cool-er.

Robertb · 05-22-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatgirl

Um... I live in Ireland. USA-based support is a black mark for the Mentor from my point of view.

Personally, I'm going to spend the week downloading free ePub books while I wait for the European shipping option to come online for the Cool-er.

Dear Hatgirl:

I think your thinking is good. We do not have the authority to sell the Mentor Lite in Ireland. If we did, we would be U.K. or Ireland-based for returns and support. For you, the Cool-er makes sense. Good luck and happy reading.

Kisxela · 05-23-2009, 02:03 PM

There are alive people outside USA too. It is just a coincidence to be born american. I am hungarian and many people like reading here as well. Unfortunately only Hanlin ereader is available in Hungary. This is why we are happy that there will be an european manufacturer. Hopefully they will ship the item to the continent.

mtravellerh · 05-23-2009, 02:10 PM

They will begin shipping to Europe beginning of June according to their web site

kacir · 05-23-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kisxela

Unfortunately only Hanlin ereader is available in Hungary.

Do you mean this one?
http://www.walkbook.net/ma/index.html

worxland · 05-23-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kacir

Do you mean this one?
http://www.walkbook.net/ma/index.html

No, it went bust before actually getting even a promo model.
You can have a Hanlin V3 localized version from here:
www.koobe.hu
(for a mere 83000 HUF ~ 300 EUR

)
or (for masochists with suicidal tendencies only):
http://www.pixmania.hu/hu/hu/1458787...kus-konyv.html
(97000 HUF ~ 350 EUR)

Hatgirl · 05-24-2009, 10:39 AM

Here's another review that gives an answer to one of the questions we have had:
Another PC World review

Quote:

It has only a 2.5mm headphone jack instead of the standard issue 3mm jack (Jones said that was because of the unit's slim design)

Makes sense, I guess. Still irritating.

klikklak · 05-24-2009, 11:17 AM

Keep posting those reviews. I for one am getting one right at the beginning of june.

purl4peace · 05-24-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertb

Purposely NOT saying anything bad about my worthy competition, please realize that they are based in the U.K. and Astak is based in California.

.... goes on to question Cool-er's quality and support...

So... that is what I will say. Let the Cool-er stand on its own merits. That is as it should be. But do think about the support, the cost of shipping, and the aggravation of being without your device for months (possibly). If you do not care... then no problem. But if you want the support Astak has been famous for... then our Mentor Lite may be a far better deal.

Frankly, Robert, while I understand the loyalty and emotions regarding this device, I think your continued comments on this thread are inappropriate and can only be construed as a conflict of interest.

It is one thing to participate in this forum as an individual but every time you bring up Astak or any of your products, you have taken off your "individual contributor" hat and put on your "Astak" hat.

As I'm sure you have surmised, many of us are very reader saavy and are capable of evaluating the pros and cons of new devices. We have entire threads on it below and if someone doesn't know the answer, we are always eager to share our experience.

Frankly, in terms of support, just because your device is from an American company doesn't mean you will receive superior support. Most American companies have off-shored their technical support and the worst support I have ever gotten has been from "American" companies such as HP, Dell, Microsoft.

On the other hand, I have a Bookeen Cybook and after I attempted my firmware update last summer, I bricked it. I emailed the company and within 24 hours, they responded with a solution that worked. I was very impressed.

So with all due respect, Robert, I personally feel your comments on this thread are inappropriate, and make me less inclined to purchase your product at any point in the future.

I, of course, speak for myself... no one else would want me to speak for them!

Cheers...

F1Wild · 05-24-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelly1010

I sure wish Sony would've come out with a pink or purple 505!

Not yet!

kelly1010 · 05-25-2009, 02:39 AM

I guess red is the next best thing...well after BLUE that is!! hahaha

HarryT · 05-25-2009, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatgirl

Here's another review that gives an answer to one of the questions we have had:
Another PC World review

Makes sense, I guess. Still irritating.

Seems to be standard on Netronix devices to have a 2.5mm socket - the CyBook Gen3 is the same. Since I don't personally use mine for music (it makes a lousy MP3 player) I'm not that bothered.

Hatgirl · 05-25-2009, 04:43 AM

And here's a link to blog about the ebook shop.

He's not impressed. And I spotted at least one book with the incorrect cover. But I'm willing to mentally put this in the "beta" category until the units actually ship. If the shop is still screwy by then, they are officially idiots.

05-22-2009, 06:23 PM	#167
Robertb Astak Director, Bus. Devl Posts: 2,560 Karma: 2500000 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Astak Pocket PRO	One question about support. Purposely NOT saying anything bad about my worthy competition, please realize that they are based in the U.K. and Astak is based in California. Even IF the two devices are considered essentially the same... realize that support matters. With my EZ Readers and the soon-to-be-released Mentor Lite, I am online almost all the time to answer your questions and help you if you do need technical support. You know, already, from the EZ Reader that there have been almost zero returns BUT when something seems to go wrong... we take care of you immediately. I think that is important. This is the first introduction of Netronix devices into the North American market. They are new devices and new devices can have problems. I hope people will look at the question first of: "What do I do IF I have a problem". Astak has a history of great FAQ sheets that are helpful and prevent problems. Astak is here on the forum in person. Astak has USA technical support. Astak takes returns to a USA address. Nobody has EVER had a complaint about Astak support because it is good. So... that is what I will say. Let the Cool-er stand on its own merits. That is as it should be. But do think about the support, the cost of shipping, and the aggravation of being without your device for months (possibly). If you do not care... then no problem. But if you want the support Astak has been famous for... then our Mentor Lite may be a far better deal.

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05-22-2009, 06:01 PM	#166
Hatgirl Addict Posts: 296 Karma: 955301 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Sony PRS-300, Sony PRS-T2, Kindle (7th Gen)	PC Magazine likes it. http://labs.pcw.co.uk/2009/05/ http://www.pcw.co.uk/personal-comput...r-ebook-reader I am soooo getting one of these. Black, silver or lavender is the only question left!

05-22-2009, 07:10 PM	#168
Hatgirl Addict Posts: 296 Karma: 955301 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Sony PRS-300, Sony PRS-T2, Kindle (7th Gen)	Um... I live in Ireland. USA-based support is a black mark for the Mentor from my point of view. Personally, I'm going to spend the week downloading free ePub books while I wait for the European shipping option to come online for the Cool-er.

05-23-2009, 02:03 PM	#170
Kisxela Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Asus-A696, Cool-er, Hanlin V5	There are alive people outside USA too. It is just a coincidence to be born american. I am hungarian and many people like reading here as well. Unfortunately only Hanlin ereader is available in Hungary. This is why we are happy that there will be an european manufacturer. Hopefully they will ship the item to the continent.

05-23-2009, 02:10 PM	#171
mtravellerh book creator Posts: 9,635 Karma: 3856660 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Luxembourg Device: PB360°	They will begin shipping to Europe beginning of June according to their web site

05-24-2009, 11:17 AM	#175
klikklak Connoisseur Posts: 86 Karma: 124 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: helsinki Device: nokia 770, PRS-500	Keep posting those reviews. I for one am getting one right at the beginning of june.

05-25-2009, 02:39 AM	#178
kelly1010 Book Addict! Posts: 533 Karma: 1070 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CA Device: Sony PRS-505, iPod Touch, Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi	I guess red is the next best thing...well after BLUE that is!! hahaha

05-25-2009, 04:43 AM	#180
Hatgirl Addict Posts: 296 Karma: 955301 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Sony PRS-300, Sony PRS-T2, Kindle (7th Gen)	And here's a link to blog about the ebook shop. He's not impressed. And I spotted at least one book with the incorrect cover. But I'm willing to mentally put this in the "beta" category until the units actually ship. If the shop is still screwy by then, they are officially idiots.

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