New firmware announced, release maybe at May, 4th

[ThR]

Yesterday Karel has announced a new firmware to come maybe soon. "it should not take too long" he said in the irex forum.

The sleep mode will be modified (no zzz anymore), power management tweaked und power consumption reduced. Not to forget overall speed improvements. The release is currently finishing and testing will start soon.

[ghostwheel]

Just to help you find the relevant info: Karel on irexnet said:

Hello Folks, I wanted to give you a small update on what we have been working on lately and what you can expect in the next software release.

In regard to the sleep mode, we were not really happy with the way it was implemented and have looked how we could improve this. Now the device will go into sleep mode unnoticed and will respond normally when you use the stylus or sensors, this means that if the device is in sleep mode and you select a file it will open that file or if you want to write something it will display your writings. So basically the device will go into sleep mode and wake up from it unnoticed. You will no longer see the Zzz displayed into the toolbar either.

In addition to the sleep mode we have also tweaked the power management and reduced the power consumption again and there will also be some overall speed improvements. We are currently finishing this release and the testing will start soon.

We have no official target date yet, but if all goes well it should not take too long.

[PhishStyx]

Excellent, can't wait! Especially on the power management and consumption angles.

[flowoeB]

Last time they had 'no official target date' it took several months for the firmware to show up and the 'testing' didn't take out much bugs, did it?

[ghostwheel]

Originally Posted by flowoeB

... it took several months for the firmware to show up and the 'testing' didn't take out much bugs, did it?

Oh, I bet it did

I'd agree to "not enough", though.

But 1.5 is a huge improvement over the last firmware. Almost there, now! If they only could reprogram the electrostatic buttons into regular buttons....

[flowoeB]

V1.5 doesn't make mine usable... it's like a windows computer that keeps you from working because you're trying to "fix it" most of the time you turn it on.

I (still) hope the update changes something to the better but I don't realy belive anymore in what iRex is saying...

[ghostwheel]

Originally Posted by flowoeB

V1.5 doesn't make mine usable... it's like a windows computer that keeps you from working because you're trying to "fix it" most of the time you turn it on.

I do manage to use it. Mainly for 3 things

1. Read books. This works really well. I can write on the margins (small comments), leave bookmarks for later references. In the browser I added an icon for "add shortcut", and before I open a book, I add a shortcut to it in the home page - just one additional click when i start the book. This enables me to easily return to the book after I open the device, and see all books I currently am reading.
When reading, I have to return from time to time to the setting page to turn the pen off and on. But not too often. (well, of course too often! Just not enough to really bother me)

2. Mark papers. This works OK. I managed to get the pen calibrated so it works pretty well on most of the screen. The problem is, of course, that the best place to annotate is on the border, close to the edge of the screen, where the pen doesn't work well...

3. Take notes during meetings. Works OK. I have to remember to wait ~2 seconds after zzz disapears to start writing, to avoid pen-lock up. I also put a credit card on top of the middle 3 buttons.


So, yes, you have to fiddle with it all the time to make it work. Like an unfinished gadget, or like windows (well, windows is more of an overfinished gadget)

[flowoeB]

@ghostwheel: i wish i had your patience...

[timezone]

Maybe the SW will be released after this firmware is introduced. At least when the SW is introduced it may signal iRex's belief that the major bugs have been squashed and important enhancements cooked into the device. I have my fingers crossed.

[owl123]

My guess is they don't release SW due to battery problems. Imagine having a wi-fi connection active with the current battery life. How long would it work? 30 minutes?

[sthorpe]

Originally Posted by owl123

My guess is they don't release SW due to battery problems. Imagine having a wi-fi connection active with the current battery life. How long would it work? 30 minutes?

Most excellent point

[Shaggy]

Depends on what you're using the wifi for. On the iLiad, the wifi is only active when you're using it. It doesn't run constantly in the background and drain power. I assume they'd do something similar for the DR.

So, yes, if you're web surfing on it then it'll likely drain the battery faster. If you only use it occasionally, then it'll probably get disabled while you're reading documents, etc, which shouldn't have much impact on overall battery life.

[owl123]

Originally Posted by Shaggy

Depends on what you're using the wifi for. On the iLiad, the wifi is only active when you're using it. It doesn't run constantly in the background and drain power. I assume they'd do something similar for the DR.

So, yes, if you're web surfing on it then it'll likely drain the battery faster. If you only use it occasionally, then it'll probably get disabled while you're reading documents, etc, which shouldn't have much impact on overall battery life.

Which would make the wi-fi an overpriced and useless gadget.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by owl123

Which would make the wi-fi an overpriced and useless gadget.

Why? You can have the WiFi in low power mode when it is not actively used. This is how the Nokia N810 works. The battery last days even with WiFi constantly on.

[owl123]

Sure. If it was implemented in the way you describe then it'd be all fine of course. Problem is iRex can't even optimize displaying text. Currently I can't get more than 4 or 5 hours of reading.