Astak Announces New 6" Mentor Lite

[emellaich]

I was just visiting RobertB's blog, and I noticed that Astak has announced a new 6" reader called the Mentor Lite.
http://robertbez.blogspot.com/2009/0...version-2.html

It's features include:
- MP3
- Adobe Digital Editions w/ reflow; A dozen formats.
- Epson controller
- 8 levels of grey scale
- Colors: Black, white, and a Metallic Pink.
- Leather-like (?) case
- 8 levels of font increase
- User-replaceable rechargeable battery
- SD card slot up to 4GB
- Sudoku
- Weight Under 7 oz

If I recall correctly, Astak sources its readers from both HanLin and Netronix. Astak uses the EZ Reader name for HanLin sourced readers and the Mentor name for Netronix-sourced ones. That would make this announcement from the Netronix line. However, this is the first I've heard of a Netronix 6-inch with the Epson controller.

I've sent a note to Astak (RobertB) to see if they have pricing or availability announced yet. I'll post back if I hear from them.
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I heard back from Astak. Price is around $259. They also shared some pictures. I've included them below (I hope this works, I'm new at posting pics).

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p.s. I didn't want to create a duplicate thread. Can a moderator rename this thread to: Astak Announces New 6" Mentor Lite with Pictures & Price

[FizzyWater]

Pics would be nice, too.

[AnemicOak]

I'd guess it's one of the newer EB600 models listed on Netronics site, wonder which one. Maybe the 'Cookie'

http://www.netronixinc.com/product_e-book.htm

[KarenH]

The Mentor Lite is available for purchase at Astak's website - regular price $289, special discount price $249. http://www.astak.com/product.asp?serial=EB-EB600BLK

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by KarenH

The Mentor Lite is available for purchase at Astak's website - regular price $289, special discount price $249. http://www.astak.com/product.asp?serial=EB-EB600BLK

Right, but according to the blog this announcement is a version 2 of the Mentor Lite. The version on the astak site only has 4 grayscale levels and this new version has 8 grayscale levels (courtesy of the Epson controller). This should also mean faster page turns -- I think RobertB would say "blazing fast" but I think we need to wait for reports or video .

[Chiron]

Wait, does that mean in a near future we will see that rumored 9 inch Astak Mentor reader (with touchscreen)? I hope so =D

EDIT: I hope is the EB900 showed here http://www.netronixinc.com/product_e-book.htm

[JSWolf]

What I want to know is if the ADE on this new Astak Mentor has the same bugs as the EZ Reader/Pocket PRO or has it gone through proper QA?

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What I want to know is if the ADE on this new Astak Mentor has the same bugs as the EZ Reader/Pocket PRO or has it gone through proper QA?

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What I want to know is if the ADE on this new Astak Mentor has the same bugs as the EZ Reader/Pocket PRO or has it gone through proper QA?

My guess -- and its just a guess -- is that you should look to the ADE implementation on the OPUS. Once upon a time, I guessed that Bookeen's development came from Netronix and several Mobileread'ers corrected me on that. However, in this case I think there is further reason to look to Netronix for the ADE implementation.

I am guessing that Netronix has purchased an ADE license to cover all of their distributors in order to spread the cost across as many units as possible. The question is whether implementation of the SDK is left up to each distributor individually. We know that, at least in the case of Astak, they tend to purchase their software from the manufacturer. I think their is a reasonable chance that the ADE is identical between the Opus and the Mentor.

We do know the overall software is different. For example, there is no Suduko on the Opus (not saying that is bad, just different). However, I still believe there is a chance they share the ADE software because of the costs.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by emellaich

My guess -- and its just a guess -- is that you should look to the ADE implementation on the OPUS. Once upon a time, I guessed that Bookeen's development came from Netronix and several Mobileread'ers corrected me on that. However, in this case I think there is further reason to look to Netronix for the ADE implementation.

It appears that Bookeen did their own ADE port. I base this on it having 12 font sizes. All the other mobile ADE licensees on the Netronix EB-600 platform (Astak Mentor, COOL-ER, and Elonex eBook) appear to be using the same port (by Netronix?). I base this on them all having 8 font sizes, and all having the Suduko game. I think the Netronix version does reflow for PDFs, vs the zoom for PDFs on the Opus, but I'm not 100% sure of that.

If the Mentor is using the Netronix port, it has been available on the COOL-ER and Elonex for a while. It could still have bugs, particularly since these devices have not been popular with experienced ebook hands (who probably already have a Cybook Gen3 if they want an EB-600).

[emellaich]

Good input Wallcraft. I was aware of the Suduko difference. But I thought maybe there was a single port plugged into Netronix versus Bookeen library. However, the 8 font versus 12 font difference is convincing.

MLH

[HarryT]

To answer Jon's question: all the ADE ports on the EB600 clones that I'm aware of, do support hyperlinks in ePubs. It's the Jinke devices which don't.

[mtravellerh]

Originally Posted by HarryT

To answer Jon's question: all the ADE ports on the EB600 clones that I'm aware of, do support hyperlinks in ePubs. It's the Jinke devices which don't.

Well, that's right Harry. I just hope that this version of Netronix' firmware is more stable than that on the Cool-er!

[emellaich]

I mentioned that I sent some followup questions to Astak. Here are a few more details.

Availability in 3 Weeks, that would put it about September 30.
Formats: Pdf, epub, doc, jpg/bmp, txt, pdb, fb2, html, lit, prc and possibly more
Memory 512MB internal plus SD card slot

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I'd guess it's one of the newer EB600 models listed on Netronics site, wonder which one. Maybe the 'Cookie'

http://www.netronixinc.com/product_e-book.htm

I don't think so. Rather it is a revised EB600 with the new display controller to make a up to date 2009 model. At least that is what it looks like.