NAEB/Baen sells Cybook OEM device for US$375

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by astra_lestat

Look, I am not trying to say Gen3 is worse.
Honestly.

There is one thing I really like about it - HTML support. I wish Sony did it..

However, PDF....no zoom is going to make it nice on 6". It has nothing to do with any brand or make or whatever.

I tend to agree with you. I think *most* people would agree with you that any of these 6" eInk displays aren't really suited for Letter or larger PDF documents. For that, an 8" or larger display is necessary.

However, I also think most people who are using them for pleasure reading are going to be satisified with the more-compact size of the 6" eInk devices.

Derek

[IreneDelse]

Originally Posted by astra_lestat

Now I feel embaraced.
I hope.....it is not offensive for French? Otherwise I will edit it.

Don't feel bad about it! We have our own language jokes about other people's countries and languages.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by porkupan

The look-and-feel. Supposedly, the exterior of the Cybook reader just feels cheaper (black plastic vs metal in case of Sony), the controls are more ergonomically located in the Sony Reader (paging on both the right-hand side and the left-hand side), the connector plugs located inconveniently, only charges via USB - that sort of thing. Being lighter is better? How much lighter - would you be able to feel the difference? But if you like your Cybook as is, it's great, I am glad you do.

Lots of software already out there for Sony - to convert from every possible format.

And the fact that you don't turn it off shows that you don't travel much with your new ebook reader. Or you would be surprised to find your Cybook always on a new unexpected page when you take it out of your bag or your pocket. So, you will probably end up turning it off anyway, and then waiting for it to start up when you want to read it.

The page will not turn when travelling if you use the leather case and I suspect it will not happen without it either since you have to press the page turn button rather hard to turn a page. And you do not touch the page turning buttons when handling the Cybook.

I do not think the external feel says anything about the internal build quality. I agree that the page turn button seems much better on the 505. Only charging via USB I think is a good thing since I am very tired to have one charger for each device. It is very good that USB has become a kind of standard.

Since the Cybook support a lot of formats directly you do not need to convert files...

The Cybook is 70 gram lighter but maybe the leather case will add 70 gram. It is much easier to hold a lighter device in different positions and when I read for a long time I want to be able to change position often.

[Barcey]

Originally Posted by porkupan

Well, Nate, you've been around for a while, so it surprises me that you put so much weight into a manufacturer's announced willingness to extend the capabilities of a product. It's quite possible that Bookeen will follow up on their intent and fix up all the stuff they say they will fix up. But making this stated intent a basis for purchasing decisions... isn't it a bit naive?

I actually don't think it's naive since the product specifications say that the firmware is upgradeable via the SD card.

I agree with what you're saying about companies not traditionally doing this but the internet has made it much less expensive for them to distribute enhancements and upgrades. When I compare the product specifications for the 505 and the Gen3 they are basically identical. The differentiator is the firmware and this is the value the companies can add to the base hardware. I'm hoping the competition will influence both companies to update. I guess I'm naive too.

The Sony PS3 that I bought in March has has it's features significantly enhanced since I bought (via internet updates) so don't give up on Sony enhancing the PRS50x line. ( Of course the price has dropped as well but that's the price of being an early adopter). Maybe Sony wouldn't have done all these feature upgrades if the sales were better and they didn't have the competition from XBOX 360 and Wii.

[Pickle]

Does anyone know when NAEB is going to start selling Cybooks? I have already purchased one from Bookeen and I'm trying to wait so I can buy a second from NAEB, but if they don't have something soon I'll go with Bookeen directly again.

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by Pickle

Does anyone know when NAEB is going to start selling Cybooks? I have already purchased one from Bookeen and I'm trying to wait so I can buy a second from NAEB, but if they don't have something soon I'll go with Bookeen directly again.

We're getting our store finalized this week. By Monday the 26th for sure it will be up and people will be getting notified.

Derek

[Pickle]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

We're getting our store finalized this week. By Monday the 29th for sure it will be up and people will be getting notified.

Derek

Thanks Derek, I know you guys have been putting a lot of effort into this and I want to support what you're doing. Unfortunately I'm also very impatient and my wife and I aren't very good at sharing the one Cybook we currently have.

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by Pickle

Thanks Derek, I know you guys have been putting a lot of effort into this and I want to support what you're doing. Unfortunately I'm also very impatient and my wife and I aren't very good at sharing the one Cybook we currently have.

Well this is your lucky day! I made a slight miscalculation on the date and we should have everything started by the 26th or 27th! So get your checkbook/credit card out!

Derek

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

Well this is your lucky day! I made a slight miscalculation on the date and we should have everything started by the 26th or 27th! So get your checkbook/credit card out!

Derek

And expect to get lot of "When are you going to add in support for Amazon Kindle editions?" questions.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And expect to get lot of "When are you going to add in support for Amazon Kindle editions?" questions.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that you can buy a "Kindle Edition" book unless you have a Kindle, can you? I suspect that rather few people will buy both a Kindle and a Gen3.

[astra]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that you can buy a "Kindle Edition" book unless you have a Kindle, can you? I suspect that rather few people will buy both a Kindle and a Gen3.

Yeah, but it is not going to stop owners of Cybook/Sony Reader/iRex etc., want it

[gwynevans]

Just reading this thread and wondering about the comment on the site about the Euro Zone.

If you're in the euro zone order the reader direct from Bookeen. If you order it through us the combination of taxes and shipping cost will send the price past any savings you might have achieved.

I'd offer the observation that the $375 price is £182, which allows a fair amount of leeway for taxes & shipping before you match the £315 ($649!) list price of the Deluxe package bought direct!

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And expect to get lot of "When are you going to add in support for Amazon Kindle editions?" questions.

I agree, and I suggest the following answer:

Secure AZW files are not readable on any device except the Kindle.

Secure MOBI files from other e-book sellers support up to 4 devices, including one or more Cybooks, but are not readable on the Kindle.

Most multi-format e-books include a DRM-free MobiPocket version, which is readable on both the Cybook and the Kindle.

[Demented]

Delphidb96, I've been trying to get some info on NAEB's cybook shipment but my PMs and e-mails have gone unanswered. I was wondering if NAEB expected receive a shipment of Cybooks during the same period that Bookeen references on their site. Also it's the 26th any update on your store? I happen to work for a software company that does custom e-commerce solutions if you're having trouble getting things set up

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by Demented

Delphidb96, I've been trying to get some info on NAEB's cybook shipment but my PMs and e-mails have gone unanswered. I was wondering if NAEB expected receive a shipment of Cybooks during the same period that Bookeen references on their site. Also it's the 26th any update on your store? I happen to work for a software company that does custom e-commerce solutions if you're having trouble getting things set up

An update. We have *one* last thing to accomplish before we can open our merchant account and hook that up to our webstore. I've submitted the paperwork and paid the fees this very afternoon. Tomorrow morning I'll get the *ONE THING* I need from the CA Secretary of State and we'll be getting our bank account number tomorrow afternoon. So hold tight. By the end of the week, everything will be integrated.


Yes, for everyone interested, I'd just like to pass on the fact that there is a TON of paperwork needed at city, county, state and federal levels to get a business to the point of opening a checking/merchant bank account. And, of course, at the city and state levels, they're constantly changing the requirements - adding needed steps, etc. Oh! What! Joy!

Derek