Quick query

[hermano]

Looking to upgrade from my poorly Gen 3 Cybook.

I want an e reader where I can see the book covers (like on Gen 3) without having to open the book (like kindle).

I also like the idea of 'emailing' books to the reader, like you can with kindle....

what are my options?

many thanks.

[HarryT]

Just to note that you can see the cover of a book on the Kindle without opening the book.

The Sony has a cover browser, rather like the Gen3's.

[susan_cassidy]

Harry, how can you see the cover of a Kindle book without opening it (on a Kindle)? I know about "go to cover", but that requires opening the book.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

Harry, how can you see the cover of a Kindle book without opening it (on a Kindle)? I know about "go to cover", but that requires opening the book.

On the Kindle Touch, tap and hold the book on the Home screen.

On the Kindle Keyboard, (and, I'd guess, the K4 also) select the book on the Home Page and press "right" on the 5-way controller.

[susan_cassidy]

Cool. I'm still using a K1, so I don't know everything about the newer Kindles.

[hermano]

Thanks for replies, but maybe I did not word the query properly.

My Gen 3 on home screen can have up to 20 (i think) book covers, and turning each page gives you another 20, so I can browse library by picture...I do not believe the kindle can do this.

Also, can anyone tell me if I can 'e-mail' books to any other reader other than kindle?

many thanks

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by hermano

Thanks for replies, but maybe I did not word the query properly.

My Gen 3 on home screen can have up to 20 (i think) book covers, and turning each page gives you another 20, so I can browse library by picture...I do not believe the kindle can do this.

Yes, I know that's what you meant; that's why I suggested the Sony, which does have a cover browser. I was simply commenting on your assertion that the Kindle can't display the cover of a book without opening it.

[Billi]

Originally Posted by hermano

Also, can anyone tell me if I can 'e-mail' books to any other reader other than kindle?

I'm not aware of any other reader who does this (but I don't know all) - but is this really what you want? This way, the books will be stored all in one big folder - I mean, with the Gen3 we are used to a better organisation of our books.

Pocketbook and the Bebook/Onyx readers are also able to show the covers, you can change between cover display and text display.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Billi

Pocketbook and the Bebook/Onyx readers are also able to show the covers, you can change between cover display and text display.

Both excellent makes of reader, I agree. Their only real "downside" is that, unless they've brought out new models recently, they still use the old "VizPlex" eInk screens, rather than the newer "Pearl" screens, which have much better contrast.

[Billi]

Yes, you're very right with the Pearl screen (and Pocketbook doesn't have it yet) but that wasn't a requirement of hermano. And I can imagine if one is used to and satisfied with the Gen3 screen then this isn't the biggest issue. But good that you've mentioned it.

[Zetmolm]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Both excellent makes of reader, I agree. Their only real "downside" is that, unless they've brought out new models recently, they still use the old "VizPlex" eInk screens, rather than the newer "Pearl" screens, which have much better contrast.

All recent Onyx models have Pearl screens.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by hermano

Looking to upgrade from my poorly Gen 3 Cybook.

I want an e reader where I can see the book covers (like on Gen 3) without having to open the book (like kindle).

I also like the idea of 'emailing' books to the reader, like you can with kindle....

what are my options?

many thanks.

Another option (that has not been mentioned) is the Odyssey. I do hope you meant "poorly Gen 3" as beeing old and outdated, not that the device itself is poorly. The Odyssey has almost all you want. The Book browser always shows the cover, and you have 3 options for that
- 1 column display that shows 5 books per page with cover, title, author, date and size.

- 2 column display with 10 books per page with same information but usually only partial title visible

- thumbnails: displays 20 book covers. I assume just like your gen 3 since its also a cybook

also, unlike the sonys, the Odyssey also allows for view by folder.

For emailing, afaik the Kindles are the only ereader that allows automatic email book to reader. The Odyssey can be used to download books if you sent them to yourself and opening your email in the browser (requires WiFi connection). Other ereaders that have a browser do that too, but some might not allow you to download to the device.

Most ereaders now are based on EPub (except Kindle). If your Gen3 had the mobi firmware and you do have a lot of mobi non-drm books, it might be easier to transfer your books to a kindle w/o having to convert them first (which would not be a big deal, but still some work involved). If you are already EPub based, a non-Kindle (e.g. the Odyssey) might be a better option.

[HarryT]

Bookeen are a frustrating company in many ways: they make great readers, and their firmware has some excellent features (such as the folder support that's already been mentioned) but it also has some annoying omissions, such as the lack of a search facility - a basic capability which every other reader provides.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Bookeen are a frustrating company in many ways: they make great readers, and their firmware has some excellent features (such as the folder support that's already been mentioned) but it also has some annoying omissions, such as the lack of a search facility - a basic capability which every other reader provides.

Someones basic capability might not be somebody elses basic capability. And the requirements of hermano unfortunately limit the choices severely.

I wish big companys like Sony, Amazon, or even Kobo would implement simple things like folder view (can be done with enough want as PRS+ shows), book covers and such. It is not fair to bash Bookeen for being a smaller company, when the big guys can't or won't do either.

[HarryT]

I'm not bashing Booken - I've owned three Bookeen devices in my time, and I like them a lot. Just saying that I am frustrated by what I considered to be inexplicable omissions in their firmware. The final straw for me was the lack of bookmarks in their ePub firmware for the Opus (a feature which their Mobi firmware had); that was an essential requiremt for me, so I was reluctantly forced to use a different make of reader.