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

electristan · 05-14-2009, 10:37 AM

iPod moment for ebook readers (Engadget)

Homepage: http://www.coolreaders.com/

Looks like a great little device. Seems to only support EPUB, PDF and TXT, but that is better than nothing (or introducing a new DRM type).

Also let me say well done on announcing it just before the release in the next two weeks. I prefer this much more to teasing us for months.

EDIT: Now with video walkthrough by Techcrunch (thanks soilwork)

Quote:

Cool-er Classic - Dimensions (Excluding Case)
Height (mm) 183.00
Width (mm) 117.74
Depth (mm) 10.89
Volume (litres) 0.23
Weight (g) 178.00
Screen Size 6"
DPI 170 pixels per inch
Levels of Greyscale 8
Type E Ink® Vizplex
Touchscreen No
Manufacturer PVI
Operating System Linux
Storage 1GB
Memory 128
Processor Samsung® S3C2440 ARM 400MHz
Battery Li-Polymer battery (1000 mAh)
Battery Life (single charge) 8000 page
Memory Expansion SD (up to 4GB)
Wireless No
PC Yes
Mac Yes
Formats JPEG, PDF, EPUB, TXT
Languages 8
Content DRM PDF. EPUB
Bookstore (Titles) Over 750,000
Accessories included: White USB cable, Quick Start Guide
Optional Accessories: Headphones, SD memory cards, mains charger, protective cases

igorsk · 05-14-2009, 10:53 AM

Looks like another Netronix unit but with the new body design. I wonder if it's metal or still plastic.
Specs claim support for "JPEG, PDF, EPUB, TXT", but the "Loading FB Reader" message on one of the photos might mean FB2 as well.

igorsk · 05-14-2009, 10:58 AM

It also seems to claim that it works with ADE on Mac OSX... if so, that will be the first reader to do that.
They claim to have 750k titles available on www.coolerbooks.com.

electristan · 05-14-2009, 11:09 AM

yeah, they seem to have tried to make it as universal as possible. If they can actually ship these by the end of the month as they claim i think they can do really well.

I really like the simple meny system, with its BIG BOLD font.

It seems that 250 be it €/$ is the new standard price for ebook readers.

wallcraft · 05-14-2009, 11:13 AM

So, do they support folders?

I'm not sure how they get 750,000 titles. Perhaps they count each e-book format separately.

ilovejedd · 05-14-2009, 11:13 AM

Ooh. Me likey.

Darnit, I was almost decided on the PRS-505. Now, I'm going to have to rethink my choice. I often read in the dark so I was thinking of getting the PRS-505 + light wedge. Would the Sony light wedge fit the Cool-er or are there maybe generic light wedges for use with e-ink readers?

pking36330 · 05-14-2009, 11:21 AM

It does look to be worth investigating, but two things stand out:
1. If I can get a new Sony PRC-505 for $269 at Sam's Club, why wouldn't I get a know quality device like that for roughly the same price.

2. The books on their store look MUCH more expensive (but I guess you DON'T have to shop there if you buy this device.

While poking around at CoolerBooks.com I came across something that drives me crazy. I hate when shopping websites give you a teaser price in some small link and then when you select the link it is actually a higher price. Dell is the WORST about doing this, good luck EVER getting something for the price you were shown. I'll bet I've followed the teaser link on over two hundred Dell 'deals' only to place them in my shopping cart and find the rate is higher. Notice the two prices for the ebook 'The Reader' on CoolerBooks.com. Granted 17 cents is much difference, but why can't the actual price be the same as the small teaser rate at the bottom? Why, o' why?:

grooks · 05-14-2009, 11:21 AM

The specs do say

Quote:

DRM PDF. EPUB

abrizz · 05-14-2009, 11:33 AM

I like the simple. But I wish they would at least give usability a thought and put some well placed turn pages buttons on it. It can not be that hard to do!

grooks · 05-14-2009, 11:42 AM

Had they set the price at $200 I think they would have trouble meeting demand.

igorsk · 05-14-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abrizz

I like the simple. But I wish they would at least give usability a thought and put some well placed turn pages buttons on it. It can not be that hard to do!

They're limited by the original Netronix hardware.

wallcraft · 05-14-2009, 11:49 AM

Engadget says:

Quote:

with retail distribution partner expected to be announced closer to the launch date

depending on the retailer this might imply a lower price - at least when the retailer is having a sale.

sirbruce · 05-14-2009, 12:00 PM

I was just about to post about this; should this be in News?

electristan · 05-14-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grooks

Had they set the price at $200 I think they would have trouble meeting demand.

I agree $200 would be the magic price for a lot of people to jump into the ebook scene, I'd buy it as a gift for a few at that price (they would owe me big

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirbruce

I was just about to post about this; should this be in News?

good point, wasn't sure. if someone wants to move it please go ahead.

porkupan · 05-14-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

They claim to have 750k titles available on www.coolerbooks.com.

I wonder where have those 750k titles come from? Is this a rebranded Fictionwise, or some other smaller ebook content provider? Do they count the Project Gutenberg books, or the Google Books (the ones out of copyright)? It sure seems like a hell of an e-book collection to come out of nowhere...

The iPod color scheme looks really cool, I have to admit. And the price $250 is not too crazy, unless this price also means inability to read personal non-DRM content.

05-14-2009, 11:21 AM	#7
pking36330 FT Parent PT Reader Posts: 322 Karma: 187838 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Alabama Device: Shocked by how much I've read on an iPod Touch received as a gift!	It does look to be worth investigating, but two things stand out: 1. If I can get a new Sony PRC-505 for $269 at Sam's Club, why wouldn't I get a know quality device like that for roughly the same price. 2. The books on their store look MUCH more expensive (but I guess you DON'T have to shop there if you buy this device. While poking around at CoolerBooks.com I came across something that drives me crazy. I hate when shopping websites give you a teaser price in some small link and then when you select the link it is actually a higher price. Dell is the WORST about doing this, good luck EVER getting something for the price you were shown. I'll bet I've followed the teaser link on over two hundred Dell 'deals' only to place them in my shopping cart and find the rate is higher. Notice the two prices for the ebook 'The Reader' on CoolerBooks.com. Granted 17 cents is much difference, but why can't the actual price be the same as the small teaser rate at the bottom? Why, o' why?: Attached Thumbnails Last edited by pking36330; 05-14-2009 at 11:23 AM.

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05-14-2009, 10:53 AM	#2
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Looks like another Netronix unit but with the new body design. I wonder if it's metal or still plastic. Specs claim support for "JPEG, PDF, EPUB, TXT", but the "Loading FB Reader" message on one of the photos might mean FB2 as well.

05-14-2009, 10:58 AM	#3
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	It also seems to claim that it works with ADE on Mac OSX... if so, that will be the first reader to do that. They claim to have 750k titles available on www.coolerbooks.com.

05-14-2009, 11:09 AM	#4
electristan newbie reader Posts: 102 Karma: 2122142 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oslo Device: reMarkable, Boox T68, Kobo Mini, Nook STR, Sony PRS-505	yeah, they seem to have tried to make it as universal as possible. If they can actually ship these by the end of the month as they claim i think they can do really well. I really like the simple meny system, with its BIG BOLD font. It seems that 250 be it €/$ is the new standard price for ebook readers.

05-14-2009, 11:13 AM	#5
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	So, do they support folders? I'm not sure how they get 750,000 titles. Perhaps they count each e-book format separately.

05-14-2009, 11:13 AM	#6
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,110 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	Ooh. Me likey. Darnit, I was almost decided on the PRS-505. Now, I'm going to have to rethink my choice. I often read in the dark so I was thinking of getting the PRS-505 + light wedge. Would the Sony light wedge fit the Cool-er or are there maybe generic light wedges for use with e-ink readers?

05-14-2009, 11:33 AM	#9
abrizz Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: none	I like the simple. But I wish they would at least give usability a thought and put some well placed turn pages buttons on it. It can not be that hard to do!

05-14-2009, 11:42 AM	#10
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	Had they set the price at $200 I think they would have trouble meeting demand.

05-14-2009, 12:00 PM	#13
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 505847 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Device: Kindle Touch, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	I was just about to post about this; should this be in News?

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