Astak announces 5 inch Pocket PRO for $199

Robertb · 06-01-2009, 04:48 PM

Dear All:

Astak is announcing the EZ Reader "Pocket PRO" in 5 inch for around $199. It will be essentally the same device and the same great software as the EZ Reader 6 inch EXCEPT the Pocket PRO will have the Epson Controller!!

You already know that the Astak EZ Reader Basic in 6 inch has been the most reliable and trouble-free eBook Reader ever released in North America. See the other Astak thread for the reports from all those who purchased it. FRY's electronics claims it has far less returns than any other eBook Reader that they carry.

Now, this same reliability comes to a device that is 5 inch and weighs under 6 ounces. Only, we did not just match the EZ Reader... we made it better with the Epsin Controller (blazing page turns with no black screen)!! Plus you still get the best MP3 on the market (has an equalizer) AND it will be coming in colors: black, tan-white, slate blue, violet, lime green, and maroon brown.

And... Astak will sell for $199-$209!! Look for the www.goEZebook.com website (now under construction) for all the info!! OH, it includes a crush-resistant LEATHER case the others always forget.

Lastly, this is an ASTAK product... meaning the service and the shipping and the user manual and the tech support are all USA. Never a single complaint yet about Astak Customer Service!!

Release is about two months away (it takes time to make the color halves)and to port Adobe Digital Editions and Fictionwise eReader on it!!

Yes, it will come preloaded with at least twenty classic eBooks... not junk... great titles for the entire family!

cheese bogart · 06-01-2009, 04:55 PM

Robertb I'm guessing you didn't take the photos, but perhaps you could find a photo of the 5" reader next to your 6" reader. For those new to the ereader market that would like a comparision of the two.

Andybaby · 06-01-2009, 05:33 PM

Nice price point (matches the Jetbook)

you mention no flash to black though, on my sonys and on the kindle, the page can have portions change withoug flashing to black, but it comes at a cost of bad dithering, the edges of the text are hard and not smooth, and are rarely even, and without the entire screen refresh you get that "looking through a page" effect where you can still make out what was on the page really bad.

theses new screens do better?

Musicman · 06-01-2009, 05:39 PM

When will we be able to pre-order????

NatCh · 06-01-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertb

You already know that the Astak EZ Reader Basic in 6 inch has been the most reliable and trouble-free eBook Reader ever released in North America. See the other Astak thread for the reports from all those who purchased it. FRY's electronics claims it has far less returns than any other eBook Reader that they carry.

How long has the EX Reader Basic been out, exactly? Your own site calls it "New" ....

MaggieScratch · 06-01-2009, 06:26 PM

One word: w00t!

Looking forward to a slate blue Pocket Pro...

Robertb · 06-01-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheese bogart

Robertb I'm guessing you didn't take the photos, but perhaps you could find a photo of the 5" reader next to your 6" reader. For those new to the ereader market that would like a comparision of the two.

Dear Cheese Bogart:

They have two samples on their way to me. As soon as they arrive I will do the picture comparing the EZ Reader Basic and the EZ Reader Pocket PRO side-by-side. That is a great idea! I just do not have the Pocket PRO in my hot hands yet.

Robertb · 06-01-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

How long has the EX Reader Basic been out, exactly? Your own site calls it "New" ....

Dear NatCh:

Depends, I guess, on how you look at it. Sorry, do not mean to hedge on this. We started selling the EZ Reader Basic about six months ago on our own website. If memory serves me, however, FRY's Electronics picked it up three months ago (they were the first retailer) and it really hit their stores about 9 weeks ago. SO... it is still pretty new and up-to-date. To the majority of the public it has been out two-three months.

Robertb · 06-01-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman

When will we be able to pre-order????

Dear Musicman:

I think about 4-6 weeks before we can do pre-ordering. I need to publish full and complete specs first and do a user manual in USA English and see the final color halves in actual colors. I do not want to have anyone pre-order without being absolutely aware of all the facts. Astak is different than the others... yes we want the sale... but only if you are happy with it after you get it.

cheese bogart · 06-01-2009, 07:04 PM

I just thought it would be good so that people who are interested in buying a device from you could get a rough idea of total size, not just screen size.

Also it might help if there was something else in the shot that could be used as reference for size (something pretty universal like a business card).

Robertb · 06-01-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andybaby

Nice price point (matches the Jetbook)

you mention no flash to black though, on my sonys and on the kindle, the page can have portions change withoug flashing to black, but it comes at a cost of bad dithering, the edges of the text are hard and not smooth, and are rarely even, and without the entire screen refresh you get that "looking through a page" effect where you can still make out what was on the page really bad.

theses new screens do better?

Dear Andy:

Thank you for the comments!!

I will have to check when the first two samples arrive. Kindle uses Mobipocket which is not supposed to be all that fabulous. The Pocket PRO comes pre-ported with Adobe Digital Editions and can also have Fictionwise eReader format added.

I will tell you honestly in a post as soon as I can.

Robertb · 06-01-2009, 07:10 PM

Great idea on point of reference like a business card!!

smithno · 06-01-2009, 07:14 PM

I bought one of the first batch of EZ Readers before Christmas and I am going to buy one of the first batch of these!!!

mobelby · 06-01-2009, 07:14 PM

Hi RobertB,

That's good news. To help us global (ie non-US shoppers) can you confirm the differences between your pocket pro and the bebook mini are:

- custom firmware: ie yours will handle BOTH epub and ereader
- custom colors
- crush resistant leather case
- possibly cheaper price ?? USD vs EURO ??

mklynds · 06-01-2009, 07:17 PM

Hey Robertb,

To be honest this morning I was pretty much settled on the sony prs-505 and was just waiting to purchase until I could get the blue one in canada. However this post has got me thinking all over again. The 5" pocket pro sounds like a very versatile reader. And if it's going to be a bit until I actually order a reader I think I am going to have to follow your updates more closely. I have only a few quick questions.
1. Will you ship to Canada? (most important)
2. Do you expect to be shipping units by August? (my wife has been hinting a reader may be my anniversary gift)
3. And do you know what file formats it will support yet? (sorry if this was stated but I didn't see it anywhere.)

Thanks again and I can't wait until you get your site up and running
Mike

06-01-2009, 04:48 PM	#1
Robertb Astak Director, Bus. Devl Posts: 2,560 Karma: 2500000 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Astak Pocket PRO	Astak announces 5 inch Pocket PRO for $199 Dear All: Astak is announcing the EZ Reader "Pocket PRO" in 5 inch for around $199. It will be essentally the same device and the same great software as the EZ Reader 6 inch EXCEPT the Pocket PRO will have the Epson Controller!! You already know that the Astak EZ Reader Basic in 6 inch has been the most reliable and trouble-free eBook Reader ever released in North America. See the other Astak thread for the reports from all those who purchased it. FRY's electronics claims it has far less returns than any other eBook Reader that they carry. Now, this same reliability comes to a device that is 5 inch and weighs under 6 ounces. Only, we did not just match the EZ Reader... we made it better with the Epsin Controller (blazing page turns with no black screen)!! Plus you still get the best MP3 on the market (has an equalizer) AND it will be coming in colors: black, tan-white, slate blue, violet, lime green, and maroon brown. And... Astak will sell for $199-$209!! Look for the www.goEZebook.com website (now under construction) for all the info!! OH, it includes a crush-resistant LEATHER case the others always forget. Lastly, this is an ASTAK product... meaning the service and the shipping and the user manual and the tech support are all USA. Never a single complaint yet about Astak Customer Service!! Release is about two months away (it takes time to make the color halves)and to port Adobe Digital Editions and Fictionwise eReader on it!! Yes, it will come preloaded with at least twenty classic eBooks... not junk... great titles for the entire family! Attached Thumbnails

06-01-2009, 07:14 PM	#13
smithno Groupie Posts: 152 Karma: 222484 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tenn., US Device: jetBook, jetBook Lite, Kindle 3, Galaxy Note II	I bought one of the first batch of EZ Readers before Christmas and I am going to buy one of the first batch of these!!! Last edited by smithno; 06-01-2009 at 08:27 PM.

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06-01-2009, 04:55 PM	#2
cheese bogart Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 76 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brighton, England Device: prs-505 (Silver), Ipad	Robertb I'm guessing you didn't take the photos, but perhaps you could find a photo of the 5" reader next to your 6" reader. For those new to the ereader market that would like a comparision of the two.

06-01-2009, 05:33 PM	#3
Andybaby Wizard Posts: 1,279 Karma: 1002683 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Device: PRS-700	Nice price point (matches the Jetbook) you mention no flash to black though, on my sonys and on the kindle, the page can have portions change withoug flashing to black, but it comes at a cost of bad dithering, the edges of the text are hard and not smooth, and are rarely even, and without the entire screen refresh you get that "looking through a page" effect where you can still make out what was on the page really bad. theses new screens do better?

06-01-2009, 05:39 PM	#4
Musicman Evangelist Posts: 450 Karma: 364 Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Device: EZ-Reader - Samsung Nook's- Nook S/T w/Glow - Kindle Fire - Nova 2	When will we be able to pre-order????

06-01-2009, 06:26 PM	#6
MaggieScratch Has got to the black veil Posts: 542 Karma: 2144168 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania Device: Kobo Aura One, Kindle Paperwhite 2	One word: w00t! Looking forward to a slate blue Pocket Pro...

06-01-2009, 07:04 PM	#10
cheese bogart Connoisseur Posts: 69 Karma: 76 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brighton, England Device: prs-505 (Silver), Ipad	I just thought it would be good so that people who are interested in buying a device from you could get a rough idea of total size, not just screen size. Also it might help if there was something else in the shot that could be used as reference for size (something pretty universal like a business card).

06-01-2009, 07:10 PM	#12
Robertb Astak Director, Bus. Devl Posts: 2,560 Karma: 2500000 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Astak Pocket PRO	Great idea on point of reference like a business card!!

06-01-2009, 07:14 PM	#14
mobelby Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 224 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: eeepc 901	Hi RobertB, That's good news. To help us global (ie non-US shoppers) can you confirm the differences between your pocket pro and the bebook mini are: - custom firmware: ie yours will handle BOTH epub and ereader - custom colors - crush resistant leather case - possibly cheaper price ?? USD vs EURO ??

06-01-2009, 07:17 PM	#15
mklynds That guy, no not that guy Posts: 337 Karma: 2846 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Device: PRS600 Red	Hey Robertb, To be honest this morning I was pretty much settled on the sony prs-505 and was just waiting to purchase until I could get the blue one in canada. However this post has got me thinking all over again. The 5" pocket pro sounds like a very versatile reader. And if it's going to be a bit until I actually order a reader I think I am going to have to follow your updates more closely. I have only a few quick questions. 1. Will you ship to Canada? (most important) 2. Do you expect to be shipping units by August? (my wife has been hinting a reader may be my anniversary gift) 3. And do you know what file formats it will support yet? (sorry if this was stated but I didn't see it anywhere.) Thanks again and I can't wait until you get your site up and running Mike

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