PocketBook 901 video from Computex

wallcraft · 06-03-2010, 08:37 PM

Charbax has a nice video of what looks like the final device, see Pocketbook 901 is released. I'm not sure it is actually available for sale, and it is clearly designed for schools. I still want one, even with the garish colored keys.

tvpupsik · 06-03-2010, 09:31 PM

wallcraft, thank you for sharing this video here. 901 is not available for sale yet and is expected by the end of this year.

fjtorres · 06-03-2010, 11:28 PM

The screen looks really good.
So is the proposed price and feature set.
Looks light, too.
Would be nice if the software is compatible with existing Pocketbook platform (FBreader 180, themes, dictionaries, etc) though its not clear from the video if it is or not.

franklekens · 06-04-2010, 03:41 AM

Exciting. I'm really looking forward to having an affordable 9" as a second device (for more variety & as backup).

rogue_librarian · 06-04-2010, 05:36 AM

The rainbow buttons need to go. "Funny buttons for kids"? Do not want.

Logseman · 06-04-2010, 05:48 AM

While I like the device (and the buttons

) as a (former) Business Management student I'm worried about the strategic consequences of this device. Don't get me wrong: I love the idea of a big, cheap e-Ink device. If the price is attractive enough I could even try and get it.

However, we're talking of Pocketbook, a brand known for its quality software which makes people pay a "premium" for their devices: PB360 is the most expensive of 5 inch devices and the 301+ is more expensive than the other Netronix clones. Doesn't it go against their market positioning if they release the cheapest and most no-frills model in another market segment?

mtravellerh · 06-04-2010, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logseman

While I like the device (and the buttons

) as a (former) Business Management student I'm worried about the strategic consequences of this device. Don't get me wrong: I love the idea of a big, cheap e-Ink device. If the price is attractive enough I could even try and get it.

However, we're talking of Pocketbook, a brand known for its quality software which makes people pay a "premium" for their devices: PB360 is the most expensive of 5 inch devices and the 301+ is more expensive than the other Netronix clones. Doesn't it go against their market positioning if they release the cheapest and most no-frills model in another market segment?

Well, you seem to have a point. But PocketBook wants to provide a simple, handy tool for students and has done everything it could to reduce the price and still maintain the quality. The 901 will be available earlier in Europe than in the States, we are talking July/August here. As far as I know and this could still be changing, the colored buttons will only be one of 3 color choices.

fjtorres · 06-04-2010, 10:02 AM

On the pricing/positioning issue: we're talking 3 to 6 months down the road.
There are things afoot that may well render a US$350 10in eReader a Premium-priced product rather than a cheap one. Kindle DX is *not* going to be $489 forever; it might easily be $399 or lower by August, when K3 comes out.
Two words: Android Tablets.
Two more words: Pandigital Novel. (Starting June 6, allegedly.)
Now, add-in three more: Kindle For Android.
No, US$350 is a fair target; you have to aim at the market of tomorrow, not the market of today.

That is why my concern is making sure the 901 can leverage the added value in the PB360 software ecosystem. As presented in the video, I would seriously consider buying one for my mother.
However, *if* it were built off the same software platform as the PB360 I could see myself buying 2 or 3 (me and my sister; XMAS!) and recommending it broadly. (Why settle for 6" when you can get triple the screen area?) A lot of what makes the 360 so much fun to own and use would only be magnified on a 10in screen. (For starters PDFs might actually be useful on it.) Plus, unless I miss my guess, the 901 is looking to use the next gen screen with the higher contrast, right? There was mention of a plastic substrate, too.
Those are not low-end features.

Oh, and the color buttons?
I think my mother might actually find them a plus; easier to remember what does what.
A lot of new audio-video gear is starting to use color as a way to improve control system accessibility even on high-end gear. (My Sharp TV remote has Red-Green-Blue-yellow buttons, as does my OPPO BD player. Ditto with my XBOX.)
The PB guys may actually be ahead of the curve there.

I see nothing bad in that video and plenty of good.
Just wish we were talking August/September for the US and not later in the year.

tvpupsik · 06-04-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtravellerh

The 901 will be available earlier in Europe than in the States, we are talking July/August here.

mtravellerh - we envy you get it earlier, but this reader is definitely worth waiting for it.

Godzil · 06-04-2010, 11:51 AM

Seems that no one caught this, but, we clearly saw a calculator on the screen, how can we will able to use it without touchscreen and button with such a disposition??? That's clearly awfull. I can't think a big screen without touchscreen beeing usable

asjogren · 06-04-2010, 11:54 AM

901, 902, 910

What are the near term product plans for this family of devices?

Logseman · 06-04-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzil

Seems that no one caught this, but, we clearly saw a calculator on the screen, how can we will able to use it without touchscreen and button with such a disposition??? That's clearly awfull. I can't think a big screen without touchscreen beeing usable

I admit that's my grandest objection. I would only be able to "read" things on the device, not to operate with them. A bunch of buttons is useless when it comes to interacting with texts seriously. And with no USB host you can't plug a keyboard either...

fjtorres · 06-04-2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logseman

I admit that's my grandest objection. I would only be able to "read" things on the device, not to operate with them. A bunch of buttons is useless when it comes to interacting with texts seriously. And with no USB host you can't plug a keyboard either...

Uh, last I heard there are plans for a 903 with all the bells and whistles including touchscreen. It's a series of readers that run off similar hardware and common software. Want pen annotation and usb keyboard support? Look to the 902/903/whatever. Those will no question be premium readers at premium prices.

Me, I'm a big fan of the 5-way controller in the 360 but I have to admit it is not indispensable for reading. I *wish* the 901 had one but I don't think it'll be a showstopper for the use I have in mind. And faced with the choice of a 903 or a 901 I think the 901 is a better fit for that use. Others will surely prefer the 903; hence both models are coming.

In other words: its not a bug, its a feature!

Logseman · 06-04-2010, 12:50 PM

Don't get me wrong: if I have to buy one, it'll be probably the 901. My budget leaves me no more alternatives

Dulin's Books · 06-04-2010, 01:01 PM

umm yeah my 5 year old figured out on his own, in like half a minute, how to use the calculator in my 360 and 301 with out any extra buttons but the 5 way.

06-03-2010, 08:37 PM	#1
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	PocketBook 901 video from Computex Charbax has a nice video of what looks like the final device, see Pocketbook 901 is released. I'm not sure it is actually available for sale, and it is clearly designed for schools. I still want one, even with the garish colored keys.

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06-03-2010, 09:31 PM	#2
tvpupsik Addict Posts: 203 Karma: 502 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO Device: PB 360, PB 602, PB IQ	wallcraft, thank you for sharing this video here. 901 is not available for sale yet and is expected by the end of this year.

06-03-2010, 11:28 PM	#3
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	The screen looks really good. So is the proposed price and feature set. Looks light, too. Would be nice if the software is compatible with existing Pocketbook platform (FBreader 180, themes, dictionaries, etc) though its not clear from the video if it is or not.

06-04-2010, 03:41 AM	#4
franklekens Addict Posts: 392 Karma: 3421956 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: various Kobo's, Onyx Note2, Pocketbook 360, Kindle Keyboard	Exciting. I'm really looking forward to having an affordable 9" as a second device (for more variety & as backup).

06-04-2010, 05:36 AM	#5
rogue_librarian Guru Posts: 973 Karma: 4269175 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Europe Device: Pocketbook Basic 613	The rainbow buttons need to go. "Funny buttons for kids"? Do not want.

06-04-2010, 05:48 AM	#6
Logseman Orisa Posts: 2,000 Karma: 1035571 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ireland Device: Onyx Poke 5	While I like the device (and the buttons ) as a (former) Business Management student I'm worried about the strategic consequences of this device. Don't get me wrong: I love the idea of a big, cheap e-Ink device. If the price is attractive enough I could even try and get it. However, we're talking of Pocketbook, a brand known for its quality software which makes people pay a "premium" for their devices: PB360 is the most expensive of 5 inch devices and the 301+ is more expensive than the other Netronix clones. Doesn't it go against their market positioning if they release the cheapest and most no-frills model in another market segment?

06-04-2010, 10:02 AM	#8
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	On the pricing/positioning issue: we're talking 3 to 6 months down the road. There are things afoot that may well render a US$350 10in eReader a Premium-priced product rather than a cheap one. Kindle DX is not going to be $489 forever; it might easily be $399 or lower by August, when K3 comes out. Two words: Android Tablets. Two more words: Pandigital Novel. (Starting June 6, allegedly.) Now, add-in three more: Kindle For Android. No, US$350 is a fair target; you have to aim at the market of tomorrow, not the market of today. That is why my concern is making sure the 901 can leverage the added value in the PB360 software ecosystem. As presented in the video, I would seriously consider buying one for my mother. However, if it were built off the same software platform as the PB360 I could see myself buying 2 or 3 (me and my sister; XMAS!) and recommending it broadly. (Why settle for 6" when you can get triple the screen area?) A lot of what makes the 360 so much fun to own and use would only be magnified on a 10in screen. (For starters PDFs might actually be useful on it.) Plus, unless I miss my guess, the 901 is looking to use the next gen screen with the higher contrast, right? There was mention of a plastic substrate, too. Those are not low-end features. Oh, and the color buttons? I think my mother might actually find them a plus; easier to remember what does what. A lot of new audio-video gear is starting to use color as a way to improve control system accessibility even on high-end gear. (My Sharp TV remote has Red-Green-Blue-yellow buttons, as does my OPPO BD player. Ditto with my XBOX.) The PB guys may actually be ahead of the curve there. I see nothing bad in that video and plenty of good. Just wish we were talking August/September for the US and not later in the year.

06-04-2010, 11:51 AM	#10
Godzil a pthread?? where? where? Posts: 1,763 Karma: 30462 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Somewhere in EU Device: Newton MessagePad 2100, and only this	Seems that no one caught this, but, we clearly saw a calculator on the screen, how can we will able to use it without touchscreen and button with such a disposition??? That's clearly awfull. I can't think a big screen without touchscreen beeing usable

06-04-2010, 11:54 AM	#11
asjogren Addict Posts: 266 Karma: 1378 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle / San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico Device: Kindle & WiFi Nook & PocketBook IQ	901, 902, 910 What are the near term product plans for this family of devices?

06-04-2010, 12:50 PM	#14
Logseman Orisa Posts: 2,000 Karma: 1035571 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ireland Device: Onyx Poke 5	Don't get me wrong: if I have to buy one, it'll be probably the 901. My budget leaves me no more alternatives

06-04-2010, 01:01 PM	#15
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	umm yeah my 5 year old figured out on his own, in like half a minute, how to use the calculator in my 360 and 301 with out any extra buttons but the 5 way.

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