Firmware Updates

HorridRedDog · 03-09-2010, 05:43 PM

I don't think that the ereader manufacturers understand the importance of firmware updates.

I don't have an ONYX reader, but I do take note when they, or others, release an update.

As much as we like the ereaders that we have, most of us anyway, we would like to see some changes. Even if it isn't the fix WE want it shows that they are working to make it better.

Later this year I'll buy a larger screen reader for manuals. What ever it is will be from a company that shows it cares by updating the ones it makes now.

Solicitous · 03-09-2010, 05:50 PM

Keep and eye on Astak, they are in the hopes of releasing a large screen reader later this year. Their firmware updates are not released at regular dates, instead they are "when the firmware is right", which seems to be every month or two (on average).

HorridRedDog · 03-09-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solicitous

Keep and eye on Astak, they are in the hopes of releasing a large screen reader later this year. Their firmware updates are not released at regular dates, instead they are "when the firmware is right", which seems to be every month or two (on average).

Beats the heck out of Sony. They must be very happy with their software.

Teddman · 03-09-2010, 07:36 PM

Quote:

I don't think that the ereader manufacturers understand the importance of firmware updates.

Add Sony to this list... When you switch your store from LRF to ePub, don't you think a firmware update to make sure ePub actually displays properly on your readers is a good idea?

Shaggy · 03-09-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teddman

Add Sony to this list... When you switch your store from LRF to ePub, don't you think a firmware update to make sure ePub actually displays properly on your readers is a good idea?

I thought I read that Sony does have an update for the PRS-505 that adds support for ePub. You might have to ship it back to them to get it installed though, not sure about that part.

Teddman · 03-09-2010, 08:19 PM

Oh yeah, but it doesn't support full justification and correct pagination in ePubs (you have several "pages" with the same number). Pretty much a dealbreaker for me and a lot of people who still prefer LRF as a result, but can't buy it any more.

Their newer PRS-900 has fixed these problems and works correctly with ePub out of the box, but they haven't bothered to update the older readers to bring them up to par.

theducks · 03-09-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

I thought I read that Sony does have an update for the PRS-505 that adds support for ePub. You might have to ship it back to them to get it installed though, not sure about that part.

Isn't that wonderful.
Ship it back.
Pay for the update service because you can't flash it yourself.
Same rigmarole with a worn out battery?

Lose the use of your reader for weeks.

Astak has the right product philosophy. User Serviceable

jabberwock_11 · 03-09-2010, 09:02 PM

The PRS-505 always supported ePub, it was the PRS-500 that required the update.

EowynCarter · 03-10-2010, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Isn't that wonderful.
Ship it back.
Pay for the update service because you can't flash it yourself.
Same rigmarole with a worn out battery?

Lose the use of your reader for weeks.

Astak has the right product philosophy. User Serviceable

Sony could have said "sorry, you reader are too old, they won't have update". They happened because the 500 seamed to need some hardware update as well.

And I don't see the number of update a sign the manufacturer is good, or cares for it's customers. Ideal situation is not needing update, because the software is right the first time.
Number of update can also be a sign that the software is such a mess it needed update for the device to be usable.

New features are nice, but not the main point. Just make sure your device have the features you need when you buy it, that's all.

But it seam no manufacturer have gotten that either. Nowdays, it's rush device out, then, do bug fix and publish updates...

Solicitous · 03-10-2010, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Sony could have said "sorry, you reader are too old, they won't have update". They happened because the 500 seamed to need some hardware update as well.

And I don't see the number of update a sign the manufacturer is good, or cares for it's customers. Ideal situation is not needing update, because the software is right the first time.
Number of update can also be a sign that the software is such a mess it needed update for the device to be usable.

New features are nice, but not the main point. Just make sure your device have the features you need when you buy it, that's all.

But it seam no manufacturer have gotten that either. Nowdays, it's rush device out, then, do bug fix and publish updates...

I agree with you in part over an ideal situation of not needing updates, but truth be told most firmware updates do more than just fix bugs - they offer new features, or an improvement on the existing ones. If firmware updates are merely being released to fix bugs, then yes you could argue messy code, but if new features are being added to enhance the users experience or keep up to date with the developing technologies, then I say it is a good thing.

You're right, no manufacturer has got it right off the bat (except Nokia with the old 5110 GSM mobile - best mobile ever made IMHO, fault free). I still have a chuckle occasionally at Apple charging people to buy the firmware update for the iPod touch.

HarryT · 03-10-2010, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solicitous

Keep and eye on Astak, they are in the hopes of releasing a large screen reader later this year. Their firmware updates are not released at regular dates, instead they are "when the firmware is right", which seems to be every month or two (on average).

Give credit where credit's due - it's not Astak who do that, but Jinke, who actually make the device, and write the firmware. The same is true for all the other Jinke clones - BeBook, LBook, and all the others.

HorridRedDog · 03-10-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

And I don't see the number of update a sign the manufacturer is good, or cares for it's customers. Ideal situation is not needing update, because the software is right the first time.

If the software is prefect that does not mean the users can not ask for added features.

Regardless of other issues, I hear that users of the DR800SG keep asking for a dictionary, and will get it soon. That tells me that they are responsive to their customers. That makes me more likely to buy an ereader from them.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Just make sure your device have the features you need when you buy it, that's all.

But it seam no manufacturer have gotten that either.

Nor can they. The features that are important to me may not be to you. My EB-1150 lets me have (effectively) 2 books open at one time. GREAT for studying, maybe even required for studying. You can switch between the two books with one touch. I would happily pay for that feature in my sony.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

Nowdays, it's rush device out, then, do bug fix and publish updates...

One of my big complaints is that everyone & their third cousin makes big headlines with "Hay, we're coming out REAL SOON with the best ereader, DON'T buy anything else until you see ours! It has.... Well, we'll tell you later what it has and how much it'll cost. But it's going to be GREAT!!!! "

The best example of a reader rushed to market too soon was the nook. It is getting much better and that part tells me that they care.

kazbates · 03-10-2010, 09:55 AM

One of the Sony reps at the CES told me that they were coming out with an update, "next month" to fix a few things. That was in January. If she was being honest with me, perhaps, as usually happens in the world of software programming, they are behind schedule and we will see something soon. I do agree, however, that Sony is lax in correcting issues with software and firmware in a timely manner. I love their products but their customer support leaves much to be desired.

EowynCarter · 03-10-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

If the software is prefect that does not mean the users can not ask for added features.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
True. New feature are nice. But such thing as heving an (almost) bug free firmware, or support (when your reader gets broke) is more important to me.
New features usually brings their share of new bugs.

Quote:

Regardless of other issues, I hear that users of the DR800SG keep asking for a dictionary, and will get it soon. That tells me that they are responsive to their customers. That makes me more likely to buy an ereader from them.

Ask my sister how well iRex cares about thier customers

(Well, I might buy a DR800S, once they have the update for notes, if they add it someday.)

I take update gladly when they comes, but they are not a selling point. Unless it's bugfixes, but these are not optional.

Shaggy · 03-10-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

New features are nice, but not the main point. Just make sure your device have the features you need when you buy it, that's all.

That's the key right there. If a device needs updates in order for it to be worth the cost, then you should probably not get it. You never know if those updates are really going to happen.

03-09-2010, 05:43 PM	#1
HorridRedDog Addict Posts: 322 Karma: 1592 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: PRS-600 EB-1150	Firmware Updates I don't think that the ereader manufacturers understand the importance of firmware updates. I don't have an ONYX reader, but I do take note when they, or others, release an update. As much as we like the ereaders that we have, most of us anyway, we would like to see some changes. Even if it isn't the fix WE want it shows that they are working to make it better. Later this year I'll buy a larger screen reader for manuals. What ever it is will be from a company that shows it cares by updating the ones it makes now.

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03-09-2010, 05:50 PM	#2
Solicitous Wizard Posts: 1,434 Karma: 1525776 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: TAS, Australia Device: Astak Pocket Pro (Black), 2 x Kindle WiFi (Graphite), iPod Touch 4G	Keep and eye on Astak, they are in the hopes of releasing a large screen reader later this year. Their firmware updates are not released at regular dates, instead they are "when the firmware is right", which seems to be every month or two (on average).

03-09-2010, 08:19 PM	#6
Teddman Addict Posts: 242 Karma: 695 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505	Oh yeah, but it doesn't support full justification and correct pagination in ePubs (you have several "pages" with the same number). Pretty much a dealbreaker for me and a lot of people who still prefer LRF as a result, but can't buy it any more. Their newer PRS-900 has fixed these problems and works correctly with ePub out of the box, but they haven't bothered to update the older readers to bring them up to par.

03-09-2010, 09:02 PM	#8
jabberwock_11 Addict Posts: 231 Karma: 1591305 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Savannah, GA USA Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2, Aluratek Libre Pro	The PRS-505 always supported ePub, it was the PRS-500 that required the update.

03-10-2010, 09:55 AM	#13
kazbates Wizard Posts: 2,627 Karma: 406616 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Device: SurfacePro, SurfaceBook 2	One of the Sony reps at the CES told me that they were coming out with an update, "next month" to fix a few things. That was in January. If she was being honest with me, perhaps, as usually happens in the world of software programming, they are behind schedule and we will see something soon. I do agree, however, that Sony is lax in correcting issues with software and firmware in a timely manner. I love their products but their customer support leaves much to be desired.

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