Archive for the ‘Devices’ Category
Slick eReader
December 16th, 2010 | 
Author: 
This week Big Lots! started selling the Slick eReader for $89.99. The store in my area had plenty, but then again I got there early on Sunday morning. The ad in the paper doesn’t reveal any real specs so here they are as listed on the reader’s box:
- 7” Color display
- 2gb internal memory
- SD Card slot for additional storage
- Supports ePub and PDF files
- Plays music, video, and pictures
- Auto switching from landscape to portrait view
- Support for Borders eBooks and Adobe Digital Editions
Included in the box:
- The eReader (of course)
- Cover
- USB cable
- AC Charger
- Headphones
- User Guide
The packaging itself is nothing to write home about so I will skip that description. The reader looks heavier than it is and is built quite solidly. The front looks like a brushed metal, but it plastic. In spite of that it doesn’t look or feel like a cheap reader. Page turning can be done using the side buttons that are clearly labeled or by using the navigation button on the bottom. The included cover is black as expected and the device is held in place by brackets. While the cover is plain, I think it is a nice plus to be included.
In order to get your books on the device you have to connect the reader to your PC or Mac. From there you have to install the Border’s Desktop software. All instructions on getting started are explain in detail in the User Guide along with pictures. This I liked. I hate when the user guide is installed on the reader. Since the reader is not Wifi, all book transfers must be done via your computer. The desktop app does have a sync-to-reader button. This works fine for Borders, but the guide does not specify how to add your own files or Adobe Digital Editions to the reader. I don’t have any ADE files so I could not test that part, but I would think that you would just follow Adobe instructions. I did load some of my ePubs to the device simply through copy and paste. I placed them in a folder and the reader did show them in the library.
Just to see what would happen, I also connected the reader to Kobo Desktop app. As soon as it connected there was an option to sync my reader. I now have the books I bought from their site on my Slick. Nice to know, huh?
Since the reader is quite simple, it doesn’t take long to get the hang of it. The user guide does get you started, but it excludes some things that I feel are important. For example, bookmarks. I didn’t see it in the guide and while playing with the reader I hit the ok button and then the bookmark option pop up! I can’t say too much about the battery life, since I’ve only had it a few days. I’ve charged it once and it still has a few bars left.
There are some gripes I have about the reader. They aren’t major, but I can see it as a deterrent for some:
Display: It is not as clear as some other lower end LCD devices. The only comparison I can think of is the old-school REB1200 color reader. But it is clear enough for an enjoyable reading experience. The autorotation is really sensitive. There sould be a way to lock the screen.
Margins: They can’t be adjusted by users. I prefer small margins to get more words on the page. It is not a lot of white space, but I would be happier if I could fine tune it a bit.
Fonts: There are only 3 choices. The largest setting is really huge, and the medium is okay, but I wish there was something in between. There are no font choices. Fonts seem to be dependent on the book. This also affects the font sizes. I see the most difference in the ePubs that I have added. So there is no real consistency in the appearance of pages from book to book.
Library: All books show as a generic book until you open the book. Then it appears with the cover art.
So much of this can be fixed with a firmware update. Will we get one? I hope so. The SlickUSA website has been updated and the reader is now showing. The user guide is available for download. Other than that no other info like specs are on the site.
Overall, I like this reader. For the price you can’t go wrong.
Posted in 
Jetbook Update coming April 2nd
I really enjoy my using my Jetbook. Now I will have more to enjoy. Ectaco is adding support for Epub and Mobipocket. While it will not be supporting Mobi DRM, this is still great news. I think a drawback for some folks it that the Jetbook only supported txt and pdf files. Their last update added support for fb2. Maybe if the Jetbook gains a bigger user base it will support DRM titles. Personally, I would rather see ereader support. I like that I can read their books on more than just four devices.
I got this news from Mobileread. I tried to find the original source over at Ectaco, but I couldn’t. I would think that when the upgrade is available you’d find it here.
Also, someone wrote a comment here asking how to get their titles onto the reader. All you have to do is plug in your reader to your PC with the included USB cable. It will recognize your reader as a storage drive. Just drag and drop your books in the books folder. For more details you can download the manual here.
So if you are thinking about buying a Jetbook you can get one from Neweggfor 199.00 plus free shipping. The only color listed is graphite. Don’t forget that the Jetbook is not an e-ink reader.
Peek review update
This has been a rough week. The kids went back to school from their Spring Break, I had an assignment due for the Web Design class I am taking, and nothing seemed to go right. I had planned to post my review on the Peek earlier this week. Instead, I decided to upgrade the firmware to the new Pronto version 1.09 so that I could review the new features etc. Great plan, but I messed up. I ended up bricking my device and had to send it in today to get it fixed.
What is great is the technical support that the Peek folks have. They are so nice and they actually answer emails. I did have to send it back at my own expense, but I feel that is fair. From what I have read on their discussion board the turnaround is really quick. I got an email from Gabe at GetPeek and somehow my misfortune has made me Peekster of the month. I feel special. I never have won a thing in my life, but today I did. It has brought some peace to my hectic week.
My advice right now is that although you may not want to send in your Peek to have them upgrade it, you may want to at least consider it for right now. Upgrading is not for the faint of heart, but I do believe that the folks at Peek are working on that. Believe it or not I actually miss my gadget and can’t wait to get it back so I can continue being a Crash Test Pilot. I found this site between trying to get my Lost spoiler fix: Peek has an application page. There aren’t a lot, but I am sure that will change. What interested me was the RSS feed capabilities. That was one of the main things that I used on my Nokia N800. I no longer use my Nokia for RSS feeds since I am not privy to hot spots. Not so with the always on Peek network. I look forward to having that feature.
I’ve been Peeked
About two weeks ago I was strolling through Target and noticed that the Peek email device had dropped to $49.99. I can’t say that I need to have constant email service, but it would be nice. So I decided to take a chance and buy it. This is how I rationalized my purchase:
· I am getting rid of my iPhone and the whole too-expensive-for-what-I-am-getting parasitical cell phone bill.
· The Peek requires no contract and the $20 a month is a lot better than what I am paying for my cell phone now.
· Since there is no contract, I can quit and return anytime that I want. In these rough economic times, this can really save me some money and still feel connected.
· Peek is adding text messaging features
· I can have Daily Lit sent to my Peek and actually really read a book via email. I tried doing on my Nokia N800 and it didn’t work out well for me.
· It was on sale and I could resist. It’s been awhile since I bought a gadget on a whim.
To make sure I can stop service whenever I want, I got a pre-paid debit card. It works great and is even listed as a suggestion on the Peek support site. I also went to their Peek Boutique page and bought an upgrade cable. Set up was almost instantaneous. The unit I bought had v1.04 and their newest firmware is 1.08. Upgrading to the newest firmware was much more tedious. Much of that was my fault. So now I am up and running and have been trying out my new toy. So far I don’t really see too many differences in the two versions other than more keypad shortcuts.
Tomorrow, I plan to post my review of the unit in light of the newest Peek being available. For right now I do want to point out something that I read on their discussion board today. Even if you buy or already own the first gen Peek you will be able to upgrade to the same features as the Peek Pronto for free. I believe the only differences are that the new gen device will have a softer keypad, push email, and being able to receive email from three more different accounts.
If you are interested in one, check out your local Target. I hear that in some places it is as low as $35.00
Finally the Sony update is a go
After trying a combination of things to no avail, I finally de-bricked my Sony reader. I feel really silly, but off all the things I changed from computers to types of resets, I never changed the USB cord. I kept thinking that was the problem, but since the cord worked with my other gadgets, I dismissed the thought. Well, finally I did take out one the zillion new cords I have around and it worked. So the moral to the story is to keep your cool, and follow your first instinct in troubleshooting. Chances are it is not the device. Thanks to all you who wrote in trying to help me. I should be ashamed of myself. Ectaco Jetbook review
Earlier this month my husband and I went on our first cruise. In my effort to pack lightly I only took one tech gadget with me and of course that was an e-book reader. I wanted something small, light, but with enough screen space. I decided to take me latest acquisition the Jetbook. Here’s my take on the reader along with some photos:
What in the box: Besides the reader itself, you get a neoprene pouch that has a Velcro closure. The case has what feels like a hard, but flexible plastic sheet for added protection. I also got an AC adapter, and USB cord. A Windows CD (by Livingsoft) with phrase books, flashcards, and dictionaries is included. No software for the reader is included or needed.
TIP: On the reader there is a pdf with a listing of places to download free books. Some I have never come across and plan to check them out.
Features:
This reader is small as well as thin. I have taken a picture of it next to the Ebookman and Sony reader to give some perspective. Still, the screen size is really nice at 5 inches. For me the screen was the biggest selling point. The reader measures in at 6″ x 4.25″ x 3/8″. It easily fits in any of my purses and weighs only 7.5 ounces. Like most e-book readers these days, the Jetbook has MP3 capabilities. All of the features in this section are user friendly. I loaded one song and one podcast to test it out. Barry White sounds pretty good, but not as good as hearing it on my iPod. The spoken word is a lot better. I listened to TWIT (Leo LaPorte). One of the features of the device is that you listen while you read. This could be great for kids who are beginning to read. You could add the audio of the book so that he/she could read along. I see children books with CDs in the dollar stores all the time. Of course this could work for adults too. You could listen to your book while driving (using a FM transmitter) and then later pick it back up and read when you can. Of course you would have to find your place if you don’t stop at the end of a chapter. Settings include return to Playlist, the ability to turn off the LCD, Playmodes, Background Music, and Hot Keys. I saw no way to bookmark, but you can pause but when I returned to what I was listening to it went back to the beginning instead of where I left off. I doubt if I ever will use the audio with any frequency. The reader only accepts up to a 2gb SD card. That is more than enough for simple text, but audio books can eat up space quick.
