Bookeen Cybook Gen3 e-book reader review

Comments

• "The Cybook Gen3 lacks basic elements that make a book a book." No kidding! And a car lacks the basic elements that make a horse a horse, so what? Cars can do things horses can't and e-readers can do things that books can't, like weighing 6.7 ounces, dictionary look up, page numbering (the Sony reader has this and the Cybook could with a software upgrade). Asking a reare book dealer what he thinks of an e-book reader is like asking the blacksmith what he thinks of a car - any surprise at the answer? The biggest thing thatis preventing wide adoption of e-readers is the use of DRM copyright protection on e-books and the cost. If the hadware manufacters could get the publishing industry to subsidize the cost just as the phone company does cell phone, you would see wide adoption. e-reader software for the iPhone casused 10,000 book downloads the first day, so there is a market for e-books, despite the limitations of the iPhone as an e-reader. However, the hardware either has to be muiltifunctional, or much cheaper for the user. Color e-ink and faster refresh rates are currently in development too, so look at this as a first generation e-ink device, not a mature product. Posted by TheRealBillC, USA
• Review? I hope this is the first attempt from the office junior.
  
  I'll check back in a week and see if you have a proper review of the tech. Posted by midger, uk
• This is one of the most misguided reviews of a product I have ever read.
  
  Comparing an e-book to a regular book is not entirely the right way to approach the gadget. It's sorta like comparing a car and a bike.
  
  With this metaphor, you guys just asked a car-dealer to review a mountainbike. That approach is never gonna be neutral, and the result is that you guys are misinforming your readers.
  
  Better luck next time. For people interested in ebook readers - better go read here:
  http://www.mobileread.com/forums/
  Posted by Kim, Denmark
• Errr... are we talking about the same delightful, featherlight Cybook that I read an average of three books a week on? The one with the luxurious creamy tone to the paper and finely detailed fonts which make it like reading a luxury edition? The one which, like any good reading device (including a book) disappears as I read? Oh yes, and the one for which the whole of literature up to 1938 is available free?
  
  Take Kim's suggestion above and look at Mobileread if you want some views and critiques worth reading. Posted by Argel, UK
• The cybook looks ok to me, but I read on another forum that after one broke down after only a short time, they would not repair it.
  Errr is this an add for cybook. almost all book reader can read the free books. Posted by TonyC, UK
• It would be hard to choose a more inappropriate person than a book dealer to review an e-book. There is a reason why Amazon named their ebook the Kindle: it's a reference to burning books. E-books offer a way for publishers to escape the stranglehold that is distribution. That means less popular works can be profitable, and is ultimately very good news for all of us. The sooner we get rid of people in charge of stacking shelves with "block-busters", the better. Posted by Jonathan, Britain
• I bought the Cybook in the end and I love. From WH Smith for only £179 bargain.
  Updated the frimware last week. They have still not added page number, but I am sure this will be added. I have been using Mobi for 10 year or more on palm and CE. Posted by TonyC, UK