[DM-MUG] Sony's $350 ebook reader (pics)

[Bill Davis]

The device supports several formats (.rb, .doc, .rtf, .txt, .rb, .htm/ 
html, and .imp)

http://www.ebookwise.com/ebookwise/ebookwise1150.htm
http://www.ebookwise.com/servlet/mw?t=help_uploadcontent.htm&si=43

Several vendors support .rb.  I've seen some vendors support .imp  
besides eBookwise/Fictionwise but can't recall who.   Here's  a list  
of publishers that support the reader:

http://www.ebookwise.com/servlet/mw?t=publisherlist&si=43

Some of them (like Baen Books) also have web sites you can buy from.   
I think Barnes and Noble or Borders on the web may have too, or  
perhaps it was Amazon.

This is the thing that really hurts ebooks....too many formats.    
Only PDF, Palm Doc/AportisDoc, Mobipocket and a few others have  
readers available on multiple platforms (including PCs/Macs/Unix/ 
Linux too).  This is why Palm or PocketPCs make the best ebook  
readers IMHO...they both support the most formats in a portable fashion.

eBookwise is a division of Fictionwise.com.

I don't have the ebookwise reader, I have the old RCA/Gemstar version  
of the same unit.  Been meaning to get an eBookwise unit, though, as  
a backup for my gurrent RCA/GemStar reader (the older verison of the  
ebookwise unit).  I think I've seen some tools to convert .rb  
to .imp. from the company that actually makes the reader that  
ebookwise.com markets.   Including some Mac tools (my old format  
reader had some Mac tools, but they are pretty dated)  Google may  
help find them.  Or there may be links on the ebookwise site.  Yep,  
found 'em....

http://www.ebooktechnologies.com/migration.htm
http://www.ebooktechnologies.com/support_publisher_download.htm (Mac  
and PC!)
http://www.ebooktechnologies.com/support_usbdriver_download.htm (Mac  
and PC!)
http://www.ebooktechnologies.com/support_rb2project_download.htm
http://www.ebookwise.com/servlet/mw?t=help_how-it-works&si=43

I think the .imp files are an open format, however, unlike some.   
Although they probably support DRM too.  Like iTunes supports the  
open standard AAC, but also support's DRM'd AAC files too, via  
Apple's FairPlay.

  - Bill


On Oct 3, 2006, at 11:16 AM, Darcy Baston wrote:

> Wow, that ebookwise looks like it's got the basics covered and with  
> an attractive price. I'm so glad you suggested this!
>
> What other stores are there for the Rocket Book format that you  
> recommend?
>
> Darcy
>
> On Tuesday, October 03, 2006, at 08:12AM, Bill Davis  
> <billd at ecity.net> wrote:
>
>
>> I'd agree with Dave.   The Sony book reader is interesting, but
>> they've tried to market an ebook reader before and failed.  They're
>> making most of the same mistakes again this time around....plus,
>> they've missed their deadline for releasing this several times
>> now.    The price is too high.  It'll flop.   Don't waste your money.
>>
>> Plus, being from Sony, it'll probably have exploding batteries.  ;-)
>>
>> The only good thing I've heard is that it and it's ebooks will be
>> available via kiosks in  Borders or Barnes and Noble (I forget  
>> which).
>>
>> If you want a good and much less expensive reader (about $125) of
>> about the same size, see www.ebookwise.com.    I have an older (non-
>> grayscale) version of this reader and have always found it well
>> designed.
>>
>>   -Bill  (who recently did a panel on eBooks for the Des Moines
>> Science Fiction Society and was asked to do it again at their annual
>> DemiCon convention)
>>
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