Dec 19

Though ebook reader purists would correctly argue that the prototype Microsoft Courier is not an ereader in and of itself there is no mistaking that this device will compete head on with ereaders in the coming year and that’s why we’re featuring it here at ereaderuniverse.

First I should say that there is not definitive launch date or price for this device but from what I can gather from the video below and other sources around the net this thing is going to be a complete gamechanger.

Even though I am a huge Apple fan I’m excited to see something innovative coming from Microsoft and unlike a traditional tablet we’ve all seen in some version or another this device truly stands on it’s own Unlike the mythical ipad/tablet or the recently troubled Crunchpad the MS Courier has two screens instead of one and they work seamlessly together to create on amazing user experience. The functionality as displayed in the video is incredible and the long term uses of such a device are truly staggering. We could truly be seeing the beginning of the end for textbooks, magazines, books, traditional planners, laptops, paper you name it.

I still believe that the internet allows niches to develope and thrive independent of the “leader” so I don’t think this will be a “Kindle killer” or sony killer or anything else because many people want an ereader not a life management device. those however who want an ereader but would also love it to come coupled with so much more are going to love this thing.

Check out the video here:

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Dec 02

Since the launch of the Kindle and Sony digital book readers the internet has been alive with ebook reader reviews for those particular rather expensive models but not a mention of any real alternative digital book readers, that was until I recently came across a clutch of Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader reviews on the Amazon site, and what good reading they made.

What a suprise, digital book readers in the past had been, or so it seemed, confined to the big two of the Amazon Kindle or Sony PRS, I do exclude the iRex iLiad range of digital book readers ’cause even though I’m a big reader, I have no desire to take out a second mortgage to turn digital. These Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader reviews had renewed my interest in digital book readers so I decided to finally take the plunge and purchased the Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader, after all I did have 30 days to give it the once over and see if the 21st century was where I wanted to be!

Just five days later it appeared, I was as exited as a kid at Christmas and itching to get my hands on this piece of cutting edge technology, so I hurriedly ripped the packing off my newly aquired Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader. I had chosen the red model from the color range on offer, which if I remember correctly where red, white, grey and black, and was please with the overall finish of the digital book readers case which had a pebbled finish, even though it plastic it is in no way cheap and flimsy but exactly the opposite – it has a rugged feel to it like it would take the bumps and bashes of everyday use. As I mentioned, the case is finished with a pebble effect which lends itself to better grip, the buttons are solid; not too small; not to big.

The Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader screen breaks with other digital book readers thinking, where as most employ E-ink technology Ectaco have stuck with what they know and have installed their tried and tested LCD screen from their translators. This results in a back-lit less that could be easily mistaken for E-ink as the image is still and easy to read but lacks the bad E-ink trait of flicker when you turn the page.

The Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader comes with two standard fonts, both san-serif: Arial and Verdana, no doubt taking their lead from the fact they think digital book readers will be used soley by computer users who are used to these font types, by default, I for one would have liked a choice of possibly two serified font types, it may be possible to add fonts but I have neither seen this in the user manual or in any Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader reviews. The font size is also changable – from 12 all the way upto 32 point in six incriments, which by the way is one more than the Sony 700 series digital book readers and 3 more than the PRS505

A built in dictionary also comes as standard on the Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader, something the Sony range of digital book readers still lack. The dictionary is extensive as you would expect from a company who built their reputation with electronic translators and dictionaries. Their English-Russian, English-Polish, and English explanatory dictionaries built into the Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader let you instantly translate any selected words.

With the Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader you are able to quickly and easily group ebooks together into folders, then you can access the directory display in the file system to find them just as easily, the Kindle and Sony should take note and add this feature to their models, something I’m sure users of their digital book readers would appreciate.

The menu and options on the Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader are easy to access and navigate and transfer rate comes in as good, it was slower than the Sony but not really slow enough to bother me, after all reading is suposed to stress free, what’s the rush. The devices screen can rotate through ninety degrees an operation that works smoothley for me and allows easy viewing of pictures, the Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader handles all popular image file formats and produces a crystal clear, crisp image.

For me the Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader scores highly for everything exept the pointless, under powered MP3 player and the page turn ( back/forward) slider situated on the left side of the screen. Firstly, the mp3 plays low quality audio so would handle audio books no probs but when asked to stream higher bitrate MP3′s forget it – stick to your iPod – it’s rubbish. Secondly, the slider that is used to turn the page on the Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader just can not be used one handed confidently, I feel though every time I try I’m going to drop my digital book reader and do it some serious damage.

So there is my contribution to Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader reviews, oh and my Ectaco jb 5 jetbook e book reader never did get returned, it’s now nearly 12 months old and I will never return to paper backs…digital book readers are here to stay…welcome to the
21st century.

Check Out the Best eBook Reader Reviews before you Buy.

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