After all the complaints about this thing i am still considering buying it. It seems that most of the problems are software related. And since they released the SDK with binary image for the emulator, i suspect that all these problems ca be fixed.
At the moment is seems like almost all the problems can be fixed with a simple reset. Ofcourse this is not a real fix. From a user perspective it may be jsut enough to get one buy when using the device.
I just talked to Jeff from ereader outfitters. He told me that they will have a large shipment on monday (10/27/08). He is expecting the back log of DR1000S's to be filled on this order.
The purpose of my call was to find some more information regarding the DR1000S. Specifically what happens to the screen when the unit is powered off. Jeff said that he uses an earlier(possibly prototype SD1000S). The company had considered a splash screen logo but found problems. Apparently the electronic ink(epaper?) is difficult to refresh if a static image is used. If i understood Jeff correctly this particular screen uses a die,or ink which tends to flow away from the beads(if allowed to be on the screen for extended periods).
He also explained that the screen requires som special refreshing. They change the entire screen to black and then to white to ensure that every element was actuated. This is to avoid the previously mentioned problem with static images. This makes sense since the video i've watched clearly show the entire swapping from black to white and then to the new content.
He also told me that there is glass in the screen. This was somewhat of a let down as i was hoping for a robust plastic screen.
He also mentioned that the buttons are capacitive. I believe i read this on iRex's site at some point but it was not clear as to what they were refering to. Apparently the buttons are actual "capacitive touch" not capacitive membrane. This should solve some of the problems associated with the mechanical buttons on the iLiad.
I'm still interested in the DR1000S and will do a little more research from now to monday. I've been trying to get an account on the iRex community forum but the captia is next to impossible to read.
I emailed ereader outiftterslast night and told them about the dead link for the iRex DR 1000S. They fixed the the link and told me this:
"I'm expecting more product on Monday. I think we can catch up to backlog
then and be in a stock position next week. I have a waiting list.
If you like, call me, place the order on the phone, I will get authorization
to charge your card and charge when the product ships."
So this is looking a better. I'm going to call Jeff from ereader outiftters and see what i can find out about the DR1000S.
I've been looking for an electronic paper reader for quite some time. The iRex Digital Reader 1000S caught my eye. I started looking around and reading the forums. It did not take long to see that there are about as many problems as there are advantages.
Apparently the iRex iLiad. is the older model. And one guy seems to have had plenty of problems with the company itself(After 45 days, Shipping related). Here another speaks of problems.
This is crazy stuff and i would normally forget about this company all together. Well, looking around their site a little i found an active blog. This gives the company a little credit as far as i am concerned. After reading the blog i get an over-all feeling that this company is genuine and they are trying to make things right. For example, they demonstrate the operation of the iRex Digital Reader 1000S under the demo movie1
Also the CEO released a letter. At this point i'm feeling very,very torn. Perhaps the company really was not ready for such a response to their products.
After reading a little more i found that they have released the SOURCE CODE and SDK.
At the moment i only found one site that even mentions the iRex SD1000S. That is ereader outfitters. Well after trying to find some information(and probably buying this thing) i found a dead link!. At the time of this writing this LINK is dead.
I like the way the DR1000S looks. I also like the fact that it uses electronic paper. Most of the source code is open which is a huge movement.
What a roller coaster i found here.
