Cybook Gen3 e-book reader on sale now for $350

Those sitting tight for Cybook's Gen3 e-book reader can finally do something other than just wait for it. That's right, Bookeen's latest is finally on sale, and just as promised (the second time, that is), it's available now (read: in October) for $350. If you're wondering what all that coin will get you, you can look forward to 8,000 page flips without a recharge, a daylight-readable 800 x 600 resolution display, 2.5-millimeter stereo headphone jack, 64MB of storage, an SD expansion slot and USB connectivity. So go on, bust out that credit card and count down the minutes till it arrives on your doorstep.

[Via Teleread]

[Mike Spit @ Oct 29th 2007 9:13AM]

That looks pretty sweet, but I think I'm going to stick with my modded PSP and bookr.

[Joshua Susmarski @ Oct 29th 2007 9:44AM]

Is it just me or is the guy in the 3rd frame of the comic getting head?

[Jeff P. @ Oct 29th 2007 11:03AM]

"Is it just me or is the guy in the 3rd frame of the comic getting head?"

I must have a sick mind because that's what I thought too.

[Joshua Susmarski @ Oct 29th 2007 12:19PM]

I keep looking at it but I cant see anything else there; what an odd choice for a launching product shot. Maybe its more subliminal advertising?

[Alex M @ Oct 29th 2007 3:48PM]

@joshua
if you look at the bigger picture its the guys back.

[Steve @ Oct 29th 2007 9:36AM]

Sony's ebook reader got bad reviews for PDF viewing, is this any better for PDF's? That would be my primary use.

[Temple @ Oct 29th 2007 10:44AM]

Likely the same, the problem with Sony's (and all E-books) for PDFs is that most PDF files are formated larger then the E-books screen (PDF files formated for the E-books screen sized looked great) Given that E-ink refreshes very slow its difficult to zoom in and out of a PDF file. Also, thus far E-ink doesn't display small text very well (the text appears grayish), however, E-ink is gorgeous for properly formated text.

[EatingPie @ Oct 29th 2007 11:51AM]

Yep you nailed it. Same resolution as Sony's reader, and (presumably) the same E-Ink 2.0 display as the new Sonys. The only difference is format support. Teleread gets on the rag about the 10 different e-book formats -- as they should! We need a standard that EVERYONE adopts, and that is open so people can generate e-books on their own.

The other difference is that it costs MORE to get a cover! So I'd still say the Sony Reader is a better deal (unless this you're looking for a format the Sony doesn't support).

I'm a fan of the Sony Reader's LRF format actually -- the non-DRMed version. But it's unlikely to be adopted across the board, and Sony's support for 3rd party is non-existent. But hackers figured out most of the format, and allowed me to write a utility to generate LRFs for my reader.

-Pie

[hamster @ Oct 29th 2007 12:10PM]

Define bad. There are weird sized pdfs which are barely readable offshelf, but textbooks and books with images/drawings works quite fine:
http://hightech.afmag.net/the-sony-reader-prs500-and-pdfs-part-2.html

[John M @ Oct 29th 2007 1:06PM]

Why not try Sonys ebook reader yourself. I have a Sony ebook reader and it does PDFs fine. Dont rely solely on reviews. In fact, my Sony ebook reader was $100.00 cheaper AND comes with 100 free classic ebook downloads from Sonys service. Now, if I could find a program that allowed me to convert .lit files to .txt,.rtf or .pdf I would be rocking and rolling. I run Mac OSX and I found a .lit converter but it doesnt allow for actual conversion of other formats. A bit much to copy and paste every page into a .txt. So, for my $100.00 cheaper I was able to buy a 1gb Memory card and a light since these things arent backlit. And not to mention I am still $60.00 cheaper and I get the 100 free classic ebooks. Now, seeing as how I download all my books from bit torrent it doesnt matter anyway but free is free.

[duncan.macleod @ Oct 29th 2007 9:17AM]

Why do I feel like this is a lot to pay for a non-color limited device. My PDA works just as well for books, and why would i want to read COMICS not in color??

[John Doe @ Oct 29th 2007 9:41AM]

No it doesn't. I'm so sick of people coming onto these threads claiming that their PDA is better. I have an iPaq 4700 that has a 4" VGA screen and it doesn't come close to this thing in res and more importantly battery life. NO pda on the market can touch and e-ink device an d anyone who says otherwise has never seen a GOOD e-ink device. Period. End of discussion.
That being said this thing is fugly. The damn logo plastered on the front just kills the design of it.

[azayzel @ Oct 29th 2007 2:58PM]

I agree with the above comment. Apparently they (Bookeen)ignored the poll the took to help determine the final cosmetic looks of the device; in other words, logo placement, et. al. Why bother polling people if you're going to ignore the results? Secondly, too bad $ony beat them to the punch, it's going to be difficult for the to compete now that Sony's had the new PRS-505 on the market for almost a month longer.

[DAZA @ Oct 29th 2007 9:17AM]

Probably worth it. It costs about the same price as 4 University textbooks would. If you could get download those textbooks in PDF or whatever format for free, it would be pretty useful. Shame the DPI is very low compared to printed text, though.

[name @ Oct 29th 2007 10:09AM]

it costs less that pontiac...
(but more than used dell notebook on ebay..)

so.. what//
one more "sony ebook reader" for crazy $$$$$

[Bill @ Oct 29th 2007 9:18AM]

Just ordered one. Been waiting for this one for a little while now.

[Kaminix @ Oct 29th 2007 9:19AM]

This is a very probably candidate for my wishlist this Christmas. :)

[Static @ Oct 29th 2007 10:18AM]

Could someone let me know why this is a better device then the Sony Reader (which is $50 cheaper). All the spec's I've seen are essentially identical.

[moorashj @ Oct 29th 2007 10:27AM]

Static,
I just picked up the Sony this weekend. I was a bit skeptical at first but I will tell you the screen is really nice and really easy to read. Right now you buy one and you can download 100 free classics..not too shabby. I was using MobiReader before but the Sony store is a bit cheaper. You can also view pics on it and though it is grayscale it is pretty decent. You can also transfer MP3's to it but I have yet to do this. You can also RSS a few sites..kinda nice. The PDF's are an issue but I have not tried this out yet. People are working on programs that will make them easier to read. I am very happy with it so far.

[Geoffrey @ Oct 29th 2007 10:27AM]

From what I can tell and have read, the big differences are with the formats available. The Sony will only read PDF, text, and the proprietary BBeB formats. The Cybook Gen3 reads Secure Mobipocket, PDF, HTML, text, PRC, and PalmDoc. Mobipocket titles are more numerous and available from multiple sources unlike the Sony format. Sony's product also allows for transfer of RSS feeds, which I do not believe is supported by Cybook.

[Ayrkain @ Oct 29th 2007 10:56AM]

The Reader also does RTF, which is handy if you end up with Word Docs.

[Arthur Nonamiss @ Oct 29th 2007 1:01PM]

Wait... define PRC. PRC as in books from eReader.com? Does it support the protected variety, or just the unprotected types? I have purchased many eBooks from that site, as well as taken some public domain stuff and converted it to the (unprotected) eReader (PRC) format.

Anyone have any details? This is pretty much the single feature I've been waiting for in an eBook reader.

[John M @ Oct 29th 2007 1:11PM]

Static,

I bouthgt the Sony ebook reader. It comes with 100 free classic ebooks for download from SOnys ebook Library service. (There is a time limit on the deal though) I got mine for $100.00 cheaper than this one is advertised albeit it was a refurb from the local Sony outlet. For the $50.00 you would save you could buy a light and a 1gb memory card. Pretty easy decesion considering the specs are similar. I LOVE my sony ebook reader.

[Magnulus @ Oct 29th 2007 9:39AM]

No, your PSPs and PDAs don't work "just as well" for reading as e-ink devices do, actually. What you get is a device that has a readability akin to newspapers and cheap books, ie. no flicker and not a black screen when in actual good lighting. Also, it uses battery only when the screen changes, so while your backlit goodness will last you a few hours, you can read through ten or twenty Discworld novels without recharging once. Also, you can put it down to go get something to eat or whatever else you might want to do, and it won't spend half your battery waiting there.

The whole MP3 thing, I can do without. I'd really like a Cybook just for the portability on trips and such.

[hamster @ Oct 29th 2007 9:48AM]

Actually it's even better: the MORE light that shines on a eink-device, the BETTER the contrast would become. Totally opposite to LCD and other backlit screens.

[Magnulus @ Oct 29th 2007 9:54AM]

Yeah, exactly. I am quite excited about the possibilities of e-paper or e-ink in the future. I hope the readers will drop in price quickly, though. I can't even afford it at all, much less justify it, at this point. ^_^

[Xzavier @ Oct 29th 2007 10:01AM]

Those e-Book readers are really nice! I can't wait for the price to drop that way I can pick up a couple of them!

:D

[Don-Don @ Oct 29th 2007 10:09AM]

All I really need to know... can I dump scanlated manga onto this thing? Is there jpg/png image support?

[Kingly @ Oct 29th 2007 10:23AM]

Ah, don't you see the manga in the pic?

[hamster @ Oct 29th 2007 12:10PM]

You can throw in scanlated manga directly, but it's not recommended due to the size. A quick conversion would be better if you want to fit tons of manga on your card.

http://hightech.afmag.net/reading-manga-and-comics-on-the-sony-reader-the-definitive-review.html

[azayzel @ Oct 29th 2007 3:03PM]

Actually, scanalations look great on these devices! I have one of the original Sony PRS-500 series Readers and scanalations look just fine due to their relative closeness in size to the Reader's screen, unlike standard American comics. There are quite a few programs available that can convert your scans to PDF format, which you can then dump into whatever eInk device you choose.

[madruscoe @ Oct 29th 2007 10:43AM]

Here are some specs:
http://bookeen.com/specs/ebook-software.aspx
http://bookeen.com/specs/ebook-hardware.aspx

[gyffes @ Oct 29th 2007 10:33AM]

Is it compatible with my 200 mobibooks?

Can I read it with NO external light source?

Will it drop easily into a pocket?

Is there a built-in screen protector/cover?

Can I exit the book and do a few crossword puzzles or play a bit of solitaire?

Can I use it to go online for a quick email check?

Can I write a memo/letter/book on it?

No? Damn. Then I guess it's NOT as good as my PDA, is it, Mr. John Snotnose Doe.

Nice concept but single-use devices are SO last century..

[brntaylo @ Oct 29th 2007 11:17AM]

Yet another comment from someone who has never actually read a book on a device of this kind. I purchased a Sony Reader a few months ago and love it. I have tried to read books on a PDA and could not make it through an entire book, just too much eye strain and battery charging of course, and show me a PDA screen you can read in even moderate lighting let alone sunlight. Of all the things you mention you can do on your PDA how many does it actually really well.

[JamesR @ Oct 29th 2007 11:28AM]

So you have one of them TV's that has the built in DVD /VHS player? Or do you have a single device for each that is specialized to the task?

Thought so ;).

[Xzavier @ Oct 29th 2007 12:49PM]

Bro... You forgot to mention if it comes with a stylus!

:P

[Arthur Nonamiss @ Oct 29th 2007 1:05PM]

Yeah, sooooo last century. Like this company, I forget the name, came out with this device that ONLY plays music. I mean, it can't keep walk my dog, defrost my freezer OR do my taxes! Thankfully, that device was relegated to obscurity. I can't even remember what it was called... e... pod... i... something. Well, anyway, it was a horrible failure. It'll teach those companies to come out with a device that only does one thing, and does it well!

[Matt M @ Nov 2nd 2007 6:06PM]

It's compatible with your 200 mobibooks.

[The ZeroCorpse @ Oct 29th 2007 11:17AM]

$350 to read a $10 manga?

Yeah... As a bookseller, I don't think I have to worry about my job fading away due to this technology.

Manga readers might go for this (they're an odd bunch) but most people aren't even willing to spend $25 for a hardcover version of their favorite author's newest book, instead preferring to wait for the mass market paperback (which they say is STILL too expensive at around seven bucks). I really can't picture any of my customers-- you know, those few people that DO actually read-- spending this sort of cash for an e-book reader.

Make it $50 and sell the books for $2 a pop, and you might have something. Otherwise, the cost is too high for the average reader... Especially when they don't end up with something to keep on their shelf to show off what they're reading to other people.

[Static @ Oct 29th 2007 11:33AM]

ZeroCorpse, the more likely scenario is-- $350 dollars to read thousands of manga comics (or any genre of book) downloaded from the darker corners of the Internet, for free.

Very few people given the choice would actually buy an ebook, the prices are ridiculous-- of the few I had a browse through on mobibooks, all were more expensive then their dead tree counterpart. Piracy is going to grow and grow until publishers finally get it.

[The ZeroCorpse @ Oct 29th 2007 11:47AM]

If manga falls to piracy that would only be good news to me. I hate manga for many reasons, and would love nothing more than to remove it from my bookstore entirely and make room for some more non-fiction. As it is, we have to clear out six bookcases to fit all the manga because so many college students and 14-year-old girls are addicted to it, and it is a good seller despite being absolutely useless.

If they steal it from the Internet, then maybe the publishers will stop trying. Maybe the "artists" who crank it out as if they're photocopying the same panels over and over and just writing new words in the word balloons might not be able to make a profit, and they'll have to find some other way to make drawing identical characters pay off on the Internet.

So I say GO MANGA PIRACY! Download everything you can! If you can kill the manga industry, then more power to you!

Hell, if this is the end result of having one of these devices, then I say FREE E-BOOK READERS TO ALL MANGA FANS!!!

HOWEVER, I still doubt that anyone who reads real books would bother with one of these. They want books to cost less, and there really won't be a lot of call for piracy with the latest J.D. Robb or Danielle Steel novels. Star Trek novels might be in trouble, though.

[John M @ Oct 29th 2007 1:18PM]

If it were only Manga you might be onto something. I have over 5,000 (non manga) books downloaded from Bit torrent. So, I pay a 1 time fee for an ebook reader and get all the books for free or I buy the dead tree versions and after I read them once they are essentially worthless and never used again other than passing them along. Hmmm. Pretty easy choice I say.

I wouldnt worry though because there will always be people who like to buy the books,kill trees and waste money. SO your probably good with your hole in the wall bookshack.

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 29th 2007 11:23AM]

For that amount of money could it do a little LESS?

[Benson @ Oct 29th 2007 11:31AM]

It's a manga actually... Mangas are usually in gray scale...

[MysticShadow @ Oct 29th 2007 1:49PM]

And since no one else has mentioned it. That's a page from Psychic Academy.

[Lattyware @ Oct 29th 2007 11:50AM]

Yeah, or buy an Asus EeePC for $200 (Or £200 here due to ridiculous pricing (£200 ~= $400)) and use that to read it, It'd be far better on all accounts, cheaper, and can do so much more.

[Matthew Hilario @ Oct 29th 2007 12:06PM]

hentai on the go?

[Lev @ Oct 29th 2007 12:10PM]

JamesR,
if you had a decease, wouldn't you want a doctor with expertise in curing that specific decease? ..thought so ;)

The ZeroCorpse,
$7 add up, couple of seasons and you've got your money back. The classics are free, so you can read those as much as you please. For those who read a book every few days, it's a decent accessory..

As to myself, I think I'll get a Sony, I guess I have a little more trust in the brand. Plus, the style looks more decent.

[packetboy @ Oct 29th 2007 2:58PM]

do any of these ebook readers support .chm files?? :)

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Oct 29th 2007 4:39PM]

LoL. In US device costs $350.

Registered from over here in Europe. Try to guess device price.

Right - 350€. That's $500 == $150 rip off.

Hilarious. Albeit hate of US companies to Yorupan market is pretty well know. But even Apple now here in Germany sells at relatively competitive prices. But $150 rip off on $350 device is way too much for it to be even considered - provided that local tech support isn't available.