BeBook e-book reader makes its debut, doesn't run BeOS

If you can get past the tinge of disappointment in learning that something named the BeBook isn't actually the BeOS-based laptop you've been waiting for all these years, you may be only slightly less disappointed to know that it's another fairly ordinary and somewhat overpriced e-book reader. Coming in at a hefty €330 (or $510), this one ditches newfangled features like built-in WiFi or EV-DO, with it choosing instead to focus on basic features like a six-inch E Ink display, 512MB of internal memory, and an SD card slot for expansion. You'll also get support for all the usual document and image formats, as well as some basic MP3 playback functionality. If that somehow sounds like the e-book reader you've been waiting for, you can order one now and get free worldwide shipping.

[Via Gadget Lab]

[bob e @ May 12th 2008 7:17PM]

Nice thing is that it looks like this displays arial font. The Sony reader only uses Times...

I despise time font

Not sure what kindle uses

[Stiv @ May 12th 2008 10:30PM]

I have the Sony Reader. It displays Ariel with no problem. You can't choose the font - it tries to use whatever the document's font is.

[SimonRichards @ May 12th 2008 7:20PM]

With prices like that, no wonder worldwide shipping is "free"!

[Harkonian @ May 12th 2008 7:28PM]

I don't think the use cases for built-in EV-DO and WiFi are that strong, so having a reader that doesn't include those is fine with me. However, I don't understand why a device without those extras would be so expensive.

[For2itous @ May 12th 2008 7:28PM]

It's Kindleiscious!

[bjsguess @ May 12th 2008 7:30PM]

Seems outrageously expensive for what you get.

[Low Ranked @ May 12th 2008 7:34PM]

"...runs on BeOtch"

[Johan S @ May 12th 2008 7:42PM]

Umm I never thought I'd say it, but the Kindle looks better and easier to use.

[Derek @ May 12th 2008 7:46PM]

Why would anyone buy this?

[Minnie @ May 12th 2008 7:48PM]

How is this any different than the reader?
http://www.someonespoilme.com/gift-review/sony-prs-505sc-reader-digital-book-silver/

[Derek @ May 12th 2008 8:07PM]

Besides the price? Sony's product is actually cheaper.

[tommy @ May 12th 2008 7:56PM]

Make it bigger
Make it color
Give it a respectable refresh rate
SELL ME MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS!!!!!!

[James Bowe @ May 13th 2008 9:51AM]

amen to that. except the refresh rate, not too picky on that myself. What's up with this thing only carrying 512MB for $510?!?!?! My god they can't bundle a $15 memory card in with it?

[Ebooker @ May 12th 2008 8:18PM]

bob e: Not true. Sony Reader can use pretty much any font, depending on how each book is designed. Amazon Kindle uses Caecilia font by default.

Minnie: Sony PRS-505 uses Vizplex screen which has 8 grayscale levels. PRS-500, Kindle and this new thing all use olders screens with only 4 levels of gray.

[andres @ May 12th 2008 10:39PM]

with soo many shades of gray, youll wish you never went to color

[Andir3.0 @ May 12th 2008 11:08PM]

It's a text reader... what do you need color for?

[Abuzar @ May 12th 2008 8:33PM]

Screw that, I'm still just going to the Library!

[Rob @ May 12th 2008 9:58PM]

This looks better than the Sony or Kindle for some things: it can read pdf, word, html, and txt.

Sony does "Adobe® PDF, JPEG, BBeB Book and plain text formats natively supported. Microsoft Word requires conversion using included software." Kindle requires conversion then sending the book wirelessly.

This one seems a lot more useful to me...the price is the only real problem I see with it. The n800 makes a great ebook reader, and is more versatile at a fraction of the price. E-ink just doesn't seem worth it yet.

[A.C.E.R. @ May 13th 2008 12:16AM]

Now I can listen to Beborn Beton with my stylish BeBook.

[Colin Potter @ May 13th 2008 3:19AM]

so... someone care to explain to a newbie why E-Ink is preferable over, oh i dno, color LCD?

[Bad Beaver @ May 13th 2008 6:06AM]

Again?

[fgpx78 @ May 13th 2008 3:45AM]

No Doom or Blend jokes yet? (But I think it does blend...)

Anyway...those prices are way too high. I'll think about a Book Reader when there will be available under 100$.

[shanoboy @ May 13th 2008 8:41AM]

Bet it doesn't play Doom.





.... are you happy now?

[jed @ May 13th 2008 3:54AM]

ive said this before, but get a used gameboy or ds, and add a hama sd card reader, and it has a built in ebook reader with unlimited book marks and adjustable fonts, not to mention a backlit screen and super cheap replaceable li-on battery. it all comes in at 70 bucks, and ive been using it non stop for 3 years or so, i laugh every time one of these comes out. you can get thousands of books on torrents, not to mention some libraries are starting to allow ebook rentals.

[Bad Beaver @ May 13th 2008 6:16AM]

Nobody cares if you ruin your eyes squinting at tiny low-res screens, they're yours. ;)

[serge @ May 13th 2008 3:54AM]

Actually that is Hanlin eReader V3. It uses the same 2nd generation Vizplex screen as Sony 505. Nothing really fresh; the gadget is on sale since last year. It's been localized in Ukraine for cyrillic countries; fonts are changeable, OS is Linux, running of Samsung 200Mhz CPU.
Current street price is under $400, I just bought it for about 410 including shipping.
Comparing to Sony 505 it has the same speed, screen quality and functionality. A little bit worse regarding body construction and design, though is doesn't matter in most cases. Anyone gets used to it after an hour of reading (that is really good; text formatting works perfectly, lot of file formats supported).

[Tyler @ May 13th 2008 5:10AM]

Hi,

Bebook is open standard, you can easily update system software.

The Bebook supports changing of fonts manually. You can put in any (windows) font using your usb cable and then change the font yourself in settings menu.

Ofcourse any pdf will show the font(s) built-in.

Tyler

[Bad Beaver @ May 13th 2008 6:20AM]

No touchscreen. Some people actually *work* with text... sigh...
No WiFi.
Bluetooth?!
Too expensive for what it is.
Oh and their website... no.

[Dandy @ May 13th 2008 9:20AM]

Is there ANY ebook reader out there that can view .lit files?
I mean how hard would it be to include that format. I've got tons for ebooks
in .lit format that I have on my PocketPC but it's just too hard to use such
a small screen for extended periods.

Personally I think a color screen would be great. I've got pdf's on my PPC of
menus for all the restaurants I think I might ever visit (it's also good to see
the dishes they offer in color as well as have their phone number in the pdf)

[hayagriva @ May 14th 2008 1:39AM]

The really interesting thing is that this looks *exactly* like a Hanlin ebook. Exactly. And the Hanlin one costs $299USD retail.

http://www.jinke.com.cn/Compagesql/English/embedpro/prodetail.asp?id=41

[Ian P. christian @ Aug 8th 2008 5:33AM]

I've had a bebook for about 2 weeks, and I love it.

I've done a review for anyone interested at:

http://pookey.co.uk/blog/archives/61-BeBook-review.html

[cassb123 @ Aug 18th 2008 11:23PM]

If anyone is ordering a Bebook online, you can enter [e-mail] into the discount code & get EUR25 off your purchase!

[Aaron @ Aug 25th 2008 12:15PM]

I have a lot of pdf's that I would like to take on the road. I dont want to lug my heavy technical books. Bebook is what I settled, apply this email for a 25€ (38$ approx).

[e-mail]

Good luck

[Ann @ Oct 8th 2008 10:01PM]

I've just received my bebook and am thrilled with it. It arrived from Europe in a week and looks great in the leather case. Its really easy to use and it will be great for work and leisure reading. At such a great price and with great features and support why would you consider anything else! If you plan to buy one get a 25 euro discount using my email in the discount coupon section: buy from www.mybebook.com and upon purchasing enter in "[e-mail]" in the discount coupon section.

[bah @ Dec 31st 2008 7:48PM]

I got your bebook right here, come and get it for free:

http://www.haiku-os.org/legacy-docs/bebook/

[Hugo @ May 27th 2009 11:29PM]

Hi,
Just bought the Bebook here in Australia. I am happy. It does not have touchscreen or wifi but it does the trick. Perfect screen to read ebooks.
Happy customer

PS; I thinks it's not appropriate to put an website here but I bought it in Australia, so lets google and you will find it.