BeBook eBook reader gets reviewed: a library rental, at best

At least overseas, Endless Ideas' BeBook is competing most directly with Sony's succulent Reader, and reviewers over at Trusted Reviews immediately noticed the step back in style. If you can get over that, the device was said to be delightfully light, though the user interface reverted their brief smiles back to frowns. This up and down (or love and hate, if you will) affair continued on throughout the review, with critics finding a nitpick for every glimmer of awesomeness. The real bummer came when they attempted to use USB 1.1 for mass transfers -- it's practically 2009 people, and USB 2.0 is a must. All in all, the crew couldn't bring themselves to calling the BeBook a bad device, with the broad format support, satisfactory screen and longevous battery all earning high marks; that said, the clunky interface and sluggish overall performance really put a damper on things, particularly when you consider a Sony PRS-505 can be had for around £30 less.

[sonny @ Dec 31st 2008 8:06AM]

this looks stupid

[Wwhat @ Dec 31st 2008 9:43AM]

So what should it look like then?

[notyourbusiness @ Jan 2nd 2009 2:02AM]

you idiot, did you see your face? for sure it looks more stupid than that

[L @ Dec 31st 2008 8:12AM]

Why would a dedicated eBook reading device need more than USB1.1? I guess eBooks are pretty much

[CAHLITO @ Dec 31st 2008 8:32AM]

waste of money

[Shinigami @ Dec 31st 2008 8:39AM]

Especially considering higher price compared to similar device.

[FredyK @ Dec 31st 2008 9:05AM]

In the same TrustedReviews, the Cybook Gen3 gets a 9/10.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/mobile-devices/review/2008/11/09/Bookeen-Cybook-Gen3/p1

[MichaelD @ Dec 31st 2008 11:23AM]

I don't know about anyone else, but it seems like being light, supporting many formats, battery length, and being easy to read without eye strain would be the main goals on an ebook reader. UI and lag seem to be more minor--peripherals that you work on once you accomplish the rest. After all, these are books we're talking about--and I'd rather be able to read a book without eye strain or lugging around something heavy than get a nice looking UI.

If this were a PDA or a tablet, yeah, the ugly design and crappy UI would be issues. But if I'm reading a book, I want it to be more like a book and less like a computer. And that's where the light weight and E Ink come in.

[Bosco @ Dec 31st 2008 1:42PM]

Jean Louis Gassée would be turning over in his grave if he were dead.

[Wormbolt @ Jan 1st 2009 12:09PM]

Maybe his career is spinning in its grave.

[Bertold @ Dec 31st 2008 1:59PM]

Where exactly can you buy the Sony PRS-505 for £30?

[cole @ Dec 31st 2008 2:53PM]

id like to know this also, im dying to read a book again and if i can get a prs-505 for £30

(and its not that i want a gadget to read but i cant read most books as i cannot touch the pages i have reactions to the paper)

[Chris @ Dec 31st 2008 4:06PM]

I actually pulled up the comments on the article because I was wondering this as well... Is the author just being facetious, or is there such a place where one can be purchased for £30? Perhaps it is a typo, and the author meant £300?

[YOYOh @ Dec 31st 2008 11:50PM]

LOL wow i been seening alot reviews lately on ebooks

it would seam as though there becoming pretty popular not bad for something Steve Jobs once said would fail actually i think he said " people don't read "

i do believe he was referring to the kindel though but never less ebook reader in general seam to be taking off

[laura @ Jan 1st 2009 6:01PM]

3o pounds less people, read the article properly. The sony is 30 pounds less.

[Sebastian @ Jan 4th 2009 10:45AM]

Few month ago i tried to buy an BeeBook from their own site and was a nightmare.Site was broke, address didn't register complete, they sent it via a cheap crap delivery service,that didn't even bother to call me, then resent back.So i said ok people, i had enough , i want my money back.I wrote to their product manager about this, a guy called Peter Zieleman who kept delaying refunding.Considering that this was too much i complained at PayPal and they returned the money after a short investigation.So guys my advice is don't buy this one.I took a Sony PRS 700 instead and i am more then happy with it.

[Frank @ Jan 7th 2009 2:20AM]

I bought this BeBook device and swiftly returned it to Amazon.
It crashes constantly and using SDcards is a nightmare.
In my opinion this device is for users who like to spend hours with upgrading firmware, scrolling through the BeBook forum in order to resolve the numerous errors of the BeBook reader. Taken together, this product is not market ready and way over-priced.

[markos.place @ Feb 2nd 2009 11:12AM]

BeBook is a great device, especially because it comes with no DRM features!

To get a 25€ discount at official BeBook website (http://mybebook.com) use this cupon code: [e-mail]
Sadly, not available to USD customers anymore.