PalmReader Pro Has Font Smoothing, Dictionary
Palm Digital Media has released a new version of its ebook reader, now called the PalmReader Pro. It supports sub-pixel font smoothing on color handhelds. It can also use any Palm standard bitmapped font. This app also has hi-res support and can display color images. It comes with Webster's New World Vest Pocket Dictionary, allowing users to hold their stylus on a word and its definition pops up. It is available now for $10.
This program reads Palm DOC files as well as Palm Media encrypted ebooks, and can reads files off a Memory Card.
PalmReader Pro requires Palm OS 3.0 or later and at least 225K of free memory.
Webster's New World Vest Pocket Dictionary contains more than 12 thousand entries for the most commonly used words. It requires 460K of available memory.
If more is needed, Webster's New World School and Office Dictionary is available for $8. It has over 58 thousand entries and includes many of the most widely used scientific, technical, professional, and business terms. It requires 2.5 MB of free memory.
Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition has over 160 thousand entries and must be run from a memory card because it uses 12 MB of memory. It costs $24.
Agfa Monotype has released the Agfa Monotype eBook Font Pack for the Palm Reader Pro, which contains three fonts designed to optimize legibility. It includes four sizes for each bitmapped font. and costs $15. There is a $20 bundle with Palm Reader Pro.
"A choice of fonts is one of the most requested features from users of the Palm Reader," said Mike Segroves, director of business development for Palm Digital Media.
Palm Digital Media sold almost 180,000 ebooks last year, up more than 40% from last year, and nearly doubled its revenue.
"This is an emerging industry, and the steady growth that we are experiencing shows that there is a great deal of interest in eBooks,'" said Mr. Segroves. "We average 1,000 new customers a week -- a clear indicator that handheld computer users are adopting this technology."
Thanks to Dwayne Wilson for the tip. -Ed
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RE: Fonts!
I think this has potential, but it really needs custom fonts designed for the process (perhaps the AFGA ones) to give something that looks great.
RE: Fonts!
RE: Fonts!
Wordsmith uses the same sub-pixel font smoothing and it also doesn't look all that great on the Prism. The Prism's infamous black grid interferers too much.
On the other hand, not everyone is all that enamoured with the font smoothing thing. I've heard complaints that it just makes the fonts look fuzzy no matter what model thay are on.
---
News Editor
RE: Fonts!
I wonder if it will go away and I also wonder if all those reviewers who bought all the Microsoft PR bologna will apologize.
Trial version?
RE: Trial version?
RE: Trial version?
However, I am seriously considering purchasing the program sight unseen because I am intrigued by the improvements, use the freeware PalmReader frequently and consider it an extremely high quality reader that is well supported, also I am all for supporting e-books in the manner which Palm/PeanutPress has decided to sell them. With this in mind, the price is quite reasonable.
Right now, I have decided to hold off until some reviews pop up on the web but might not wait if it takes too long.
RE: Trial version?
I wasn't using the Palm Reader for several weeks now, because I was so amazed by the WordSmith font smoothing; it's just that I bought zillions of books at peanutpress which I can ONLY read with the Palm reader. I guess I can finally start reading my "paid" books... ;-)
Way to go Palm.
-B.
...Wherever you go, there you are...
RE: Trial version?
The fonts look great and enhance the reading experience.
But what's most important: very stable and solid support of VFS. (Even though I don't approve of buying software w/o trying it first).
RE: Trial version?
Well, these aren't antialiased fonts like DeepReader's
Times or MobiPocket's fonts, they look just like blurred blocky bitmap fonts.
I have already deleted the app from my palm, and will
continue using DeepReader to read fictionwise.com
books until Palm Reader Pro reaches that level of antialiased text, and has full justification like DeepReader and MobiPocket.
RE: Trial version?
Anonymous that likes, what device are you using and are you using the Palm standard fonts or the Afga fonts?
Anonymous that does not like, what device are you using and were you using the Palm standard fonts or the Afga fonts?
RE: Trial version?
Hi-res support?
RE: Hi-res support?
RE: Hi-res support?
RE: Hi-res support?
RE: Hi-res support?
pop-up dictionary
their answer was: "thanks for your interest in our product. we will forward your suggestion to our developers."
6 months ago i suggested to fix a "bug" that would prevent you from using a app/da launcher while in palmreader. (i used this to quickly switch from reader to dictionary).
their comment: "it is not recommended to use hacks with palmreader"
yeah - now i know why! - you had my old idea already in the making and this is a smart way to prevent users who found another way to quickly access a dictionary from doing exactly this.
otherwise you couldnīt charge for a reader with dictionary acces.
thanks palm for using my idea - you could at least have notified me and given me a free one of palmreader pro.
now iīll get it through other channels and will be happy to distribute to my buddys on all continents.
a former very loyal customer of palm and peanutpress / palm digital media.
RE: pop-up dictionary
iīm from germany.
... catch me if you can!
RE: pop-up dictionary
And I recommended to Microsoft that they should make w GUI interface for DOS way back in 1980...and they charged me for MS Windows!
RE: gui for dos
in older versions (peanutreader) i could switch between reader and a dictionary with a single grafiti stroke which was quite comfortable.
does anybody know a good reason why this possibility was killed?
RE: pop-up dictionary
I AM able to use another popup dictionary and hacks while using the NEW Palm Reader (McPhling, for that matter). And I am able to switch to another appliaction and back with one keystroke just like before.
So if you don't know what you're talking about, don't complain.
-B.
...Wherever you go, there you are...
RE: pop-up dictionary
Clue; next time you get an idea that you really think is innovative, do something about yourself and make a ton of money, or quit your whining. Nobody owes you anything for your good ideas - they're a dime a dozen. Execution is everything.
Grow Up
Vx
RE: Vx
RE: Vx
-Kevin Crossman
RE: Vx
RE: Vx
>newer models but my wife is looking for the Vx. Any
>ideas would be appreciated.
Try searching on ebay:
RE: Vx
RE: Vx
Freeware?
RE: Freeware?
RE: Freeware?
Still can't hide the **** toolbar, though!
RE: Still can't hide the **** toolbar, though!
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Fonts!