Thanks to the folks at the MobileRead Forums for figuring this out, you can now add the Android Market app to the PocketBook IQ and even set it up to install apps on the SD card to get more space to install apps.

But first, the disclaimers. The process of hacking your PocketBook IQ could possibly turn it into a pricey paperweight if you mess up, rooting may void the warranty, and a whole plethora of other ifs and buts. Bottom line: Hack at your own risk.

Filed under: Android, How To, PocketBook | Tags: apps, hacks, pocketbook iq | 4 Comments »

For those of you waiting on the PDF portion of the PocketBook 602 review, I posted it earlier today on the new PocketBook 602 PDF review page. There are several screenshots along with descriptions of the PDF features and functions.

The PocketBook 602 offers a number of options for viewing PDFs, but the bottom line is that it has a 6″ screen that isn’t going to be the best option for documents designed on a larger scale.

Filed under: PocketBook, Reviews | Tags: PDF, pocketbook 602 | No Comments »

I posted the review for the PocketBook 602 earlier today. It can be found on the PocketBook 602 page, along with a video review.

The review isn’t completely finished just yet; I’ll be adding a section for PDFs shortly. I’m still waiting on a firmware update to finish it because I think they’ll be adding a second program for PDFs called pdfviewer like the earlier PocketBook ereaders.

Please feel free to post any questions or comments about the PocketBook 602 below.

Filed under: PocketBook, Reviews | Tags: pocketbook 602 | 4 Comments »

In case you missed it yesterday, there’s new firmware for the PocketBook IQ.

If the PocketBook widget on the homescreen is white then you need to update. If it is yellow that fades to blue then it is already updated.

The new update seems to make the PocketBook IQ faster. Scrolling is smoother and PocketBook’s Reader app has been improved, although it still does not support Adobe DRM or text to speech, both of which are to be added with a future update.

To install the update download the zip file from PocketBook US or go to the PocketBook Global page for international versions then navigate to the IQ support page.

Don’t unzip the firmware update. Transfer it as is to the IQ’s SD card. Then shut the IQ down. With the new firmware on the SD card and the IQ shut down, hold the power button and volume + key at the same time until the IQ turns on. It will now boot the new firmware.

Make sure you backup your files and apps before doing the update because it will erase the internal data and all the apps during the update process, so you’ll have to re-install them all again.

Update: PocketBook issued a second firmware update, 2.0.3, shortly after the one mentioned above. This update does require you to unzip the downloaded 7z package. There’s a zip file inside of it that you put on the IQ’s SD card. Then follow the instructions above to install the new firmware. This version goes over the top of the earlier update and does not remove your apps or information.

Filed under: PocketBook | Tags: firmware update, pocketbook iq | No Comments »

This is a quick update to mention that I posted the PocketBook IQ review earlier today.

The review isn’t exactly complete just yet; I’ll be updating and adding some screenshots to it over the next week as the new firmware is released and I learn more about the finer details of Android.

Please feel free to post any questions or comments about the PocketBook IQ below; I’ll do my best to answer them.

Filed under: PocketBook, Reviews, Tablets | Tags: pocketbook iq | 60 Comments »

Below is a list of free Android reading apps, along with a ZIP download for the APK files to install them on the PocketBook IQ and other Android tablets that don’t have access to the Android Market.

Filed under: Android, How To, PocketBook, Tablets | Tags: apps, pocketbook iq | 69 Comments »

This is a quick note to mention that a couple of really good deals have been added to the Holiday eReader Sales page. Best Buy has the older Sony Pocket, the PRS-300, marked down to $99. And they have it in all three colors: pink, blue, and silver.

PocketBook has cut prices on the PocketBook 360 and 302, and is offering a bundle package for the two, buy the 302 and get the 360 at half price.

There’s also word on a few $399 iPads appearing at certain TJ Maxx stores.

Check out the Holiday eReader Sales page for the details and further updates.

Filed under: Apple iPad, PocketBook, Sales and Discounts, Sony | Tags: pocketbook 302, pocketbook 360, sony prs-300 | No Comments »

Yesterday morning I received two review units from PocketBook, the PocketBook IQ Android tablet/ereader and the PocketBook 602. I spent all day playing with and experimenting with the IQ and so far I’m pretty impressed.

What’s great about the PocketBook IQ is that it runs Android 2.0 and will be able to upgrade to future versions, including 2.2. What’s even cooler is that you are free to install 3rd party apps, unlike a lot of other Android-powered ereaders that restrict you from doing so.

Filed under: Android, PocketBook, Reviews, Tablets | Tags: pocketbook iq, tablet iq | 64 Comments »

PocketBook US started shipping orders for the PocketBook IQ Android tablet and PocketBook 602 ebook reader yesterday, while the 9.7-inch PB 902 is still on pre-order and is expected to ship by the end of November.

The 3G wireless/touchscreen models, the PocketBook 603 and 903, still haven’t been priced or made available for the US market for pre-order yet so it’s safe to assume they won’t be arriving until the middle to end of December.

Filed under: News, PocketBook | Tags: pocketbook 602, pocketbook 902, tablet iq | 14 Comments »

This is hardly news for those of you who are paying close attention, but two of the new PocketBook eReaders, the PB 602 and PB 902, are up for pre-order, along with the PocketBook IQ Tablet.

I was waiting for the numbers to come in on the 3G touchscreen models, the 603 and 903, before posting about it, but there seems to be a delay so here is the pricing and release dates on the PocketBook 602, 902, and IQ Tablet.

Filed under: News, PocketBook | Tags: pocketbook 602, pocketbook 902, tablet iq | 19 Comments »