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Rocket eBook, SoftBook and Gemstar machines revisited: A few lessons from history
February 13, 2009 | 8:28 am
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By David Rothman
During the TOC panel on the Rise of E-Books, we wanted to show people an original Rocket eBook. Frustratingly, that more or less slipped through the cracks, except for an all-too-quick look when people were leaving the room.
So, for conference attendees and other readers new to e-books, here’s an image of a genuine Rocket eBook.
Along with the Softbook Reader (second photo), which appeared at or just before the Rocket eBook in 1998, the Rocket was the first dedicated e-reading device that gained widespread publicity.
Unfortunately that wasn’t the same thing as widespread purchases. Too bad. The Rocket eBook, though heavier than the feather-weight E Ink machines of today, was a pleasure to use in many ways. Users liked the big, well-positioned page-changing buttons. And somehow the weight was distributed just right. The case even reflected the rounded contours of the battery, making the Rocket easier to grip.
Failed even with Oprah’s blessing
In the end GemStar LTD bought Nuvomedia’s Rocket eBook and SoftBook Press’s SoftBook and came out with variants of both. Alas, the ill-fated GemStar struck out in e-books, despite promo of the Rocket’s successor on Oprah. Did you really think the Kindle was the first e-book device featured on her show? A little lesson from the past? Even today Oprah fans aren’t completely happy with e-books—not when fewer than half of her recommended books are sold in E.
What hurt all the devices of yore was a mix of ever-toxic DRM, limited title selection, clashing formats, and high prices of both the hardware and the books, along with the flaws of the technology. Letters looked too jagged, for example.
But it’s hard to kill good designs, and today eBook Technologies sells the ET-1 (the somewhat evolved SoftBook, complete with a color screen) and the ETI-2 (the Rocket eBook descendant), which Fictionwise has repackaged as the eBookwise machine.
Meanwhile thanks to Garth Conboy, president of ETI and a SoftBook Press alum, for supplying the Rocket eBook to our e-book panel.
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Comments:
Hi David — I, too, was a proud Rocket owner. It fell by the wayside due to the difficulties I had managing the books. But it also turned me into a believer.
So great to meet you in person!
And it was great meeting you, Kassia, as well as the format-hip Kirk. We’ll root for Amazon to do folders and improve its book management. I didn’t own an actual Rocket eBook but at least used one–and came close with the Gemstar equivalent. Years later I still remember my excitement over beholding one in person.
To address another topic, dogs, about which you recently Tweeted, Carly can’t own one because of her allergies. Her Goldie almost killed her–rather unwittingly, of course (trip to the hospital and all that). Maybe we need to investigate new medical advances and see if she can at least borrow one of yours.
For now, we’ll just have to content ourselves with stuffed animals, which, however, always side with Carly when we disagree.
David
Speaking of 1998, I came across this essay on the future of publishing posted to the web that year. It’s fun to check the authors prognosticating abilities…
The New Publishing: Technology’s impact on the publishing industry over the next decade
By Gregory J. E. Rawlins
http://www.roxie.org/papers/publishing/pub.html
I own both the Rocket eBook and its descendant the eBookwise. Both are still functional but as you have pointed out many times, the DRM ruins everything. I can also say that the eBookwise is a step down from the Rocket eBook; the display isn’t nearly as clear and the memory cards are hard to find.
I have recently found my old Rocket Ebook but cannot find the power adapter for it. Anyone that has one, can you please tell me what Voltage the power adapter needs to be.
Thanks so much
Kelly
Kelly: Did you ever find the power adaptor/charger? Oddly, I’ve lost mine TOO~! I’m wondering if the e-book is still supported — i.e., can you still buy e-books for it? Anyone? Anyone? Ferris? Thanks. DR
I just recently ran across my Rocket eBook, but no charger either. Luckily (?) I found one on eBay along with another eBook. I am searching for books for my kids (13 & 11) can anyone help me?