As its name suggests, the Gen 3 isn't Bookeen's first attempt at an e-book reader.

At a first glance, the latest version of the Cybook looks like a mock-up or a prototype rather than a finished product, and its flimsy plastic casing doesn't seem very reassuring.

Our first impression was confirmed after a few days of reading: the case really is pretty cheap.

It's not the simple design that we don't like--we're all for minimalism when it comes to technology--it's just that all this plastic doesn't feel very classy.

The fact that you have hammer on the touch pad before it responds is hardly inspiring, either.

In short, Bookeen's latest attempt at an e-book reader doesn't cut much of a dash--but what's it like to use?

Simple Software--But Too Simple?

Getting your head around how the Cybook works is easy for two reasons. 

Firstly, a pair of shortcut buttons give provide direct access to the main menu and the content library, and from there navigating your way through the rest of the interface is a breeze.

Secondly, the menus themselves are very straightforward, and there aren't too many options.

Indeed, it wouldn't be going too far to say the interface was too simple to use.

Your options for navigating through a text, for instance, are fairly limited.

This superficial simplicity does nothing to disguise some fairly major problems.

While the basic interface might just about work when you consider the Cybook by itself, the comparison with Sony's Reader is very unfavorable.

The Japanese manufacturer has also managed to make an e-book reader which powers on almost instantaneously, which makes the few seconds you have to wait for the Cybook rather disappointing.


Indeed, it's in terms of responsiveness that the Cybook struggles: text is perfectly legible, but the whole thing is very slow.

There's about a second of lag in between one page and the next, during which time the screen blacks out before drawing the next page.

You can turn off this etch-a-sketch style black screen that appears in between every page, but if you do traces of previous pages build up on your screen over time.

Adding Content

To download content on your Cybook, you'll need a USB cable to connect it your computer which will treat it like an external hard drive.

For Windows users, a special application called Mobipocket Desktop Reader is available, which allows you to organize the library on your Cybook, as well as to use the eNews feature to synchronize RSS feeds to keep up to date on the go.

Conclusion

It's only a little less expensive than the Sony Reader, and offers largely similar functions, but we still think the Cybook is not as attractive an option.

For just a little more money, you can have an equally powerful e-book reader finished to a much higher standard using far better materials.