The Bookeen Diva e-reader has the same design sensibilities as the Diva HD. This device is considered an entry level e-reader and the main selling points the pocket friendly size, front-lit display and integrated bookstore. Today, we look at the unboxing experience and who should buy it. Additionally, you can get a sense of the retail packaging and everything that comes inside.
The Bookeen Diva retail packaging main color scheme is bright orange, whereas the Diva HD is in all blue, this adds distinctiveness to the product line. On the front of the box is the Diva, in portrait mode, there is lots of text on the screen. Beside that, is a pile of books, which adds further color. On all three sides is the Diva logo and on the bottom is some small text, which tells you where it was assembled (China) and some regulatory information.
On the back of the box are some of the main hyping factors, and beside each one is some icons. There is enough internal storage for 15,000 ebooks, four weeks of battery life, front-lit display and physical page turn buttons.
Inside of the box is the e-reader, which comes out of the box with a small orange ribbon. Underneath the e-reader is a small box, which contains the Micro USB cable and a quick start guide. The USB cable is a little bit higher grade than a standard one, it is also white, the same color as the e-reader. The quick start guide is one page and basically just points out where the USB port is, how to turn it on, and what the buttons do.
The industrial design of the Diva looks like a bar of soap. The front of the e-reader has a very soft plastic, that indents, when you press down on it. This was done, so if you entirely rely on the buttons, instead of the touchscreen, the plastic can be pressed downward, to give you a bit of a tactile feel. On one side are the page turn buttons (right) and on the left is the front-lit display button. This device does have a gyroscope, so the screen can orientate, so this device is great for people who are left-handed.
I believe the Diva makes sense for people who speak French, no matter where you are in the world, since Bookeen ships internationally. The bookstore that is loaded on the side is entirely in French, but the device does have Adobe DRM support, so you can sideload in library books or books purchased from other bookstores.
The Bookeen Diva is currently retailing for €99.90 and is available from the Bookeen Website.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
