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Review: Shift3 Lookbook

I’m looking at my Lookbook right now, and the words "squandered potential" come to mind.

I first heard about this ereader from the internal CVS docs that someone sent to Engadget. I’ve been quietly waiting for it to be released, and I got mine about a 2 weeks ago. It’s a Kindle clone based on a 7″ LCD screen, and I’ve covered the physical description in detail in my previous post.

Before I get into the review, it’s important for you to know that the Lookbook is a close relative of the Literati that we reviewed a several weeks ago. It has the same Kobo reading app and ebookstore access, so it shares a lot of the same shortcomings with respect to formatting, margins, etc. But one difference is that the Lookbook has page turn buttons instead of the Literati’s swipe pads. I like buttons; they’re  a heck of a lot easier to use.

I actually like how the Lookbook is designed, and if not for the poor reading experience, many debilitating bugs, missing web browser, and difficult joystick, I would recommend this devices to anyone. To be exact, I think it sucks as an ereader but it has potential has a MID. I think there’s a market niche for an MID that looks like a Kindle clone, and if the Lookbook had the right software it would fit in that niche.

Unfortunately, the Lookbook is crippled by a SD card bug similar to the one found on the Literati, so I can’t load my own ebooks. It also can’t find ebooks that I’ve copied to its internal Flash storage. This is a pass fail for me.

The Lookbook also shares the wide margins, limited font choices, and poor formatting found on the Literati. But do you know what’s really odd about this? I checked and the Kobo iOS app doesn’t have the same problems; it showed the ebooks as made by publisher. So I really have to wonder why Kobo handed over the crippled reading app. I suppose there was nothing better, but if that were true then I wouldn’t have released the app.

BTW, there have been a couple requests in the reviews of the Literati that I discuss how color image look on the screen. I can’t. The ebooks I get from Kobo don’t have pictures, and I can’t load my own. The cover images are often in color and they look nice, but without other images I really don’t care.

Battery life was disappointing; it only lasted 4 days between charges. The really bad part is that I didn’t use it much, so it was in sleep mode most of the time.

One last problem that the Lookbook shares with almost all Kobo reading apps is the slow loading of ebooks. that isn’t a bug they can fix; it’s unfortunate consequence of how the reading app was designed.

The ebooks you buy from Kobo aren’t stored on the ereader as Epub files. Instead, they’re all crammed into a SQLite database. The ebooks are slow to load becuase first they have to be extracted from the database.

If you’re wondering why they did this, well, it probably seemed like a good idea at the time. It let Kobo get around the $75k per device license fee that Adobe charge for Adobe RM. Yes, that’s a nice chunk of change they saved, but in exchange Kobo inflicted a worse reading experience on us all. I don’t think that was a good trade.

Opinion

I’m almost tempted to keep the Lookbook. It’s a poor ereader for $149, but I really want to see what happens once hackers start messing with the firmware. Give this device a decent reading app (FBReader) and a web browser and it would be a serious competition in the ereader market.

Update: The Lookbook is now available at Overstock.com for $123. This doesn’t change my mind about it as an ereader, but the price is tempting.

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Comments


2010 eBook Holiday Buying Guide, Part 2 | Dear Author November 21, 2010 um 5:02 am

[…] Lookbook (review at theDigital Reader) […]

julie December 27, 2010 um 6:59 pm

i bought a book and can’t find it on the lookbook! where the heck is it?

Nate the great December 27, 2010 um 7:05 pm

The ebook is buried inside the Kobo software. If you want the Epub, you’ll have to download it from the Kobo website.

wendy December 27, 2010 um 9:28 pm

did you sync it with your library? we just went through this.

Pennie January 30, 2012 um 8:11 am

I recieved the Lookbook for Christmas in 2010. I had problems with it from the start. I opened it and on the outside of the box it clearly stated that it came with a protective pouch… ok, where is it? It wasn’t in the box and the box had never been open. Ok, I thought that’s alright, I can always make one or pick one up (later found out that they don’t make any store bought ones that FIT the Lookbook!!) I have had numberous problems with it conecting to wifi, downloading the books period and not recognizing the forms, from the start, the screen freezes, the buttons are too tiny and they stick and the battery fully charged should last about 6 hours, is what the box says, Im lucky if the battery lasts an hour, even though it tells me it is fully charged. I can not find a SHIFT3 company listed online anywhere and the one that I do find, says that it is not affiliated in any way with the SHIFT3 consumer electronic and the lookbook. When I call the technical support number on the back of the reader, all I get is a recording telling me to hit this # for this or hit this # for that and if Im lucky I get to talk to someone that can’t even speak english and doesn’t understand one thing that Im trying to ask them. Maybe I got a bad Lookbook, but this bad Lookbook has left nothing but a bad taste in my mouth for it and it wasn’t worth the 200$ my husband spent on it for a gift (that was after taxes, orign. price was 149.00) Im my oppinion, this ereader is a piece of junk and I wish that there was a way that I could trade it for something that works better!! I would even be willing to pay the difference… I just want to throw it in the trash.

peggy October 1, 2013 um 8:20 am

i have the same problem son bought it for me 3 years ago it work fine the first couple of month but now the books that i download from kobo, when i first got it is not the same any more and i talk to kobo last not and they can not help me cause it not they ereader and told me to call tech support’s lookbook I’m deaf so i have a ereader that i can get fix it sucks

Milan July 1, 2013 um 1:47 pm

I got my Lookbook as a Birthday gift and I loved it at first but then came the problems with the battery charger. I was trying to find a way that I can replace the charger I have but have hit a dead-end.
Anyone know where I can purchase a battery charger?

peggy October 1, 2013 um 8:21 am

not for that you can’t


Hilde December 9, 2010 um 12:00 am

I like the lookbook it cost $99.00 at WALMART, but the problem is, I cant for the life of me figure out how to get the WIFI to work.

Gator Carl December 25, 2010 um 7:26 pm

if you made all updates and now you can’t connect with Wifi, reset it to factory setting.
Lost the free books they are stored, but are able to connect to the store and get the books I want, now.

Taurean December 25, 2010 um 10:09 pm

Agreed l0l

Grace Sullivan December 26, 2010 um 10:36 pm

I have a new lookbook as well. I wanted to browse books the store had and when I clicked store the setting page for wi-fi came up. From there you should be on your own. So far I love mine.

Norma January 23, 2011 um 8:36 pm

I too cannot figure out how to get the WIFI to work
Can you help?

BRENDA MARTIN January 26, 2011 um 8:14 am

i spent half a day trying to figure it out also. First you MUST have a WIRELESS router! the PASSWORD that it asks for when you try to connect is the same as the PASS PHRASE on the BOTTOM of your router EXCEPT that it can only be a combination of 5 OR 10 letters/numbers. So the COMPANY in which you got your router from be it WINDSTREAM will have to reissue you another PASS PHRASE which is the same as PASSWORD that it requires. At first i tried to connect with my wireless router but when i wasn’t able to connect to the wifi, i went online with my desktop and set up my account with kobo, purchased a book, then installed the adobe digital edition (make sure you purchase the book that is EUB/PDF FORMATTED) which allows it to download to my online kobo library which then allowed it to transfer to my lookbook …..but not until i was able to get SYNCED to my COMPUTER thru my WIRELESS router. Which i was finally able to do once i figured out everything else on my own by the way is not included in the instructions, i wouldn’t start by reading the quick start guide if you are NOT an electronic/computer genuis it only confused me.*^#?????. i hope i was able to help save you some time and your sanity! lol;)


Brianna December 10, 2010 um 12:30 am

im having the SAME EXACT PROBLEM! every time I try it says cannot connect to preferred wireless!

Tonya December 30, 2010 um 3:56 pm

Mine did that a couple times. I had te reset it to factory settings, the re-initialize the wi-fi search. I haven’t had a problem since then. Good luck.

Marianne Myrick May 13, 2013 um 11:28 pm

After resetting to the factory defaults my computer won’t recognize the lookbook device and the download times out before it is completed. How did you get the new software on to the ereader. Thanks.


Deanna December 10, 2010 um 4:25 pm

Disappointing. Books I’m looking for readily available on Amazon and B&N for their eReaders, but not on Kobo. Was told to keep checking back…Kobo team may take lengthy time answering my request. So why not tell me when it’s available instead of my checking every day,, week or month? Book is new, famous author so will probably buy a used hard copy from Amazon. Not encouraged it will ever be available for my LookBook. Color covers but no color pictures. Battery life relatively short. Price makes it attractive….not much else.


Dane Swanson December 12, 2010 um 4:27 pm

I agree. I can get the WIFI linked at the library on the city wide network, but nothing else. How do I know it is downloading anything? How long do I wait for action. And where are these cards to be purchased that the ad says are available? MAybe if you wish to read the 25 books already on the reader that is fine, but would I reeally have picked these 25? I doubt it.


Tom December 12, 2010 um 9:27 pm

I have no problem with the WIFI, I have an old ab/g router, maybe you are trying to connect with a N router that is configured to not allow ab traffic? Or have encryption key problems?

When you connect to the store, it updates the firmware, so they may have fixed the formatting problems since the article was written. Or maybe the problems were with books other than the free ones I’ve looked at so far.

I still wouldn’t say its a good ereader, but hopefully someone will come up with a firmware mod to add a browser in which case it will be a cool toy.


DD December 14, 2010 um 12:29 pm

Just bought mine from walmart at the $99 price. I was able to connect to my wireless with no problem but I dont like the fact that there is no web browser so I am considering taking it back.
I open a booked that I dont want to read and cannot figure out how to say I am not reading it. anyone figured that out?

CP December 29, 2010 um 3:42 pm

No, but if you do let us know!!

dominiqe December 30, 2010 um 2:36 pm

you got to your kbo account and than once your there you go to your library and click othe one yo dont want there any more and than press the delete botton

DH January 3, 2011 um 10:39 pm

The only way I have found to remove the book from the "I’m reading" once you open by mistake is to open the book and page to the last page. Once you hit the end, it goes back into the library. Very time consuming though.

BookLover January 26, 2011 um 2:39 pm

It’s much quicker to hit the menu button and goto table of contents and click last chapter. Then just page to the last page.


EF December 15, 2010 um 7:04 pm

I just bought one at Walmart and to my surprise there’s no case in the box. I called Kobo and they told me that the Lookbook has never included any type of case, only the Literati. A quick check on eBay and on here shows that a case is included. Anyone else buy from Walmart or any other store missing the case?

Nate the great December 15, 2010 um 7:08 pm

My Lookbook had a case. There’s even a space for it in the packaging.

Audrey Edwards January 22, 2011 um 1:27 am

I bought my Lookbook from Walmart on black friday, it didn’t come with a case,still looking for one.
I also bought the Literati for my daughter ,from Kohl it came withj the case

Botulism December 16, 2010 um 12:17 am

Just got mine from Wally’s. No case.

I’m taking mine back. I bought it on an impulse purchase. After trying it out for one evening, no web browser, no color pictures, not much of anything, I realize I made a mistake.

At least Wally’s doesn’t usually have a problem with returns.

EF December 17, 2010 um 2:25 am

Sounds like Walmart saved themselves a good chunk of change by purchasing them without cases. I guess that explains the $30+ price difference between Wally World and other stores.

Rebekah December 28, 2010 um 12:08 pm

I too am having the same problems as you!! Mine also did not come with a case (from WalMart). I’m thinking about taking mine back and putting that money towards a NOOK or Kindle.

FreshsStart0119 December 30, 2010 um 11:44 pm

I bought mine today. It was truly an impulse purchase. It seemed like a good idea at the time. The employee told me a lot of untruths. It is pointless and does not serve my purpose. It took me all of 20 minutes of tinkering with it to put it safely back in its packaging. It is ready for its trip back home.

LRoller December 25, 2010 um 7:19 pm

Just got one for Christmas….no case included :o(

Sabrina December 29, 2010 um 9:45 am

My lookbook was missing the case also.

CP December 29, 2010 um 3:43 pm

Same here….no case and can’t find one to fit it either!!

P.J. January 3, 2011 um 12:19 pm

If you look around for 3rd party cases, U can find one that will accept the Lookbooks size,however it may be a little loose fitting. I found one at Walmart for about $10.00 from HP netbooks. It works just fine…

j January 5, 2011 um 8:09 pm

I got one for Christmas. No case – so I made one.
I used an agenda book I got at Officemax. Took out the calendar and pad of paper and stuck in a picture hanging velcro. It’s a perfect fit!

Audrey Edwards January 22, 2011 um 1:33 am

good idea I think I’ll do the same thing,
It seem like it want to slip out of my hands, sometimes

Edie January 4, 2011 um 5:38 pm

Got a Lookbook for Christmas. It does not have a cover case in the box either.

Linda January 10, 2011 um 7:01 am

I also purchased mine at Walmart for $99.00 and of course there is no case with mine, also, I can not get on my internet even sitting underneath my wireless router, can I take this back to Walmart for a refund?

AD January 12, 2011 um 12:25 pm

Yes, I, too, purhased the Shift3 LookBook and didn’t receive a case with it. I’m not happy with it, so I will be taking mines back as well. Can’t get the WiFi to work. The 25 free books weren’t on it. I had to do the factory reset. The phone number listed for tech support was the wrong number to call. Was given another phone number and they told me to do the factory reset.

BAMALynn January 12, 2011 um 2:40 pm

Mine did not have a case either and I got it from Walmart today! Hope I didn’t make a mistake. I got a Kobo for Christmas but had to return it because it would not keep a charge and it never remembered where I left off. I purchased the extended warranty so if this is not a good fit for me it goes back next week. I really want a color ereader!

Beverly January 22, 2011 um 7:10 pm

My LookBook from WALMART did not come with a case, either….maybe that’s why the price was disconnected! I would love to have a case, my girlfriends have other eReaders and theirs have "cases" —- hummmmm, maybe I will return mines and go for another eReader (maybe).


EF December 16, 2010 um 12:22 am

Looks like it only gets worse for me…

Every single time I connect to Wifi this thing says there’s an update available. Download the update, reboot, reconnect to wifi and it forces update again. So far I’ve done the routine 10+ times.

Guess I’ve got a dud. I’ll have to exchange it at Walmart tomorrow.

Tonya December 30, 2010 um 4:00 pm

That’s what mine was doing. I set it back to factory settings, and then it worked fine. It didn’t even try to re-load the updates. I think they stayed in it. Anyway it’s working fine now.


tonya December 16, 2010 um 2:16 am

Mine doesn’t have a case either.I got it @ Walmart. Does it have a built-in dictionary?

Bolee December 26, 2010 um 3:28 pm

I bought mine at CVS and it did come with a case, but I was diddapointed with it, no web browser, no color, and no Pic. Mine ran very slow, battery no good, returned mine. cost me $ 125.00


patti December 16, 2010 um 10:39 am

sounds like we all have the same problems. if i would have known how bad it was performance-wise, i would not have bought it. definitely would not recommend it. oh…and i did get a case with mine. i bought it at cvs. too bad the insides don’t perform well.


Herb H. December 17, 2010 um 10:39 pm

Wow! Just bought one, haven’t cracked the seal. Think I’ll return it before the stampede! Thanks for the cautionary tales. Cheers for the holidays. Herb


Kelly W December 18, 2010 um 3:37 pm

I bought one last night. Haven’t had the issues that you are complaining about. Connected just fine to the internet, downloaded a few free e-books and also made a purchase just to try everything out. It did update which took a bit of time but for the price, it works very well. It does have a dictionary, it will allow you to change the brightness levels, and also remove books using their website via your computer. All in all, I would say a good purchase. The only issue I’ve had, is opening books. It does take a few minutes but once that book is open, it works well with no issues. I haven’t tried a SD Card yet, I will tonight. If I notice anything worth posting, I’ll make sure to post it here.

Christine December 27, 2010 um 1:55 pm

I got mine for Christmas and like you I have had no issues. It did freeze for about 3 min after I did the initial charge, but have had no issues since. I downloaded a free book and made a purchase to make sure it worked and no problems what so ever. My brother in law received the Nook and he may have more font choices, but he has no color and has had freezing issues from the moment he took it off the charger. For what I need it for, it works!

Megan December 28, 2010 um 5:48 pm

I also got mine for Christmas and love it so far! I have had no problems with the WiFi or freezing issues that everyone else seems to have. Maybe I just got lucky?! The only problem I have had so far is the battery life could be a little better but I just shut it off when I know I won’t be using it. I wish Kobo or Shift3 made cases specifically for the Lookbook but since they don’t, I ordered a case for a different brand on Amazon. Hopefully it fits! So far, I can’t complain!!

Edie January 4, 2011 um 5:43 pm

Christine, Can you tell me how many fonts it has? I have not opened my enter packaging and would like to know before I do. I have a cataract and may need larger fonts in the future. Can you help me with this information?


Sue December 19, 2010 um 12:32 am

I haven’t had any problems except the dictionary doesn’t show definitions. I downloaded a book in a short time. I didn’t get a case either.


chilly December 19, 2010 um 6:11 pm

i just got one but with all this bad talk. i think i will take it back. or should i keep it .ha


TLAlbert December 19, 2010 um 8:39 pm

Wow, glad I stumbled onto this site…I just left WallyWorld and was kicking myself for not making the purchase of the Lookbook. However they had enought that I figured it would wait until I checked it out on Google…guess it will just wait a while longer, or long while longer.
Thanks for the imput.


jill December 24, 2010 um 1:23 am

you guys are all crazy..now i will not buy one…


steve December 24, 2010 um 9:50 am

Having no luck connecting to my encrypted wi fi. Connects fine with the encryption off and I know my router setting are good.
ANY suggestions please????


Dana Roberts December 25, 2010 um 8:44 am

"BIG disappointment." I read about 100 pages a day. My 'wonderful' stepdaughter gave me a Lookbook. I couldn’t get it to connect to my Internet. It only takes 5-key or 10-key Internet passwords. My computer would not recognize the USB connection. I called the hotline. "Go to a free wifi store and download ver. 1.9. That will fix the problem. " NOT! It made a USB connection once–only once. It would not recognize the SD Card. The SD card would not pop out. The box says you can overcharge the battery. If you charge overnight (for 8 hours) you are slowly damaging the battery. You can’t replace the battery. The bottom line is that Lookbook is a stripped-down e-reader intent on holding your money after the warranty runs out. Back to the store it must go.


Terry December 25, 2010 um 3:49 pm

OH WOW told my husband to wait till after Christmas to buy me an e-reader but alas he couldn’t wait so he bought me the Look Book I was reluctant to open it and I decided to come see what people were saying about it, glad I did!!!!!! I guess I’ll see ya all at Wall M soon!!!!!! and no there is no case that’s why the big price drop.


les December 25, 2010 um 8:32 pm

how do you load books you already own to it have several and cant get the reader to recognize them

Nate the great December 25, 2010 um 9:05 pm

Ebooks bought from where?
Ebooks bought in what format?


Brad Loveland December 25, 2010 um 11:46 pm

MY sweet wife bought be this "ereader" for Christmas. At first I was excited, after all, it was a first for me. Then I tried to connect to my wi-fi. No luck! Then I tried downloading a free book from Kobo. The download completed, but the 'Lookbook' never updated after over an hour of 'processing'. I tried an SD card and was greeted by a useless blank screen. I thought maybe I was just incompetent, so I e-mailed the support center. Apperently their idea of 24 hour service is,"we’ll get back to you in 24 hours", I am NOT impressed. The Lookbook is a real disappointment! It’s going back in the box and back to the store! I’ll buy the Sony reader with my refund!

Audrey Edwards January 22, 2011 um 1:42 am

I download some free books ,after I open them up to page 1 close them back, automatically when I get on my lookbook all the new books are there


gary estes December 26, 2010 um 10:23 am

made in canada ! what did you expect ? this thing is JUNK lookbook is a farce wont download wont hook to the internet its typical canadian JUNK


Christine December 26, 2010 um 1:02 pm

All I wanted for Christmas was an eReader. I guess I shoud have been more specific and asked for a WORKING ereader.

I never ask for gifts at Christmas, so my girls were pretty suprised when I said I would LOVE an eReader. I run three review sites and bombarded daily with eArcs and pdfs of books. I thought an eReader would not only be great to have but beneficial. Boy was I disappointed.

I’ve been trying since yestarday to download ePub and PDF books that I already have. I’ve tried everything possible and now I am beyond frustrated.

I’m giving myself one more day. If nothing productive happens the LOOKBOOK is out of here and I will by myself either the kindle or Sony eReader.

If anyone out there has had a miniscule of luck with the LookBook please share.


Dee December 26, 2010 um 5:04 pm

Wow… I just got my LookBook for Christmas, never owned and was very excited about getting one. But what a big disappointment. I can’t even get pass the set date & time menu. I re-set twice and nothing. I’m glad I stumbled into this page and got a better insight of this E-book. I will be returning mine tommorrow. And no cover here either. thanks


Cecile December 26, 2010 um 5:39 pm

I love mine. It was purchased at CVS and it has a nice case that was included. I did not have the problems that most have had here. It did automatically download a software update, which may be what makes the difference.


Krys December 27, 2010 um 12:35 pm

I picked this out for myself, my boyfriend was buying it for me, but I should have known better when the WalMart employee said that this was such a great deal!! And, was knocking Barnes & Noble prices!!!
Kobobooks.com prices are not any cheaper!
I have been able to connect to WiFi ONE time! Not again.

It does NOT recognize my SD card, it does NOT allow me to download books to it from my computer when connected via the USB cord…

I am SOOO frustrated! IT’s going back! All I REALLY wanted was an Ereader!

Live and learn, don’t try to get the best deals with technology! lol


dixonpeeps December 27, 2010 um 12:50 pm

Can anyone tell me where to buy a case for this? Mine came from Wally World too, no case.


rob f December 28, 2010 um 2:58 pm

cant get mine to work . finally it came to life.looked at the free books i felt like i was 16 i would not read these on a bad day guess i will return it to wally and stop at the local used book store


SHAY December 28, 2010 um 7:52 pm

got one for christmas.. 'c' key was dysfunctional and wouldn’t let me type 'c'.. took it back earlier today and traded for a new one. so far it seems to be working ok, but with all these reviews i’m guessing i would be better off to spend a little more money and get a kindle..
i got my lookbook at walmart for only $80 because they price-matched Shopko.


gail December 28, 2010 um 9:37 pm

so far i haven’t had many problems with mine and the more i play around with it i find it isn’t the e-book it’s me not doing something right but one question i do have……how long do i charge it without overcharging it……any answers?


Amber December 28, 2010 um 11:02 pm

Does anyone know where to purchase a case for the shift3 lookbook?? I can’t find one anywhere!!


Sabrina December 29, 2010 um 9:47 am

After being on the charger all night, I can’t get mine to turn on. Never got my computer to recognize the USB. I am thinking of returning to Walmart.

P.J. January 3, 2011 um 12:40 pm

I found out for some strange reason that if u plug it directly into the wall outlet and not through a surge protected strip that it will properly charge. Just make certain that the end connectors are fitted tightly (MALE TO FEMALE),
When charging starts the home screen will activate close it out,then at least on mine a 2nd screen will activat indicating which book you are currently reading . Close that and let it charge…. If it shows nothing after letting it charge,turn it over and push a pin into the reset hole and hold it in for several seconds before releasing.This will force the reset mode. Hope this helps ?


Frank Stevens December 29, 2010 um 12:07 pm

There are several comments about their LookBook not having a case. I don’t see any replies saying where one can be found and I cannot find reference to one online. The second image on this site shows one in a case. Will you comment on where it came from?

Nate the great December 29, 2010 um 12:23 pm

I bought my LookBook from CVS. It came with the case.


Connie December 29, 2010 um 9:31 pm

Got mine as a present. Keeps asking to enter the wireless info everytime I try to go and looks at the books. But it sounds like a several are having the same problem. Taking it back to Walmart and will try a kindle.


Tonya December 30, 2010 um 4:10 pm

I got mine for Christmas from WalMart, no case. At first I had problems getting connected thru the wireless router. It kept loading updates, over and over. I reset it to fatcory setting, and the problem stopped. I think it may have reloaded one more time. It let me go to the KoBo store and look. To purchase, you have to go on-line, nad set up a user account with my credit card. After I did that I have had no problems downloading books from KoBo.

There a user manual you can look at www.mscustomercare.com/lookbook . Would have been nice if they had included it in the packaging.

I found a case on amazon that may work. I ordered it. I’ll keep you posted.


Tonya December 30, 2010 um 4:17 pm

http://www.mscustomercare.com/lookbook/


Tonya December 30, 2010 um 4:29 pm

This is the link to Boarder’s, and it talks about downloading books. FYI, Border’s ebooks are "powered by KoBo".

http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_ebook-store

Wallykins January 3, 2011 um 8:58 pm

Tanya – Good review -Thanks for the mscustomercare and borders links – good value. Cheers,Wallykins


Michele December 30, 2010 um 7:13 pm

where do I find a cover for my Lookbook?! I see one on this page but, how do I order one?

Nate the great December 30, 2010 um 8:41 pm

I don’t know. My unit came with one.


Cynthia December 31, 2010 um 12:04 am

I am so glad I have found other Lookbook owners. Can someone please tell me why the WiFi Page comes up when I click on Store?
Also, after reading some of the posts, I decided to set my reader back to the factory settings. Now, I have no books – not even the free ones. Is there a way to get them back?
Thanks for any input.

Amber January 2, 2011 um 5:52 pm

The reason the wifi page comes up when you click on store is because you have to have wifi on in order to search items in the store 🙂


grateful December 31, 2010 um 12:01 pm

I am very happy with my lookbook. I got it as a gift from hubby for xmas. I have had no problems whatsoever. In one day I have loaded 50 books, with ease. Each took under 3 seconds to load. I have had NO problems that others posting have had. NONE. It connected to WiFi with ease, updated once with ease.
I love this ereader. As a diabetic who is losing her site this little gadget it wonderful It came with a beautiful strong case and 2 cords.
I have had no trouble with battery life either. I am very, very very happy with it. It was a great buy for the money. It was bought at Shopko by the way.


mw January 1, 2011 um 11:50 pm

Got the Lookbook for Christmas and love it.
It downloaded the update when I first connected to wifi and so far no problems what so ever. Downloaded several books so far. Also came with a case from Wally World.


Joel January 2, 2011 um 9:46 pm

I purchased the Lookbook at Walmart for $99. The manual leaves out needed information and much of the initial experience is trial and error fiddling around (not for someone with no technology experience). However, the first time I synced the unit at a wifi hotspot, I was prompted to update the software and the unit works great. Valid concerns are how to eject from the computer (right click on my computer then to eject – the eject icon doesn’t automatically just show up). If you purchase a lot of books it is slow to sync. However, I work for Borders and I chose this Sharper Image related product over the Kobo units which have a VERY high return rate. For the price – the fonts/adjustable screen orientation, screen size, memory capabilities are great features. I almost returned the unit as it was time consuming to figure out but after being patient with it I love it. Again, keeping in mind I work at a bookstore, the quality was much better than the others at the price point such as the Augen, Libre, Kobo, and Velocity Cruz.

wendy m January 3, 2011 um 2:56 pm

Joel,
Thanks for sharing you bookstore experience. I received my Shift3 Lookbook from my husband for Christmas and spent a couple hours playing with it to figure stuff out also-but that’s half to fun of getting something new.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep it-so I did some research (here-and other sites) and found that what others view as short comings do not affect me much.
I have issues with connecting to a PC right now but will play with it some more.
I love the 'readability' of the screen-no external light gadget needed.
I did the update and look fwd to newspapers and magazines.
Like others, I am having a bit of difficulty with the nav button-hard to get to the left arrow, but it is workable.
p.s. I love going to our local Borders here in Mesa, AZ 🙂


TinaT January 4, 2011 um 6:53 pm

I asked my boyfriend for a Kindle (several times) for xmas and recieved a Lookbook. I considered returning it but decided to give it a try. The wi-fi took 2 or 3 tries to connect, now works fine. I purchased a book and got a free trial subscription to a magazine, synced my device, and they both popped up, no prob. The screen, font options, and page turning buttons are great. Aside from spurradic slow loading between books or between chapters, the device works fine and suits my reading needs.


era January 4, 2011 um 11:24 pm

I received my Lookbook for Christmas. It was purchased at Walmart. First of all, there was no case and I couldn’t find one that fits. Secondly, it wouldn’t charge because the power cable WOULD NOT stay plugged into the jack on the unit. Thirdly, I returned it to Wally world and exchanged it for another, as to not hurt my childrens feelings because they bought it. Last but not least, the second unit has the same problem!! Needless to say, I will be returning this one. It is no good to me if I can’t charge it anyway! Oh, and by the way, I had no problem connecting to the WiFi or downloading a book. But I was certainly not impressed with the free book selection.


wendy m January 5, 2011 um 12:21 pm

Anyone know about the batter life long term? I am being careful not to charge over 8 hours, but I am wondering when I will have to replace the whole device because the battery won’t hold a charge anymore and is not replaceable!


Kristie January 7, 2011 um 4:40 pm

I bought mine at Wal-mart for 98.99 and I am thrilled with it, once I went online and read the manual they have on the customer service website. The one they send with it sucks and does not give you the correct information. Everything works perfect now and I love it!!!!


catcat January 15, 2011 um 7:27 pm

i got this lookbook for christmas it sucks i cant gt thwi-fi to work went to kobo to see i could download book on my computer then to my lookbook nothing is working hoe do you register the thing. This is sicking i want somthing else


Joyce Greene January 15, 2011 um 8:15 pm

I have a lookbook and cannot get into the store to buy books to download. I have trouble setting up my account. I have talked to the lookbook people and the kobo people to no avail. What am I suppose to do, I don’t want to read the free books they have on there already. I want to order new books. they tell me to reset my lookbook and I did and I still can’t get into the store, it just won’t open. What do I do next.

Nate the great January 15, 2011 um 8:55 pm

I don’t know. I was able to access the Kobo ebookstore so I didn’t have this problem.


Beverly January 22, 2011 um 7:01 pm

I got my LookBook as a Christmas present as well. I do love it because now I do not have to carry all those books with me (as I travel). I do not like that it does not have 24/7 tech support and I do not like that I have to wait forever (hours) for "updating the software on your eReader". Today is Saturday around 6:59 p.m. (ET) and I have been waiting for the update to complete every since 3:30 p.m. (ET) – now I will have to wait until Monday to talk to a tech support (WTH) if the eReader does not update before then. Oh well —


Beverly January 22, 2011 um 7:03 pm

Oops! How do I buy a LookBook case? I would love to have a case!

Joann January 30, 2011 um 1:50 pm

I was having the same problem finding a case. I bought a MEAD padfolio at walmart for $7.00 and put velcro on the backside. Fits perfect and I love it. Just an idea.

Tracy Conner March 3, 2011 um 2:17 am

Lucky you.That’s your problem.I bought one.And, nobody can figure out to 'update’it.Or download even!Got it for Xmas and can’t even enjoy it.

Cyndi April 18, 2011 um 2:06 pm

They have the lookbooks at cvs this week for 49.95! I just picked mine up yesterday, wish me luck, lol


Bob Callahan January 24, 2011 um 11:04 am

To begin, after reading several comments here and on a couple ofother places, I think one of the problems is many folks are forgetting that the Lookbook is an eReader, not a netbook, or computer…..and an eReader does not function as a computer.

In the last couple of days I went to a location called Book Download Center and asked a simple question: is my LookBook compatable for downloads with your site? Three times they didn’t answer my question, but simply gave me a page of a sales pitch and that was it. So maybe they are not a place to try.

I would just like to know what program(s) are used to download ebooks to the LookBook and is it compatable only with most other download sites?

Thanks.

BookLover January 26, 2011 um 8:04 pm

I would try a free program called Calibre ebook manager. It can convert almost any ebook format you download from a site to the epub format and can also send directly to your reader. Hope this helps.


Alice McAuliffe January 25, 2011 um 2:14 pm

I just got my Shift3 e readerlook book and can not find a cover for it and I am getting frustrated with it


Sid January 26, 2011 um 2:39 am

I see them for $99 at walmart stores. NOT online.


Skip January 29, 2011 um 8:07 am

I got one of these for Christmas as well. Someone asked about the picture quality on a previous post and I have to say I am really pleased with it! I read magazines on my Lookbook and the only complaint I have is that you have to shift the page around with the toggle to see everything on a page. Other than that, its working out great! Im going to try using Calibre to convert some html files and see if I can use them on my Lookbook, too.


Marty January 30, 2011 um 7:22 pm

I’m becoming an ereader collector. The LookBook is #4 of 5. It appeared to be a great deal with color and 150 free public domain ebooks.

The LookBook is my 1st color and 1st backlighted ereader. It’s a pleasant reading experience with the lights out. I could definitely get used to that convenience, ONLY that the LookBook is not living up to the billing on its colorful packaging. My screen goes white when I try to access wi-fi, soooo, the only way I was able to register and/or shop was by connecting through the provided usb cable. With all the other service failures I am seeing with others, I am feeling I need to cut my losses and return my LookBook. I do love being able to tap into the Gutenberg public domain project through Kobo but I think I will do that through another Kobo powered unit. The LookBook is highly deficient… somebody was just trying to throw together a rush job in time for Christmas. Most owners seem to be having problems with the Wi-fi. With all the affordable competition, we really don’t have to settle.


Amy January 31, 2011 um 10:52 am

I paid $100 at walmart for one. for that price i’m willing to look past the problems lol


Les January 31, 2011 um 10:53 am

Got a Look Book For Xmas and the only problem i have is the toggle button.
Ijust turned 76 in October and i like the ability to change the size of the text.
Have down loaded books from many free ebook sites. and have converted to epub with no problem through the Calibre program.
I think many people are forgetting that it is a cost effective ereader and not a mini computer.


Bear1Mi February 2, 2011 um 5:38 pm

I need a driver for windows to connect my Lookbook to my computer, but I can’t find ANYWHERE to look for it…
The eReader is good,,but the support for it is NOT.

anyone know WHERE I can get a driver?

Thanks for ANY help!

Tracy Conner March 3, 2011 um 2:24 am

Same problem here.


SHELLY February 8, 2011 um 12:52 pm

I’M NEW TO THIS , DOES ANYONE HAVE A PROBLEM READING IN THE SUNLIGHT THAT I HAVE I’M A BEACH READER BIG TIME , IS IT JUST ME OR ANTONE ELSE HAS THIS ISSUE? THANK YOU

Librarycat February 10, 2011 um 11:12 am

The problem is that the LookBook has a backlit screen,which makes it great for reading in the dark, not so much for sunlight. The ereaders that that use e-ink technology are very readable in sunlight – but can’t be read in the dark. There isn’t much you can do to make a backlit screen readable in sunlight, but an e-ink screen can be read in the dark with the aid of a book light. You have to look at which aspect is most important to you when choosing an ereader.

72plus99 May 13, 2011 um 7:02 pm

Hi, You can buy a screen protector with Matte finish. That will save from alot of the sun light.


Deb February 8, 2011 um 10:43 pm

I received a Look Book for Christmas and was delighted. Three weeks later it died 2 hrs after a 6 hour charge. I charged it again over night and the next day it would not come on at all. I tried the reset button several times, and it still did not work. Last night it was returned to CVS and a new one came home. After a brief charge I turned it on and it lite up right away! But it would NOT LOAD. Reset does nothing, I can not turn it off without letting it drain. Tech Support said to do that, then charge again and push reset to turn it on. I’ve just finished doing that and once again, it came on but it WILL NOT LOAD. I wish like hell my gift had been a Kindle, as requested. LOL!

mike March 5, 2011 um 5:06 pm

if you can get it to come on try the settings advanced restore to factory and it will put it back to the way you bought it if not try to press and hold the reset button until it does come back on

lookbooker April 22, 2011 um 2:49 am

Not sure if you have fixed your problem but as far as resetting it through the reset hole … it will reset with a paper clip but you really need to push the paper clip inside the unit a long ways … it seems like you will break it but it does work…


Jodi February 11, 2011 um 9:06 am

I also got a Lookbook for Christmas and am having trouble finding both the free and paid for books from Kobo in my library. I can see that it says they’re loading but then when the process is finished, there is nothing in my Library. Any idea on where they went? I’m able to read them on a desk top and laptop but NOT on the Lookbook…very frustrating as it defeats the purpose of being portable. Help me!


Melissa February 15, 2011 um 1:51 pm

I’ve wirelessly connected, I’ve synced, downloaded my book and it says its locked. Hit the "shop" button and update library. Where in the ?!## is that?


Sue February 28, 2011 um 8:13 pm

I just found the lookbook on sale at Shopko for $79.00 and it comes with free cover. It is on sale till march 4th


mike March 3, 2011 um 4:43 pm

to get your new books on try to get them from gutenberg.org which has 1000’s. and to put them link with usb cable create directory on lookbook drive (whatever drive listed) and copy them in they will be addressed on the next unlink or startup. so far the only ones ive got to address is the epub downloaded ones though i think it has to do with printed page size while the epubs are formatted specifically for them and others the picture imbeded epubs also work from gutenberg


mike March 5, 2011 um 5:13 pm

for those who are having problems getting your new books to show back them up on your hard drive with the included usb cable then reset the device back to factory settings relink with usb cable and put that directory folder back on eject the drive by right clicking the listed device and choose eject … they will load back on second make sure your in the library selection not the opening "im reading" because this only shown what you have already started or have been reading and have a bookmark placed


ab March 16, 2011 um 9:34 am

Like many others, I got my LookBook for christmas. I don’t like some functions (buttons, poor loading time) but it’s pretty good. I had to call tech and get it replaced–it won’t turn on after sitting for a month, not even after charging it all night and resetting it. I have yet to get the envelope to send it back to the company, so will call them again. Other than it dying on me for no reason (maybe because it was stored near a cold wall?) I found it ok to use. I wouldn’t recommend it though. If it weren’t for Calibre, I wouldn’t have been able to read any of MY books. I think I like Calibre more than the ereader.

It could be worse though….so I think I’ll keep it for reading while exercising or something.


Mary March 22, 2011 um 3:59 pm

I have a lookbook, I love it, but I don’t have wireless internet, how can I purchase new books for the Lookbook without wireless internet?

Nate the great March 22, 2011 um 6:52 pm

You can buy them on your computer, download them with Adobe DE, and then transfer them to your Lookbook. At least, it should work.

sandypd March 28, 2011 um 12:11 am

You could take it to McDonalds and use their wireless internet like everyone does with their laptops and net books. if not you can hook it up to your computer with the sync cable that comes with most lookbooks you purchase your books and then hit the sync button and it will download all purchases onto LB.


Dan Edwards April 16, 2011 um 11:37 am

CVS has the LookBook on sale for $49.99.

DeniseB April 16, 2011 um 3:19 pm

Thanks for the heads-up!

My 9-yr-old really wants an eReader… any eReader!… for his birthday.
This one fits the bill.
Other than if one is a total lemon, I think a lot of people forget the basic function of these things and just expect too much. This one seems to have nice features, and I’m pretty sure none of the other eReaders is 'perfect.' either.
The sale starts tomorrow (today, they are on sale for $129.99 online! ouch). I will be at CVS bright and early!
Thanks again!

jessica simpson April 18, 2011 um 1:08 am

At CVS The sale is online only and the Item of which you speak is 79.99 comes with cover

DeniseB April 18, 2011 um 4:19 pm

There are two different sales: online is 79.99, but, in-store, the sale is 49.99. If you look at their "Weekly Store Ad" online, it’s listed on page 19. Lookbook includes a cover in the box. I bought one yesterday. The Lookbook is totally user-friendly out of the box. Wi-Fi was simple to set up and it updated itself as it the Wi-Fi connected. The screen looks great and has a good range of adjustability.

melissa April 16, 2011 um 7:44 pm

it says it wireless does that mean it s wifi compatable?

Nate the great April 16, 2011 um 8:34 pm

Yes, it has Wifi.


becky April 17, 2011 um 12:03 pm

does this have the ability to look up words as you are reading?

Nate the great April 17, 2011 um 2:15 pm

Not that I recall, no.

DeniseB April 18, 2011 um 4:19 pm

YES! It has a built-in dictionary that is accessible without leaving the book you are reading!


Diana April 18, 2011 um 1:15 pm

I bought mine at cvs yesterday. After EC Bucks and the $5.00 off $30 purchase I paid $20 out of pocket. Its taken me a little time to learn what I am doing but I was able to down load a couple free books and tonight I will try to figure out how to download from the library.

marlene April 18, 2011 um 3:52 pm

were you able to join via a wireless router?


marlene April 18, 2011 um 3:51 pm

cannot get it to connect to my wireless can someone tell me what to do? I have called and they walked me through some steps to reset then reset wireless router still not luck. They suggested to return for another one. Does anyone have this problem?

DeniseB April 18, 2011 um 4:22 pm

I had no problems at all. If you are trying to get into a locked router (like ours), you need to enter your password. Otherwise, if you hit a free Wi-Fi point (no lock), you should just be able to click "join" and get right in.

LOUCEELOU April 22, 2011 um 2:36 am

I TURNED OFF MY FIREWALL AFTER MANY FAILED ATTEMPTS TO CONNECT AND THAT DID THE TRICK!


DeniseB April 18, 2011 um 4:26 pm

Yes, you can get books from other sources. If you look at the full user manual online: http://www.mscustomercare.com/lookbook/2010-11-29_lookbook-manual_v3.pdf
.. it says to use either an Adobe converter or a program called Calibre to convert your books. There are instructions from tranferring those files to the Lookbook as well. Good luck!


DeniseB April 18, 2011 um 4:33 pm

Hi TJKing-
I tried replying to you… somehow, it posted a few spots above your post, so, now I can’t post it to you again as it’s a duplicate.
But you can find it up above!


DeniseB April 18, 2011 um 4:35 pm

Most definitely worth it!
Unless, of course, you like the higher price tag!! =P

DeniseB April 18, 2011 um 4:36 pm

Why are my replies not being hooked to the original posts I’m replying to?!?

DeniseB April 18, 2011 um 4:37 pm

Except this one, of course! ARRRGGGH


DeniseB April 18, 2011 um 4:42 pm

The Lookbook is most definitely worth it!
Unless, of course, you like the higher price tag!! =P

At $49.99, it is a steal.

I think because of bugs as a new product and because it is being sold at CVS, the Lookbook initially got a bad rap. From my experience with the Lookbook I bought yesterday, the company has worked out all the bugs. It worked flawlessly.

I’d be happy with it at twice the price; I’m thrilled with it at $49.99…

DeniseB April 18, 2011 um 4:43 pm

this post is a reply to "kim"

this crazy website is messing up with where it places my replies again.
i give up. 🙁

Anna April 18, 2011 um 9:00 pm

Dear Denise B, Would I be able to upload both of my Barnes Noble & Amazon accounts? At $50 it seems like a GREAT deal! If so, where can I purchase a case? Thanks!

Stacy April 21, 2011 um 12:27 pm

The case comes with it. Got mine on Monday… still need to get Calibre so I can d/l from other places, but I’m very happy with it for $50.


curious April 18, 2011 um 11:18 pm

Is the wifi free of charge or monthly fees

Stacy April 21, 2011 um 12:28 pm

Free if you have a wifi provider… if not you can go to mcdonalds or starbucks… anywhere there is a wifi hot spot.


wanda April 19, 2011 um 1:55 pm

how do you download calibre to lookbook

Nate the great April 19, 2011 um 3:50 pm

Calibre runs on your PC, not the Lookbook.

you can find calibre here:
http://calibre-ebook.com/

wanda April 19, 2011 um 9:39 pm

ok i downloaded calibre to pc. Now what software do you use to download ebooks to your computer/

Nate the great April 19, 2011 um 11:31 pm

ebooks from where?

You can go to the free ebook page i have and download ebooks from any of those sites with your web browser.

but if you want to download ebooks from most commercial ebookstores, you will need Adobe DE.

wanda April 20, 2011 um 6:25 pm

my computer is not recognizing the device. Help!


DanteMazzola April 20, 2011 um 9:59 pm

I swear some of the people leave the most misleading, inaccurate reviews of this thing. I paid $50 for this ereader at CVS. If you pay $50 for an ebook reader, don’t expect Kindle-like performance! The first one I bought wouldn’t turn on (my mistake for attempting to power it on too early). I returned it and exchanged it with no questions asked and left CVS with another one. I plugged it in to the wall charger, left it charging for six hours, yes it takes that long, powered it on, updated the software a few times, connected to my Wi-Fi router, authorized it with my Kobo account, and was reading in seconds. I am very pleased with the excellent deal you get from CVS. It came with a free case, charger, USB cable, and an excellent ereader for dirt cheap! I connected the LOOKBOOK to my MacBook and loaded a few ebooks onto it with no problem whatsoever. Two programs I highly suggest that you download to your computer are Calibre and Adobe Digital Editions (ADE). Both of these programs add content onto the LOOKBOOK seamlessly. Keep in mind that you can only add .epub and .pdf files to the LOOKBOOK so you cannot put content from the Amazon Kindle Store onto the ereader. I am very pleased with the picture quality of the display. The resolution is more than acceptable and the colors are bright and vibrant. You have seven brightness options. I find myself never having to go over the fourth brightness option, even in harsh sunlight. The LOOKBOOK is also very easy to navigate with the "tab" styled user interface, much like a Google Chrome web browser. One more feature, out of the many that are available, that I have to mention is the "night reading" mode. This makes the text of a book white and the background black making reading in the dark much easier on the eyes. Also, if you have a problem with the reader, just call the number on the manual of the LOOKBOOK. The customer service representatives are very helpful and friendly. So all in all, I have to admit that I am very pleased with the Shift3 LOOKBOOK. Though it does have a few shortcomings compared to the Amazon Kindle, it is an excellent deal and I suggest you get yourself to CVS before April 23rd and before they’re sold out because I had to go to three stored before I found one with the LOOKBOOK. So do I recommend it? YES!

Ardith November 20, 2011 um 3:39 pm

Thank You!
I bought 2 today.
I think patience is the key.

Marie November 25, 2011 um 2:35 pm

Just bought two at the Christmas Tree Shop. On sale for $24.99 (no cover) and 20% off = $19.99 for my two 8 & 10 year old grandchildren. Hope they an figure it out.


Brittany April 21, 2011 um 8:14 am

I cant get my books to open. i can not read. All it says when i click a book is to update the library. Where do i go to update. When i got this (yesterday) i was so excited and it worked so good till today. i had no problems with it last night or this early this morning up until now it is not letting me open any books to read. i have tried to reset the lookbook and it worked and deleted all my books and when i started to download more books it quit. what do i do?????


BBChin April 21, 2011 um 11:22 pm

Bought this at CVS for $50.00 (must buy in store) and it is a fine basic unit. Charged it, and started using it. So far no problem. Its not a Kindle or Nook Book, but again, I stress that it is a fine basic unit…2 fonts styles…5 font sizes…color…7 levels of brightness…WiFi ready…SD slot…need to set up a Kobo account…easy to use.

I mainly purchased it for the kids (11, 9 and 6) to use. And I figure if they break it or if it walks I will not cry as hard as loosing a K or NB. Also, its a great way to keep them up to date with the latest technology without breaking the bank.

For $50, and not to mention it came with a cover, its worth it. Besides CVS has a great return policy…just make sure you keep the packaging, receipt and return it before the return date.


lookbooker April 22, 2011 um 2:53 am

I have purchased 2 look-book shift3 e readers and have had them for a while and they work great . I would and have told others about it …. for the price and what you get … super deal big thumbs up from me!


hope April 23, 2011 um 11:54 pm

I love Kobo. I’ve been using it on my Blackberry for over a year. I desperately wanted an ebook reader so when I heard CVS had the Lookbook for $50.00 I decided to get it. I’d read all the negative reviews but figured I could get past all that. After all, I’d been reading on my cell phone with slow results. How bad could the Lookbook be? CVS was out of the ereaders so I grabbed their weekly advertisement and headed to Wally World for a price match. Once I got it home I ran into my first problem. No case. The CVS special came with a free case. I called the customer service number and was told the Lookbook didn’t come with one but if they had any in stock she’d mail it to me. ???? Whatever. Turned on the unit and did all the updates. No problems. Turned on Wi-Fi and connected. No problem. Connected to the store and loaded all my previously purchased books. No problem. Tried to open my previously purchased books. PROBLEM!!! It took so long to open some of them I could’ve read the entire last book of Harry Potter before I could open one book on the Lookbook. One book wouldn’t open at all. It was so annoying, But, really…. I paid $50.00 for it. I made the decision that I’d have to live with it. Since I like to read in bed I changed it to night reading. Once again the change was slow. Actually, doing ANYTHING on the Lookbook is slow. But again for $50.00 I’d have to live with it. This morning I tried too turn it on. Nothing. I charged it again. It came on for a few seconds and then went dark. Hit the power button again and it flickered on and off. Did this many times hoping against hope that it was operator error. When I could get it to power up it would do the same flicker and power down. During one of these I had just enough time to see that it was showing a full battery. Yeah, $50.00 may be a great price for an ereader, but not for a paper weight. Returning it tomorrow. I’ve decided to save my money and get a Kindle or a Nook. I could get a replacement but WM only offers a 14 day return policy. With my luck the new one wouldn’t show power issues until day 15. I do not recommend the Lookbook regardless of the $50.00 price point. The reason CVS is offering it at the reduced price is they will no longer be carrying it. Wonder why? Terribly unreliable unit. All it takes is a quick browse of message boards and you see more people with gripes for it than praise. As for all the lucky people who have one that functions properly and are frustrated trying to find a nonexistent case, call the CS number and ask. If that doesn’t work I saw on one message board that a person purchased a MEAD padfolio at walmart for $7.00 and put velcro on the backside. We had one laying around so I tested the size. Seemed to work but I didn’t have any Velcro. Still, could work as a last resort….. if you have a Lookbook that works!


Autumn April 27, 2011 um 9:34 pm

I received my Lookbook for Chistmas from my mom. The ony thing i have found wrong with it is this-the screen will turn completely white and freeze up. I can’t turn it off or anything. I usually have to wait for it to die. And then it won’t turn back on for severa days.


ashmin April 28, 2011 um 5:24 pm

How do you change the font size?

James June 24, 2011 um 2:28 am

go to the menu then move down the list.


kesh May 1, 2011 um 10:05 am

I purchase an ebook, but can not find it on my lookbook. Dose any one where i have to look for it?


Geoff May 18, 2011 um 9:46 pm

We just bought 3, one for my wife, one for my daughter, and one for my little girl’s kindergarten teacher. I have a nook color, so I’m going to feel silly if this turns out to be just as good a e-reader as the nook. we’ll see.


Cindy May 31, 2011 um 5:56 pm

You can reset the lookbook and not lose any of your books. I have had to do this a couple of times, and each time everything comes right back.


Lola Noblick June 6, 2011 um 10:34 am

I got a lookbook as a gift and I have enjoyed it. Bur when I turned it on it wants me to put a code in.I wrote the code in the book it came with yes I have lost the code.How do I get it back.


Mary June 19, 2011 um 2:48 pm

My sister got the LookBook for our 92 year old mom for Mother’s Day. Yes the battery life is not the best but she loves it. It is easy for her to use and read. But for $50 if is just what she wanted.


James June 24, 2011 um 2:26 am

I received one of these for Father’s Day. It took me a couple of weeks to really get into it because I really wanted a Kindle. I have discovered that this LookBook is really a prety good little reader. I learned it has the highlighting features and note capability also. I’m very pleased but I will still buy a smaller reader later.


James June 24, 2011 um 2:34 am

CAN SOMEONE HELP ME FIND A CARRYING CASE FOR THE SHIFT3 LOOKBOOK??????
PLEASE


Mary Ebaben August 30, 2011 um 6:27 pm

Wow! Now I am worried. My daughter bought me a Literati for Christmas 2010. I had no problems with it until May 2011. I used it in the A.M while waiting to pick up my grandson from school. That afternoon I tried to turn it on while waiting on my other grandson. Resetting it did not work. Customer Service finally agreed to exchange it (after numerous attempts to get through to them). It took 8 weeks to receive a new unit. Not one month later the new unit would not turn on. This time resetting it did not work either. After more numerous attempts to contact Customer Service and being disconnected after being told to call back between 3P and 6:30 Pm PST (which happened to be when I was calling) I was told that the Literati was being discontinued and they would be sending me a LookBook. After reading all these comments I just can’t wait. LOL

Hal McKee April 7, 2012 um 10:31 am

I have had my lookbook since last october and got it in the mail from literati afterasending them back two of theirs. my likes are lighted background – i read in bed at night. problem now is that it says it’s full and i need more space (39 books?) and i have already deleted all 25 of the free books that came with the reader – so now i’ll have to delete the books i bought thru kobo. i thought it had capacity for a lot more books. by the way, my literati cover fits the lookbook fairly well – glad i saved the last one.


John September 10, 2011 um 2:17 pm

he may have to reset it…. I do suggest that you have all your books on the KOBO desktop as a back up.


John September 10, 2011 um 2:19 pm

A dear friend of mine gave me a Lookbook and, I LOVE IT!!! I had a few problem with it when I first got it but it works great now. I just wish they would do away with those damn all black book covers though!


Linda September 18, 2011 um 4:07 am

My husband gave me a Lookbook last Christmas. I absolutely love it! I had no problem connecting to wi-fi after doing the update and no problem downloading books to my library. Kobo has improved a lot on their selection of ebooks since I first got my ereader. My favorite thing is the backlite which I have been unable to find on any of the other ereaders out there. It is perfect for me because I love to read at night and it doesn’t bother my husband. I never liked reading lites that you attach to your book because it is hard to see the words at the bottom of the page. I recently ordered another Lookbook on Amazon to have if mine quits working. And no it doesn’t have a web browser, but I only use it to read books.


Linda September 18, 2011 um 4:09 am

Go ahead and reset. You won’t lose your book. I had to reset once because I couldn’t turn it on.


Emily October 3, 2011 um 10:36 pm

Now that the price is down I think it maybe worth it but when my parents bought it as a present for me they very much over paid since is also does not connect to my computer so for me its useless since I do not have conventional WIFI. I’m glad that some people like it but does anyone want to buy mine so I can get the one I want?


iriver Story HD – Overpriced and Underperforming – The Digital Reader October 17, 2011 um 8:51 pm

[…] Story HD is quite clearly a basic e-reader, with features on par with the Lookbook (review) or the Literati (review, review). When it comes to Epub, it lacks any note taking ability, search, […]


mig November 14, 2011 um 2:37 pm

i got a lookbook ereader for christmas too, it was fine at begin, but then, I can not buy books again. I got messages like: sorry we can not connect with server, check your server(I did it and not problem) or we are having tech. difil. I can not even download free books.
Also, when I was ready set up my acount for my erader, it came set up already with somebody emai,I just sett up an acount on Kobo store to buy the books I do not understand that?
I am sad casz the ereader has other nice qualities.I try to contact the company and I can not do it? just send me to a webside and not phone #so I can talk to a live person!HELP!!!


patrick Harris November 21, 2011 um 6:36 pm

Can someone call me at 8082646119 or email me me and let me know how to add free ebooks to the new lookbook ereader I have. Please contact me soon.


Marcoco December 2, 2011 um 9:45 pm

no se nada de este lector pero mi hija quiere uno, saben si se pueden bajar libros en español ya que ella no habla ingles.


Crystal December 8, 2011 um 11:07 am

I actually had noooo problems out of mine everything worked beautifully although i never tried to add my own books to it i have a sony ereader that’s full of them so I wasn’t worried about it. Everything was going beautifully until it just fell apart period. The wires inside the charger chord disconnected from the wall plug in and the look book plug in. I’m a great splicer but i’m not a miracle worker! who in the world makes this???? Who do you contact to complain?????


Carol December 14, 2011 um 6:27 pm

I was very happy with my Lookbook until I turned it on to find it was upside down and a mirror image. Anyone have a solution for that? I keep hesitating to throw it in the garbage, because I want it to work! Maybe it’s time to give up. Yes, support is awesome, but they don’t have a solution after guiding me through reset, etc., etc.


Chelsea January 23, 2012 um 6:51 am

This thing is a beautiful little pain in the ass. I scored mine for $40 new on clearance at a Grocery Outlet store. It was an impulse buy because I have always been curious about these fancy LCD ereaders (I use a Jetbook for my reading) and was searching for something with a larger screen for my PDF textbooks. It displays PDFs quite a bit better than my Jetbook ever could and for that I love it. But I have had just about every issue that’s been mentioned. Wifi took forever to set up, then I couldn’t figure out how to get my "free ebooks" that were advertised on the box (had to do it from a computer after setting up a Kobo account), then trying to get my computer to recognize it was a tedious process. But I feel the Lookbook and I have become good friends over the past few months. I haven’t tried to use an SD card with it because I only use it for a few PDF files at a time. I use Calibre to load and unload books and the only issue I’ve had is that it likes to have communication errors. At first this really pissed me off and I was ready to stick it on Listia and be done with it. But I played around with it and found that it works flawlessly if I select the book(s) I want to load, click the drop down menu for the send to device icon, select main memory (this probably works for SD too) and then select PDF (or whatever file type your book is in) from the little list that pops up. Normally I would get it to work intermittently, with small bursts of success followed by error messages. Since I started using this method I have had no errors. So the battery life sucks, it’s a crappy ereader overall, but if you lack the money to buy something nicer this little beast is great for PDFs!


LaToya March 12, 2012 um 11:24 am

I got it this morning for $19.99 on clearance at my CVS. I like it so far, but I couldn’t imagine paying full price for it.

Teryan March 12, 2012 um 9:51 pm

LaToya, I also bought mine for $20 today, and it was the last one, and I have had it plugged in for only 2 of the 6 hours it says to have it plugged in for and still won’t go past the "look book" screen.. Did yours do that too..? Do I need to leave it plugged the full 6 hours for it to load properly ?? I’m so confused Please Help!!

zero-z March 12, 2012 um 11:50 pm

you just have to wait for a long time to boot for the first time. mine took like 10 or 20 min to get past the lookbook screen but after that it was fine. I was enjoying the shitty look book experience that the look book is known and recommended to maintain. All for only $20 at cvs.


Teryan March 12, 2012 um 9:57 pm

Ok nevermind I just needed it to charge some more finally on now


Mavican March 17, 2012 um 2:31 am

I recommend anyone to use the heck out of this thing for the first several days of getting the Lookbook. Don’t just use it twice and leave it sitting for days.

I purchased my Lookbook on sale at CVS as well, for $19.99. First day, LOVED it. Cheap looking with scratches on the outside, kinda looked refurbished, but okay I got it on sale. I signed up for a kobobooks account and was able to SYNC beautifully. Second day, tried connecting it to two different PCs; did not work. Looked online for a driver of sorts and came up with nothing. Finally, somehow on its own and after 20 attempts, it showed up as a Mass Storage Device. Great?! No, not quite. I imported two PDF files and two EPUB files, one by mistake. I tried deleting it, and it would pop up a source error dialogue box on my PC. So I tried deleting the others; same error. I then tried deleting it from within the Lookbook itself and not using the PC, and this also did not work.

From here I just tried doing a default setting reset, so that everything that I had done would be undone. This worked. Reloaded my three files, and was able to delete them, unlike before. Cool?! No, not quite. I used the kobo PC application to browse the free books. Went back to my Lookbook and tried to SYNC. EVERYTHING IN THE READING, LIBRARY, AND DOCS, DISAPPEARED! F***! That was fine, I could just do another default setting reset, whatever. Finishes resetting, books are back. Go to the store to sign-in so I can SYNC. Connects to wifi, and I got back to the Library so that I can hit the SYNC button… and EVERYTHING IS GONE AGAIN.

By day three, I was no longer able to sign-in to the store, and even though my books were there when I booted up the Lookbook, they would disappear again after I would bookmark whatever I was reading. I finally went back to CVS two hours ago to trade it for another one, maybe it was just that one? Hope somewhat faltered when I opened up the box and saw the same scratches on the back with the same "used" look. I hope the software runs better. We’ll see after it charges.

Mavican March 17, 2012 um 2:42 pm

Alrighty. Remember, this is my second Lookbook in a week.

I let it charge overnight… and it doesn’t f***ing turn on. I even tried the reset on the back. I’m heartbroken. I genuinely think, that the last of their stock is refurbished or just plain defective product that they’re trying to sell off in hopes that people are mostly likely not going to take the time to go back to the store and go through the trouble of returning it.

I think I might just save my money and buy a name brand ereader.


Katie April 25, 2012 um 10:44 am

I am also dealing with a LookBook that was a gift. From day one it would not turn on, then FINALLY after a charging I tried again and got it to turn on, but as I was looking through the preloaded books and setting things up it shut down and would not turn on again. The screen has a spot in it that looks messed up too, but I figured it was fine. I was wrong.

After reading through I have come to the conclusion that this company is a scam. They must refurbish products, and sell them back to the public unknowingly.

Now, when you call the number on the box for MerchSource (866-204-4714) you get a recording that tells you to go to www.kobobooks.com, so when you are there you can find a phone number 855-732-3662…now they tell you that if you have troublewith the app you contact them but you need to contact the company that makes them for more help with the product. They give you the number for Sharper image (877-714-7444) and when you call them they say that you needto contact merchsource…back to square one. BUT they give you a new number (800-374-2744) which tells you to call back and disconnects the line. You will get nowhere…you will waste your money on this product…


Carol April 29, 2012 um 11:39 pm

Anyone have the problem I have – turned it on and it’s upside down and mirror image. I keep thinking there’s got to be a way to bring it back to "normal," tho' calling the support number didn’t work. They were baffled. Tho’t I saw a posting where someone had that problem, but I can’t find it now. Sounded like it didn’t stay that way. I loved it til that happened. Fortunately, I have another ereader that does everything, but this is superior for outside.


John June 28, 2012 um 1:14 pm

Hi, I have been reading over everyone’s comments. I bought a KOBO LOOKBOOK SHIFT 3 and, never had a problem with it. Recently the screen froze up… I called KOBO and they happily replaced it with a new ereader.


:( November 29, 2012 um 9:50 pm

I just received mine in the mail, my friend bought it off Amazon. It’s not showing it’s charging and now won’t even turn on. I’m wondering if it’s just the charger. Does anyone know where I might be able to find a charger for the LookBook? I was really excited to use this at work tonight 🙁


Does anyone know where I can download a driver for my shift3 lookbook? Spent hours trying to get my PC to recognize the Lookbook and it keeps telling me no driver software found. Tried 4 different cable connections and it will not find this KoBO LookBook February 7, 2013 um 2:56 am

Need device driver to download for detecting my Lookbook.


Doris Hargrove April 24, 2013 um 8:30 pm

I bought a Lookbook several years ago at CVS for $79. Loved it. However, when I went on vacation, I left it at a motel where we spent the nite. Called motel next day and they said they would ship it to me. When I received it, it had nothing but vertical lines. Someone told me it probably had gone through a scanner. Wasn’t too upset, had another one just like it. Tried to use it and download my books from KOBO. Haven’t been able to download books. I can’t get on my KOBO account from my ereader. Anyone have any ideas about this? Should would appreciate it as I have about 60 books in my account paid for and unread. Thank you very much.

Nate Hoffelder April 24, 2013 um 10:56 pm

The hardware is 3 years old, so there’s a good chance that it simply died.

I think your best bet would be to get a Kobo app on a tablet or smartphone, or maybe get a Kobo ereader. That way you can still read the ebooks you bought.


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[…] on one of the first 7″ budget tablets (the black Novel, to be exact). There were also several Kindle clones with 7″ LCD screens. Those devices featured keyboards and  unremarkable performance (I think […]


Kimberly February 14, 2016 um 5:13 pm

How can I find assesseries for my look book

Nate Hoffelder February 14, 2016 um 5:34 pm

At this late date? I’m not sure you can.

I think your best bet would be to measure your Lookbook and search Ebay for tablet cases that have about the same dimension. But if you need a cable or charger, I would need more info before I could point you to a source.


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