Tech Blog

[#1]

Summer vacations usually involve hours of travel to your destination. When I'm not driving, I like to read, but don't really like the bulk of carrying around 3-5 books. This is one of the reasons that eBook readers are worth their weight.

I've been reading on digital devices since my first Palm Pilot. They've all been PDA sized devices, so when I was offered the chance to look at the Sony Reader (PRS-505) I took it.

The Sony Reader is a very nice looking unit. It measures about 7" x 4.5" x .3", and has a nice weight to it, but not so heavy that you'll get tired holding it for long periods.

Powering it up, I was first struck by how clear and crisp the eInk display was.

The Reader has a nicely finished matt display surface, yet the text display is quite crisp and readable from extreme side angles.

To get books into it, you either use the included PC software to download them from the Sony eBook Library, or you copy an eBook (in one of the supported formats) to an SD card and use the handy SD slot

Reading a book
Now all this preamble means nothing if the reading experience doesn't work for me. And for the most part, it does.

Since the unit is about the width and height as some trade paperbacks, it feels reasonably comfortable in my hand. One thing I noticed immediately was the placement of the page controls.

For me to read comfortably, I have to keep one finger / thumb near them to advance the page. This configuration was a little uncomfortable at first, but I kind-of got used to it.

Also related to page turning, the screen has a noticeable flicker when updating. Either jumping to menus or turning the pages, there is an obvious refresh period that, while quite fast, is still noticeable, unlike reading with Stanza on the iPhone.

Bigger!

The size of the screen is great. Compared with PDA sized readers, it's quite enjoyable to scale the font size up or down as needed. Having full-sized text on the screen is a joy. But, having that high resolution has a tradeoff, the screen is monochrome. You can't display colour on the Sony Reader, the eInk hardware will only display 8 grayscale levels.

Back to the hands.

If you've never tried an eBook reader, either with a PDA or using a Sony Reader, you will have to get used to moving your hand less. The regular page-turn activity is absent in these devices.

With the Sony Reader, after reading for an hour or two, I find my hand cramping up over the page buttons, so I need to flex them a bit to work out the kinks. Low-tech paper books allow you to move your hand around the outside, grasping the book in different positions, and forcing you to move the entire hand as you page-turn. With an eBook reader, you simply push a button. Hand cramps.

Toucha toucha toucha touch me...

All that being said, the new Sony eBook Reader (PRS-700) uses a touch screen interface. I have no direct experience with it, but I'm guessing that feature will improve the experience. Touch screen reading on an iPod Touch is different than the button mashing I used to do with my Palm Pilot.

Overall, I enjoyed reading with the PRS-505. The technology is still new, and there are some areas that are showing improvement in the new models, but if you're looking for a solid eBook reader that is larger than a PDA, consider the Sony line...I'm impressed.

Message Edited by bgrier on 07-28-2009 09:49 PM

Message Edited by Laura on 08-21-2009 10:50 AM

[#2]

Have to wonder what will happen with the Apple's table due out in September. If Apple revolutionized how we listen to music, an Apple Tablet would certainly do the same for eBooks.

[#3]

@trishussey, for sure! I'm looking forward to getting my hands on that tablet, just for that reason. I like multi-function devices, and if we can use the iTablet as reader, a media player, and a netbook, then it could be another Apple gamechanger.

[#4]

Button-mashing aside, how would you describe looking at the ebook's display for a couple of hours straight compared to looking at the paper of an old fashion, printed book? Thanks. 

[#5]

@Klausboedker; thanks for that. While I mentioned that the display was sharp, readable and easy on the eyes....in low light conditions (reading in bed with a nightstand light) ther was a difference. 

I found the reflected light off of the display background generated less contrast...in other words, the text and the background had less contrast than print on the page of a paperback in the same conditions.

This didn't render the Reader un-readable, rather it was just something I noticed when comparing a paperback to the Reader in similar conditions.

In normal daylight, normal interior light, etc, it was not noticable, but in reduced light conditions, I did note the difference.

[#6]

*** UPDATE ***

 Sony plugs Google's library into e-readers...

Sony Corp said on Wednesday it has made available over 1 million public domain books on its electronic readers via Google Inc's Books project, which digitizes classic titles not protected by copyright.

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE56S4ZW20090729?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnolog...

[#7]

I own a PRS-505, and I love it, however I will say one thing: The screen is not very durable, and the slightest pressure causes defects to show, so sadly I must now replace the screen.

Unfortunately Sony has left their customers in the dust in this regard. "Repairing" the screen will cost $320 through an authorized Sony depot. For that kind of money, I'll be buying either the Foxit eReader or the BeBook instead of giving Sony another single cent of my disposable income.

[#8]

For me it is still about cost. If the reader was in the 100.00 range then this would be something I would consider, maybe if it was even less than two hundred dollars.

Unfortunately I think it is overpriced for what you get and on top of that you still have to pay to download books...

I'll stick to using the library and buying the occasional book...

Oh and then there is colour, if these had colour hI could read my graphic novels on em too...

Maybe someday...

JD

[#9]

Another update...it looks like Sony is moving into the low-end eReader marketplace too. They've just announced a new line of Readers, and announced price cuts on the existing line.

Oooohh. Colours!

More details at ZDnet: http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=22180

[#10]

I love my PRS-505!!! I looked at the the PRS-700 and found that the 505 screen has less reflections. I use this reader everyday!

A couple of things to note. Sony (for once) is one of the only companies that adopted the ebook standard (ePub). With this change you are no longer restricted to buying books only from Sony (although they just reduced prices on NYT bestsellers to 9.99 USD). I buy books directly from some publishers sites as well as other online book stores. In addition the Calgary Public Library rents eBooks online so I ended up getting a library card for the first time in 20 years and rent books from there.

The book reader gets used every day and becuae of the free books that Sony offers (not just from Google) I have learned about a lot of authors that I normally wouldn't have!

In addition for travelling it is an awesome device. I have a 2GB SD card and have loaded with Server Admin guides, Manuals for telephone systems I supports as well as the pdf manuals for all of my cameras, lenses and accessories (even the setting instructions for my watch).

The one reader is shared by the whole family as well and the bookmarking feature remembers the font settings for each book as well. Even if 2 people are reading the same book in different font sizes.

I am loking forward to seeing the new touch screen model, but if the screen reflections are the same as the PRS-700 I will pass on that and stick with my PRS-505.

No problems with the screen here although I also have the Sony case with the built in light that does protect the screen a bit.

[#11]

does anyone know if the rechargeable batteries can be replaced or do you have to buy a new reader?

[#12]

@casey258: Yep, it looks like you can replace the batteries. You have to open the unit...

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8426

@sysguy: thanks for that comment. I too have used my mobile readers for technical manuals etc. Nice to have the reference available when you need it.

[#13]

Well 199.00 is still TOO MUCH!

I think that this should be incorporate dinto an Iphone. I know it is a matter of time before we will have one tool for all... But how full will the land fills be????

JD

[#14]

@Jahhdog, actually there are a number of eBook readers for the iPhone. Just search the Apps store - my favourite is Stanza.

[#15]

my ebook is off the hook im addicted to it