| Brand: | Sony | ||
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The new Reader model PRS- features a svelte body design Re-styled controls more closely mimic paper page turns and allow for quick intuitive navigation A next-generation electronic paper display delivers faster response and a higher contrast ratio for easy reading even in bright sunshine Eight levels of gray scale provide for crisp and clear text images and graphics This device is designed for people on the go this device is compelling because it allows them to carry a wide variety of reading materials whether they are on a cross-country flight in a doctor’s office waiting room or at a beach resort The Reader can handle a stack of books and other documents that people would rather not carry yet offers a ‘book-like’ reading experience unavailable with other electronic devices With the capacity to store up to typical eBooks the Reader can act as a mobile library Expansion slots for Memory Stick Duo media or SD memory cards make the device’s library potential practically limitless More advanced users will appreciate the USB-based mass storage capability that allows them to use the device as a portable drive for the direct transfer of documents images and other files to the Reader A new more info
10 Comments
Sony eReader PRS-505 works great with Linux
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I was hesitant to purchase an eReader since I use Linux, not Windows or Mac. This review is to let everyone know that the Sony eReader works absolutely well and easily with Linux. I researched online which eReader would work best for Linux. There were hundreds of discouraging blogs about using Linux and trying to use ebooks on most readers. There were specific notes saying, “Sorry, not supported on Linux.”
I just want to make a post to counter those naysayers. I purchased a Sony PRS-505 today, and within 5 minutes of getting home, I had loaded 5 full length novels on the reader using Ubuntu 9.04 and Calbre. It was an absolute breeze, start to finish.
Without reading the eReader directions, I plugged in into my PC, then turned on my computer. Immediately the eReader icon showed up on my desktop. The next thing I did was download the library application Calibre. Calibre is a library cataloging and file conversion tool that is free. It downloads in a minute and works well. It will catalog all your ebooks, and convert files to any format suitable for your eReader.
While that was downloading I looked for free ebooks on the net and landed on [...]. I pursued the novels, selected several, and selected download. I downloaded the files as “.epub” files. It’s a new open format, and they worked well. They downloaded so fast I wasn’t sure the download had worked. I even downloaded a thousand pages of the BBC news. The “Fetch New” is already in the toolbar of the Calibre app.
The Gutenberg files appeared on my desktop. I dragged them into Calibre and the books showed up. I highlighted them and clicked on the “Send to” icon in the top tool bar. Again, it was so fast I couldn’t believe it. But sure enough, when I unplugged my eReader and looked on the menu, there were the novels. I selected one at a time, they opened, and I was reading.
So, please don’t let the blogs or notices about Sony eReaders not working with Linux hold you back. Also, the Sony PRS-505 is very intuitive. I have yet to read the instructions. Yet I could ride the bus to work tomorrow and have a fine read without having looked at the intructions, and with no hassle using Linux with the Calibre application. Who needs wireless when this is so easy on Ubuntu using Calibre.
The PRS-505 is a great value and the ease of use is amazing. The format is open source, so there are all kinds of books you can download for free. I didn’t like the new Daily Edition Sony reader because I didn’t think I needed wireless, and the text is a little less sharply displayed on the New Edition. It has to do with the touch screen. I actually found that I liked the buttons on 505 better than the touch on the Daily.
The Sony 505 is a great value with Linux, and the free books so easily obtained is a marvel. I would recommend the product.
A Huge Disappointment.
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
I was very happy when I first bought my Sony Reader, from which I had high expectations. However, since the beginning I noticed that the background was too dark for my sight. Given that brightness/contrast can not be adjusted, I decided to buy the light, which in my opinion was a terrible investment as the glass is not transparent but rather blurry. So, in the end I could not read properly. The only way I found to read with some comfort was by increasing the letter size to maximum, which I personally do not like. I thus ended up returning everything. I hope Sony solve this important issues by the next generation of its ebook reader.
On top of this, the charger is an essential component that should come with the Reader and not being sold separately. As Sony is handling the different components being sold individually turns its reader too pricey for the quality of the item. I have to add that I was surprised with the poor quality of this particular eReader being Sony such a well regarded company in terms of quality products.
Thanks
waiting for apple touch netbook
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
After reading all these reviews, it helps, i will wait for apple touch screen netbook
A Great Buy – Still
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I purchased the Sony 505 before the release of the current PRS-300/600 mainly as a experiment to see if I would enjoy reading material electronically. So far so good. The e-Ink is easy on the eyes. Much has been said about the reading material available for the PRS 505. I have found no shortage of material, especially once I found “calibre”. I am able to download news from various news papers and magazines, enough to satisfy my needs. There are a number of websites that provide public domain books free of charge ([...]is the best of the lot). And yes, I have purchased books from Sony eStore and and other eBook Stores. Sony, with its latest version of the eReader Software (3.0) has made it compatible with MAC users. Synching the reader with your MAC or PC is easy. I highly recommend the “Custom Cover and Light” from Sony. It has proven to be a valuable tool for late night reading. I rated the eReader 4 stars mainly because it is missing some items that are available in the PRS-600, touch screen, note taking, highlighting and the 505 page turning lags a little occasionally. Other than that the eReaders from Sony are great. The conversion of Sony material to ePUB formats is a real plus. The Sony’s ability to read multiple formats is it’s greatest strength. The eReader world needs to settle on a standard and ePUB from Adobe could easily be that standard. If you are wondering about eReaders, now may be the time to buy, the prices on the 505s are coming down on left over eReaders and you may still be able to locate one (PRS-505). I am waiting on the “Daily Edition” from Sony before I make a decision on which model to upgrade to as my next reader.
Kicks Kindle to curb
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
If you are a PC, the Sony 505 Reader is for you. Linux people are also ok for the 505.
If you are a Mac, get the Kindle.
Amazon’s model is to tie the device to the online store. This is a few years behind Apple’s iPod: their DRM is weakening, and I suspect the same will happen with ebooks, but it might take a very long time.
Sony’s model is to give you a relatively open device that can do DRM ebooks or “open” ebooks. The user basically has control over which model to participate in.
Of course, you sacrifice simplicity: what could be simpler than downloading an ebook from Amazon? But does the Kindle interface with your public library to borrow ebooks for free? No, but the 505 can. Pretty neat, and no late fees. I went to my public library the next day after getting my 505 and found out about LA’s decent ebooks program.
If you like reading classics, 505’s got you covered. 1 million of them courtesy of Google, and more on the way, as long as Google and Sony can make nicey nice.
If you like bestsellers, most of them are at Sony’s ebook store. Not everything is there, but hey, probably 99% of new stuff I wouldn’t read anyway! The 505 is not ideal for people who like to read what everyone else is reading. If you can plan ahead for your reading (like in advance of a trip), you will have no problem living with the 505.
Having an ebook reader is kind of like having a different relationship with books. Books are not limited to how much space you have any more–you can finally control more books than you could possibly ever read. It’s hard to express this in words, but your first day or so with a new ebook reader is something of a revolution (if you have any sort of relationship with the printed word). You become more of a book collector.
Also, nobody has to know what you are reading any more. Used to be, you might be too ashamed to read certain books in public. Now, it doesn’t matter. Chick lit, anyone?
Someone should give Amazon the message that tightly restricted DRM isn’t what people want. Kudos for them introducing an innovative product: when you tell friends you got a 505 they ask, “Oh, is that like a Kindle?”
I got the 505 even though the 600 and the 300 are already out. The 300 is a neat device, but I wanted the ability to play MP3s on the device. I don’t really need a touchscreen, though it is an interesting feature. Finally, the 505 is only $269 at Sonystyle brick and mortar stores: how quaint, buying a digital device at a store! You might have some trouble scoring one at your store, so call first.
The display, the software, the buttons, you can read the other reviews. I can tell you I am as engrossed in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on the 505 as I was with it on paper. The 505 is digital crack, totally addicting.
More Portable Than Books
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I was skeptical at first, since I’m a big fan of books, but this one fits in my pocket, and most of the books I want are in the public domain, and are thus available online for free. I’ve found that glare on the screen is only a problem when I sit in the sun with a white shirt or tilt the screen such that a source of direct light is reflected towards me.
The battery life is pretty incredible. It came uncharged, of which I was warned in the manual, but after I had fully charged it, the thing lasted for weeks. (It still hasn’t run out.) The only thing of which you’ve got to be careful if you carry it in your pocket is that you must turn it off when you do carry it, as that locks the rest of the buttons from being pressed.
My serious complaint isn’t with the reader, but with Sony’s software. I can get away with not using most of its functionality, but I’ve already fought with it and had to erase its database files and format the reader’s memory once. Furthermore, it’s only for Windows, which is incredibly inconvenient for people who want to use operating systems on their computers. Then again, there’s enough memory on the reader for me to make a transfer once every month or so–I can fit about thirty books on there easily, which satisfies me for the entire month. (I only have that many; there’s still plenty of memory on it.)
Sony EBook vs. the Kindle
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Sony EBook vs. the Kindle
After re-viewing the specs and esthetics of the Sony Reader to the Kindle I chose the Sony PRS 505 EBook. And I purchased the 3 year catastrophic warranty too! No sense taking chances on dropping it in water or a fall. One thing that I really like about the Sony reader is that when I read a book, I want to read a book!! I don’t need the keypad etc! The Kindle has a much wider border around the reading area which makes the screen look smaller than the Sony reader. The Kindle also has a large base with a keypad which again makes the reading screen look small.
The Sony has a nice thin border surrounding the Reading Screen which makes it seem more like a book than the Kindle. I purchased 4GB and 2GB of Ram for my Reader and it works fast and the screen is excellent! To others who have complaints about the Sony reader, I say…Read the instructions and call support. Their phone support is excellent as I had to call to get questions on the Software. The Sony works great and is easy to use. I recommend the Sony PRS-505 over the Kindle if you’re a serious reader who just wants to read!
Love my reader
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
PRS-505 is simply awesome. It was smaller than I expected but now I think it’s exactly the size it ought to be. Now I can read every book I want without going to the book store or the library. The display is not exactly like paper but it’s a huge difference from reading books on the computer. The battery lasts as advertised – two weeks.
If you haven’t updated yet, I strongly recommend you to upgrade your eBook Library software to version 3.0 It’s much more user friendly and speedy.
Almost the Answer for E-Text
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This excellent device is the right size for comfortable reading and the screen is easier on your eyes than the new touch-screen version. For reading and managing texts without digital rights issues (e.g. the c. 30,000 at Project Gutenberg) it’s the practical and less expensive solution. If you are more interested in reading classics than the best-seller lists, it’s the best choice.
The only thing I miss from my battery-eating Franklin eBookman is the ability to mark and copy quotations for notes. The Sony requires an external notepad. Imagine.
Handy Little Gadget
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Have my reader about 2 weeks now and lo and behold!! SONY has decided to lower prices on most bestsellers to $9.99. Such a deal! I think the only advantage that the Kindle has over this is getting books wirelessly. This is no big deal. I read a few book reviews in the Times. If I know I will be traveling, I download them from my PC and voila!! I like it.