Sony Reader details and pics
By Barb Dybwad 
posted January 6th 2006 5:22PM
posted January 6th 2006 5:22PM
We snagged some details on the Sony Reader we've been spying as well as some precious one-on-one time with the device. We should expect the device to be available in the U.S. this spring (Europe will have to wait for some licensing issues to be worked out with publishers) with a target date of April and a retail price between $299 and $399 depending on bundles accessories. The online book store will launch with about 10,000 titles, with each book available for approximately 20-25% below regular retail price for the physical copy. The display quality is very nice on the unit -- crisp and clear. The UI is fairly intuitive to navigate and you've got several options for frequently used functions such as page turning.
The unit reads PDF files as well as Sony's proprietary (anyone surprised?) BBeB format (stands for Broadband Electronic Books). They will be releasing software for reading BBeB format on your computer so you can read books you've purchased on your PC as well as on the Reader, but apparently you can only "share" your copy of the book with up to six other devices. When pressed for details about how this "document DRM" actually works, the PR rep we spoke with had zero information -- we asked whether a Mac version of the BBeB-reading software would be released but no word on that either.
There is a bookmark feature on the Sony Reader such that you can mark multiple passages and pages for later reference, but there's no on-board search capability. There is search capability in the PC BBeB reader software, but we were told Sony's research indicated on-board search wasn't a high priority for users (or at least the focus groups they asked, in any case). The unit comes with a docking station for connecting to your computer, but there's also a standard USB port on the bottom of the unit in addition to the docking connector, so presumably you don't need to lug the dock around with you to transfer files on the go.
Yes the price is high - but I get tired to reading peoples comments about how they read stuff on tablets and PDA's just fine. Actually LOOK at the device (not a picture - really look and read from it). It REALLY is incredible - much easier on the eyes than my tablet (of which I read many e-magazines). The e-ink doesn't have a "refresh rate" - as someone asked. It's on solid until the page "turns". This is why they rate battery life based on page turns vs. simply just time (which doens't apply).
Early adopters will pay the $300 just like early iPod adopters. The price will come down; but if you want to say you were the first one to have one, it'll cost you.
Now that I've actually seen it, I really like it. It's one of those things you have to see to really appreciate.
Color needed to read a book? You are supposed to use your imagination when reading a book. It would be nice if it were thinner though, and searching would be good for tech books.
Why would I spend $300 to $400 on this when I can buy an ebook from these people for $125.
http://www.ebookwise.com/eBookwise/
Might not be as small and light, and hey, it doesn't play tunes, but readers are interested in actually reading books, not all this fancy crap. At that price it will never get off the ground, except with those idiots who want some new toy to bolster their self esteem by being the first kid on the block to get the new stuff.
As a long time reader, trust me on this.
#54 It's not even in the same class as an e-ink device. All of the prior arguements for using PDAs and tablets are more valid against this device than the new e-ink ones. The ereader is expensive and little bulky because it's still new technology. I'd even consider buying one at the high price if it was about 75% thinner. 7500 pages on a charge with a picture that is as easy on the eyes as a regular book is a great start.
Sony's Connect store is not available in certain parts of the world. If you are outside the US / Japan, check before you buy a Reader - you may not be able to buy any books for it.
Also, their webiste says you can listen to mp3s once you are done reading, meaning you can't listen *while* you are reading? Either they can't write English, or they can't design. Let's hope it's the former.
As to comparisons with a Tablet - get over yourselves. Does your tablet weight 9oz., is about 7" diagonal, lasts a few days on a single charge and cost $300?
Will E-Reader read downloaded books from www.gutenberg.org?
Will E-Reader read downloaded books from www.gutenberg.org?
This product is already a complete flop and it hasn't even been released yet. It just shows how incredibly out of touch Sony has become with reality. The premise for this "product" is completely wrong (ie. the book needs to be replaced). If an electronic reader one day evolves to become as-good-as a book, it will only be more expensive than a book. The book is a fantastic invention which will probably NEVER be replaced.
get a REB1200 off ebay for 50 bucks...color screen,,get books off eboowkise.com...uses a memory card, hold endless books...and now you can convert just about anything even PDF...way better deal...i bought mine a couple years back and market for book was jacked because of proprietary book deals....now thats pretty much resolved being that you convert anything to read on the thing....doc, .lit, .pdf, even pdf palm reader....and it color...about the size of a medium paperback and cheap to boot...
I'll stay in line to buy it.
I read a lot on my Laptop and have huge book selection in PDF and word. With this thingy and few memory sticks you can have Barnes & Nobles plus record store in coat pocket.
Price is not so bad, is equal to 30-40 paperbacks, weight is about 9 oz or 250gr and it has a screen specially designed for reading.
Environmental freaks must love it. Think, how many trees can be saved
You guys are complaining about price?
Well, I remember this device that Sony came out with some years ago...called the Sony Walkman. Seemed kinda expensive at $150--at least it did at the time...
This is what happens--early adopters buy new tech at higher prices, and, if viable, manufacturing and other efficiencies are added to the process and the price drops.
I've been watching the development of e-ink for the last five years, and I'm pleased to see it finally come of age.
As a consultant in electronic publishing, I've been waiting for the perfect method of presenting technical publicatons to users "in the field". This is it.
Believe me. As the price drops over time, and colored e-paper is incorporated, e-ink readers will take a huge chunk of the book market.
The average price for a technical book is around 30 - 50 GBP (in London)and normally it is massive. To get the version in pdf from the net is matter of time which is around 15 or 30 min.. and cost nothing(p2p). i can barley carry two or three books with me. It is really horrible to use a laptop or anything else to read ebook. With this device i can have about 80 books (internal memory)with me, no weight and easy to read. How long does battery last on laptop and PDA? How good to read an ebook on them(sunny weather or just wrong light)? It is pricey to buy this Reader but i would like to have one. if to talk about how expansive to loos something... hm i think some times not everything can be priced at all.
my only concern with the SonyReader is whether i would be obligated to download books from SOny Connect or be able to download books from eBook sites which sell ebokks in PDF format. I believe you can, but am not sure. Does anyone know for certain?
Do Not Purchase a Sony Reader. Yes, they are way overpriced. I know because my husband bought me one for Christmas. The salesman at the Sony store assured him that you could download from sites other than the Sony store. Well, I'd like to know where these sites are. It is almost impossible to actually TALK to a Sony rep who knows about the product. After several attempts to download (unsuccessful attempts) I "chatted" with an expert at Sony who responded to my question about downloading with a YES. I was very specific about requesting a yes or no answer as no one there seemed to be sure. It is now March and I have not used the Reader as the selection of books is very limited. I have downloaded books in the past from my local library. A friend who works in a very high tech company had some of the technical whizzes there take the device and after four days they were unable to download from any sites but Sony. What a rip off. I am especially discouraged that the sales reps at Sony assured me with a lot of technical lingo that it could be done. Believe me, if anyone could do it, the men who were working on it would have been the ones to do it. I consider it misrepresentation of the product.