I believe this version uses a later version of the eInk display. It is said to produce better contrast and a "much whiter" screen surface in addition to a quicker refresh.
As an owner of the current ereader, all of these enhancements are welcome.
These are great little units for travel, takes up MUCH less space than a single paperback and it goes a long way on a single charge. The only thing I wish they would add is an LED reading lamp for low light. I don't think they can add a backlight to the eInk display.
No backlight is a frequent complaint, but I frankly don't get it. When did your paperback last light up?
I love my 500 & will likely not spring for a new version (I'm on my second as my 1st is lost in the parking lot of a Marriott - though if anyone found one last month in a Marriott in San Jose, please let me know...).
Truly these should be more popular than they are. However, w/ most gadgets being coveted by men & recent studies clearly showing more women are readers than men it's not likely we'll see a real revolution anytime soon.
I told my girlfriend about these, because she does read so much, but she doesn't want it, because it gets rid of the printed page, and it wouldn't smell like a book.
This was while we were at borders, so I bent over and took a smell, and she did too... it DID smell like a book. Sony, you geniuses!
@Anthony A paper back is also about $8 vs $300. A small good book light I'll round up to $20 (nice slim one maybe functions as a bookmark too). I for one enjoy and expect ADVANCES in technology, so when sony designs a device specifically for that purpose, people are right to have some expectations. My cheap IIIxe palm pilot from almost 8 years ago has a backlight, doesn't lag when switching pages, previous pages don't ghost, and is much more durable.
I'm not neglecting the numerous ways it does things better, I'm saying it doesn't do enough better. I remember the first time I tried one of these out. I was shocked how terrible it ran. It's beyond me how someone who spent $300 on this could be happy with it. I'd rather spend that on an n800, deal with the smaller screen and enjoy the other features.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jberger @ Sep 10th 2007 9:16PM
I believe this version uses a later version of the eInk display. It is said to produce better contrast and a "much whiter" screen surface in addition to a quicker refresh.
As an owner of the current ereader, all of these enhancements are welcome.
These are great little units for travel, takes up MUCH less space than a single paperback and it goes a long way on a single charge. The only thing I wish they would add is an LED reading lamp for low light. I don't think they can add a backlight to the eInk display.
Anthony @ Sep 11th 2007 1:48AM
No backlight is a frequent complaint, but I frankly don't get it. When did your paperback last light up?
I love my 500 & will likely not spring for a new version (I'm on my second as my 1st is lost in the parking lot of a Marriott - though if anyone found one last month in a Marriott in San Jose, please let me know...).
Truly these should be more popular than they are. However, w/ most gadgets being coveted by men & recent studies clearly showing more women are readers than men it's not likely we'll see a real revolution anytime soon.
Jeremy @ Sep 11th 2007 9:40AM
I told my girlfriend about these, because she does read so much, but she doesn't want it, because it gets rid of the printed page, and it wouldn't smell like a book.
This was while we were at borders, so I bent over and took a smell, and she did too... it DID smell like a book. Sony, you geniuses!
thekid @ Sep 12th 2007 6:12PM
@Anthony
A paper back is also about $8 vs $300. A small good book light I'll round up to $20 (nice slim one maybe functions as a bookmark too). I for one enjoy and expect ADVANCES in technology, so when sony designs a device specifically for that purpose, people are right to have some expectations. My cheap IIIxe palm pilot from almost 8 years ago has a backlight, doesn't lag when switching pages, previous pages don't ghost, and is much more durable.
I'm not neglecting the numerous ways it does things better, I'm saying it doesn't do enough better. I remember the first time I tried one of these out. I was shocked how terrible it ran. It's beyond me how someone who spent $300 on this could be happy with it. I'd rather spend that on an n800, deal with the smaller screen and enjoy the other features.