http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/ Engadget Comments for Sony's PRS-505 eBook reader now on sale http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 8:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 8:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
I think you are the one who doesn't "get it". This is a book reader. Not a gps/organizer/phone/text device. The screen is an ultra-low power eink device. It is as easy on the eyes as printed paper. It has a time between charges of weeks. That's it.

The whole advantage of this thing is the screen technology. You can get plenty of other devices to read with for much cheaper. If you want a device that has roughly the same visual qualities as paper and great battery life you can get this.

Nobody ever said this would do everything for you, but if you want to read text files and are willing to pay the early-adopter price you can get this.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 9:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
Don't worry, everyone 'gets' it.

We just won't be 'getting' it with our money! lol]]>Oct 2nd 2007 9:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 9:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
Like mile said. Comic books have pictures and stuff, thats like actual photos, this just displays text, black and white will suffice. I really don't think they make books where there are different color texts throughout, at least not if you are old enough to spend $300 on this...]]>Oct 2nd 2007 9:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
I really want one of those. Does anyone know if it plays mp3s?]]>Oct 2nd 2007 9:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
That will be so 70's (or something).

]]>Oct 2nd 2007 10:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
This reader is pretty cool if you're just into reading. Sure color would be nice, but hardly necessary. If it can play some music while reading that might be nice, too. If it could handle PDFs that would be even better.

I wish it could be set up for learning languages with quizzes. It could be a pretty cool tool.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 8:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 8:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 8:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 8:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 8:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/as a biomedical researcher, i must read some hundreds of articles every month. i still print a hard copy for every single one of them. PDFs are convenient to organize your library of articles and very useful when you need to look up something quickly, but they are not very friendly on the eyes...
]]>Oct 2nd 2007 8:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
Having said that, it's pretty clear that the nay-sayers above have no idea of how useful this device is and most likely have not had much time on it. There's around 100 books in my Librie at the moment. When I moved out for work, I didn't have to bring any of my collections of paperback/hardback novels, since I just need to cram them into a memory stick. (This new version handles SD cards are well, apparently.)

16-level grayscale would be nicer for manga of course, but 4-level is still fine, just need to tweak the palette a bit when converting images. But colour-images? how many novels have colour images, other than the cover? Sure, colour would be _nice_ if this device is to act as some sort of multi-functional photo-viewer, but colour eInk is likely to be prohibitively expensive at this point. I guess there's just no pleasing some people, if Sony added colour e-Ink, they'd probably complain its inability to play videos.

I've also read plenty of books on my trusty Tungsten E2, but seriously, the Librie is much much better as a e-book reader.
]]>Oct 2nd 2007 9:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
First. Who are you kidding about reading all those articles in grad school?
I hope you can speed read cuz you won't wake before noon every day! lol (just kidding).

Seriously - Check out a tablet pc. Check out motion tablets. They are fantastic.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 10:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 9:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
Agreed. I have the original model and the only thing it does well is display linear fiction. Using this for research or reference is pretty much useless. There aren't any search or annotation capabilites and the slow refresh of the screen keeps you from browsing rapidly through pages.

If you want to read novels, this is great. Anything else is just forcing a solution and will require too much work to be worthwhile.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 9:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
It's surprisingly effective for what it needs to do. ]]>Oct 3rd 2007 2:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
Mile is making a different point than mine. Sure, color is not necessary to read text. That's wonderful. Thank you both for pointing that out.

If you wanna be an early adopter on this fork out your $300 and be my guest.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 9:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
Another thing is that the navigation UI is not good, and it takes some learning. This definitely needs some serious updates.

One more thing is that you cannot read and listen to music at the same time (this device can play back certain types of music files).

So buyer beware! If you plan to carry it around, get a hard case, and be real careful not to drop it.
As for me, I'll wait for the day when color e-Ink screen comes around with better resolution. ]]>Oct 2nd 2007 9:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 3rd 2007 11:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/]]>Oct 2nd 2007 10:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
If you like reading, this is actually a great device to own.

I've seen one at a Borders book store, the eink looks good and is REALLY easy on the eyes(meaning it's not supposed to be a super bright LCD screen like you'd expect), its resemblance to regular paper is amazing.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 10:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Why get this when you can have the real thing?.. .. ]]>Oct 2nd 2007 10:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
Go out to your local store and buy yourself $300 worth of paper. Now try to stuff all of it in your pockets. Now write all over that paper, and try to find a certain paragraph in the middle of it all.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
I think you need to reconsider calling this "bashing", senseless.
While I understand there are plenty of people who don't carry a laptop and are allergic to paper, I don't think THIS is the all mighty solution. This should be $100, maybe $150, for what it does and how it does it.

Yes I like reading. No I don't like having to spend $300+ to do so.]]>Oct 2nd 2007 11:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 5th 2007 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 10:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
If PSP and the eBook reader were intended to do the same thing, they wouldn't be TWO DIFFERENT FUCKING PRODUCTS.

Believe it or not, not everyone wants every single piece of electronic equipment to play MP3s! ]]>Oct 2nd 2007 10:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
Hm, I seem to have no trouble reading books in bed. "Lamps" sure are a handy invention.

Sorry, maybe I have shitty eyes, but trying to read more than an article-length text on an LCD is quite literally torture, especially after a whole day sitting in front of one for work.

Also, "backlights" only work for transmissive displays, which this is not.]]>Oct 3rd 2007 3:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/ I am as sure as you are that not every one wants all of their electronic devices to play music but I thought I was talking about a device that already has this ability what are you talking about?
And as for kerryb Yes I too am familiar with " Lamps" they work well. If the new Sony ebook reader had a backlight, it would work well. If you like it so much go ahead and buy one and use your lamp. I will just use my RCA ebook with its built in "lamp" and save a few cents by not having my bed side "lamp" on.
As for your job sitting in front of a computer all day, maybe you just have a shitty outlook on life and not bad eyes, If I was you I would take one of the cords off of a "lamp" and hang myself. ]]>Oct 3rd 2007 6:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 10:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 10:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
Perhaps we can convince Sony to hunt down those Engadget readers who make completely stupid, pointless, radical & off-topic comments and use their skin instead? Won't somebody please think of the bunnies?]]>Oct 2nd 2007 10:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 2nd 2007 11:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
@kerunt: If you want to 'write' on the paper get a tablet PC. ]]>Oct 3rd 2007 12:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 3rd 2007 2:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 3rd 2007 6:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 3rd 2007 8:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/I've mentioned this in other threads and I will again. Apple's damn priorities are screwed up on a level that isn't even funny. I'm not an Apple fanboi (Truth be told I hate all [insert company name here] zealots.) but the thought of a very simple, easy to use, lacking a shit load of buttons ereader from Apple that integrates into iText Media Store that is linked to ereader.com makes me drool.
Music players are a dime a dozen at this point. Books on the other hand are mandatory for school. Imagine a tab on that media store that takes you to your campus's inventory where you can buy your books right there. Maybe even redeem credits for free books or something. Add the ability to mark up the book, search, and integrate with searching your notes in spotlight on OS X?
Apple is a fool for not jumping into this market NOW.]]>Oct 3rd 2007 2:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
1) More books need to be released as e-books. While there are lots of e-books around, it seems that for every 10 new books release only 1 is available as an e-book (no scientific data or data at all for this number). I want to read the books I want as an e-book, not choose what books I want to read based on if they are available as an e-book

2) Publishers should allow you to buy the hard copy book and also get an e-copy of it. I'm sure they can figure out the DRM issue, but there are still many of us that would like the hard copy for a home library or for physical backup. I'd like to buy a book at the store and then have the option to download an e-copy to my reader. I'd also be fine with flexible pricing ($5 for e-copy, $7 for hard copy, $9 for hard copy + e-copy). They could either provide a CD or direct you to a website.

I really love the idea of the e-book reader but I just can't see myself getting one yet when there are so many issues left to be resolved. Thoughts?]]>Oct 3rd 2007 4:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 3rd 2007 8:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
I don't care about the screen refresh time, it's minimal and easy to get used to, but I do wish it had a search feature and some type of lighting. Backlighting will not work on e-ink and maybe there'd be too much glare on the screen for side lights, but man, it'd be nice if you could read in the dark.

On the other hand, carrying around a couple hundred best-sellers that you illegally download to justify spending $300 on this is great. There's a couple of great sites dedicated to that. Yay for piracy!]]>Oct 3rd 2007 9:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 3rd 2007 9:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
I still think it's a bit too expensive at the moment, but I'm sure once there's more competition, it will get a lot cheaper. I wouldn't buy this one even if it was cheaper though, I hate Sony.]]>Oct 3rd 2007 4:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/Oct 6th 2007 5:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/02/sonys-prs-505-ebook-reader-now-on-sale/
Hey guys--- I read all the comments and i just wanted to include my two cents. The device is expensive and im not a real fan of sony after buying a laptop from them a few years ago. The support is lame. This a technology that i have been following for a few years and i am just happy that somebody has brougth it in to the mainstream in format thats appealing and that i hope will excite and create a deman for more of the devices which translates in further development of the technology. So ill be one of the first suckers or praisers of the device. I will keep this group posted as i see there are other people who are cosidering buying it. Plus i couldn't say know to their 1 year not interest deal plus, their 100 dollar credit to buy accessories, and their 100 free books download. From what i understand they have increased ther book publishers membership. According to their site they have 20,000 books available..]]>Oct 7th 2007 2:34AM