Sony's new Reader close to greatness, but a bit too dim

Sony's lithe new PRS-700 conquers many of the most annoying faults of Amazon's chunky little fire-starter, but falls just short of greatness according to MobileTechReview. First with the good: the touchscreen enables page turning with the flick of a finger (or stylus), note taking via virtual keyboard, responds quite well, and doesn't even smudge! It supports PDF and Word files, can be used landscaped, and even has LEDs built into the screen's border for reading in the dark. Sadly, though, that display can't even match the contrast of its predecessors, which are plenty murky to begin with, and with no wireless of any sort you're stuck filling this one via USB, SD, or MS Duo. In other words there's still no perfect choice in the world of the e-ink reader -- but it is awfully hard to ignore the Reader's sleek exterior when compared to the Kindle's distinctively sci-fi doorstop look.

[Callum Bush @ Nov 12th 2008 6:35AM]

I really hope i'm not first
second please!

[Angus Hedger @ Nov 12th 2008 6:50AM]

=[

[Callum Bush @ Nov 12th 2008 6:36AM]

damnation

[OCEAN 'CLAK' 20th @ Nov 12th 2008 6:56AM]

'i' don't like it no color screen, music player or internet

[Benson @ Nov 12th 2008 7:07AM]

'i' am tired of your trollage.

[Angus Hedger @ Nov 12th 2008 6:57AM]

'i' think you should go away, and never come back.

Maybe stick your 'i'phone up your ass, might make you happy =]

[Angus Hedger @ Nov 12th 2008 6:58AM]

You cant reply to 'i'Troll =[

[Gilbert Tang @ Nov 12th 2008 6:59AM]

While my Bushy friend above makes asinine comments for absolutely no reason, I would like to share my sheer excitement for this device.

I'm still not sure if it's going to make me ditch my 505, which I've loved dearly ever since it gained the ability to reflow PDF text -- thereby enabling me to read my textbooks sans burning eyes -- during the last update. (It's also worth noting the update fixed a rampant battery drain issue, too.)

Another factor is the cost. The thing is darn expensive. However, if they were to offer me native Mac support (without making it available for the 505 for some reason), and make the eBook Store, well, usable, which includes populating it with, you know, books, then I might consider a switch, especially given the touch screen and LEDs.

That said, the wisest choice is probably to wait for the end-all device to come out in the next year or two and appreciate what I already have.

Either way, as it stands, the e-book world, and thus the consumer, wins. Regardless of its success, this device will definitely make competitors uncomfortable to the point of seriously evaluating their strategy (and hopefully design aesthetic).

[joeyboy @ Nov 12th 2008 7:18AM]

While I agree with your general excitement for the technology, for me a bad display would be a show stopper.
I mean, what's the only purpose of e-paper e-reader devices: To make reading texts as nice as possible. To put
a crappy display into an e-book reader makes simply no sense to me.

I like my gadgets and to have the latest tech around me, but how can it be, that in many cases the predecessors were
better then the follow-ups? My current smartphone with 3G, VGA Display etc. fails on the most basic tasks: to receive sms immediately
and sometimes tells a caller I'm unavailable even when it show 3bars of reception (no, it's not an iphone). Other examples are:
- glossy laptop screens (and even glossy laptop outsides!!) vs. older matte displays
- 15 Megapixel cameras vs. older 8 Megapixel cameras
- some new beta smartphones w 3G vs. fully working older smartphones


Anyway it's great to see the technology advance, and I am looking forward to great technology plus some common sense in development :)

[Gilbert Tang @ Nov 12th 2008 7:26AM]

@joeyboy I definitely agree a poor screen would be a show-stopper, but unless they took a step backwards in resolution (possible given the touch screen), it seems unlikely that it would be worse than the current iteration, which is quite nice.

But if indeed the screen is lackluster, that would kill it. Though it may be quite nice when the next is of a reasonable size, when the going gets tough, I would put the current screen at the bare minimum.

Let's hope for the best!

[Anthony @ Nov 12th 2008 11:27AM]

I'm super excited too.

I didn't get the 505 but have the 500. I will be splurging on this one (especially w/ Sony's various promotions on Sony Style). I love the lack of buttons & the return to a 'non right handed' approach (the 505 has page turning buttons on the right side only, not left & right as 500 has).

[Gilbert Tang @ Nov 12th 2008 2:37PM]

@Anthony Totally agree on the non-right-handed-only issue. Even though the 505 tried to add the circular button on the left, and even though I'm right-handed, I would still prefer a purely ambidextrous device since I never stay in the same reading position for more than 30-40 minutes. The idea of turning pages with a swipe is just awesome to me.

You're a lucky dude. I got my 505 as soon as it came out, so I will definitely be waiting. Then again, you're right about promos, so we'll see! I can't wait to go to the Sony store to compare.

[Harkonian @ Nov 12th 2008 2:55PM]

I agree with the above commenters: added "nice to have" functionality (touch screen) at the expense of core functionality (readability/contrast) is the wrong way to go. In this case the problem is the added touchscreen layer reduces the already not-so-spectacular contrast of the device to the point that, to me, it doesn't look all that usable. See for yourself

[Gilbert Tang @ Nov 12th 2008 7:00AM]

It has native MP3 support like its 505 and 500 predecessors; but alas, no wireless connectivity.

[Bad Beaver @ Nov 12th 2008 7:05AM]

No WiFi, no proper Mac support? Sony can pretty much have a go at themselves. Otherwise, this is pretty much what I'd like to have.

[JZ @ Nov 12th 2008 8:54AM]

Well since Apple makes a mere 10% of the market is the support interesting, but just as interesting as support for left-handed or blind people. Seen that the last two groups are always forgotten due the financial costs.

That said the lack off WiFi is a bit silly and even it may drain the battery a simple on/offswitch could solve that.

[mikeg @ Nov 12th 2008 1:08PM]

you mean no native apple support.

there are plenty of third party apps that are mac friendly, and most of them are actually better than the sony software.

Sony would do well to go find the guy who wrote the front end program called calibre and hire him to write their official software and give him the open api's to do so.

[Bad Beaver @ Nov 12th 2008 1:12PM]

@ mikeg: No, that would make sense. Can't have that.

[Gilbert Tang @ Nov 12th 2008 7:05AM]

Yeah, I was pretty disappointed that the vast majority of the millions of books out there don't have colored pages as well -- that is, until I realized I didn't read books for the pictures.

Colored e-ink displays are of limited utility for this device's intended application, especially as compared to the likely detriments (battery, unnecessarily increased eye strain, etc.).

Then again, if the funnies are your thing, perhaps you're onto something...

[Gilbert Tang @ Nov 12th 2008 7:07AM]

That was in reply to OCEAN 'CLAK' 20th @ Nov 12th 2008 6:56AM. For some reason, the reply link didn't work and it put my comment at the bottom of the string.

[Rob @ Nov 12th 2008 7:17AM]

I was looking forward to this unit but still no built-in dictionary and also no mac support. That's too bad.

[Dave Chappelle @ Nov 12th 2008 7:25AM]

why would u need wireless? how often does anyone need to transfer pdf's?

I think this looks damn awesome and the contrast may not meet its predecessors but too much contrast gives you a headache especially when your reading a book (yes I tried reading a downloaded copy of the latest Harry Potter lol).

But i do not really need the device itself at the moment, maybe if i could 'subscribe' to the local newspaper or something then i would get it. It would also be a good way of getting something like the New York Times in Australia the day of its release...

[Gilbert Tang @ Nov 12th 2008 7:30AM]

I transfer PDFs often, but I think what the editors are referring to in terms of wireless capability is that which is enabled on the Kindle: essentially a free cellular service allowing you to download books anywhere you happen to have a signal (just about everywhere in the US).

Even as someone that loves his PRS-505, and can't stand the looks and feel of the Kindle (or the fee charged to convert your own documents), I most certainly would love a feature like this.

[Scythe @ Nov 12th 2008 8:42AM]

After plugging in the pr505 to get ebooks off of it, wireless (even if bluetooth only) would be a amazing.

I hate having to pull out the cord, and plug it into the usb port on the computer just do download a single book from the sony ebook store.

[Bad Beaver @ Nov 12th 2008 10:19AM]

If it has wireless the device is more convenient for refreshing content on the go, obviously, and make the device self-dependant. It doesn't necessarily mean that you would want to shop on the go a la Kindle, yet having say RSS feeds refresh upon finding open WiFi.

[iEye @ Nov 12th 2008 7:32AM]

Oh great, Sorny releases a device that the main feature if flawed.. Enjoy those law suits when people start to have eye strain problems...

Oh and Sorny, enjoy your FAIL sales figures this holiday season! its gonna be mighty cold!

[Luke @ Nov 12th 2008 7:40AM]

Wow, Sony supporting SD..? I might actually consider buying a Sony camera (video or photo) if they start supporting SD on those as well.

[mikeg @ Nov 12th 2008 1:10PM]

they've had SD support in the previous model as well.

it's not new at all.

[Michael @ Nov 12th 2008 6:03PM]

If you didn't know, the current iteration DOES support SD...I saw the PRS-505 on display in 2 local Target stores for $299, and they had both an SD card slot, and a MS Duo slot. Rather nice device, but I've grown fond of the built-in EVDO in my Kindle.

[Max @ Nov 12th 2008 7:46AM]

If you can't read the screen, what good is it?

[sam @ Nov 12th 2008 7:53AM]

I don't really get the need for having constant connectivity via WiFi let alone evdo. The device's primary function is a book reader. You are, by definition, spending a lot of time on a single file. If you can't fill your device with enough content to last you until the next time you're going to be near a USB port, then you have other problems.

I get that it's nice to have the book store on the device itself, and the other features like the web browser and the Q&A thing, but it's a book reader. Constant connectivity is not required to make it "perfect" for the task.

[LC @ Nov 12th 2008 11:50AM]

The advantage of being able to connect to a readers online store, particularly in Amazons case, is if you subscribe to a daily newspaper, like the Washington Post or Wall Street Journal for example. It is convenient to turn the EVDO on and have that days paper in less than a minute than having to go and tether it to a computer.

Is it a necessity? probably not, but it is a feature that made me switch from my PRS-500

[scaught @ Nov 12th 2008 8:06AM]

My father-in-law has this reader. I checked it out this weekend. The screen seemed perfect to me. Plenty bright enough. I mean, it doesn't reach retina damaging levels of brightness, but maybe that is a good thing. My wife's 85 year old grandmother tried it out and could read fine on it. I am guessing this isn't that big of an issue.

[Gilbert Tang @ Nov 12th 2008 2:33PM]

That is very, very encouraging! Maybe the reviewers just got a bad unit.

[Tiff @ Nov 12th 2008 8:08AM]

Honestly... the only GOOD comics come in black and white anyway. Now.. if only the price were perfect.

[UltraFrog @ Nov 12th 2008 8:44AM]

I don't understand what the fuss about it having no WiFi is. If I'm at the PC to transfer stuff, plugging in the USB is not that much trouble after all - at least it is nowhere near to a show-stopper. Think of the sheer number of Ebooks you can fit on an SD or MS Duo, and compare the time you need to make the transfer vs the time you need to read all of them. It's all a matter of perspective.

Of course with wifi you can be anywhere in the house and send a new book to the reader tucked under your pillow in the bedroom... and you are SO going to do that every day :)

[Matt @ Nov 12th 2008 10:29AM]

After owning a Kindle, I don't think I could ever even use an ebook reader without an always connected wireless internet link. You have no idea how much easier and simpler it makes the experience. Say you are at the airport, and want a new book. You have to get out your laptop, hope the wireless is free, find a book your reader will support, pay for it, download it, get out the usb cable, plug it in, and transfer it. Where with the Kindle, you turn on the wireless, go to the store, find a book you want, click on it, and start reading. It's also great for periodicals, I have subscriptions to the boston globe and new york times that shows up on my kindle every morning. It's great.

[Mili @ Nov 12th 2008 8:53AM]

"Kindle's distinctively sci-fi doorstop look." - Hilarious! :)

[Kiran_mk2 @ Nov 12th 2008 9:08AM]

The wireless would be needed for something like a newspaper subscription where every morning the device would have the day's paper ready for you when you got up. The Plastic logic reader is targeting this market rather than the ebook market (at least, according to plastic logic people I spoke to).

Th big problem with ebooks is still the cost - how can something that has pretty much 0 production cost be only 10-20% cheaper than a book?

[Matt @ Nov 12th 2008 10:30AM]

10-20% cheaper? You get new releases on the Kindle for 9.99, where they cost between 20 and 25 bucks in the store. That's at least a 50% savings.

[Bad Beaver @ Nov 12th 2008 10:14AM]

Yeah, support for lefties and the blind seems to be a thing of the nineties. My Newton has both (if you count text to speech as a feature supporting the blind). Its it not quite important that Apple has "only" 10% (if those numbers actually meant anything). What is important is that Sony, again, misses out the Apple target demographic, which is close in character to its own. You know, those desirable higher income technophiles with a sense of style that have no problem paying extra for something that at least looks as though somebody cared when making it.

Companies with a "we don't need your money" attitude tend to... well, not get my money.

[Bad Beaver @ Nov 12th 2008 10:15AM]

this of course was supposed to be a reply to
JZ @ Nov 12th 2008 8:54AM

[Jon Acheson @ Nov 12th 2008 10:15AM]

Since when were the previous Sony Reader screens "murky?" They were razor sharp, and highly readable. Pretty much like the Kindle, since they both use the same supplier for their screens.

[D @ Nov 12th 2008 10:47AM]

"close to greatest, but a bit too dim"

That's a real insult!! and you just couldn't resist to pick on one little thing

[Clayj @ Nov 12th 2008 11:37AM]

What we need is for Sony to design a device that works with Amazon's Kindle system. Sony has the design and hardware skills, and Amazon has the distribution network. The Kindle itself seems really cheap.

[Clayj @ Nov 12th 2008 11:38AM]

What we need is for Sony to design a device that works with Amazon's Kindle system. Sony has the design and hardware skills, and Amazon has the distribution network. The Kindle itself seems really cheap.

[Wwhat @ Nov 12th 2008 11:44AM]

So we got a trend here, sony releases a psp update with a new screen with issues, now they release a new ebook reader, with a screen with issues, I really think sony is TRYING to do stupid things, I wonder if they'll end up releasing a new device with a lousy screen AND exploding batteries AND a rootkit installer, and advertise the whole thing by killing animals in a british cathedral, to finalise the establishment of the sony corporate ID.

[tim @ Nov 12th 2008 12:33PM]

Thanks, but I'll wait for the Letter-sized Plastic Logic due next year. The Sony Reader is too small for reading academic papers or textbooks. PDF Reflow is a poor man's solution since it messes the original layout which in non-fiction tends to be important.
While I normally read only one paperback at a time, I often need access to many papers and technical books, so not having to lug them around would be a significant advantage. IMO, the business case for buying a $400 reader to replace a couple of $15 paperbacks for leisure reading, is very weak. The big market is actually the professionals and academics, and they need a Letter/A4 reader

[R.H.S. @ Nov 12th 2008 2:36PM]

I am an owner of both the Kindle and the Sony PRS-505. Both have distinct advantages. The PRS-505's display is not murky, and in fact the blank spaces are whiter than on the Kindle, where blank space is nearly gray. For some reason however, the printed words appear blacker on the Kindle than on the Sony device, and the Kindle's font is crisper. It all kind of evens out. The page turn flash is much much less noticeable on the Sony as well.

The Kindle's main advantage is definitely the wireless connectivity. Toni Morrison's new novel was delivered to my device the day it was available for sale. That's a beautiful thing. Subscribing to electronic periodicals is glorious. The Kindle gets daily use.

The Sony device came with 100 free classic novels in their proprietary format. So when I want to sit back in my Masterpiece Theater-esque book-nook and tackle sprawling novels that deal with mortality, contingency and the human condition as a whole, I grab my slim, elegant, highly responsive PRS-505. It's a weekend warrior.

The Kindle is on the frontlines all day everyday. It gets lugged around from home to work to coffee shop to wherever.

I love them both. The new Sony device looks incredible, but until they add wireless I can't quite justify the purchase. But it's oh so tempting.

[Harkonian @ Nov 12th 2008 2:55PM]

Hrm..no embedded images allowed?

See for youself:

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/image/gadgets/prs700/old_new.jpg