Sony's Readers cozy up for a family portrait

It's too bad Sony doesn't have a working prototype to show of its new Daily Edition Reader (pictured on the right), but we got to look at all three of the Readers up next to each other, and it paints quite the picture of familial unity. We asked to see the Daily Edition without its cover, but apparently it's built into the device -- though you can change it out for an alternative, and the battery is replaceable. Check out the close-ups below.

Sony's Readers cozy up for a family portrait

[LloydChiro Posted Aug 25th 2009 12:08PM]

What are some of the pros and cons of the Sony Reader vs. the Kindle? I have to admit that the Kindle DX with the .pdf support looks tempting, although expensive.

[Temple Posted Aug 25th 2009 12:41PM]

I own a Kindle, and I used to own a Sony Reader before that...

But generally, Sony's at the advantage with the new readers with the 3G integrated:

Sony Pros:
-Open format (epub), as well asPDF (with reflow capability), Microsoft Word, BBeB, RTF, etc
-7" Touch Screen
-Free ebook rentals from the library
-Possibly integrated reading light (the older model had this)
-WiFi
-A cheaper 5" $199 ebook also offered without these fancy features.

Kindle Pros:
- The $480 Kindle DX has a 9.7" screen
- The 6" Kindle is $300 has 3G connectivity, the $300 6" Sony Reader doesn't sound like it does (though it does have native PDF support and a touchsceen, the Kindle you have to pay Amazon to convert PDFs for the 6" model).

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 25th 2009 12:41PM]

All I can see is one big disadvantage: Not legally available in Asia (Singapore, Australia to be exact) - there is a world outside the USA you know...

Plastic Logic and/or Apple - please save us!

Ricardo

[Vance Posted Aug 25th 2009 1:08PM]

The touch screen isn't really a pro for many folks who like these readers, since it dramatically reduces contrast and clarity of the display.

No extra layers between me and the page, for me, thank you.

[Temple Posted Aug 25th 2009 1:37PM]

@ Ricardo

The whole point of the open-format is that ePUB and Adobe PDF(DRMed or non-DRMed) copies can be used on this reader natively.

Meaning that you can buy any eBook from any store in the world that offers books in the open format and use it on the Sony Reader (you can copy via external media, USB, or WiFi). If you're in Europe or Asia all you need is any online store that sells ebooks. You don't have to buy from the Sony Store.

Also, Overdrive has a Singapore, EU, Australtian link, if your domestic library offers digital-copies its supported with this reader.
http://singapore.lib.overdrive.com
http://search.overdrive.com/

[bondtastic Posted Aug 25th 2009 1:48PM]

I hate it when people keep saying you have to pay Amazon to convert books. If you want them wirelessly delivered to your Kindle, then yes you have to pay. If you just want them converted and you will load them up through USB, there is NO cost.

As the sony doesn't do wireless delivery of converted formats, you are doing the exact same free thing for both the Sony and the Kindle.

I've had both. The Sony is a better device, but the Kindle book store is usually better both in selection and price.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 21st 2009 4:25PM]

Definitely love the fact that the Sony Reader is open, supporting various ePub distributors, like Shortcovers.

This allows for tons of flexibility and variety. I used to use Shortcovers on my iPhone prior to purchasing a PRS-300. Due to compatibility, I can still stick with Shortcovers, which is a HUGE pro.

Check it out at: http://bit.ly/32ws2

-S

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 26th 2009 3:43AM]

Am I missing something from this post that would explain why the PRS-505 is missing from it (looks similar, to the left one, but it's not it) ?
PRS-505 site (with pictures): http://www.sony.co.uk/product/rd-reader-ebook/prs-505

Is this meant to be "but we got to look at all three of the *NEW* Readers up next to each other" as opposed to just "but we got to look at all three of the Readers up next to each other" ?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 25th 2009 12:49PM]

The book store may not be legally available, but you can still buy the hardware and download DRM-free ebooks. iTunes took years before it became available worldwide you know. It isn't as simple as opening a store worldwide. There is plenty of legal obstacles that Sony has to sort out first.

Anyway as far as hardware goes, I see completely no disadvantages with the Sony Reader over the Kindle. Might as well since the Kindle isn't available in the UK.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 25th 2009 12:52PM]

@Temple
That whole library thing...ya ummm...It's a limited number of licenses so depending on your reading interest you're looking at the same old wait list just like the physical books. If you're good with waiting weeks or months then it's all good.

[Temple Posted Aug 25th 2009 1:29PM]

One way or the other its free and something the Kindle doesn't even offer as an option, there are a lot less people trying to get ebooks versus physical copies. Beyond that you can just search it online, a lot of them offer PDF downloads so you don't have to wait.

Search Here:
http://search.overdrive.com/

[malexandria1 Posted Aug 25th 2009 2:17PM]

Yeah, but how many people actually go to the Library or have Library cards these days? Before the Internet I LOVED going to the Library, but where I live it they closed down most of the branches, so I don't even know where one is that alone use it and I certainly didn't know about this. So I'm sure getting licenses probably is bad right now. That said, I'm locked into the Kindle so I won't be getting this, but I wonder if the Library thing would still work on a kindle if you just drag the file over - unless it's PDF then of course out of luck.

[Temple Posted Aug 25th 2009 3:37PM]

@malexandria

You don't have to go to the library to download, you can download via your ebook reader or PC/Mac, you just enter you zip code and library card#.

The good thing about this is that you can quickly go between different libraries to find copies of a book you're interested in is already taken since you're not physically going there (especially with 3G built in). It's entirely digital.

I'm suspecting Kindle will offer this service sooner or later in response to Sony, hopefully Amazon will also move to the open-format like Sony so that you won't be "locked-in" to ANY device.

[220v Posted Aug 25th 2009 2:03PM]

To the person who took these photographs: How about not hiding the newest device behind the other ones in the comparison shot? Or how about a plan view / dead-on view so we can compare relative size? I know; you probably didn't have much time to think about the composition. Maybe next time.

[Hylic Posted Aug 25th 2009 2:03PM]

Does anybody know if you will be able to borrow books with the other models? (i understand that you can't do it wirelessly).

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 25th 2009 2:53PM]

The library thing with overdrive has been around for several months already. I have used it several times with my prs 505 and it works wonderfully. Also, I found that if you keep the reader with the checked out book open it doesn't disable it. So that is a slight way around the turn-in system they have for these.

[Hylic Posted Aug 25th 2009 2:56PM]

Thanks.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 25th 2009 2:26PM]

I'm sorry, but what exactly is the big deal with having WiFi or 3G as a necessity? Given the relatively recent Amazon debacle over erasing books, I'd prefer a device that doesn't have internet access since I'd rather Amazon/Sony/etc. not know what's on my device, thank you very much. Not to mention that wireless capability is a battery-drainer.

[eswarjj Posted Aug 25th 2009 4:11PM]

Give us a psr 505 type (non-touch) screen and a rollable detachable keyboard goddamn it ... how many times a year are we going to use this touch .... its not like you can even write with the stylus (i heard its only a virtual keyboard for annotations) .... integrate a free dictionary. you are leaving out priority .... this is too bad that we have to deal with the same washed out screen as in 700 series ..... come on ... all i need it a bigger screen 505 .... (btw, i am not taking my ass out, i used to own a kindle1 and bought a 700 sony for my dad thinking it would let you write with the stylus .... similar to a book).

[eswarjj Posted Aug 25th 2009 4:16PM]

oh yeah ... i love the 3G, epub, reflowable pdf and if it does pass it on, the backlight from the 700 series ... just being fair is all .... and please i don't want to hear you are selling a DRMed version of epub of your content