Yes I bought one. No it isn't perfect. I'm thrilled with the device, it's legibility, portability and available content. The 100 free classics (from a choice of more than 1000) almost pays for the device and the list of available books is mostly satisfying. I wish Sony would get rid of the proprietary nature of denying PDF DRM and Mobi-pocket e-books but I also appreciate that BBeB tailors the text to be optimized on the reader. PDF however doesn't read well on the device unless it can be saved to a large print font (14 is ok). I bought it as an e-book (not an MP3 player and not to access internet). It light and portable and holds dozens of texts. I'm a satisfied customer who wonders why SONY doesn't advertise this product. I first saw the device when I noticed someone else with one. Where-ever I go to read, I get questions on the device. But I've yet to see it actively advertised.

Glad you like your new Reader! I've seen ads online and in airline magazines. I'm sure it's in other places also, but it's probably a very modest ad budget for Sony.

Interesting that you saw someone else with one and then got one. I wonder how often that happens. I don't generally read very often around other people, so I haven't seen too much reaction except for people I've specifically made a point to show it to. It would be interesting to know how much that kind of word of mouth can lead to a sales explosion. Especially as prices start to drop...

I don't generally read very often around other people, so I haven't seen too much reaction except for people I've specifically made a point to show it to. It would be interesting to know how much that kind of word of mouth can lead to a sales explosion. Especially as prices start to drop...

The very first day I had mine I was reading it on the commuter train to work and the conductor tapped me on the shoulder to ask me about it. I haven't had another comment since, though. I even read it at work, when I have time to kill and nobody has asked about it. I suspect they know it's just another gadget, because I always seem to have new gadgets. ;)

I travel a lot and I like to read in coffee shops during down time. Normally I'm reading at home. But when I am out with the device just sitting and reading I will get one or two people come up to me and inquire "what is that?" Prior to seeing someone with a SONY device, I didn't know they existed. Of course I wasn't actively searching for one, but after seeing the 505 I was impressed. The 100 free classics clinched the deal for me since I favor classics and poetry. Between Gutenberg, Mobileread and Manybooks.net, I have enough reading for a lifetime and it's all in BBeB or LRF format. For me SONY has hit a homerun. If it accomodated Mobipocket, I'd be able to buy from an array of sites and it would be as close to perfect as an ereader product could be, for me, because the inventory would be almost limitless.

I bought it as an e-book (not an MP3 player and not to access internet).

I may sound like an idiot, but here it goes. Does the PRS-505 connect to the Internet some way?

I know you can convert HTML to LRF, but is there a browser built in? Wireless?

I bought a PRS-505 and use it daily. I read the manual. I never installed the S/W, as I'm still stinging from Sony's last root kit fiasco. I use mine to read ebooks, play MP3, and view pics (reading material here too.) I only copy the material in non-proprietary formats via SD card.

Andy

I may sound like an idiot, but here it goes. Does the PRS-505 connect to the Internet some way?

I know you can convert HTML to LRF, but is there a browser built in? Wireless?

I bought a PRS-505 and use it daily. I read the manual. I never installed the S/W, as I'm still stinging from Sony's last root kit fiasco. I use mine to read ebooks, play MP3, and view pics (reading material here too.) I only copy the material in non-proprietary formats via SD card.

Andy

The proprietary formats work much better on the Reader. The Library software is harmless (by all reports). There is no wireless capability.(It would have been listed on the box!) Thus the small form factor and excellent battery life. You can load files from your computer (directly or thru an SD card).

Andy, I see you're new here and have some basic questions. There is a lot of the info on the 505 (and Reader models in general). Spend sometime browsing the forums, and I bet you'll get answers and a lot more info that you didn't thinkto ask about! ;)

Andy, I see you're new here and have some basic questions. There is a lot of the info on the 505 (and Reader models in general). Spend sometime browsing the forums, and I bet you'll get answers and a lot more info that you didn't thinkto ask about! ;)

I asked the question about the PRS-505 based on a very misleading post about it that implied a web browsing ability. Because I've only begin to use the PRS-505, and because of the mass misinformation here about it, I like to phrase corrections as questions for now. I'm glad the post was clarified.

Before posting, I have used my PRS-505 for several days, read the manual, read your wiki page, searched through the forum posts, & read hundreds of posts here.

Andy

Huh. I recall someone suggesting adding wireless capability with a special SD card, but it seems to lack any interface. Then again, there are still lots of posts I haven't read yet. And I've been going through many more now that I have a 505 and am also not sure of all the features and tricks!

I asked the question about the PRS-505 based on a very misleading post about it that implied a web browsing ability.

Our "star developer", Kovid, has written a tool which converts an entire web site into a document for the Sony, intended for use on things like News web sites. Perhaps that's what you may have been reading about?

I would echo the above comments.

Just purchased my Sony PRS-505 and spent the day working on the PDF issue.

1. I researched iRex, Gen3, Kindle, etc., and read all the proprietary forums nightmares on customer service.

2. Delighted with Sony. SonyStyle store gave 30 day return/refund slip from Christmas Day, and offered $24 extended, or $44 2-year accident/replacement - GET THIS.......read many substrate eLink issues regarding ease of breakage.

3. Running MAC Intel Quad-core with Parallels shell running Windows XP. No problem with sync, install, buying books etc. Very seamless Sony software and intuitive updates.

4. Just downloaded from this site the PDFLDF program for conversions of PDF files. Works like a charm, and I am not a programmer or developer. New version has great interface.

Much of this is anecdotal, but I have been pleased with the return policy, ease of use, warranty available, visplex eLink screen and upgraded refresh on page turning.

Interesting that you saw someone else with one and then got one. I wonder how often that happens. ... It would be interesting to know how much that kind of word of mouth can lead to a sales explosion.

Bob,

Since I take my SONY PRS -500 with me wherever I go, several people have asked me about the product. I'm always happy to give a sales pitch for SONY.

Once, while waiting for my turn in the barber's chair, a young guy sitting next to me asked about the product and said that he would send one to his father who apparently was in a war zone. He said he was now sending boxes of books to his father and thought sending the SONY Reader, pre-loaded with a lot of free books, would make more sense.

Several of my students after leaning about the device said that they would order their own.

And a colleague of mine is waiting now for her SONY Reader after having examined mine.

Of course, they'll all be getting the newer PRS-505 model.

I think SONY may owe me (us?) a bit for the sales pitches.

Sony is such a big company with so many products, often I'll see a Sony product in the store for the first time and I've never heard of it before.



Yes I bought one. No it isn't perfect. I'm thrilled with the device, it's legibility, portability and available content. The 100 free classics (from a choice of more than 1000) almost pays for the device and the list of available books is mostly satisfying. I wish Sony would get rid of the proprietary nature of denying PDF DRM and Mobi-pocket e-books but I also appreciate that BBeB tailors the text to be optimized on the reader. PDF however doesn't read well on the device unless it can be saved to a large print font (14 is ok). I bought it as an e-book (not an MP3 player and not to access internet). It light and portable and holds dozens of texts. I'm a satisfied customer who wonders why SONY doesn't advertise this product. I first saw the device when I noticed someone else with one. Where-ever I go to read, I get questions on the device. But I've yet to see it actively advertised.

Yes I bought one. No it isn't perfect. I'm thrilled with the device, it's legibility, portability and available content. The 100 free classics (from a choice of more than 1000) almost pays for the device and the list of available books is mostly satisfying. I wish Sony would get rid of the proprietary nature of denying PDF DRM and Mobi-pocket e-books but I also appreciate that BBeB tailors the text to be optimized on the reader. PDF however doesn't read well on the device unless it can be saved to a large print font (14 is ok). I bought it as an e-book (not an MP3 player and not to access internet). It light and portable and holds dozens of texts. I'm a satisfied customer who wonders why SONY doesn't advertise this product. I first saw the device when I noticed someone else with one. Where-ever I go to read, I get questions on the device. But I've yet to see it actively advertised.


Last weekend there was a Sony flyer in with all the other ads. I think there was a whole page on the 505.

Huh, kinda makes me want to read out in coffee shops more, if it'll help get the word out.

The only reason I know about it is my mother bought a silver one but wanted a blue one. She got the blue one and showed it to me asking if I can help her with it. I though that it would be great with manga (and with comiclrf it is :) ) so I bought the silver one off of her.

I travel a lot and I like to read in coffee shops during down time. Normally I'm reading at home. But when I am out with the device just sitting and reading I will get one or two people come up to me and inquire "what is that?" Prior to seeing someone with a SONY device, I didn't know they existed. Of course I wasn't actively searching for one, but after seeing the 505 I was impressed. The 100 free classics clinched the deal for me since I favor classics and poetry. Between Gutenberg, Mobileread and Manybooks.net, I have enough reading for a lifetime and it's all in BBeB or LRF format. For me SONY has hit a homerun. If it accomodated Mobipocket, I'd be able to buy from an array of sites and it would be as close to perfect as an ereader product could be, for me, because the inventory would be almost limitless.

I was in the Washington DC subway at a main transfer point a couple of days ago. They were putting up huge banners advertising the Sony 505.

The kindle led me to the sony. I buy allot of my cd's from amazon and I saw their advertisement for the kindle. I liked the idea of having an asortment of books on hand without carrying a backpack. I didn't like the kindle at all, but it showed the sony reader as a similar product. I searched the internet and found this site and found a borders that had them in stock and the rest is history.

Borders... since the device is available directly from SonyStyle, online or at their stores, as well as at Best Buy, Circuit City, even Target, in addition to several online vendors, I would think that Borders would do something to differentiate. Such as coupons for Borders Rewards members? Nope, they all specifically exclude the Reader. Some sort of bundle? No again.

I even called a Borders store and point blank asked if they'd be willing to lower the price, and was told that Sony did not allow discounting the Reader. That answers that, but doesn't explain not attempting to bundle the product to provide a better value.

Then again, you'd think a computer retailer would also attempt to stand above the rest, bundling an SD card, for example. Nope.

Right now the best deal going appears to be from SonyRewards.com. Join the rewards program and apply for the Sony credit card, which will get you about 10,160 points, worth .01 per point. Then you can buy the Reader out of the rewards catalog for essentially US$200.00 vs. US$300.00. You have to be willing to wait, though, for the card approval and for the darn thing to be available.

I even called a Borders store and point blank asked if they'd be willing to lower the price, and was told that Sony did not allow discounting the Reader.There's probably a bit more to it than that. At a guess, I'd say that Sony probably sells them to Borders at the same wholesale price they do to everyone else (in other words, not discounted 50% the way Borders buys their books), and Borders chooses to not take a loss on the sale (the same choice that Sony makes). But that's mostly guesswork. :shrug:

I can understand no one being willing, or allowed by Sony, to discount the product. Especially since no one can seem to keep the device in stock, why start discounting? But none of the retail vendors even attempt to differentiate, which I find strange. But then again, since everyone is selling every one, why bother?

Which is why I'll buy it through SonyRewards. If there is no specific reason to buy from any one particular vendor, then I'll simply find the cheapest overall method.

The only reason that I bought mine from Borders was because I did not want to wait for it to arrive if I bought it online. Somethings I can wait for, this was not one of them.:thumbsup: