I hereby start the drive for adding dictionary support to the new Sony Reader (PRS-700).

We know that Sony monitors our activity on the forum. Let's show them that there's a lot of requests for adding dictionary support on the Sony. Anyone who wants to see it added to the PRS-700 (or even the PRS-505 :)) please reply to this thread.

I would like to see it and if there was dictionary support I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Dictionary support would be the one thing that would make me seriously consider upgrading to the 700.

dordale :)

I think it is very important and would consider it to be essential in the education market. It is especially helpful when reading classics that use words that are not in normal conversation any longer.

Dale

I would definitively consider the PRS-700 if it has dictionary support. I've been considering switching from the PRS-500 to the kindle because of the dictionary support!

Dictionary support would be the one thing that would make me seriously consider upgrading to the 700.

dordale :)

Me too :)

I hereby start the drive for adding dictionary support to the new Sony Reader (PRS-700).

We know that Sony monitors our activity on the forum. Let's show them that there's a lot of requests for adding dictionary support on the Sony. Anyone who wants to see it added to the PPRS-700 (or even the PRS-505 :)) please reply to this thread.
Why not have support for all the Sony readers and not just the 700?

Why not have support for all the Sony readers and not just the 700?

The PRS-700 has a touch-screen which enable you to pick single words by touch alone. That makes it very easy to add dict. support.

Of course I'd love it if they'll add dict. support to all models... :)

With most other ebook devices having dictionary supporting, it'd be a great drawback for Sony not having this essential feature on its new products.

What kind of dictionary you talking about ? English2english ?

That's what I'm interested in, similar to what's available for the Cybook. I suppose once they build in the infrastructure they could add support for other languages as well.

/sign (preferably for 505 as well as 700)

I think multiple dictionary support would make it more competitive. Kindle only supports one at a time so that would make a good differentiating feature for them especially for the educational market. A student is much more likely than the general novel reading public to want a general dictionary, foreign languages, and special subject references all at the same time.

I'm supporting your drive. Dictionary lookup is one of my two feature musts for a "perfect" ebook reader. The other one is annotation and highlighting capability. The PRS-700 already has the latter, so Sony, step up and add the dictionary support, and you'll have one hell of a product. I'm guessing it shouldn't be that hard to add it.

As for wi-fi, nah, I can live without it.

Lack of dictionary support is the only thing that is keeping me away from Sony, add it, (it must be inside the book look up) and you have a customer...

Add me to the list.

Ie, Put in a dictionary and I'm sold

Lack of dictionary support is the only thing that is keeping me away from Sony, add it, (it must be inside the book look up) and you have a customer...

Dictionary support was my primary motivation in buying a CyBook Gen3. I won't buy another Sony until they support it.

Dictionary support was my primary motivation in buying a CyBook Gen3. I won't buy another Sony until they support it.

That is not the reality I remember. It was first after you had used the dictionary on the Gen3 you bagan to think it was useful. I am pretty sure that you had bought the Gen3 when you wrote:

http://www.mobileread.com/forum/showpost.php?p=112472&postcount=36


Perhaps these are people who are not reading books in their own language? I don't know - like you, I never use a dictionary while reading.


or

http://www.mobileread.com/forum/showpost.php?p=114272&postcount=43


I honesty can't recall when I last came across an English word whose meaning I didn't know. I would consider myself pretty "well read", and hence have an extensive vocabulary. Most "fancy" English words derive from Latin or Greek, and since I am a classical scholar who reads Latin and Greek for recreation, my knowledge of these languages often tells me immediately what a word I haven't met before means. For example, I recently came across the word "adjuvant". I hadn't seem this word before, but I saw straight away that it was derived from the Latin verb "adjuvo", which means "I help", hence knew that "adjuvant" meant "a helper".

No, what I said above was perfectly true. To elaborate:

When I owned a Sony (and wrote the posts that you quoted) I didn't see the point of a dictionary and didn't see the need for one.

I then sold my Sony and bought an iLiad, and on that I started to use a dictionary, and realised just how amazingly useful it was. I decided, though, that I preferred a 6" screen device to the iLiad, and so, when I was looking around for a new 6" device to buy, the fact that the Gen3 supported dictionary lookup was indeed one of my my prime motivations for buying one, as I stated above.

It's kind of like having air-con in your car - you can go for years without it and not miss it, but once you're had it, you'd never want another car without it :).

Dictionary support was my primary motivation in buying a CyBook Gen3. I won't buy another Sony until they support it.

But would you actually buy one if they did? My understanding is that you have pretty much said that you've settled on mobi supporting devices.

BOb

But would you actually buy one if they did? My understanding is that you have pretty much said that you've settled on mobi supporting devices.

BOb

That's certainly a very important consideration for me, yes. Dictionary support is a necessary, but perhaps not a sufficient, condition for me to buy another Sony.

I have looked at the information (and images) about the Sony 700 here on MR and have decided that there are 2 things I do not like about it: (1) no dictionary lookup. I want to be able to double-tap or somehow select a word and have its dictionary definition popup immediately; and (2) the lack of page turning buttons on the right vertical side like the 505 has. (I could care less about wireless but my son, who was anxiously awaiting the Sony announcement, has said that he won't buy the 700 -- or a Sony Reader of any model -- until wireless is available.)

Of the 2 things I do not like about the Sony 700, the deal killer for me is the lack of dictionary support. I would likely buy the 700 (and give my wife my 505) with good dictionary support.

my son, who was anxiously awaiting the Sony announcement, has said that he won't buy the 700 -- or a Sony Reader of any model -- until wireless is available

I'd be interested to know what your son actually wants WiFi on a bookreader for. I really can't think of anything in particular I'd want to use it for.

I'd be interested to know what your son actually wants WiFi on a bookreader for. I really can't think of anything in particular I'd want to use it for.

I agree. The wireless on the Kindle is nice. But I have it off 99% of the time. I usually browse/buy ebooks via the amazon site. It is much faster and lays out alot better on the PC browser than on the Kindle. Then, I just flip on the wireless for a minute till it gets the new book(s) and turn it off.

So, to me wireless is "nice to have" but the main reason I got my Kindle was for content/price of the Kindle book store. Secondary is the fact that I can read nonDRM mobi formated ebooks.

BOb

Like Bob, I don't use the wireless all that often. I shop on the Amazon site and then just turn the wireless on to get my stuff. Other than that I turn it on for the occasional Wikipedia search. If the 700 had WiFi and a browser, it wouldn't quite have the ease of the EVDO. You wouldn't be able to rely as much on having connectivity when you're out, but I think people would still find it convenient. They could do online searches and Wikipedia like I do with my Kindle. Sure, I can get up and go to my computer but that breaks the rhythm of my reading more. I'm much less likely to than if I can just flip a switch and have my answer. I could get up and grab a dictionary, too, but before I had the Kindle I usually just infer from context and move on.

Sony could tailor a store site optimized for the device. Other stores, maybe even the Overdrive library service could do that as well. At the very least, they could have a page where you could log in and retrieve your content. If you wanted to move towards a paperless office, people could make online document repositories on their intranets accessible by the reader.

The lack of wireless isn't a dealbreaker for me but, like Harry with the dictionary, I didn't realize how much I would like it until I had it. I don't use it a lot but it adds to the quality of experience in a meaningful way.

I'd be interested to know what your son actually wants WiFi on a bookreader for. I really can't think of anything in particular I'd want to use it for.

Harry, he doesn't want it for any reason other than he has been charmed by the Kindle idea that he can be at the airport and download a book. He and I have discussed this several times in the past few months and I would say that he is simply of the generation that believes everything must include wireless.

I have 170 unread books on my 505. I've asked him how many of those books he thinks he can read while waiting for a flight. The "funny" thing is that he flies once or twice a year, so is rarely at an airport. But at 27, he is part of the "got to have it" generation.

I'd upgrade if it had dict lookup (with reasonable speed) and an "Oxford-like" dictionary available.

edit: I'd upgrade even faster, if it had the "side buttons" and both round buttons since I use all of them for page turning, depending on how it stand/sit/lie.

I'd upgrade if it had dict lookup (with reasonable speed) and an "Oxford-like" dictionary available.

edit: I'd upgrade even faster, if it had the "side buttons" and both round buttons since I use all of them for page turning, depending on how it stand/sit/lie.

A decent dictionary, including etymologies, would be a Godsend.:bookworm:
Wish there was some way to implement it for the PRS-505, but I'd certainly consider upgrading to the 700 if it were not available for the earlier models.

Tim

I sign.

Part of my serious debate between the Sony and other readers was the fact that they had a dictionary and it did not. I also agree that adding it to the 505 would be nice.

Add my signature to that request for multiple dictionary support. If I bought the PRS-505 it was due to the existence of a hack to install a dictionary.

Unlike some folks here who know all the words in the English language, there are often a word or two per book that I don't know - and I took 5 years of Latin in school. I suppose it's the lack of a good grounding in Greek, German and Saxon that trips me up! In any case I'd find a dictionary extremely useful in an e-book reader. The integrated light was a tipping point decision maker for me, but the lack of a dictionary makes the 700 less than my ideal device. I want wifi too, because it's free in my building and covers the pool area, gym and community library, but if it's not going to be available by the end of this year (and it looks pretty certain it's not), then adding a dictionary would keep me happy until I can upgrade to the 700X or whatever the next device is called. I'd like to have it to get my RSS feeds updated automatically and to buy another book without having to go back to my apartment.

Harry, he doesn't want it for any reason other than he has been charmed by the Kindle idea that he can be at the airport and download a book. He and I have discussed this several times in the past few months and I would say that he is simply of the generation that believes everything must include wireless.

I have 170 unread books on my 505. I've asked him how many of those books he thinks he can read while waiting for a flight. The "funny" thing is that he flies once or twice a year, so is rarely at an airport. But at 27, he is part of the "got to have it" generation.

I totally agree with you, Richard. I have something like 300 books on my CyBook Gen3 at the moment, many of them multi-book anthologies. That's at least 5 years reading for me, probably more like 10 years. For anyone with an eBook reader to claim that they might find themselves short of reading matter seems faintly ridiculous to me.

I totally agree with you, Richard. I have something like 300 books on my CyBook Gen3 at the moment, many of them multi-book anthologies. That's at least 5 years reading for me, probably more like 10 years. For anyone with an eBook reader to claim that they might find themselves short of reading matter seems faintly ridiculous to me.

It's not about lacking a book to read, it's about having the book I want to read right now. When it comes to reading, my moods are very changeable. That's why I don't like to buy ahead. Having the Whispernet connection to the store means I rarely do.

I agree that Dictionary support would be a huge deal for education purposes. That alone ought to be a pretty strong argument to Sony for adding it, unless they have no interest in that market, of course, and I rather suspect they do.

I won't consider any ebook device without multiple dictionary support. Taking eInk quality for granted, for me dictionary lookup is the one thing that makes reading an ebook better then reading a traditional book. It is relatively easy to implement once you have a touch screen device like the 700 and I don't understand why it's not already included.

Multiple dictionary support is a must indeed, you could have any language if it's on a Memory Stick/SD instead of all on it's internal memory (though english-english should definitely be).

It should be complete with etymology, synomnyns and even spelling, since it supports audio (that could be an optional through external memory, since it supports cards of 4GB+)

Also interesting is to be able to jump from word entry to word entry, through 'hyperlinks' in the definitions and synomnyns. And finally to have a history of all words you've looked up.

Please, dictionary, Sony!!

Also interesting is to be able to jump from word entry to word entry, through 'hyperlinks' in the definitions and synomnyns.

If, as on the Gen3, you can look up a word on the current page by highlighting it, "hyperlinks" are completely unnecessary, since you can look up words in a dictionary entry just as you can look up words in any other book.

It's not about lacking a book to read, it's about having the book I want to read right now. When it comes to reading, my moods are very changeable. That's why I don't like to buy ahead. Having the Whispernet connection to the store means I rarely do.

Sure, but do you need wireless for that? I'm generally within a few steps of my PC, which allows me to browse web site, download files, etc.

Having dictionary support is important to me and my wife. When I come across a word that I don't know I would really like to be able to look it up. She has said that she would buy a second reader for herself if it had dictionary lookup.

If, as on the Gen3, you can look up a word on the current page by highlighting it, "hyperlinks" are completely unnecessary, since you can look up words in a dictionary entry just as you can look up words in any other book.

That makes a lot of sense, Harry. Hadn't thought of that.

I often find myself doing exactly that on my Gen3. I'll look up a word in the book I'm reading, and while reading the definition in the dictionary, something on the page will catch my eye, and I'll look that up, and so on. Luckily the "Back" button on the Gen3 will take you back through the "chain" of lookups until you return to your place in the original book :).

I often find myself doing exactly that on my Gen3. I'll look up a word in the book I'm reading, and while reading the definition in the dictionary, something on the page will catch my eye, and I'll look that up, and so on. Luckily the "Back" button on the Gen3 will take you back through the "chain" of lookups until you return to your place in the original book :).

I guess its a Mobipocket thing, I use exactly the same feature on my ebookman...mind you this "ancient device" has touchscreen!!
In fact it has everything I really want the only problem is that it does not have eink!!

I've been thinking off upgrading my mom's 500 sometime soon, as I feel that its time to get her one with a Vizplex Screen (You really notice the difference when you have both side by side).

I was debating between a Gen3 or Bebook as I felt that the featureset of the 505was not that much of an improvement (Plus I'll then only have to format everything in Mobi, simplifying life for me), but the 700 has really got me interested.

The touch, the Further font sizes, speed and light are really compelling features. If the dictionary support was there and notes are easy to export, Its definitely going to be a buy.

I've got someone travelling to the US in November, so will have to see. If Sony could confirm or give some specifics, it could firm up my decision.

I loved the dictionary support on my old REB 1100 and I've missed it on the devices (including my PRS 500 and PRS 505) that I've used in the interim. I'm on the fence about upgrading to a PRS 700; the inclusion of dictionary lookup will be a major factor in pushing me over that fence.

Sure, but do you need wireless for that? I'm generally within a few steps of my PC, which allows me to browse web site, download files, etc.

I'm a few steps from a dictionary, too. I still find it darned convenient to not have to stop my reading to go get it.

I'm a few steps from a dictionary, too. I still find it darned convenient to not have to stop my reading to go get it.

Not by the least similar, in my opinion. Ever heard of the 5S, common in japanese businesses ? In a nutshell, it is a set of directives for how your workspace and tools should be arranged as to minimize your interruptions and maximize productivity. What you use the most should be the easiest and closest.

A dictionary is something I would use every couple pages (indeed, I do take note of words that often, and look them up all later), while getting a new book is something that might happen once a day, and that's a big stretch.

I honesty can't recall when I last came across an English word whose meaning I didn't know. I would consider myself pretty "well read", and hence have an extensive vocabulary.

I then sold my Sony and bought an iLiad, and on that I started to use a dictionary, and realised just how amazingly useful it was.

Then you realized how amazingly mistaken you were about meaning of some words? :D

Just joking, of course. Couldn't resist. :)

On the subject, from what I have seen, they can add dictionary support just like that. The Sony would be completely crazy not to do it. I plan to buy a PRS-700 on a premise that it will have an English - English dictionary.

No, what I said above was perfectly true. To elaborate:

When I owned a Sony (and wrote the posts that you quoted) I didn't see the point of a dictionary and didn't see the need for one.

I then sold my Sony and bought an iLiad, and on that I started to use a dictionary, and realised just how amazingly useful it was. I decided, though, that I preferred a 6" screen device to the iLiad, and so, when I was looking around for a new 6" device to buy, the fact that the Gen3 supported dictionary lookup was indeed one of my my prime motivations for buying one, as I stated above.

It's kind of like having air-con in your car - you can go for years without it and not miss it, but once you're had it, you'd never want another car without it :).

The posts I quoted was written in the end of october or in the beginning of november 2007. The links do not work anymor for some reason. They were written when you had ordered a Cybook .

I was finally compelled to join this forum, just so I could add my input to this request. I've been using all the info gathered from this site to help with the decision of picking an eBook reader. I've narrowed it down to the Sony 505 or 700, the BeBook or the Astak EZ Reader. The addition of integrated dictionary support would be invaluable and would definitely push me to seriously consider the Sony if it were a feature. I'd say that it is an important feature on my wish list!

Dictionary support would be a great resource & learning tool for the younger audience that Sony is aptly trying to capture! (Are pronunciations of the words part of the dictionary support? I'm hoping so!) If Sony is reading this, I'm a homeschooling mom of a ten yr-old daughter who thinks that eBook Readers are "way cool"! This homeschool will definitely be adding at least one eBook Reader to our resources very soon!

Hi All,

Dictionary support, similar to Mobipocket, where you highlight a word and get a definition would be great on the Sony reader. I would to see multilingual support as well (at the very least English and French).

Ebookerr:)

I'd like to have dictionary support on the PRS-700... as a non english speaker (i. e. - english is not my natural language, I learned it on school and through my own efforts) who reads mostly in english, it's a essential function on a device like this. I think Sony didn't notice yet that for most users who are not english speaking naturals, the PSR-nnn is of somewhat limited value if not with dictionary support, as for us there is not a great variety of ebooks in our own languages and we must read in english most of the time... and if even an englishman or an american feels that need, what about the others?

I was finally compelled to join this forum, just so I could add my input to this request. I've been using all the info gathered from this site to help with the decision of picking an eBook reader. I've narrowed it down to the Sony 505 or 700, the BeBook or the Astak EZ Reader. The addition of integrated dictionary support would be invaluable and would definitely push me to seriously consider the Sony if it were a feature. I'd say that it is an important feature on my wish list!

Dictionary support would be a great resource & learning tool for the younger audience that Sony is aptly trying to capture! (Are pronunciations of the words part of the dictionary support? I'm hoping so!) If Sony is reading this, I'm a homeschooling mom of a ten yr-old daughter who thinks that eBook Readers are "way cool"! This homeschool will definitely be adding at least one eBook Reader to our resources very soon!

Welcome to the forums, rebarnmom! I must say you (and presumedly your daughter) have exquisite taste for ebook readers! As a semester old owner of a Sony 500 and a week's old of a 505, I can attest to their quality and design. The +5 is definitely superior with contrast, sleekness, and especially the just-in PDF reflow support, a fine acquisition for any purpose!

And you are definitely in the right place as far as ebook readers are concerned.

Lastly, I'm with you as to pronunciation support! Having the word optionally spoken through the reader's audio capabilities would be a deal closer!

I'd like to have dictionary support on the PRS-700... as a non english speaker (i. e. - english is not my natural language, I learned it on school and through my own efforts) who reads mostly in english, it's a essential function on a device like this. I think Sony didn't notice yet that for most users who are not english speaking naturals, the PSR-nnn is of somewhat limited value if not with dictionary support, as for us there is not a great variety of ebooks in our own languages and we must read in english most of the time... and if even an englishman or an american feels that need, what about the others?

I'm in a similar situation, soalla! I'm a non-native speaker, though I read in English by option, as I did with pbooks. Actually, I like to read the original whenever possible, and when it's a language I do not know I opt for the English translation. And yes, the dictionary for us, as for anyone reading in a language they have yet to master, is very necessary.

I was finally compelled to join this forum, just so I could add my input to this request. I've been using all the info gathered from this site to help with the decision of picking an eBook reader. I've narrowed it down to the Sony 505 or 700, the BeBook or the Astak EZ Reader. The addition of integrated dictionary support would be invaluable and would definitely push me to seriously consider the Sony if it were a feature. I'd say that it is an important feature on my wish list!


I'd suggest that you add the CyBook Gen3 to your list of machines to consider. Its version of the MobiPocket Reader is significantly better than that of the BeBook, and it's the only device out of those you list which does have fully-functional dictionary lookup.

What does 'dictionary support' mean? Would we use a touch keyboard or would words NOT in a differential dictionary (containing common words: is, the, and, but, or) be underlined? Would the underlined words reply to a touch with a partial screen pop-up?

I'd love to see a wiki for statistically improbable phrases, but now I'm just asking for a spanking.

Hey, wait a minute... I love my little 505 as is. Is feature creep going to turn our beloved reader into a bloated ipod touch or tablet pc?

**A race horse becomes a camel by committee**

Mike

What does 'dictionary support' mean? Would we use a touch keyboard or would words NOT in a differential dictionary (containing common words: is, the, and, but, or) be underlined? Would the underlined words reply to a touch with a partial screen pop-up?


The way it works on the Gen3, Mike, is that you select "Lookup Mode" from the main and that activates a word highlight cursor which you can move around the screen, up, down, left, right with the navigation control. When the desired word is selected, you press the "Select" button and you're taken to the definition of the word in the dictionary. You press the "Back" button to get back to the text.

What does 'dictionary support' mean? Would we use a touch keyboard or would words NOT in a differential dictionary (containing common words: is, the, and, but, or) be underlined? Would the underlined words reply to a touch with a partial screen pop-up?

What I would want to see is that when you highlight a word, and press options, there will be an option to look up the selected word in your installed dictionaries. Another possibility is that a double click on a word will bring up that word's definition in the dictionary.

Of course there will have to be an option to choose between installed dictionaries, or even - dare I suggest it - a way to compare defintions between dictionaries. Or open up both a thesaurus and a dictionary together.

I'm in for dictionary support as well for any sony reader...by the way in the meantime is there any dictionary available I can download onthe reader and consult for any term I need?

I'm all for dictionary support, but I would like it to be an option, configurable by the person using the reader.

I'd like to have a "Dictionary Mode ON" option, whereby highlighting the word and double-tapping would automatically open the dictionary, showing the definition, in the other half of the screen from where the highlighted word is showing in the text.

With "Dictionary Mode OFF" set in the options, double-tapping the highlighted word might bring up a submenu of options, such as "Search; Add To Notes; Annotate; Dictionary" and whatever other options the device can handle.

I don't care for audible pronunciation, but if it can be done without bulking up the device and definitely not including a speaker, so that people who want pronunciation have to use earbuds, I won't mind (always provided it doesn't increase the cost of the device!)

I'm all for dictionary support, but I would like it to be an option, configurable by the person using the reader.

I'd like to have a "Dictionary Mode ON" option, whereby highlighting the word and double-tapping would automatically open the dictionary, showing the definition, in the other half of the screen from where the highlighted word is showing in the text.


There are benefits in doing what the Gen3 does, and simply replacing the page of the book with the page of the dictionary, showing the definition, in that then the dictionary becomes your current book, which you can page backwards and forwards through, look up additional words, etc. When I'm reading a dictionary definition I often find myself becoming interested by something else on the page, looking that up, and so on. The "Back" button takes you back through the "chain" of lookups to the book that you were originally reading.

I find that I agree with Harry on this point, about half the time I look up words. Half the time I get intrigued by other words in the dictionary, but the other half of the time I simply want to know about one word and get back to my reading, so perhaps this could be another configurable option: A) display only that part of the dictionary page which contains the highlighted word (tapping anywhere on the original page closes the dictionary); B) display the full page of the dictionary containing the highlighted word (clicking BACK returns through all clicks eventually to the original book.)

I am not even considering 700 without dictionary support.

i also consider dictionary support essential and frankly i don't understand why sony has not yet implemented it. but with the 700's touchscreen it would be absurd not to have it.

I'm all for dictionary support, but I would like it to be an option, configurable by the person using the reader.

I'd like to have a "Dictionary Mode ON" option, whereby highlighting the word and double-tapping would automatically open the dictionary, showing the definition, in the other half of the screen from where the highlighted word is showing in the text.

With "Dictionary Mode OFF" set in the options, double-tapping the highlighted word might bring up a submenu of options, such as "Search; Add To Notes; Annotate; Dictionary" and whatever other options the device can handle.

I don't care for audible pronunciation, but if it can be done without bulking up the device and definitely not including a speaker, so that people who want pronunciation have to use earbuds, I won't mind (always provided it doesn't increase the cost of the device!)
that sounds like a good way to implement it.

also i'd like to have multiple dictionaries possible with all results being proposed (where applicable) and be able to browse the dictionary like any book.

and ideally, the dictionary selection should not be tied to the language code of the book : for instance, if i am reading a book in french and it has an italian phrase in it which is not translated, i would like to be able to look up a word in an italian dictionary from the french book, as well as using the french dictionary.

Dictionary support is a must have absolutely!!! I'm planning to buy this reader but only if the "Look up dictionary" support will be available, I'm not an english mother tongue and Dictionary during my reading sessions it's my usual companion.... no way without it!
I'm a perfect newbie about these kind of devices , but other old members of this great forum maybe could answer to this question: there is the possibility to implement "Dictionary" on the PRS-700 (I don't know maybe with a new firmware) or we must wait for a new Sony model?!

p.s: sorry for my bad english :-)

also i'd like to have multiple dictionaries possible with all results being proposed (where applicable) and be able to browse the dictionary like any book.

Even though this is a 100 year old dictionary (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?p=276150#post276150), I hope you find it useful. I know some people will probably read it like a book.... :snicker:

ZP, is just the person I had in mind when I wrote the above in bold! :thumbsup:

Dictionary support is essential feature for me, but I am not sure that the best way to handle it is for Sony to bundle it with every PRS-700.

It is obvious to me that this feature is not essential for a whole bunch of users, and the question is why should they be forced to pay for the content that they don't want?

What I want from Sony is to make their reading software "dictionary aware", handle word selection and provide clear interface for launching external dictionaries. If that is done, the community will kick in with "non-copyrighted" solutions, and content providers (Merriam-Webster, Oxford) would hopefully be able to sell us one of their dictionaries that can fit our individual needs and pockets.

My 2 cents.

If they provide dictionary support on the 700, I'll probably be trading up from the 500 to the 700 for both my wife and I. I don't think I'll be buying it in anticipation that they'll provide a dictionary lookup feature. With my luck, if I bought a 700 right now, they'll provide a dictionary lookup feature in the 705, and not bother with it for the 700.

Signed.. :)

Dictionary support is essential feature for me, but I am not sure that the best way to handle it is for Sony to bundle it with every PRS-700.

It is obvious to me that this feature is not essential for a whole bunch of users, and the question is why should they be forced to pay for the content that they don't want?

What I want from Sony is to make their reading software "dictionary aware", handle word selection and provide clear interface for launching external dictionaries. If that is done, the community will kick in with "non-copyrighted" solutions, and content providers (Merriam-Webster, Oxford) would hopefully be able to sell us one of their dictionaries that can fit our individual needs and pockets.

My 2 cents.

That is one of the oddest arguments I have ever seen, someone supporting the lack of a feature. People would be not be paying extra for it. The device is going to cost $400 and the feature is one that should already be implemented to compete with the kindle. You think it makes sense that after paying that amount for the device we should outlay more money for a dictionary. That is beyond preposterous considering it has to compete with whispernet. While the new features are nice it will cost nearly a hundred more then the kindle after Oprah's discount, and would go a great deal further to interest many people in the device. I plan on replacing my kindle with a prs 700 because I expect them to provide the feature later one but many people will wait.

My guess is that the code for lookup is there or almost ready but the hold-up is getting licenses for dictionary data and/or converting it into the necessary format. I expect the official dictionary support to be added in a future firmware update.

My guess is that the code for lookup is there or almost ready but the hold-up is getting licenses for dictionary data and/or converting it into the necessary format. I expect the official dictionary support to be added in a future firmware update.

You should hope :D. You DO know you're our fail-safe option :)

You should hope :D. You DO know you're our fail-safe option :)
yep... :D

English is not my native language. I have started to learn English when I was more than 18 years old.
Yet, at the moment I am reading more than 20 English books for one in several other languages I can comfortably read in combined.
This is the way I am improving my English skills. It is also much easier to get an English book for my Reader on the net. Just have a look at the numbers of English versus non-English books at the Project Gutenberg or other popular source of Public domain Books.

I have read well over a thousand books in English, yet I make point of NOT using dictionary while reading. If I can't read the book comfortably without a dictionary, I will not have pleasure reading it.

When I began reading books in English I was not very advanced student of English. I had to abandon many books because there were too many words I did not recognize, or the language was too colorful or elaborate. Very often I would borrow an English book from a "Foreign language library" in my town and I found translated words written in pencil in the book. This always spoiled my reading pleasure and made me angry. Yet, I very soon learned not to despair. Usually such an ... aehm ... "translator" lost interest after "translating" less than 10 pages and I have never discovered such translations beyond page 20.


For me there is also other consideration.
I often translate from and to English as a part of my job. I translate written text and also I interpret for people or make phone calls to our business partners.
When I am translating to English I try to avoid using dictionary (paper, on-line, software) as long as possible. I usually look up those few words I could not translate from my head after all the rest of text is translated.
The reason is, I have discovered that my brain is very, *very* lazy. When I look up the first word I soon discover that I have to look up words more and more frequently and I end up looking up words I am normally able to translate on-the-fly without hesitation.

This is another reason I am avoiding dictionaries as much as possible while reading for pleasure.


Sorry to rain on your parade, but there *are* people that are not interested in having a Dictionary on their Reader.
Do not worry. I am planning to get PRS-700 even if it DOES have a dictionary ;-)
Just do not expect me to pay extra for one ;)

That is one of the oddest arguments I have ever seen, someone supporting the lack of a feature.

You misunderstood me. I said that "dictionary support is essential feature for me". That means that I will not consider buying PRS-700 unless there is a decent dictionary support.

People would be not be paying extra for it.
That depends on the price and the quality of the content that is offered for sale. Merriam-Webster and Oxford offer different "sizes" of their dictionaries, obviously there are those who want and are willing to pay for reference works.

The device is going to cost $400 and the feature is one that should already be implemented to compete with the kindle. You think it makes sense that after paying that amount for the device we should outlay more money for a dictionary. That is beyond preposterous considering it has to compete with whispernet.

I am not justifying nor defending the price of the device. I am saying that business model where dictionary is optional is better for both Sony and for us as customers. Collins is offering basic English dictionary for mobipocket at a price of $13.99, here:
http://www.collinslanguage.com/shop/readers-mobipocket.aspx

I expect to see similar prices for Sony reader, and I want competition and choice when it comes to the dictionaries that one can purchase and use on the reader.

I see Sony as a platform provider, and I want that device enabled for dictionary integration, but I want a choice which dictionary I will load and use with it. Some of us might opt to read in languages other than English, and "standard" dictionary should not be forced on them.

This is another reason I am avoiding dictionaries as much as possible while reading for pleasure.


Sorry to rain on your parade, but there *are* people that are not interested in having a Dictionary on their Reader.
Do not worry. I am planning to get PRS-700 even if it DOES have a dictionary ;-)
Just do not expect me to pay extra for one ;)

Ummm ... you do realize that even if there is a dictionary on your reading device, no one will actually force you to use it??

You misunderstood me. I said that "dictionary support is essential feature for me". That means that I will not consider buying PRS-700 unless there is a decent dictionary support.


That depends on the price and the quality of the content that is offered for sale. Merriam-Webster and Oxford offer different "sizes" of their dictionaries, obviously there are those who want and are willing to pay for reference works.



I am not justifying nor defending the price of the device. I am saying that business model where dictionary is optional is better for both Sony and for us as customers. Collins is offering basic English dictionary for mobipocket at a price of $13.99, here:
http://www.collinslanguage.com/shop/readers-mobipocket.aspx

I expect to see similar prices for Sony reader, and I want competition and choice when it comes to the dictionaries that one can purchase and use on the reader.

I see Sony as a platform provider, and I want that device enabled for dictionary integration, but I want a choice which dictionary I will load and use with it. Some of us might opt to read in languages other than English, and "standard" dictionary should not be forced on them.

^ haha

I want Sony to provide the prs 700 with both dictionary support and a free dictionary. I do hope that they choose provide an intelligent solution to the integration of a dictionary. The option for multiple dictionarys and whatever dictionary we choose. I expect them to do this to keep customers happy and to make the device more competitive in the marketplace.

My guess is that the code for lookup is there or almost ready but the hold-up is getting licenses for dictionary data and/or converting it into the necessary format. I expect the official dictionary support to be added in a future firmware update.

If the code is already there they could just announce the support for dictionaries as soon as they have one to sell. No need for a firmware upgrade.

Dale

If the code is already there they could just announce the support for dictionaries as soon as they have one to sell. No need for a firmware upgrade.

Dale

That's exactly what happened with the (re)introduction of the ebookwise 1150. It had all the firmware code to handle dictionary lookups, but no licenced dictionary to use it on.

Then, after a while, they finally licenced the Random House Webster's Concise Dictionary and suddenly the EBW1150 had dictionary support (again)!

Nice coy tactic; buys you some time, at the launch, and then you suddenly satisfy the user base! :rolleyes:

^ haha

I want Sony to provide the prs 700 with both dictionary support and a free dictionary. I do hope that they choose provide an intelligent solution to the integration of a dictionary. The option for multiple dictionarys and whatever dictionary we choose. I expect them to do this to keep customers happy and to make the device more competitive in the marketplace.

Judging from what Sony is saying about the 700, it will not have a dictionary, much less a free one. I personally find that a bit strange, although I suppose it has as much to do with legalities as anything else.

While I don't use the wireless feature all that much on my Kindle, I do use the dictionary .... a lot. Especially when reading books by British authors, because while I know some British-isms, I am not fluent in them.

Just tonight, I learned what for me is a new word. "Carboy." I've used them in the laboratory, but we just never called them that. Here, they are generally called "volumetric flasks." But, that's what a carboy is. I would never have known that, but for my handy dandy built in Kindle dictionary ... which I do love.

Ummm ... you do realize that even if there is a dictionary on your reading device, no one will actually force you to use it??
You must have mised the "wink" emoticon at the end of my sentence.

I am very aware that I will not be forced to use it.

It is obvious to me that this feature is not essential for a whole bunch of users, and the question is why should they be forced to pay for the content that they don't want?


Why would adding dictionary support to the PRS-700 result in anyone paying for any content? Nobody (to the best of my knowledge) is suggesting that they actually INCLUDE a dictionary with the device; indeed, that would be counter-productive, because no one dictionary is going to appeal to everybody (eg Americans would want an American English dictionary, Britons would want a British English dictionary).

Simply make it like devices with MobiPocket support - the software provides a dictionary interface, but the user buys a dictionary if they want one.

You must have mised the "wink" emoticon at the end of my sentence.

I am very aware that I will not be forced to use it.

You would have needed that wink emoticon on about every other sentence. The whole post seemed to be about your reasons for "avoiding" dictionaries.

It's really rather simple to avoid dictionaries. You just don't pick one up and open it. The same principle works with dictionaries on ebook readers. There's one on the Kindle. It is a great thing to have. I seriously doubt that it added to the cost of the Kindle, and had I not wanted it, I could have deleted it ... or just never opened the file up and looked up a word.

I also like the fact that, if I do not wish to use the default dictionary, I may purchase any other dictionary available for mobi, and install that dictionary and use that instead.

Personally, I think it's rather sad that SONY has had an ebook reader out on the market for this long and has never added dictionary functionality. Not even as an option.

Why would adding dictionary support to the PRS-700 result in anyone paying for any content? Nobody (to the best of my knowledge) is suggesting that they actually INCLUDE a dictionary with the device; indeed, that would be counter-productive, because no one dictionary is going to appeal to everybody (eg Americans would want an American English dictionary, Britons would want a British English dictionary).

Simply make it like devices with MobiPocket support - the software provides a dictionary interface, but the user buys a dictionary if they want one.

I totally agree with you, but please check out what humzai thinks about the idea that one has to pay for basic english2english dictionary. Also:
Multiple dictionary support is a must indeed, you could have any language if it's on a Memory Stick/SD instead of all on it's internal memory (though english-english should definitely be).
I read that post as a call to put english2english dictionary database directly into the firmware (I guess that is what "internal memory" amounts to)?!

Truth to be told, HarryT, the "mobipocket model" for dictionary integration that both you and I have mentioned is not the only one on the market. "Encarta dictionary" is free download for MS reader, and apparently Kindle's dictionary database is "free" (read bundled with the device).

Personally, I think it's rather sad that SONY has had an ebook reader out on the market for this long and has never added dictionary functionality. Not even as an option.

On the other hand, much as I want a dictionary, the marketplace for the Sony reader has encouraged them so much that they have brought out not just 1 but 2 different upgraded models within the first 4 years, so sales must be significantly high in number or Sony would have abandoned it years ago.

So, sad or not from the point of view of many of us end-users, Sony hasn't felt the need to add it as a selling point.

Perhaps when Kindle2 comes out, it might tip the marketplace enough that Sony feels they need to add a little something extra, and my bet is that they have dictionary software in the works for a firmware upgrade for at least the 700, if not the 505.

One has to admit it is completely lazy of sony to not include it. They could if inclined buy the code from igorsk.

That's a waste of touch-screen whitout dictionary support.

That's a waste of touch-screen whitout dictionary support.

Touch screen technology and dictionary support are completely unrelated. You can have perfectly satisfactory dictionary lookup without a touchscreen (as the CyBook Gen3 and the Kindle demonstrate) and there are lots of things other than dictionary lookup that you can do with a touch screen.

If Sony provides dictionary support on the 700 (or even on the 505) they will have a new customer.

I wonder if there's something about the mobipocket format that makes it more functional for dictionary lookup. I bought the Pocket OED in mobipocket, which works quite speedily on my creaky old PDA. I, um, scrubbed it and experimentally converted it to EPUB to try on my PRS-700, and it's about as speedy there as a sinking barge. And this is a pretty minimalist dictionary. (I can't honestly recommend it, even in mobi format, due to its sketchiness.)

No doubt special coding will be required for a proper EPUB or LRF dictionary, but I was quite surprised by the lumbering contrast, even in a cookie cutter conversion. Forget using the 700's search function in this puppy.

I'd love to pick up that functionality...and maybe upgrade to a 700 soon.
Add me to the list!
:thanks:

This is one of the features that inspired me to purchase the Kindle, even though I preferred the appearance of the Sony 505 and 700 to that of the Kindle 1. I'll be selling my 700 as soon as I receive my Kindle 2. I'm a copy editor, so having a dictionary on hand while traveling and when I don't have access to the internet is a huge plus.

The other reason I purchased the Kindle is because Amazon has a much larger library than Sony.

D

not even going there, but good luck anyways...

"....I'm a copy editor, so having a dictionary on hand while traveling and when I don't have access to the internet is a huge plus...."

While we wait for firmware updates to add all kinds of built in native
goodies, I have no problems using an eBook Dictionary of my own
choosing and type.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517V817J27L._SL75_.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51rkThhSw3L._SL75_.jpg

"....The other reason I purchased the Kindle is because Amazon has a much larger library than Sony.
D..."

don't know bout you, but I've been pretty happy with my selection (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fswik.net%2Fgigapedia&ei=vFiUSf7oGZy6MuqolZMM&usg=AFQjCNENn5IWADYoydhK_neQXkv6kDLDZA&sig2=ucDcyFb47eX0DKU-SKyAng)

I'm a copy editor, so having a dictionary on hand while traveling and when I don't have access to the internet is a huge plus.


And, if you are traveling in the US you will be able to access the internet with your Kindle. At least wikipedia and basic news sites... but gmail even works with it.

BOb

While we wait for firmware updates to add all kinds of built in native
goodies, I have no problems using an eBook Dictionary of my own
choosing and type.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517V817J27L._SL75_.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51rkThhSw3L._SL75_.jpg
[/URL]

Thanks for the info!

D

And, if you are traveling in the US you will be able to access the internet with your Kindle. At least wikipedia and basic news sites... but gmail even works with it.

BOb

And that will be very helpful even if it is limited to those sites. With two little ones, the extent of my traveling has been limited to family members who don't have the 'net and getting to a hot spot entails driving at least 15 minutes. Having access on my Kindle will be a huge benefit. I'm so eager to receive it!

D

While we wait for firmware updates to add all kinds of built in native goodies, I have no problems using an eBook Dictionary of my own choosing and type.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517V817J27L._SL75_.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51rkThhSw3L._SL75_.jpg

Where did you get those? I would really like a dictionary on my Sony 700, but haven't found one.

Having access on my Kindle will be a huge benefit. I'm so eager to receive it!

D

You're gonna love it. We are all excited for you!

Do you actually have a 700 now too? Or did you just put that in your profile thinking that is what you would get?

BOb

Add me to the list!

Where did you get those? I would really like a dictionary on my Sony 700, but haven't found one.

Same enclosed link. :-)

Same enclosed link. :-)

Thanks, but.... "gigapedia- SWiK" :blink:

I downloaded Nrapallo's version in ePub and it works fine !

You're gonna love it. We are all excited for you!

Do you actually have a 700 now too? Or did you just put that in your profile thinking that is what you would get?

BOb

I have the 700. It's actually listed for sale in the flea market. I listed it prematurely, but will be selling it as soon as my Kindle arrives. I don't want to be without a reader now that I'm hooked.

D

I have the 700. It's actually listed for sale in the flea market. I listed it prematurely, but will be selling it as soon as my Kindle arrives. I don't want to be without a reader now that I'm hooked.

D

Great.. if you are willing to ship internationally you will probably be able to sell the 700 pretty quickly.

BOb

I'm going to return my 700 and get the kindle, I really need the dictionary, I love sony but I have to pass on this device. I've been useing it for a week and love it, but I also have my iphone next to me so I can use it for as a dictianary, extremely annoying.

I'm going to return my 700 and get the kindle, I really need the dictionary, I love sony but I have to pass on this device. I've been useing it for a week and love it, but I also have my iphone next to me so I can use it for as a dictianary, extremely annoying.
A little research beforehand would have bypassed your unnecessary purchase and additional costs.

Did you bother to look at the Famous eBook Reader Matrix (http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix) on our Wiki? :chinscratch:

WDE.

A little research beforehand would have bypassed your unnecessary purchase and additional costs.

Did you bother to look at the Famous eBook Reader Matrix (http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix) on our Wiki? :chinscratch:

WDE.
I should have done more research, I never imagined something as simple as a dictionary would not be included with such an expensive device. I did return the 700 and purchased the kindle. I miss the the sony reader but the kindle is a bit more practical for my needs. The web browsing is not too bad either. Maybe sony will update the 700 at some point. I wonder if they realize that simple missteps like this can cost them significant market share.

Agreed. I think multiple dictionary with option to select would be the best implementation.

I prefer Oxford - but some people prefer Webster's.

With annual Firmware updates - as the dictionaries evolve.

Agreed. I think multiple dictionary with option to select would be the best implementation.

I prefer Oxford - but some people prefer Webster's.

With annual Firmware updates - as the dictionaries evolve.

There should be no need for Firmware updates once the dictionary is supported. The user should be able to select the dictionary by some method that does not need firmware upgrades. There just needs to be a defined format for encoding the dictionary that can be followed by the dictionary maker. Some eBook readers support multiple dictionaries simultaneously so there is not really a need to have to select one. You could, for example, have dictionary folder that is consulted by the software and use all the dictionaries you find in there.

Dale

I am a newbie to this forum, but I am a long time ebook reader. I started reading electronic books in an iPaq, back then when we didn't have smartphones and carried a cell phone and a PDA. I know, I am getting old...

Since then I tried quite a few readers, some of them with built in dictionaries (like Windows Mobile devices and the iRex 1000), and it is nice to have a built in dictionary, but I always found it very slow and distracting to select the word, move to the dictionary, and move back to what I was reading.

What I really would like to see is a good dictionary implemented as a true feature of the reader, and not as a linked separate book (ok Sony?): you select a word, and the reader shows a fast pop-up window with the translation or definition.

Until I find something like this I am using a separate Franklin dictionary device (I use the MWD-1490). I do have to carry a separate device and I do have to retype the word I am searching for, but the device is very small and light and for me it is faster and less distracting to type the word in a separate device then to do the full cycle in a built-in “linked book sort of” dictionary.

What I really would like to see is a good dictionary implemented as a true feature of the reader, and not as a linked separate book (ok Sony?): you select a word, and the reader shows a fast pop-up window with the translation of definition.
I'm sure this is what we are all expecting in a future release of software/firmware for the PRS700.

Plus the ability to pick the dictionary of your choice would be a bonus. ie. US English (Websters?), Canadian English (Oxford), Canadian French (?), etc.

WDE.

There should be no need for Firmware updates once the dictionary is supported.

How does the current software know to look up the word at all? The software on the device would need to be updated, yeah? or, am I using the term improperly?

What I really would like to see is a good dictionary implemented as a true feature of the reader, and not as a linked separate book (ok Sony?): you select a word, and the reader shows a fast pop-up window with the translation or definition.

I also don't want a separate book as a dictionary - I do that already - which is why I think an update is needed. Also, that would be uncompetitive design on the part of Sony (considering some other readers - the Kindle 2 for example - already have a highlight & define feature).

Example workflow thought:

Go to settings -> select dictionary -> oxford/webster/american heritage. While reading -> double-tap to select word (like current search feature) -> single tap selected word to get definition (like adding a note to a bookmark - because I don't like the "pop-up window" feel that this feature seems to have with other readers)

Integrates into the current design and workflows of the device - and, most importantly, we didn't have to interrupt our reading to close the book we were reading; navigate to our dictionary; open it; and look up the word; then close out of the dictionary....you get the idea.

Cheers,
J

How does the current software know to look up the word at all? The software on the device would need to be updated, yeah? or, am I using the term improperly?

You would need one update to the software to support dictionary lookup but you would not need releases every year to support updates to the dictionary.


I also don't want a separate book as a dictionary - I do that already - which is why I think an update is needed. Also, that would be uncompetitive design on the part of Sony (considering some other readers - the Kindle 2 for example - already have a highlight & define feature).


If done properly the idea that it was in a separate file would be totally transparent to you. The definition would just pop-up in a window. These days the firmware implementation and the SSD implementation are the same speed. The dictionary would have an index that vectored directly to the word. The advantage of a separate dictionary is you can buy whatever one you want and even several if you wish.


Example workflow thought:

Go to settings -> select dictionary -> oxford/webster/american heritage. While reading -> double-tap to select word (like current search feature) -> single tap selected word to get definition (like adding a note to a bookmark - because I don't like the "pop-up window" feel that this feature seems to have with other readers)

Integrates into the current design and workflows of the device - and, most importantly, we didn't have to interrupt our reading to close the book we were reading; navigate to our dictionary; open it; and look up the word; then close out of the dictionary....you get the idea.

Cheers,
J

It could be designed this way without having to put the dictionary in the firmware. There is no reason in any reasonable method to leave the book. The mechanics of 1 click vs. 2 clicks can be debated, menus etc. but it is clear that you wouldn't need to leave the current book or it is no good at all.

Dale

Definitely, but I already have the 700. Another thing I'd like to see is calendar sync support.

I would LOVE to see built-in dictionary and thesaurus support.

As it stands right now, when there is a word that I don't know and I want to look up, I highlight it on the PRS-700 and then later return to my Notes data to look up words on a paper dictionary. The PRS-700 could surely do this more elegantly with built-in dictionary support.

Definitely, but I already have the 700. Another thing I'd like to see is calendar sync support.

Calendar sync support. Hmm...we're expanding more and more beyond the definitions of a digital reader, no? That sounds more like an activity for a PDA. If we go calendar sync support, then why not email and web access? I don't think I want those functionality that aren't related to reading and marking up texts.

count me in

Calendar sync support. Hmm...we're expanding more and more beyond the definitions of a digital reader, no? That sounds more like an activity for a PDA. If we go calendar sync support, then why not email and web access? I don't think I want those functionality that aren't related to reading and marking up texts.

Aw, come on thi, don't be so harsh. The same line of thinking would go against installing any games on the PRS700 as soon as they are available, don't tell me that you wouldn't like to see that sudoku (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20357&highlight=sudoku) or five balls (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24608)game running on your e-inkish friend :)

Personally I wouldn't see the use of calendar on the little bugger and I think that sort of application would require some serious coding (you would have to create a whole new way for the reader to connect and be recognized differently than just a massive storage unit) but maybe something smaller could be done with jscript without the syncing.

Aw, come on thi, don't be so harsh. The same line of thinking would go against installing any games on the PRS700 as soon as they are available, don't tell me that you wouldn't like to see that majhong game running on your e-inkish friend :)

Personally I wouldn't see the use of calendar on the little bugger and I think that sort of application would require some serious coding (you would have to create a whole new way for the reader to connect and be recognized differently than just a massive storage unit) but maybe something smaller could be done with jscript without the syncing.

;-) Honestly, I don't want email access and other distracting functions that are unrelated to reading and marking up text. Instead, they should honestly work on better and faster interfaces for marking up text. On the PRS-700, I only have the option of highlighting. I'd like the option of circling a word, underlining, and so forth. Better and faster annotation too. Work on those issues before dealing with frivolous items for a digital reader like email and the like :)

That's true.. I would like to be able to circle words and things like that, they would truly add to the experience however I don't think they would be possible with our current device. As I understand it the PRS-700's touchscreen is not capable of multitouch gestures which would be a must...

Now that I think about it, perhaps a there might be a way... like double taping a word "circles" it (ie. different shade of highlight) Dunno, just thinking out loud

What I would REALLY love to see is the ability to handwrite notes but that's just daydreaming

That's true.. I would like to be able to circle words and things like that, they would truly add to the experience however I don't think they would be possible with our current device. As I understand it the PRS-700's touchscreen is not capable of multitouch gestures which would be a must...

Now that I think about it, perhaps a there might be a way... like double taping a word "circles" it (ie. different shade of highlight) Dunno, just thinking out loud

What I would REALLY love to see is the ability to handwrite notes but that's just daydreaming

Handwritten notes are coming in the new touch screen from Jinke and likely in the Netronix ones as well. Likely Q2.

Dale

Handwritten notes are coming in the new touch screen from Jinke and likely in the Netronix ones as well. Likely Q2.

Dale

I meant handwritten notes in the PRS700 :p

I meant handwritten notes in the PRS700 :p

yea, well my point was it was not a hardware limitations in the screen or the controller. It could be that the PRS700 will be able to support this with a firmware change.

Dale

I am a student at a local University here and am a Computer Science major. I have a class on ecommerce and we talked about ebooks and readers today in class. I was by far the expert on the subject and the only person in the class that owns a reader. One of the things that came up was dictionary support on the Kindle and I had to bite my lip on the Sony. This needs to be added because i can say the only reason i got the prs700 over the kindle 2 was expandable memory and if a Kindle 3 comes out with more support for college text books and it has expandable memory I am out of here. Throw in a dictionary and get the same text book support (should that even happen) and I will stick around. I think more people would come on board.

The new lower price (~$350) and a dictionary/thesaurus would have me drooling for a 700.

Fix the screen, add a dictionary, and I'll buy the device.
Until then, I'll stick to my ancient Rocket ( a 10-years old device with a great dictionary :) )

Fix the screen, add a dictionary, and I'll buy the device.
Until then, I'll stick to my ancient Rocket ( a 10-years old device with a great dictionary :) )
Almost the same here. Although I am going to stick with my 505 for now.

For my uses, what I would like to see is the a "revised" version of the 700 that adds the dictionary support (and it would be great if it was done so that I could use the dictionary of my choice) and removes the screen light (which might also fix the screen issue). I don't use a special light with my 505 now, and would be happy to use a clip on one with the 70x rather than the built in one. As for wireless, I'm also happy to do without that.

Bottom line, really, is that I want my 505 but with a touchscreen and a dictionary.

While Sony is at it, why not consider "custom-built" Readers? List a base Reader and then offer customization options, like buying a PC or a laptop. Faster processor, larger hard drive, light or no light, more memory, touchscreen or no touchscreen, wireless or no wireless, etc. If I could customize so that the Reader was precisely what I wanted to fit my reading habits, I'd be willing to pay more for the ultimate device.

I support the drive for dictionary support.
Any electronic reading device is a bit brain-dead without a dictionary.

Failing early dictionary support, the ability to FLIP between two eBooks would be ALMOST as good (for me anyway, since I have a good dictionary in TEXT format).

When I say FLIP I mean flip/flop back and forth between the last two loaded eBooks without going through menus (or as few menus as possible).

I support the drive for dictionary support.
Any electronic reading device is a bit brain-dead without a dictionary.

Failing early dictionary support, the ability to FLIP between two eBooks would be ALMOST as good (for me anyway, since I have a good dictionary in TEXT format).

When I say FLIP I mean flip/flop back and forth between the last two loaded eBooks without going through menus (or as few menus as possible).

Yeah, this wouldn't be too hard to implement in a device. but of course it needs to be made.

it would be something similar to a save state, and all that would be required is one button press to go between 1 (or More) entire running firmware. to a cloned firmware doing something else. the device itself already works in an off state of ram, so it would be incredibly easy to implement.

but it will never happen.

I think that could be done fairly easily through a firmware hack, possibly binding the holding of a button to a "last opened book" function or something.

I think that could be done fairly easily through a firmware hack, possibly binding the holding of a button to a "last opened book" function or something.

well you can already swap back and forth between to books using 2 taps, a button press, and another tap by just using the bookmarks.


but whenever someone mentions firmware hack. I have low expectations.

Fix the screen, add a dictionary, and I'll buy the device.
Until then, I'll stick to my ancient Rocket ( a 10-years old device with a great dictionary :) )

Almost the same here. I'll stick with my color REB1200 ( 6+ years old device with a great dictionary ;) )

I really want dictionary support for my PRS 700, and handwritten notes!!! Why is that so difficult with a touchscreen?!

I have just submitted a review of the PRS-700 on the Sony Website (US) https://www.sonystyle.com/ PRS-700 (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665562069). There is a possiblity to put the pros and cons in. :)

Of course it will be reviewed by Sony and then hopefully published. You can give a yes/no feedback to the reviews.

:) Mira

Would love dictionary support :)

I really want dictionary support for my PRS 700, and handwritten notes!!! Why is that so difficult with a touchscreen?!


I suppose the obvious question to ask is why you bought a PRS-700, if those things are important to you, rather than a machine which had the features that you want?