According to this ZDNet article, the new Sony new ereaders will price at $179, $229, and $299 for the Pocket, Touch, and Daily Edition respectively. No word on the type of screen yet. Only the Daily Edition will have Wifi and 3G. No word on whether it will have Pearl screen or not.

You can read the full article here.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/sony-launches-new-e-readers-will-pricing-matter/38624

Another article confirmed they're porting the new Pearl screen.

"All of the Readers now use the Pearl V220 E Ink technology and can read books in the EPUB and PDF formats"

http://www.twice.com/article/456567-Sony_Updates_Reader_Line.php

will price at $179, $229, and $299 for the Pocket, Touch, and Daily Edition respectively

You've got to be effing kidding me! The Pocket should be at least as cheap as the Wi-Fi Kindle 3 and the Touch at least as cheap as the 3G Kindle 3.

Realistic prices-- if they want to sell these-- is $129 for the Pocket and $179 for the Touch.

I know Sony said they weren't going to compete on price... but what exactly are they competing on? If you are going to charge a premium over the best selling devices (Kindle and Nook in the US I presume), then it better have something going for it... and I am afraid for Sony that I just don't see a touch screen being that thing (I think wireless and ebook store integration is a bigger deal for people who want something more than a basic reader).

Ironically, the pocket edition again might be the star of the ball. While still a big step up in price from where the PRS-300 is selling, it still leaves it the cheapest 5" ereader with an e-Ink screen (I assume that this all means that the PRS-300 is being discontinued).

A few other questions.

1. Will they all have fixed epub formatting?
2. Will they still support LRF?

Final thought, Sony might think it is too early in the game for low pricing, but I disagree, Amazon and B&N both are competing on price. I think Sony's biggest problem is that they are essentially operating as a hardware company, not a media company.

--
Bill

I agree with you. At that price, it will be hard to compete with Kindle 3.

That said I wouldn't mind pay a higher price since I like the Touch screen and use it quite a bit. I don't really care about Wi-Fi and 3G that much when it comes to getting books on my reader.

The important question would be whether the new touch screens still have "glares" or not.

Sony will still support LRF but not BBeB (DRM scheme). The PRS-300 is not discontinued, Sony will now go completely touchscreen with the new screen technology. They have also been able to remove the extra layer of screen between the touch so I can't wait to see if that completely eliminate any glare issues. Sony believes that touch technology distinguished them from the mass. I did participate in a private survey for Sony in June and there were quite a few questions on touchscreen versus wireless. Some of the questions that were asked was if wireless is important to you in an ebook device and also if you can choose between wireless or touch screen which one would you want your reader to have?

Sony will still support LRF but BBeB (DRM scheme). The PRS-300 is not discontinued, Sony will now go completely touchscreen with the new screen technology. They have also been able to remove the extra layer of screen between the touch so I can't wait to see if that completely eliminate any glare issues. Sony believes that touch technology distinguished them from the mass. I did participate in a private survey for Sony in June and there were quite a few questions on touchscreen versus wireless. Some of the questions that were asked was if wireless is important to you in an ebook device and also if you can choose between wireless or touch screen which one would you want your reader to have?

The problem with customer survey's is that customers often say one thing and do another. There are a variety of reasons for it depending on the product. In the USA, in what 3 years, Sony went from the only real player in town for dedicated ebook readers to at best the third place contender behind the Kindle and Nook. Both Kindle and Nook are set up such that readers can get books without ever having to connect to a computer... and yet Sony is still limiting that to the Daily Edition? In addition, they have had touch screens for a year now and yet the PRS-300 has been their best seller...

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Bill

Thanks for this. I am curious to see how they are perceived compare to other devices with a cheaper price point.

The problem with customer survey's is that customers often say one thing and do another. There are a variety of reasons for it depending on the product. In the USA, in what 3 years, Sony went from the only real player in town for dedicated ebook readers to at best the third place contender behind the Kindle and Nook. Both Kindle and Nook are set up such that readers can get books without ever having to connect to a computer... and yet Sony is still limiting that to the Daily Edition? In addition, they have had touch screens for a year now and yet the PRS-300 has been their best seller...

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Bill

From how I read the survey questions, I think Sony believes that the touch technology was not the real issue but the quality of the screens. I'm concluding that they felt if they can eliminate the screen quality issues, then touch is the way they want to distinguish themselves. I think the new PRS-650 have wireless capability. I don't know if it's 3g or wifi but the PRS-950 does have both.

According to this ZDNet article, the new Sony new ereaders will price at $179, $229, and $299 for the Pocket, Touch, and Daily Edition respectively. No word on the type of screen yet. Only the Daily Edition will have Wifi and 3G. No word on whether it will have Pearl screen or not.

You can read the full article here.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/sony-launches-new-e-readers-will-pricing-matter/38624

Another article confirmed they're porting the new Pearl screen.

"All of the Readers now use the Pearl V220 E Ink technology and can read books in the EPUB and PDF formats"

http://www.twice.com/article/456567-Sony_Updates_Reader_Line.php

Good to know. I'm quite interested in the new Sony Readers. The pearl screen is definitely a plus.

And if I read the article correctly, doing away with that extra layer for the touchscreen. My one question about the ZDNet blog is that it makes a comment that the new touchscreen "took some getting used to"...but then he just goes on to the next point.

I wish he'd explained what he meant.

Oh, yeah, another question - any idea if they're using the updated Adobe that also reads the B&N ePub DRM scheme?

And if I read the article correctly, doing away with that extra layer for the touchscreen. My one question about the ZDNet blog is that it makes a comment that the new touchscreen "took some getting used to"...but then he just goes on to the next point.

I wish he'd explained what he meant.

From the same article, he mentioned that the latency of the touchscreen improve and works well.

"When I took Amazon’s latest Kindle for a spin, I was told that there were too many compromises with touch navigation. In a nutshell, touch had latency because the signal sent by your fingers had to go through two planes—glass and the E-ink. Sony, however, eliminated the need for an overlay screen. Now touch is much more intuitive and works well."

If Sony successfully eliminated the glare problem, they've made very good ereader. 7" with touchscreen and not too small yet still portable. It might be the best compromise for PDF.

From how I read the survey questions, I think Sony believes that the touch technology was not the real issue but the quality of the screens. I'm concluding that they felt if they can eliminate the screen quality issues, then touch is the way they want to distinguish themselves.

In what way does it distinguish them? There are numerous devices on the market which have touch screens.

In what way does it distinguish them? There are numerous devices on the market which have touch screens.

I live in US and the only ereaders with touchscreen available in store were the Sony's. I got my hand on the DR800SG but that was short lived after it had a broken screen. I can tell you that the Sony's touchscreen works much better than the DR800SG ever was for me. It could have been software issue, but touchscreen with Wacom didn't work too well there. The latency was terrible and navigation was lagging.

In what way does it distinguish them? There are numerous devices on the market which have touch screens.

From your device list I can see that you have a PRS-600 and other touch-screen devices - so you probably know well what the difference is between them.
New get has touch screen, no glare. Pretty self-explanatory really if you read the articles and see the pictures.

27 days of battery life for the daily....nice!

Check out some screenshots comparison photos. Different as night and day. I am so getting one for Xmas.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2368479,00.asp

You've got to be effing kidding me! The Pocket should be at least as cheap as the Wi-Fi Kindle 3 and the Touch at least as cheap as the 3G Kindle 3.

Realistic prices-- if they want to sell these-- is $129 for the Pocket and $179 for the Touch.

While their prices do seem a bit too high, I don't think it is at all realistic to think they have to undercut the kindle in order to sell, getting close enough in price that people can pick ePub and touch on the sony or wifi and store on a kindle without actively paying a large premium for that choice e.g. dropping the prices to $150 and $200 would get them close enough without forcing amazon into price cuts.

Couple of things I noticed from Engadget photos:
1) You can now adjust brightness and contrast
2) USB slot is micro-USB
3) The charger looks like it has a USB socket, so presumably any USB charger will work now

And the screen does look much sharper. I'm disappointed that they didn't add at least WiFi to all the models, however :(

I wonder what is the "basic web browsing" capability of the new Daily Edition. I am a bit disappointed that the Daily Edition will come only in silver.

From your device list I can see that you have a PRS-600 and other touch-screen devices - so you probably know well what the difference is between them.


Yes, that was my point - that there are many other touch-screen devices on the market, so this isn't something that will be a differentiator for Sony, unless perhaps one is restricting the comparison to Amazon and B&N.

NYTimes posted too (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/01/sony-introduces-new-e-readers/). Some quotes:
On Wednesday Sony will introduce a new line of e-readers and applications for iPhones and Android phones.
...
“Consistently the number-one thing we heard was it needs to feel like a book, so you just forget that you have a device in your hand,” said Steve Haber, president of Sony’s digital reading division.
...
While the older versions required forceful touching, the pages of the new readers respond even to a hovering finger. Sony also used an improved E Ink Pearl display so text is now visible in direct sunlight, the company says.
...
The Pocket and Touch Editions will be available Wednesday and the Daily Edition by the end of the year.
The new phone apps will be available later this year and, like the Kindle app, will allow people to pick up where they left off in a book when they switch devices.
Sony is also expanding availability internationally — including to Italy, Spain, Australia, China and Japan — and the new readers include 10 translation dictionaries in addition to two English ones.

the pages of the new readers respond even to a hovering finger.

That implies that they're now using a capacitive touch screen. That's a smart move; the capacitive touch screens on the iPhone and iPad work superbly well.

Sony was wise not to include wireless on the two lower models. It's just a waste of money unless your focus is on getting customers to buy from your store. Instead, they're playing to their strengths: better design, touch-screen functionality and the superior epub format. The pricing is clearly designed to allow retailers a bit of leeway for discounts.

The pictures from PCMag look pretty good. If they've got the Pearl screen and have solved the touchscreen glare issue then these are strong products.

Full spect from CNET:

Here are the PRS-350's key specs:
Price: $179.99
5-inch "clear touch" screen (16-level grayscale E-Ink Pearl screen)
Weighs 5.64 ounces
Measure 5.71 x 4.11 x 0.33 inches (HWD)
2 GB built-in memory (stores around 1,200 e-books)
Text and handwritten note-taking capabilities
Two full weeks of reading on a single battery charge
Embedded multilingual dictionaries (2 English language and 10 translation dictionaries)
6 adjustable font sizes to customize
USB 2.0 data and power connection (micro USB)
Supports PDF, Microsoft Word, and other text file formats, as well as EPUB/ACS4 and connection with Adobe Digital Editions
Reads JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP image files
Reader Library software for PC and Mac
Available in silver and pink
Shipping September 1

Here are the PRS-650's key specs:
Price: $229.99
6-inch "clear touch" screen (16-level grayscale E-Ink Pearl screen)
Weighs 7.93 ounces and is only .38 inches thick
SD and Memory Stick Duo Expansion slots for adding additional memory
Plays back MP3 and AAC audio files (headphone jack on board)
Otherwise offers the same features as the PRS-350 above
Available in black and red
Shipping September 1

Sony slims down, speeds up, and adds touch to its entire Reader family (http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/sony-slims-down-speeds-up-and-adds-touch-to-its-entire-reader/)

It'll be interesting to see if they've eliminated the library scan which so limits the current Sony readers.

PaidContent (http://paidcontent.org/article/419-sony-revisits-e-book-assumptions-for-next-reader-rollout/) has a lot of quotes from Harber, which explain some of the decisions made.

That implies that they're now using a capacitive touch screen. That's a smart move; the capacitive touch screens on the iPhone and iPad work superbly well.

Since they come with a stylus I don't think they are using a capacitive screen.

The pictures from PCMag look pretty good. If they've got the Pearl screen and have solved the touchscreen glare issue then these are strong products.

I agree.

What makes me mad is that they don't offer a 9.7in version. I can't understand why. They could basically corner the market for eInk based academic reader. Amazon is refusing to add TOC and links support to its DX line (beats me why). PocketBook aren't using the latest pearl eInk screen. I don't know why Sony is ignoring this market, this is a niche they could really dominate.

Also, what is cause of the fading on the upper part of the screen here (http://www.engadget.com/photos/sony-pocket-touch-and-daily-editions-hands-on/#3315576)? It looks like a reflection, but I'm not sure.

The screen contrast doesnt look as good as the kindle.

Nothing here that excites me. So far I am disappointed with the new models from both Sony and Pocketbook.

After reading that Sony has solved the display issues with the touch screen I was almost sure the PRS-650 will be mine. Now it turns out that it has no WiFi.

I have read this: "Steve Haber, president of Sony’s digital reading division, says that the company’s research shows that most customers tether their devices.". Well, Mr. Haber, I would say that among other problems Sony has a problem with researchers. For sure, most customers will tether their PRS-650 as it has no wireless.

IMHO, the WiFi is crucial to bring reading experience to a higher level. I will stick to the paper until I will be able to switch effortlessly between books, a browser page (e.g. Wikipedia) and a dictionary/thesaurus view. Also, a split view would be useful.

I will see if the new Daily Edition fits the description above but I still do not like the price and the only choice of colour being silver.

Finally, it is my impression that Sony wants us to pay premium prices without offering premium devices. I am wondering how many such nice tries a company can pull.

The contrast on the Kindle 3 does look a little better, but I prefer the touch functions, extra dictionaries, multiple book suppliers, and the already purchased books I already have from the Sony store. Yes, I could strip drm and convert them, but there's no point when I'm content with the Sony machines and experience.

Sony may be a little more expensive, and they may be a little more restrictive, but there are a great many of us who remember Amazon's first brush with E-books, and our 'personal digital libraries' suddenly disappearing without notice, refund, explanation, or apology.

For those interested, here are the Sonystyle links to the new 350 and 650. They aren't up for sale just yet, though.

PRS-350
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666257813

PRS-650
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666257815

In what way does it distinguish them? There are numerous devices on the market which have touch screens.

But nobody before Sony will have touch and Pearl.

Also, what is cause of the fading on the upper part of the screen here (http://www.engadget.com/photos/sony-pocket-touch-and-daily-editions-hands-on/#3315576)? It looks like a reflection, but I'm not sure.

It's residual glare. Obviously that hasn't been completely eliminated and you can expect to see it still if the lightsource is right over the screen.

The screen contrast doesnt look as good as the kindle.

It took some time to find images of the new Kindle that showed a real improvement with the Pearl screen. There are lots of pics of the K3 that are pretty unimpressive. Any comparisons need to be made with strictly controlled lighting.

Since they come with a stylus I don't think they are using a capacitive screen.

Not necessarily. You can get styli for capacitive screens.

And here's the 950:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666258035

I thought it was pretty clear that Sony's strategy is to be the leader everywhere but in the U.S. That is, it is taking a global look rather than a U.S.-centric look.

I personally plan on buying the new 950. The price is high, but I've had my 505 for nearly 3 years without a single problem and my wife wants it. If the 950 gives me the same service -- 3 years without a problem -- I will feel that the price was justified. I tend to weigh quality higher than price, not that price isn't important -- it's just not controlling.

The one issue I want resolved is to know whether the ADE/ePub has been updated will give me access to B&N as well as the Sony bookstore.

I agree.

What makes me mad is that they don't offer a 9.7in version. I can't understand why. They could basically corner the market for eInk based academic reader. Amazon is refusing to add TOC and links support to its DX line (beats me why). PocketBook aren't using the latest pearl eInk screen. I don't know why Sony is ignoring this market, this is a niche they could really dominate.


I agree. I'd snap up a 9.7 inch Sony in a heartbeat.

That said, I really think that my beloved Sony 505 is going to make a great present for my husband. I don't know whether I'll get the 650, or wait for the 950. I personally couldn't care less for wi-fi or 3g internet connection for my reader, however I will gladly pay the extra price for the touchscreen and multiple dictionaries combined with the new Pearl screens. These new readers look great (so far).

PC World says (http://www.pcworld.com/article/204595/sony_debuts_snazzy_new_touchscreen_ereaders.html?t k=hp_new) the new touch screen used "infrared optical technology". That definitely explains how it works with both fingers and stylus.

Sony will still support LRF but not BBeB (DRM scheme).
...
The Sony style website says that the 650 will support BBeB with and without DRM.

I thought it was pretty clear that Sony's strategy is to be the leader everywhere but in the U.S. That is, it is taking a global look rather than a U.S.-centric look.

I personally plan on buying the new 950. The price is high, but I've had my 505 for nearly 3 years without a single problem and my wife wants it. If the 950 gives me the same service -- 3 years without a problem -- I will feel that the price was justified. I tend to weigh quality higher than price, not that price isn't important -- it's just not controlling.

The one issue I want resolved is to know whether the ADE/ePub has been updated will give me access to B&N as well as the Sony bookstore.

No, the new Sony's will not allow for B&N's DRM. You will still have to strip the B&N DRM to get eBooks from B&N on a Sony.

Nice looking devices, but too expensive. Really don't want to be touching the screen I'm reading on and at least wi-fi is a must. Can't see getting one of these in the US over the Kindle or Nook.

I think this fits very well. Sony missed the chance to work it out with Epub: Epub is doomed (http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2010/09/01/epub-is-doomed/).

That would be another argument for the Kindle 3. If I have to strip DRM or convert my ebooks using calibre then I can as well do it on the cheaper Kindle.

I think this fits very well. Sony missed the chance to work it out with Epub: Epub is doomed (http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2010/09/01/epub-is-doomed/).

You (& Nate) couldn't be more wrong. ePub is not "doomed". At worst Sony is doomed. DRM-ePub maybe doomed as well, but what else is new. People will get burned using it and will be forced to learn how remove it. Same as in the early days of mp3s. ePub, ublike any other book format out there - is a standard. Means there's more documentation how to work with it. Also you have Sigil & friends for editing ePub files. You could also call it Calibre main format. There is work on creating a new version of it that will support dictionaries natively. The days of ePub are just beginning.

I think this fits very well. Sony missed the chance to work it out with Epub: Epub is doomed (http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2010/09/01/epub-is-doomed/).

That would be another argument for the Kindle 3. If I have to strip DRM or convert my ebooks using calibre then I can as well do it on the cheaper Kindle.

I wouldn't put much stock in the opinion of the poster, who calls epub - "Adobe epub" without realizing that only Adept has any relation to Adobe. I am referring to the article not to you of course. So I am not sure where he got the info about DRM that Sony will support.
As Samuel Clemens used to say the news about epub death are greatly exaggerated. If he knew about epub anyway :)
BTW how's that moves you to Kindle with it totally proprietary format, I don't see at all. It's like me deciding to take vacation in Alaska in January, because it rained in Florida.
Stripping DRM and working on stripping DRM and reformatting book to use it on different reader seems very far apart.
Sorry I digressed, from Sony announcement. Go Sony (and improve customer service while you at it)

Or course they are not using B&N DRM. That would be stupid IMHO, when most shops selling ePub uses adept DRm. And barnes and noble being US only, I coudn't care less about not having acces there. You're seeing this from a us point of view, but using B&N drm means losing everyone not the the US.

Sounds temping, if they add justify for ePub, it might be mine.

Sounds tempting, but I'll wait and see for reviews. Plus it will take awhile for it to come to Europe.
And if they stick with the 1 dollar= 1 euro that's standard, the prices aren't that bad. Fyi, when PRS 600 was released in Sweden it cost 370 euro. Oi. Now it is only 270 euro...

Sounds tempting, but I'll wait and see for reviews. Plus it will take awhile for it to come to Europe.
Supposedly Sony will do some announcements at IFA. And some people mentioned that new Readers could appear in Waterstones in week or two.

Supposedly Sony will do some announcements at IFA. And some people mentioned that new Readers could appear in Waterstones in week or two.

I should have remembered IFA. They are listed to be there with a reader. I should have been clearer and said Sweden instead of Europe..:rolleyes:

What makes me mad is that they don't offer a 9.7in version. I can't understand why.
Me too.
Ever since waiting for a good 9.7"; doesn't like the Kindle DXG 'cause of Amazon lock in and the keyboard.


PocketBook aren't using the latest pearl eInk screen.
They will (at least 902/903) but unfortunately not at the beginning. First shipments would be glass but they said they will replace it next year; no further details.

Or course they are not using B&N DRM. That would be stupid IMHO, when most shops selling ePub uses adept DRm. And barnes and noble being US only, I coudn't care less about not having acces there. You're seeing this from a us point of view, but using B&N drm means losing everyone not the the US.

Sounds temping, if they add justify for ePub, it might be mine.

It's not a matter of switching the DRM for ePub. It was a matter of adding the B&N ePub DRM so eBooks could also be bought from B&N. if Sony removed the standard Adept DRM, they'd be out of the game so fast.

While their prices do seem a bit too high, I don't think it is at all realistic to think they have to undercut the kindle in order to sell

I do. I paid $190 (got a Bing rebate while that was going on) for my PRS-300 soon after it was released and thought it was a great deal. But the market has changed-- it will be a cold day in hell when I pay $179 for the 350. The big appeal of the 300 at the time was that it was the single cheapest eInk reader on the market. Now their 5-inch reader is priced a large percentage higher than competing 6-inch readers? If that is the way Sony is going to play the game, they might as well close their ebook division now, because they are dead.

I do. I paid $190 (got a Bing rebate while that was going on) for my PRS-300 soon after it was released and thought it was a great deal. But the market has changed-- it will be a cold day in hell when I pay $179 for the 350. The big appeal of the 300 at the time was that it was the single cheapest eInk reader on the market. Now their 5-inch reader is priced a large percentage higher than competing 6-inch readers? If that is the way Sony is going to play the game, they might as well close their ebook division now, because they are dead.

I agree; their ebook readers need to be at least $50 cheaper across the board. Get the PRS-350 to $130 and it might have a chance. At $20-$30 more than a Wifi Kindle or Nook, and you have given consumers a reason to exclude the Sony from their list.

--
Bill

I know Sony said they weren't going to compete on price... but what exactly are they competing on? If you are going to charge a premium over the best selling devices (Kindle and Nook in the US I presume), then it better have something going for it... and I am afraid for Sony that I just don't see a touch screen being that thing (I think wireless and ebook store integration is a bigger deal for people who want something more than a basic reader).

Ironically, the pocket edition again might be the star of the ball. While still a big step up in price from where the PRS-300 is selling, it still leaves it the cheapest 5" ereader with an e-Ink screen (I assume that this all means that the PRS-300 is being discontinued).

A few other questions.

1. Will they all have fixed epub formatting?
2. Will they still support LRF?

Final thought, Sony might think it is too early in the game for low pricing, but I disagree, Amazon and B&N both are competing on price. I think Sony's biggest problem is that they are essentially operating as a hardware company, not a media company.

--
Bill

I kind of agree with you, Sony appear (to me) to be a company to sell a product and fairly quickly drop any software support for it. The PS3 is an exception, but if you look at the PRS-300/600 I have yet to see a firmware update for, despite the number of issues/problems people would liked to get fixed. You're right, if Sony isn't competing on price what are they competing on? For $179US for the 5" they'd want to provide some form of firmware updates for the life of the product. If they just release it, sell it and forget about it, given the current ereader market it could be a short venture by Sony.

If Sony is listening, if you don't want to compete on price, compete on service. Many many people will pay extra for good service....oh and don't forget Australia, we are ebook readers too. Expanding geographically might help them too (I know articles are suggesting they will, but there has been ALOT of talk but no action from companies in the ereader/ebook market, I shall believe when I see).

Canada gets new models soon too. They also have a silver PRS-650 (http://www.sonystyle.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=100803&storeId=20153&langId=200&productId=8198552921666257815)! PRS-650 is $249.99 ("Available on or about 09/17/2010"), PRS-350 (http://www.sonystyle.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=100803&storeId=20153&langId=200&productId=8198552921666260686) is $199.99 ("Available on or about 09/08/2010").

Should have paid more attention about when the new models were coming out darn it. I bought the PRS600 last April for $179 and then my sister bought one in June for $149 and I bought another last week for my daughter on sale at $199!!! Now I'll have to check out the pearl ink to see if it's that much different. I love my touch Sony and have absolutely no complaints about service. When mine did go funny - it was back in my hands within 1 week!

Should have paid more attention about when the new models were coming out darn it. I bought the PRS600 last April for $179 and then my sister bought one in June for $149 and I bought another last week for my daughter on sale at $199!!! Now I'll have to check out the pearl ink to see if it's that much different. I love my touch Sony and have absolutely no complaints about service. When mine did go funny - it was back in my hands within 1 week!

If you can, return your daughter's 600, give her your 600 and get a 650 for yourself.

Canada gets new models soon too. They also have a silver PRS-650 (http://www.sonystyle.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=100803&storeId=20153&langId=200&productId=8198552921666257815)! PRS-650 is $249.99 ("Available on or about 09/17/2010"), PRS-350 (http://www.sonystyle.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=100803&storeId=20153&langId=200&productId=8198552921666260686) is $199.99 ("Available on or about 09/08/2010").

Sony's new devices are a welcome improvement: lighter, smaller, more stylish, improved touch, Pearl e-ink, dictionaries, etc.

But in Canada, in spite of the cachet of the Sony brand, the pricing is just out of whack. $249 for the 6" non-wifi PRS 650 vs $139 for the wifi-enabled Kindle 3 vs $149 for the basic model Kobo that plays ePub files. For Canada, the latter two have very credible bookstores as well; Sony's bookstore in Canada is problematic at best.

Sure, Sony in Canada can command a premium (Kindle's are only sold online), but not $100. And when the Kobo drops in a few days or weeks as it simply must, that's going to be up to a $150 premium -- more than double the price to select "Sony".

It's true Sony can try the trade-off: wifi vs touch screen but in the sales conversation that's simply not going to fly.

Sony: 5", touch screen, no wifi, problematic bookstore - $199; sony stores, best buy
Sony: 6", touch screen, no wifi, problematic bookstore - $249; sony stores, best buy
Kobo/Chapters: 6", no touch screen, no wifi, Canadian bookstore, easy to use - $99-$149; largest Canadian book chain, Wal-mart
Kindle 3/Amazon: 6", no touch screen, wifi, best bookstore, large support community - $139; amazon, a trusted provider of books, dvds

At this pricing, Sony has it's work cut out for it in Canada.

Sony's new devices are a welcome improvement: lighter, smaller, more stylish, improved touch, Pearl e-ink, dictionaries, etc.

But in Canada, in spite of the cachet of the Sony brand, the pricing is just out of whack. $249 for the 6" non-wifi PRS 650 vs $139 for the wifi-enabled Kindle 3 vs $149 for the basic model Kobo that plays ePub files. For Canada, the latter two have very credible bookstores as well; Sony's bookstore in Canada is problematic at best.

Sure, Sony in Canada can command a premium (Kindle's are only sold online), but not $100. And when the Kobo drops in a few days or weeks as it simply must, that's going to be up to a $150 premium -- more than double the price to select "Sony".

It's true Sony can try the trade-off: wifi vs touch screen but in the sales conversation that's simply not going to fly.

Sony: 5", touch screen, no wifi, problematic bookstore - $199; sony stores, best buy
Sony: 6", touch screen, no wifi, problematic bookstore - $249; sony stores, best buy
Kobo/Chapters: 6", no touch screen, no wifi, Canadian bookstore, easy to use - $99-$149; largest Canadian book chain, Wal-mart
Kindle 3/Amazon: 6", no touch screen, wifi, best bookstore, large support community - $139; amazon, a trusted provider of books, dvds

At this pricing, Sony has it's work cut out for it in Canada.

The price is steep. Honestly? I plan on making a trip south over the border next time I'm in Canada to get my Sony Reader (either the 650 or the 950, I haven't yet decided) to save myself the price difference. With Ontario tax the 6 inch Touch reader would work out to about $280.

For me, the touch screen, Pearl technology and 12 dictionaries are more than worth the extra price I'd be paying for getting a Sony rather than a Kindle. (wi-fi and 3g don't interest me, and I do a lot of translating work for which I'd like to mark up the text with my own handwriting - I need to use foreign characters. The Kindle's keyboard wouldn't cut it for me. I also read a fair bit in foreign languages, and I'd love the dictionaries. The ability to purchase more dictionaries would be an ever bigger bonus. I have been considering a Kindle DX as a large screen reader, but I have decided to wait on getting a 9.7 inch reader, as I would like one with better PDF rendering capabilities and with a touch screen).

However, I doubt that the extra features would appeal to most readers (or rather, appeal to them enough to warrant paying the added price). This is too bad; I love Sony's Readers and would hate to see them stop making them. This is why I AM glad that no one brand has a monopoly on e-readers - it leaves us consumers with more choices.

I'm considering the 950. And by the time the 950 is out for sale, I'll either have most or all of the money to buy one.

Honestly? I plan on making a trip south over the border next time I'm in Canada to get my Sony Reader (either the 650 or the 950, I haven't yet decided) to save myself the price difference.

Ha ha... and I'm considering a trip north of the border just so I can get a silver one, lol!

Ha ha... and I'm considering a trip north of the border just so I can get a silver one, lol!

Get a 950 and you'll have silver.

Get a 950 and you'll have silver.

Nah, it's too big. The 350 is too small. The 650 is juuuust right :)

I think the 950 is just right. But to each his own. But I do have to agree that a 5" screen is too small.

I think the 950 is just right. But to each his own. But I do have to agree that a 5" screen is too small.

Right, I should have said juuust right for me :)

And maybe I *should* check out the 950, just to be sure!

I've got WiFi and an experimental browser on my Kindle. I've got a web browser on my nook.

In all honesty, the only thing I've ever used the damn thing for was to spend more money on an impulse buy.

And as for the Kindle wifi/store stuff, they can keep it. i haven't bought a kindle book that i couldn't make "mine."

I go through the "hassle" of spending 30 seconds on every eBook I own so I can covert it into a format that can be read on ALL my toys. I have an iPad that I like the pretty display of my book collection on. I use calibre to keep my library consistent across the board. Sure, I have other eReaders, but they all serve different purposes. If I am going anywhere near a B&N, I bring my nook to see what other stuff B/N has to play with. If I'm at work, I bring my kindle, as it's the only one still with an extended warranty. If I was reading at night, I'd use my 600 in bed or in dimly lit places.

I don't like multitask ebook readers. I'm actually thinking of getting rid of my nook because of the stupid games they added to it. I have an iPad that acts as a reading device, yet I never seem to get much reading done on it...wonder why.

I think the 950 is just right. But to each his own. But I do have to agree that a 5" screen is too small.

I like both. I got a 5", 6" and a 7". I use all three to satisfaction.

Still using my 505 in favour of the 900 but the 950 may get me back to it.

If you can, return your daughter's 600, give her your 600 and get a 650 for yourself.

would be tempted but have already skinned it! I just may have to surprise myself this XMAS, hopefully the prices will be down by then.

Two things that should never be done to electronics... engraving and skinning. That tends to make them nonreturnable.

$179 for Pocket Edition and $229 for Touch Edition is still pricey. They gotta lower it if they wanna compete with B&N Nook and Amazon's Kindle 3..I would get the Pocket Edition rather than the Touch Edition..Hurm..choice, choices..

Temptation, temptation. Guess I'll get it next month instead of this month..hehehe~

$179 for Pocket Edition and $229 for Touch Edition is still pricey. They gotta lower it if they wanna compete with B&N Nook and Amazon's Kindle 3..I would get the Pocket Edition rather than the Touch Edition..Hurm..choice, choices..

Temptation, temptation. Guess I'll get it next month instead of this month..hehehe~

That would probably depend. Importing the Nook here is a pain. The Kindle has the problem that it doesn't read DRM'd epub.

And it's actually the one of the cheapest 6" available atm, right here...

Nah, it's too big. The 350 is too small. The 650 is juuuust right :)

You know, I may have to retract that statement. I've been playing around with my 300 again to re-evaluate the 5" screen and it's really not bad. I can still read the manga I had downloaded, and even the pdf's for work. I may have to seriously consider the 350 rather than the 650. It's smaller, lighter, cheaper, has most of the same capabilities (I never listen to music on my reader, and 2G is plenty of memory for me so don't need the mp3 player or expansion slots), and anyway, both the red and the black colors on the 650 leave me cold.