Should I bother with the firmware update? (UK)

yegon · 07-31-2008, 12:16 PM

Hi

I imported a US 505 here to the UK about six or so months ago. I'm very happy with it, using it mainly for (dubiously obtained I'm afraid) ebooks and manga.

I'm slightly perturbed by reports, however few, of some Readers getting bricked. Given that it's an import, it would be a complete arse getting it replaced under warranty should anything happen to it during the update. Thing is, I never use it for pdf's, nor will I ever use it for epub's. As far as I can see, the only feature I would quite like is the ability to delete on the Reader itself, but it's hardly an essential feature with my usage - I tend to bung a load of stuff on there and I'm good for a couple of months

Am I missing anything should I choose not to update?

I have a similar paranoia about my launch US PS3, I *always* give it a week or so before updating the firmware, especially since it'd be very tricky to replace an original 60gb these days.

MickeyC · 07-31-2008, 12:55 PM

If you're happy with the books available now, you probably ought to hold off on the download. Although I downloaded the firmware without a problem. Mind you, now that they are selling Sony's in the UK, you might check and see if your warranty now applies.

gwynevans · 07-31-2008, 01:59 PM

There's some mention of bugs being fixed, but nothing anyone's been able to point to, so there's not really anything critical to update for.

gwynevans · 07-31-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

Inow that they are selling Sony's in the UK, you might check and see if your warranty now applies.

They're not selling for another 5 weeks or so, so I don't think we'll get a knowledgeable answer yet...

sirmaru · 07-31-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwynevans

There's some mention of bugs being fixed, but nothing anyone's been able to point to, so there's not really anything critical to update for.

It upgrades performance on the PRS 505 Reader plus some new menu additions. It allows reading of PDF books in a better format on both the eLibrary and on the Reader.

DrMoze · 07-31-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirmaru

It upgrades performance on the PRS 505 Reader plus some new menu additions. It allows reading of PDF books in a better format on both the eLibrary and on the Reader.

Faster response, better pdf legibility (reflow), and ability to delete books directly on the Reader. 3 good reasons to upgrade IMO.

I don't recall anyone bricking their 505 from the official SONY firmware upgrade. And if you do, you can always reflash. Not a worry IMO.

gwynevans · 07-31-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrMoze

Faster response, better pdf legibility (reflow), and ability to delete books directly on the Reader. 3 good reasons to upgrade IMO.

I don't recall anyone bricking their 505 from the official SONY firmware upgrade. And if you do, you can always reflash. Not a worry IMO.

The OP doesn't read PDFs & while the book deletion's nice for those of us who want to 'tidy up' our devices as we read, it's not really an essential, is it? :-)

As for bricking with an official update, take a look in the " Reader Troubleshooting" sub-forum. Here & here, for instance - there are others that have had problems & needed more that just a retry to fix, too - e.g. here.

charlieperry · 07-31-2008, 07:12 PM

Definitely go for it. I didn't have any problems and the benefits are huge. Make sure your Reader is fully charged before you begin.

Stingo · 07-31-2008, 11:27 PM

The new PDF handling is so much better than the prior handling that it literally makes the PDF usable for me. I've downloaded a couple of books that I was only able to find in PDF format and am in pig heaven. I would absolutely upgrade. It will make your reader a better, in some respects faster and more flexible device.https://www.mobileread.com/forums/ima...1/thumbsup.gif

yegon · 08-01-2008, 01:36 PM

Well, I relented in the end, and successfully updated mine

. Again, the only feature I'll actually use is the delete book facility, but the lure of vague "stability and bug fixes" and a natural obsession with keeping things updated got me in the end!

nippa · 08-01-2008, 02:01 PM

My PRS 505 is also an import devoid of official content thanks to Sony's US-Centric attitude to accepting credit cards.
I updated mine just as soon as the patch came out with no problem and it seems to have improved the look of some PDF Manuals.

FWIW , I was in Waterstons at Trafford Centre Manchester this morning and the reader is being pushed at the checkout. Taking pre-orders.

ejereader · 08-05-2008, 03:33 PM

I agree that you should update. I may be imagining things but my battery life seems longer, as well as the other changes. Lastly, but certainly not least, the largest library district in my area has downloadable ebooks. While the collection is not huge, it is not that bad and works perfectly with Adobe Digital Editions and my Sony 505.

NigelS · 08-10-2008, 04:14 AM

yes, I also think I am getting better battery life with the new upgrade - it seems not to run down as fast when it is off (in sleep mode).

NigelS

jakeluck · 08-11-2008, 10:36 PM

the update made book loading and menu navigation much faster, worth the upgrade

Surfergirl · 08-15-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

If you're happy with the books available now, you probably ought to hold off on the download. Although I downloaded the firmware without a problem. Mind you, now that they are selling Sony's in the UK, you might check and see if your warranty now applies.

Just checked with Sony UK, and this was their response:

"HI Irene,
Any warranty purchased in the US can only be supported in the US not the UK.
With Kind Regards
Zoe"

Bummer !!

07-31-2008, 12:16 PM	#1
yegon Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 2079258 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS 505	Should I bother with the firmware update? (UK) Hi I imported a US 505 here to the UK about six or so months ago. I'm very happy with it, using it mainly for (dubiously obtained I'm afraid) ebooks and manga. I'm slightly perturbed by reports, however few, of some Readers getting bricked. Given that it's an import, it would be a complete arse getting it replaced under warranty should anything happen to it during the update. Thing is, I never use it for pdf's, nor will I ever use it for epub's. As far as I can see, the only feature I would quite like is the ability to delete on the Reader itself, but it's hardly an essential feature with my usage - I tend to bung a load of stuff on there and I'm good for a couple of months Am I missing anything should I choose not to update? I have a similar paranoia about my launch US PS3, I always give it a week or so before updating the firmware, especially since it'd be very tricky to replace an original 60gb these days. Last edited by yegon; 07-31-2008 at 01:07 PM.

07-31-2008, 11:27 PM	#9
Stingo Fanatic Posts: 559 Karma: 1334691 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Miami Device: KH2O, KPW2, KDXG, KPW1, K3, S505	Absolutely The new PDF handling is so much better than the prior handling that it literally makes the PDF usable for me. I've downloaded a couple of books that I was only able to find in PDF format and am in pig heaven. I would absolutely upgrade. It will make your reader a better, in some respects faster and more flexible device.https://www.mobileread.com/forums/ima...1/thumbsup.gif

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07-31-2008, 12:55 PM	#2
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	If you're happy with the books available now, you probably ought to hold off on the download. Although I downloaded the firmware without a problem. Mind you, now that they are selling Sony's in the UK, you might check and see if your warranty now applies.

07-31-2008, 01:59 PM	#3
gwynevans Wizzard Posts: 1,402 Karma: 2000000 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: iPad 2, iPhone 6s, Kindle Voyage & Kindle PaperWhite	There's some mention of bugs being fixed, but nothing anyone's been able to point to, so there's not really anything critical to update for.

07-31-2008, 07:12 PM	#8
charlieperry Connoisseur Posts: 89 Karma: 174 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sydney Device: Sony PRS 505	Definitely go for it. I didn't have any problems and the benefits are huge. Make sure your Reader is fully charged before you begin.

08-01-2008, 01:36 PM	#10
yegon Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 2079258 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS 505	Well, I relented in the end, and successfully updated mine . Again, the only feature I'll actually use is the delete book facility, but the lure of vague "stability and bug fixes" and a natural obsession with keeping things updated got me in the end!

08-01-2008, 02:01 PM	#11
nippa Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Device: PRS-505	My PRS 505 is also an import devoid of official content thanks to Sony's US-Centric attitude to accepting credit cards. I updated mine just as soon as the patch came out with no problem and it seems to have improved the look of some PDF Manuals. FWIW , I was in Waterstons at Trafford Centre Manchester this morning and the reader is being pushed at the checkout. Taking pre-orders.

08-05-2008, 03:33 PM	#12
ejereader Member Posts: 20 Karma: 44 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: 505	I agree that you should update. I may be imagining things but my battery life seems longer, as well as the other changes. Lastly, but certainly not least, the largest library district in my area has downloadable ebooks. While the collection is not huge, it is not that bad and works perfectly with Adobe Digital Editions and my Sony 505.

08-10-2008, 04:14 AM	#13
NigelS Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 188 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: PRS-505	yes, I also think I am getting better battery life with the new upgrade - it seems not to run down as fast when it is off (in sleep mode). NigelS

08-11-2008, 10:36 PM	#14
jakeluck Groupie Posts: 193 Karma: 3252 Join Date: Dec 2004	the update made book loading and menu navigation much faster, worth the upgrade