New Sony model to be called PRS-300 and PRS-600 - Page 3

kazbates · 07-30-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

My guess is the 600 is replacing the 505 and the 300 is just a new model and the replacement for the 700 is yet to be seen.

That would make more sense to me than go backwards. Thanks.

Godzil · 07-30-2009, 10:57 AM

I look at the dimensions, the 300 is higher by about 3 or 4 mm than the 505! It will really look like a brick :/

JSWolf · 07-30-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazbates

That would make more sense to me than go backwards. Thanks.

According to rumors, the flexi screens will start manufacturing in the fall. Could be tht Sony is waiting for them to make a larger screen reader that will be more fault tolerant then the 9.7" glass screen the Kindle DX is using. I'm hoping so and I'm hoping thr price is reasonable as well. But this is all conjecture on my part for now.

Abecedary · 07-30-2009, 11:01 AM

I agree that the 300 numbering is because it's more of the scaled-back model. And remember, they're getting rid of the 500/505 series, so it's not like people (read: new customers) will really have that as a reference point for the new models.

Crowl · 07-30-2009, 11:01 AM

One of the new models is both smaller and lower specced than existing ones so its not that unlikely that they would use a lower number for it.

As far as getting rid of devices, maybe the 600 is actually intended to replace the 700 as well as the 505, take a look at what they did with the playstation designs as time went by, they phased out the stuff that would cut costs and slimmed down the designs.

djgreedo · 07-30-2009, 11:05 AM

Why do some people want WiFi on an ereader? For Internet access?

I really don't see a need. I have my phone if I really need to access the Internet on the go, and that's in colour and runs a proper browser, has email, etc.

At home, I have computers to access the Internet.

If it's for downloading books, I can't see the attraction of WiFi either. If I want to download a book I can do it at home. My reader holds hundreds of books potentially. I could never be without reading material.

Buying from a shop over WiFi could be cool if shops supported it.

What am I missing that makes wireless connectivity attractive?

If the specs of these devices are as mentioned in this thread I predict a price cut. The 300 will be quite cheap, and the 600 maybe a fair bit cheaper than the 700 (considering also that gadgets tend to get cheaper as they mature). Ereaders need to cease being an expensive early adopter technology soon.

JSWolf · 07-30-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djgreedo

Why do some people want WiFi on an ereader? For Internet access?

That's easy. They want wifi so they can find out where they are when they've gotten lost while walking and reading at the same time.

kazbates · 07-30-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djgreedo

Why do some people want WiFi on an ereader? For Internet access?

I really don't see a need. I have my phone if I really need to access the Internet on the go, and that's in colour and runs a proper browser, has email, etc.

At home, I have computers to access the Internet.

If it's for downloading books, I can't see the attraction of WiFi either. If I want to download a book I can do it at home. My reader holds hundreds of books potentially. I could never be without reading material.

Buying from a shop over WiFi could be cool if shops supported it.

What am I missing that makes wireless connectivity attractive?

If the specs of these devices are as mentioned in this thread I predict a price cut. The 300 will be quite cheap, and the 600 maybe a fair bit cheaper than the 700 (considering also that gadgets tend to get cheaper as they mature). Ereaders need to cease being an expensive early adopter technology soon.

Personally, I don't need Wifi. I would be willing to trade up from my 700 if they fixed the screen glare, made the light source less sporadic, and included dictionary look-up. The screen/reader size is perfect for me. I don't want a larger size because it would lose some of it's portability. My purse is big enough!

They also need to upgrade their Library software to be on par with their reader. It's pretty pathetic in comparison.

JSWolf · 07-30-2009, 11:10 AM

The library software does what it does quite nicely. It's not all that feature filled. But it works and it works well.

MerLock · 07-30-2009, 11:12 AM

Wi-fi attracts me if I can just grab content off my computer without having to actually plug it in. I can be anywhere in the house and if I feel the need arise, I can look through my content on my PC and just load it up. It would be great if I can access stores through the wi-fi connection, so maybe they'll implement that one day. I can imagine lounging in the backyard and just instantly grab a book to read without having to return to my computer or if they made a store accessible by wi-fi, I can just download a book at any wi-fi hotspot.

I also believe they can make it so that Wi-fi doesn't have to be on all the time so it doesn't drain your batteries. So if there is no negative impact on battery life if you decide to leave it turned off, and the cost of putting wi-fi doesn't drastically increase the cost of the device, why not have it?

But based on just the look. I think they should've keep the 505 series since the button placements and the 505 looks a lot better than the 300 in my opinion. I hope they don't discontinue the 505 entirely and perhaps keep the silver and reds for sale and just sell the 300 at a lower price point for those looking for a cheaper alternative.

I know these are just pictures and could just be mock-ups of the final versions. But the build quality looks to have gone backwards. Sony readers had one thing going for them in my opinion and it was the nice and solid design.

kazbates · 07-30-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The library software does what it does quite nicely. It's not all that feature filled. But it works and it works well.

It does work, up to a point, but the Sync option trashes my reader everytime. It wouldn't be that difficult to fix, programingly speaking, and it would go a long way to show that Sony has the best interests of their customers at heart. It's the loyal customers who return again and again to buy a vendors products that can make or break a manufacturer.

kazbates · 07-30-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MerLock

Wi-fi attracts me if I can just grab content off my computer without having to actually plug it in. I can be anywhere in the house and if I feel the need arise, I can look through my content on my PC and just load it up. It would be great if I can access stores through the wi-fi connection, so maybe they'll implement that one day. I can imagine lounging in the backyard and just instantly grab a book to read without having to return to my computer or if they made a store accessible by wi-fi, I can just download a book at any wi-fi hotspot.

I also believe they can make it so that Wi-fi doesn't have to be on all the time so it doesn't drain your batteries. So if there is no negative impact on battery life if you decide to leave it turned off, and the cost of putting wi-fi doesn't drastically increase the cost of the device, why not have it?

Very true. It would be a nice feature, but not a selling point for me, personally.

JSWolf · 07-30-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazbates

It does work, up to a point, but the Sync option trashes my reader everytime. It wouldn't be that difficult to fix, programingly speaking, and it would go a long way to show that Sony has the best interests of their customers at heart. It's the loyal customers who return again and again to buy a vendors products that can make or break a manufacturer.

I did forget the auto-sync is not a nice feature. But it is the only feature I can think of that doesn't work well. Manually syncing does work though.

kazbates · 07-30-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I did forget the auto-sync is not a nice feature. But it is the only feature I can think of that doesn't work well. Manually syncing does work though.

It does and it is really my only complaint about the software. I use Library to make bookmarks and annotations and am quite happy with that aspect of it.

JSWolf · 07-30-2009, 11:19 AM

The thing I use eBook Library for is to manage collections and content. And for that it's fine. And I don't have to wait for LRF files to paginate.

07-30-2009, 11:01 AM	#35
Crowl Wizard Posts: 1,340 Karma: 1160346 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Southport, GB Device: Kindle Voyage, PW Signature edition	One of the new models is both smaller and lower specced than existing ones so its not that unlikely that they would use a lower number for it. As far as getting rid of devices, maybe the 600 is actually intended to replace the 700 as well as the 505, take a look at what they did with the playstation designs as time went by, they phased out the stuff that would cut costs and slimmed down the designs. Last edited by Crowl; 07-30-2009 at 11:07 AM.

07-30-2009, 11:12 AM	#40
MerLock Evangelist Posts: 411 Karma: 1034889 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: none	Wi-fi attracts me if I can just grab content off my computer without having to actually plug it in. I can be anywhere in the house and if I feel the need arise, I can look through my content on my PC and just load it up. It would be great if I can access stores through the wi-fi connection, so maybe they'll implement that one day. I can imagine lounging in the backyard and just instantly grab a book to read without having to return to my computer or if they made a store accessible by wi-fi, I can just download a book at any wi-fi hotspot. I also believe they can make it so that Wi-fi doesn't have to be on all the time so it doesn't drain your batteries. So if there is no negative impact on battery life if you decide to leave it turned off, and the cost of putting wi-fi doesn't drastically increase the cost of the device, why not have it? But based on just the look. I think they should've keep the 505 series since the button placements and the 505 looks a lot better than the 300 in my opinion. I hope they don't discontinue the 505 entirely and perhaps keep the silver and reds for sale and just sell the 300 at a lower price point for those looking for a cheaper alternative. I know these are just pictures and could just be mock-ups of the final versions. But the build quality looks to have gone backwards. Sony readers had one thing going for them in my opinion and it was the nice and solid design. Last edited by MerLock; 07-30-2009 at 11:17 AM.

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07-30-2009, 10:57 AM	#32
Godzil a pthread?? where? where? Posts: 1,763 Karma: 30462 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Somewhere in EU Device: Newton MessagePad 2100, and only this	I look at the dimensions, the 300 is higher by about 3 or 4 mm than the 505! It will really look like a brick :/

07-30-2009, 11:01 AM	#34
Abecedary Exwyzeeologist Posts: 535 Karma: 3261 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: :PRS-505::iPod touch:	I agree that the 300 numbering is because it's more of the scaled-back model. And remember, they're getting rid of the 500/505 series, so it's not like people (read: new customers) will really have that as a reference point for the new models.

07-30-2009, 11:05 AM	#36
djgreedo Addict Posts: 285 Karma: 640696 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Kindle Touch 3G, HP Touchpad (Android), Samsung Omnia 7	Why do some people want WiFi on an ereader? For Internet access? I really don't see a need. I have my phone if I really need to access the Internet on the go, and that's in colour and runs a proper browser, has email, etc. At home, I have computers to access the Internet. If it's for downloading books, I can't see the attraction of WiFi either. If I want to download a book I can do it at home. My reader holds hundreds of books potentially. I could never be without reading material. Buying from a shop over WiFi could be cool if shops supported it. What am I missing that makes wireless connectivity attractive? If the specs of these devices are as mentioned in this thread I predict a price cut. The 300 will be quite cheap, and the 600 maybe a fair bit cheaper than the 700 (considering also that gadgets tend to get cheaper as they mature). Ereaders need to cease being an expensive early adopter technology soon.

07-30-2009, 11:10 AM	#39
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,897 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The library software does what it does quite nicely. It's not all that feature filled. But it works and it works well.

07-30-2009, 11:19 AM	#45
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,897 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The thing I use eBook Library for is to manage collections and content. And for that it's fine. And I don't have to wait for LRF files to paginate.

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