Forbes not impressed by Sony's PRS700

[TadW]

Already the introduction paragraph doesn't bode well:

Sony on Thursday announced the latest version of its own digital book offering, called Reader PRS700, complete with several flashy features that in some respects outshine the Kindle's--along with a few drawbacks that practically guarantee the new device won't steal Amazon's lead in the nascent U.S. digital-reader market.

They go on explaining that Sony still lacks Amazon's popular content at a reasonable price, along with the Kindle's wireless capabilities. And quoting Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey:

Kindle can't really be threatened because it's the only one with a wireless store built into it, and that's an amazing convenience. The Sony Reader has always been a good device. But without that critical content piece, an e-book is just a bunch of wires and a screen."

Another analyst, Ross Rubin from NPD, criticizes the fact that the new Sony costs more than the Kindle, more than most consumers would be willing to pay.

Link: http://www.forbes.com/technology/200..._1002sony.html

[Lord KiRon]

I willing to pay even more , just put back tha damn page turning buttons !

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by Lord KiRon

I willing to pay even more , just put back tha damn page turning buttons !

It does have page turn buttons, stop complaining.

[Lord KiRon]

Originally Posted by igorsk

It does have page turn buttons, stop complaining.

No , it has menu buttons that can turn pages and they are at the middle of the screen. Thats not usable. Buttons should be under your finger.

[NatCh]

Then stick with your 505, perhaps?

[Lord KiRon]

Originally Posted by NatCh

Then stick with your 505, perhaps?

Indeed , that's the decision.

[Dave Berk]

...And I'm not impressed with Forbes not being impressed.

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by Lord KiRon

No , it has menu buttons that can turn pages and they are at the middle of the screen. Thats not usable. Buttons should be under your finger.

Have you actually looked at the pictures? The buttons are placed to be right under the left thumb.

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by Lord KiRon

Indeed , that's the decision.

The important bit is that you find something that works for you.

Originally Posted by Dave Berk

...And I'm not impressed with Forbes not being impressed.

I've never been very impressed with Forbes' impressions, myself.

[Lord KiRon]

Originally Posted by igorsk

Have you actually looked at the pictures? The buttons are placed to be right under the left thumb.

Where ?


https://www.mobileread.com/forums/att...3&d=1222986855

I see only 7 buttons under the screen , the 2nd and 3rd from the left appears to be page turns , non of them "under my thumb" if you can please point where is the buttons you talking about I will really appreciate this, hell I even will buy this device

[NatCh]

If you were to hold it by the bottom border the two page turn buttons (2nd and 3rd from the left) would be more or less under thumb.

[Lord KiRon]

Originally Posted by NatCh

If you were to hold it by the bottom border the two page turn buttons (2nd and 3rd from the left) would be more or less under thumb.

Sorry for "fighting" you guys it was not my intention but:

1. To use this you have to use LEFT hand again as in 500.

2. The "page back" is lot closer to "under the thumb" than page forward which is not good if you going to press it with thumb.

3. You will have to either remove it from the cover or "break" the cover to another side to use it that way.

[NatCh]

Not fighting at all, Lord KiRon! Discussing!

And in continuance of that discussion: I agree, that would only work for left-handed holding. I don't think the cover would be an issue, it seems to be the same as the 505's cover, and that folds all the way back just fine.

[bbusybookworm]

I've never paid much attention to any of the big news outlets opinions of e-books or readers.

As mentioned on an earlier thread, more often then not, they pay moreattention to what the PR hacks say and less to the actual product. And they hardly ever appear to have actually used the device in question

And while I agree that the Price is more expensive then the Kindle, you do get what you pay for, and the 700 does look a lot better. Add the Capability of the touch screen, and the inherent flexibility of the soft keyboard compared to hard buttons which means that Sony could easily drop in more options without having to worry about what buttons already exist.

I'm thinking that Sony is actually planning for the International market with this. After all, how much easier is it to add a soft keyboard / options for a foreign language then it would be to get region specific hardware key's.

The wireless would have been nice, but internationally, 3G is a pain, and Wifi while simple for geek's like us is not that easy to configure for most people.

[Dave Berk]

@Lord KiRon
The answer is simple. Wait for Igor firmware hack and program the buttons the way you want...
Anyway, it's too soon to decide either way. Wait for the first Youtube video... the first hater review... allow yourself to be surprised, maybe you'll find the touchscreen actually comfortable.