Thoughts of a PRS-700 user concerning the announcement of the PRS-600

el.astrologo · 08-02-2009, 08:43 PM

Hi everyone!

I kept going on and on in my head about this new device that would be on the market soon and I would like to share some of my thoughts about it as a fellow PRS-700 user.

Is the PRS-600 just a downgrade from the 700?

I think so... the 600 appears to be a 700 without the sidelights and a brand new firmware update. Think of it like this, the freehand notes feature is a software one, it's not as much a NEW touchscreen rather than it is a new way of using such touchscreen. Also the inbuilt Dictionary is exactly what we've all been asking as an update.

I believe that Sony has been listening to what we say around here and hurried up and released this unit in order to try to make the unit what the 700 was meant to be and removed the sidelights to improve contrast (just a guess, we haven't seen any pics of its contrast).

When more information gets out on this unit I would like to compare the specs and see if my thoughts are correct, if they are I hope you all join me in an effort to mass email Sony asking for an update of the same nature for the 700, the unfavored son.

Andybaby · 08-03-2009, 02:18 AM

yeah. I'm sure the 600s touch screen will be flush with the screen which will improve visibility by as much as 100%.

the problem is that the touch screen dims a screen by 80%, but that's with backlight devices. with eink, the light must pass through twice,
-20%
so that leaves 80% light hitting the screen, than another 20% gets shaved off. that's 80%-16=64%

but I for one am expecting them to update the 700s firmware with that of the 600s, possibly sans scribble, but its possible they do add it. but I think there will be a big chance we will see our dictionary.

MerLock · 08-03-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el.astrologo

the freehand notes feature is a software one

Does anyone know how the freehand notes feature works? What does it exactly do?

el.astrologo · 08-03-2009, 01:09 PM

As far as I know, it hasn't been disclosed. However, since it's mentioned as a separate feature from the note taking via the on screen keyboard, I assume it allows you to scribble using the stylus.

MerLock · 08-03-2009, 01:25 PM

If that is indeed what the freehand note feature is, that would be really cool!

In my opinion, the 700 looks very solidly built. I think some high up manager listed a bunch of features he/she wanted on the 700 and built in side lights was one of them. Probably as seeing that there are many requests for a built in light and perhaps the covers with lighting sold very well showing considerable interest in it. Also, it's a feature that no other e-reading device has.

Unfortunately, they should've look at the prototype and realized that the added lights created a very poor contrast. I'm pretty sure if that if the 700 had similar contrast as the 505, that it would've been a big hit.

So it looks like the 600 addresses the issues that made the 700 lacking and offers a lot of nice features at a good price point for consumers. I don't see many additional features but I see it as a "correction."

I've only seen pictures but it seems like Sony are building units that are more affordable than adding a lot of extras into making the units look cool and solid. I just hope they don't "feel" cheaply made. That's one thing I've never heard about any of the e-readers from Sony, that they feel cheap.

herbdb · 08-04-2009, 08:55 AM

As a 700 user, I am disappointed with Sony's new readers. The primary reason that I purchased the 700 was the built in light. I do a lot of boating and camping and the light is a big plus. Additionally, I can read in a dimly lit room while my wife is watching TV.

I was planning on purchasing one for her for Christmas. Guess I waited too long. I did not like the bulkiness of the add on lights for the 505. Will have to wait and see what they come up with for the 600.

lilac_jive · 08-04-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herbdb

As a 700 user, I am disappointed with Sony's new readers. The primary reason that I purchased the 700 was the built in light. I do a lot of boating and camping and the light is a big plus. Additionally, I can read in a dimly lit room while my wife is watching TV.

I was planning on purchasing one for her for Christmas. Guess I waited too long. I did not like the bulkiness of the add on lights for the 505. Will have to wait and see what they come up with for the 600.

They are still available. You can get them for $349 at Borders, FYI.

herbdb · 08-04-2009, 03:34 PM

I just checked the borders site and saw nothing in the way of any ebook readers for sale.

lilac_jive · 08-04-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herbdb

I just checked the borders site and saw nothing in the way of any ebook readers for sale.

They've been off the website for a while (I don't think you could ever actually buy the readers at borders.com). Use a store locator to find your closest one and give them a buzz. I was just there the other day and they had the display up and 700s in stock.

JSWolf · 08-04-2009, 05:24 PM

I have seen Sony Readers for sale on the Borders website once it was no longer on Amazon's servers.

advocate2 · 08-04-2009, 07:42 PM

I called all the Borders in Las Vegas and none were in stock. One of the clerks told me that they are expecting a shipment from Sony but they do not know when they will arrive. Today's announcement of the 300 and 600 might complicate things.

lilac_jive · 08-04-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by advocate2

I called all the Borders in Las Vegas and none were in stock. One of the clerks told me that they are expecting a shipment from Sony but they do not know when they will arrive. Today's announcement of the 300 and 600 might complicate things.

Oh bummer! I would call around and see if they'll ship. I'm sure they would, they did when I worked there. Call the Borders in Whitehall, PA, I know they have some

Treven · 08-04-2009, 08:29 PM

B & H Photo Video in NYC has the 505s on their website, but only in Silver & Red; no blue.
www.b&hphotovideo.com

azlkk · 08-05-2009, 11:39 AM

I couldn't help but notice that the PRS-700 does not show up on the US Sony Style webpage. That was quick.

On a related note, I've been told by the Sony store people here in Dublin that the PRS-700 will be available in Ireland by end of the year.

Dedale · 08-07-2009, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herbdb

As a 700 user, I am disappointed with Sony's new readers. The primary reason that I purchased the 700 was the built in light. I do a lot of boating and camping and the light is a big plus. Additionally, I can read in a dimly lit room while my wife is watching TV.

Same here. I read in bed and also in transports so it's a VERY convenient function. I don't use the touchscreen that much though, just for highlight content time to time.
I regret than the 600 won't have the lighting feature but in other hand I won't be too tempted to buy one

btw, it's really weird that 700 will be available in Ireland. I guess it's the lag between US and Europe, I can't help wondering when they will sell reader in Asia then

08-02-2009, 08:43 PM	#1
el.astrologo Groupie Posts: 164 Karma: 462 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Device: PRS-700BC	Thoughts of a PRS-700 user concerning the announcement of the PRS-600 Hi everyone! I kept going on and on in my head about this new device that would be on the market soon and I would like to share some of my thoughts about it as a fellow PRS-700 user. Is the PRS-600 just a downgrade from the 700? I think so... the 600 appears to be a 700 without the sidelights and a brand new firmware update. Think of it like this, the freehand notes feature is a software one, it's not as much a NEW touchscreen rather than it is a new way of using such touchscreen. Also the inbuilt Dictionary is exactly what we've all been asking as an update. I believe that Sony has been listening to what we say around here and hurried up and released this unit in order to try to make the unit what the 700 was meant to be and removed the sidelights to improve contrast (just a guess, we haven't seen any pics of its contrast). When more information gets out on this unit I would like to compare the specs and see if my thoughts are correct, if they are I hope you all join me in an effort to mass email Sony asking for an update of the same nature for the 700, the unfavored son.

08-03-2009, 01:25 PM	#5
MerLock Evangelist Posts: 411 Karma: 1034889 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: none	If that is indeed what the freehand note feature is, that would be really cool! In my opinion, the 700 looks very solidly built. I think some high up manager listed a bunch of features he/she wanted on the 700 and built in side lights was one of them. Probably as seeing that there are many requests for a built in light and perhaps the covers with lighting sold very well showing considerable interest in it. Also, it's a feature that no other e-reading device has. Unfortunately, they should've look at the prototype and realized that the added lights created a very poor contrast. I'm pretty sure if that if the 700 had similar contrast as the 505, that it would've been a big hit. So it looks like the 600 addresses the issues that made the 700 lacking and offers a lot of nice features at a good price point for consumers. I don't see many additional features but I see it as a "correction." I've only seen pictures but it seems like Sony are building units that are more affordable than adding a lot of extras into making the units look cool and solid. I just hope they don't "feel" cheaply made. That's one thing I've never heard about any of the e-readers from Sony, that they feel cheap. Last edited by MerLock; 08-03-2009 at 01:33 PM.

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08-03-2009, 02:18 AM	#2
Andybaby Wizard Posts: 1,279 Karma: 1002683 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Device: PRS-700	yeah. I'm sure the 600s touch screen will be flush with the screen which will improve visibility by as much as 100%. the problem is that the touch screen dims a screen by 80%, but that's with backlight devices. with eink, the light must pass through twice, -20% so that leaves 80% light hitting the screen, than another 20% gets shaved off. that's 80%-16=64% but I for one am expecting them to update the 700s firmware with that of the 600s, possibly sans scribble, but its possible they do add it. but I think there will be a big chance we will see our dictionary.

08-03-2009, 01:09 PM	#4
el.astrologo Groupie Posts: 164 Karma: 462 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Device: PRS-700BC	As far as I know, it hasn't been disclosed. However, since it's mentioned as a separate feature from the note taking via the on screen keyboard, I assume it allows you to scribble using the stylus.

08-04-2009, 08:55 AM	#6
herbdb Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony PRS-700	As a 700 user, I am disappointed with Sony's new readers. The primary reason that I purchased the 700 was the built in light. I do a lot of boating and camping and the light is a big plus. Additionally, I can read in a dimly lit room while my wife is watching TV. I was planning on purchasing one for her for Christmas. Guess I waited too long. I did not like the bulkiness of the add on lights for the 505. Will have to wait and see what they come up with for the 600.

08-04-2009, 03:34 PM	#8
herbdb Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony PRS-700	I just checked the borders site and saw nothing in the way of any ebook readers for sale.

08-04-2009, 05:24 PM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,841 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I have seen Sony Readers for sale on the Borders website once it was no longer on Amazon's servers.

08-04-2009, 07:42 PM	#11
advocate2 My Kingdom for Karma Posts: 430 Karma: 7125 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas Device: Sony 350, 650, 950, Nook Color	I called all the Borders in Las Vegas and none were in stock. One of the clerks told me that they are expecting a shipment from Sony but they do not know when they will arrive. Today's announcement of the 300 and 600 might complicate things.

08-04-2009, 08:29 PM	#13
Treven Addict Posts: 222 Karma: 680 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: the Left Coast Device: iPad	B & H Photo Video in NYC has the 505s on their website, but only in Silver & Red; no blue. www.b&hphotovideo.com

08-05-2009, 11:39 AM	#14
azlkk Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ USA/Ashkelon, Israel Device: PRS-650, PRS-600, iPad	I couldn't help but notice that the PRS-700 does not show up on the US Sony Style webpage. That was quick. On a related note, I've been told by the Sony store people here in Dublin that the PRS-700 will be available in Ireland by end of the year.

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