What design changes would you make to the 505?

Arcticnick · 04-13-2009, 04:17 AM

I love my 505 to bits. I think overall that it is brilliantly designed but there are a couple of changes I would make.
The number buttons, 1-10, along the right edge get in the way somewhat whilst holding it. I use the buttons to navigate the menu so rarely compared to the time spent holding the device whilst reading with it that I wonder if a simple scroll button would have been better for navigating the menu.
The edges are quite sharp too. I think the design would benefit if they were rounded off a bit. It would make it much more comfortable to hold.
Also many people have expressed their disappointment over how the plastic lugs, which connect the 505 to the cover, break very easily. Is it to much to hope that Sony would find a more durable plastic?
Overall it is a great machine, let down by some simple oversights.
Sony! If you are reading this please note these suggestions for your next model.

Tracey · 04-13-2009, 04:28 AM

Given the choice there would be just one small change for me; i would like the page turn buttons on the right hand side to be lower down.

Satans Puppet · 04-13-2009, 04:35 AM

I'd like the page turn buttons on the right to be higher up LOL

Wish the colour eink screens were availilable too

But I would like the screen to be slightly larger, side I always need to zoom in on the standard page layout to get the text to regular book size

ShellShock · 04-13-2009, 04:38 AM

The ergonomics of this device are so good that I when it eventually comes time to upgrade, it is going to be hard to beat them.

Initially though I was unhappy with the page turning--I could not find anything that suited me. Then I used PRS Customiser to set the big round button (bottom right) to page forward--this is the most common action and now I have it set to the easiest button to press, which is great!

I just hope the next device I get will have a large, dedicated page turn button. It seems obvious to me (I'm not a fan of touch screens).

pepak · 04-13-2009, 04:47 AM

About the only design change that I can think of is a decrease of width by as little as 2mm, so that it fits into my pockets.

Tracey · 04-13-2009, 04:50 AM

[QUOTE=ShellShock;426571]
Initially though I was unhappy with the page turning--I could not find anything that suited me. Then I used PRS Customiser to set the big round button (bottom right) to page forward--this is the most common action and now I have it set to the easiest button to press, which is great!

Hi ShellShock, sorry to digress but how did you do this please? Just searched "PRS Customiser" and only listing with that title is in french. Can you also advise if the change allows you to use this button to page back as well please?

Thanks,

Tracey

Tracey · 04-13-2009, 05:02 AM

I have partially answered my own question as i have now found "customiser" with a "z". Completely overlooked the fact that the developer was likely to be one of our friends from the USA!

JanetCinNC · 04-13-2009, 10:04 AM

I also would like the page turn buttons on the right side to be placed higher. Or perhaps if they just made the page forward button a little longer it would be easier for me to reach. I hold the book near the top, and it's a bit of a reach to press the next page button without taking my right hand off the reader.

I wouldn't mind if they added a couple of extra font sizes. I usually can read the smallest size font with most books - especially now that I have the lighted case to help out these old eyes. Sometimes I have a book or a pdf file that is a strain to see with the smallest font, but the medium font is too big. If we had smallest, smaller, medium, bigger, biggest fonts, it would help.

I do find the number buttons a bit of a problem. I'm always accidentally pressing one. Luckily, I finally realized I could just press the menu key to clear out the page selection I accidentally started. I think they should move them to the left side, near the spine of the cover. They would still line up nicely with the menu options, but they wouldn't be so easily hit when you're holding the reader.

Not a deal breaker, but I wish they'd make it easier to get to the "home" menu without having to back your way out through multiple layers. Sometimes I do want the book menu, but sometimes I want to go all the way out to the first menu.

All in all, I love my reader, and I can think of few things I'd change about its physical form.

Edited to add: One other thing I'd like - I want the time displayed in the status bar. I know it would only update when I changed the page, and I don't have a problem with that. That's still better than having to navigate your way out to the main menu and then going into settings to see the time. I know that there is a customizer that will give me the time, but I don't want to use that to change my reader. I want Sony to give it to me!

grooks · 04-13-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JanetCinNC

Not a deal breaker, but I wish they'd make it easier to get to the "home" menu without having to back your way out through multiple layers. Sometimes I do want the book menu, but sometimes I want to go all the way out to the first menu.

Hold down the menu button for 2-3 seconds and it will take you back to the home screen.

JanetCinNC · 04-13-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grooks

Hold down the menu button for 2-3 seconds and it will take you back to the home screen.

Thanks, grooks!

acprinter · 04-13-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grooks

Hold down the menu button for 2-3 seconds and it will take you back to the home screen.

Thanks for the tip.

HistoryWes · 04-13-2009, 11:40 AM

I love my 505. I would like a built in dictionary. If they are going to keep the mp3 player, I'd like it to work a bit better-- have an off switch, etc.

lilac_jive · 04-13-2009, 11:49 AM

I think the only thing would be the dictionary. I'm starting to wish I had one now.

JSWolf · 04-13-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satans Puppet

I'd like the page turn buttons on the right to be higher up LOL

I would go for slightly higher up as well.

I would put page turn on the left as well for left handed people, change the processor to a faster processor, larger flexible screen, make the software support plugins so others can add in more eBook formats to read, a detachable keyboard, true folders, dictionary support, true font family support, and more internal ram.

Angst · 04-13-2009, 01:05 PM

I like the way it is designed now. I prefer the PRS505 design to the PRS700 design. The only changes I would like to see are on the software side of things:
1. A dictionary. - I'm very surprised we haven't seen one yet.
2. Collections - More functionality for adding/deleting/moving collections on the reader istself.

04-13-2009, 04:17 AM	#1
Arcticnick ArcticNick Posts: 29 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505/SC	What design changes would you make to the 505? I love my 505 to bits. I think overall that it is brilliantly designed but there are a couple of changes I would make. The number buttons, 1-10, along the right edge get in the way somewhat whilst holding it. I use the buttons to navigate the menu so rarely compared to the time spent holding the device whilst reading with it that I wonder if a simple scroll button would have been better for navigating the menu. The edges are quite sharp too. I think the design would benefit if they were rounded off a bit. It would make it much more comfortable to hold. Also many people have expressed their disappointment over how the plastic lugs, which connect the 505 to the cover, break very easily. Is it to much to hope that Sony would find a more durable plastic? Overall it is a great machine, let down by some simple oversights. Sony! If you are reading this please note these suggestions for your next model.

04-13-2009, 10:04 AM	#8
JanetCinNC Groupie Posts: 176 Karma: 256928 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Sony 650 in red, Sony PRS-600 in red, Sony PRS-505 in red, iPad 2	I also would like the page turn buttons on the right side to be placed higher. Or perhaps if they just made the page forward button a little longer it would be easier for me to reach. I hold the book near the top, and it's a bit of a reach to press the next page button without taking my right hand off the reader. I wouldn't mind if they added a couple of extra font sizes. I usually can read the smallest size font with most books - especially now that I have the lighted case to help out these old eyes. Sometimes I have a book or a pdf file that is a strain to see with the smallest font, but the medium font is too big. If we had smallest, smaller, medium, bigger, biggest fonts, it would help. I do find the number buttons a bit of a problem. I'm always accidentally pressing one. Luckily, I finally realized I could just press the menu key to clear out the page selection I accidentally started. I think they should move them to the left side, near the spine of the cover. They would still line up nicely with the menu options, but they wouldn't be so easily hit when you're holding the reader. Not a deal breaker, but I wish they'd make it easier to get to the "home" menu without having to back your way out through multiple layers. Sometimes I do want the book menu, but sometimes I want to go all the way out to the first menu. All in all, I love my reader, and I can think of few things I'd change about its physical form. Edited to add: One other thing I'd like - I want the time displayed in the status bar. I know it would only update when I changed the page, and I don't have a problem with that. That's still better than having to navigate your way out to the main menu and then going into settings to see the time. I know that there is a customizer that will give me the time, but I don't want to use that to change my reader. I want Sony to give it to me! Last edited by JanetCinNC; 04-13-2009 at 11:14 AM. Reason: add new option

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
After K3 Design are you underwhelmed with the KDGX Design & Features?	brecklundin	Amazon Kindle	20	07-30-2010 05:36 PM
Design the ultimate 505 leather cover and I will manufacture	kevinofengland	Sony Reader	23	03-05-2010 05:26 PM
Oberon Design Leather covers available for the PRS 700 (and 505)	sayhello	Sony Reader	3	07-16-2009 03:25 AM
Old news: Sony PRS-505 wins international red dot design award - 2008	Wetdogeared	News	0	06-20-2009 09:51 AM

04-13-2009, 04:28 AM	#2
Tracey Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 68 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wilburton, Ely Device: Sony PRS-505	Given the choice there would be just one small change for me; i would like the page turn buttons on the right hand side to be lower down.

04-13-2009, 04:35 AM	#3
Satans Puppet Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 100 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Sony Reader PR(whusit)505	I'd like the page turn buttons on the right to be higher up LOL Wish the colour eink screens were availilable too But I would like the screen to be slightly larger, side I always need to zoom in on the standard page layout to get the text to regular book size

04-13-2009, 04:38 AM	#4
ShellShock Wizard Posts: 1,176 Karma: 2431850 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: IPad Mini 2 Retina	The ergonomics of this device are so good that I when it eventually comes time to upgrade, it is going to be hard to beat them. Initially though I was unhappy with the page turning--I could not find anything that suited me. Then I used PRS Customiser to set the big round button (bottom right) to page forward--this is the most common action and now I have it set to the easiest button to press, which is great! I just hope the next device I get will have a large, dedicated page turn button. It seems obvious to me (I'm not a fan of touch screens).

04-13-2009, 04:47 AM	#5
pepak Guru Posts: 610 Karma: 4150 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: Sony Reader PRS-T3, Kobo Libra H2O	About the only design change that I can think of is a decrease of width by as little as 2mm, so that it fits into my pockets.

04-13-2009, 04:50 AM	#6
Tracey Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 68 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wilburton, Ely Device: Sony PRS-505	[QUOTE=ShellShock;426571] Initially though I was unhappy with the page turning--I could not find anything that suited me. Then I used PRS Customiser to set the big round button (bottom right) to page forward--this is the most common action and now I have it set to the easiest button to press, which is great! Hi ShellShock, sorry to digress but how did you do this please? Just searched "PRS Customiser" and only listing with that title is in french. Can you also advise if the change allows you to use this button to page back as well please? Thanks, Tracey

04-13-2009, 05:02 AM	#7
Tracey Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 68 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wilburton, Ely Device: Sony PRS-505	I have partially answered my own question as i have now found "customiser" with a "z". Completely overlooked the fact that the developer was likely to be one of our friends from the USA!

04-13-2009, 11:40 AM	#12
HistoryWes Teacher/Novelist Posts: 632 Karma: 2274466 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nevada Device: Nook STR, iPad	I love my 505. I would like a built in dictionary. If they are going to keep the mp3 player, I'd like it to work a bit better-- have an off switch, etc.

04-13-2009, 11:49 AM	#13
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	I think the only thing would be the dictionary. I'm starting to wish I had one now.

04-13-2009, 01:05 PM	#15
Angst Cannon Fodder Posts: 2,819 Karma: 50921712 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Probably a library Device: PRS-350, Kindle DX, Kindle Paperwhite	I like the way it is designed now. I prefer the PRS505 design to the PRS700 design. The only changes I would like to see are on the software side of things: 1. A dictionary. - I'm very surprised we haven't seen one yet. 2. Collections - More functionality for adding/deleting/moving collections on the reader istself.

Advert

Advert