Sony rolls out Sony Reader PRS-505!
A few weeks ago the scoop appeared in the MobileRead forums about a
new Sony Reader model. It looked like the next-gen follow up to our beloved Sony Reader PRS-500. Well kids, today it's official: Sony unveiled the Reader PRS-505. Its biggest improvement without doubt is the new current line of E-Ink display technology that makes screens brighter and refreshes faster than previous E-Ink incarnations. Four more grey levels have been added to the mix, allowing the new Reader to display a total of eight grey levels. What's more, the good folks at Sony must have done some extensive research on ergonomics, because they flipped most of the control buttons to the right, which is supposed to more closely mimic real paper page turns.
The PRS-505 is now even slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. And those of you who don't call a Windows machine their own to run the included software, rejoice: USB mass storage support is now included! Unlike stated in previous rumors, the new Reader does not feature any wireless connectivity. If that's a requirement for you, and you don't mind he battery consumption, you'll want to look at the
iRex iLiad or perhaps wait until the mysterious and apparently ugly
Kindle is released soon by Amazon.
PRS-500 vs. PRS-505 comparison:
Sony Reader PRS-505:
- launch: Online and in-stock at the SonyStyle.com store October 2, 2007 (should be appearing in retail stores by the 5th)
- case in silver (PRS-505/SC) and dark blue (PRS-505/LC)
- dimension: 175mm by 122mm by 8mm
- weight: 9oz (~255g)
- main navigation on the right
- latest generation of E Ink panel (Sony’s not calling it Vizplex because they don't feel that the name will mean anything to the general public, but we know what it is) with improved contrast, increased reflectance, faster refreshes, and 8 shades of gray. And of course: 6-inch diagonal, 800x600
- capacity for 160 typical e-books (192 MB of memory reserved for the user)
- battery capacity: 7,500 page turns
- expansion: Memory Stick Duo (up to 8GB) and SD Card (up to 2GB) slots for a combined storage potential of 10 GB.
- supported document formats: BBeB, PDF, RTF, TXT, JPG
- other: USB 2.0, USB mass storage capability (direct document transfer), Reader-PC autosync functionality (supports a folder for automatically syncing files to the PRS-505)
eBook Library 2.0 PC is a (probably modest) upgrade of what was previously the Sony Connect desktop software.
- AC wall charger optional
- Initial price: US $300
Sony Reader PRS-500:
- launched in September 2006
- case in athrazit black
- dimension: 175.6mm by 123.6mm by 13.8mm
- weight: 250g
- main navigation on the left
- E Ink screen, 4 grey-levels, 6-inch, 800x600
- capacity for 80 typical e-books
- battery capacity: 7,500 page turns
- expansion: Memory Stick Duo / SD Card
- supported document formats: BBeB, PDF, RTF, TXT, JPG
- AC wall charger included
- MSRP: US $300
The 505's full specs sheet is attached.
So, there is only one last question nagging at the back of our minds: If you already own the PRS-500, would you upgrade today?
Related:
New Sony Reader coming?,
Sony plans Reader successor for this year
Posted on behalf of Bob Russell, Alexander Turcic, and myself, by virtue of the fact that I'm in the latest time-zone so I have the easiest time staying up for the Midnight EDT deadline 