MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - PRS-T1 Using on-line dictionaries when reading e-books?

Alpha Centauri · 07-25-2012, 02:44 PM

Thanks a lot bibahbuzemann for taking the time to write such a detailed response!

It's good news that it's only two-three clicks between the browser and reader, though I would of course prefer being able to add embedded dictionaries or web-links. I can probably survive the battery drain as well. I was afraid the answer would be something like 2-3 hours. After all, if there is wifi, there is likely also a power outlet near by. And the battery life is still better than on my phone or laptop.

I hadn't really looked at the Nook at all before your post as I don't think they sell it over here. It's probably possible to order one, though postage, taxes ans duties will add up and make it quite expensive. I've just read a couple of reviews now and watched a YouTube video, and I don't think it would be a better choice than the Sony for me, but I need to check it out better. They don't mention much about the internet capabilities. But as I understand it, it doesn't come with any dictionaries at all? That is a big minus for me. I read mostly in Swedish, but also regularly in English, German, Dutch, and French, and since they are all foreign languages to me I'd appreciate having those dictionaries on board. I just wish I could also get Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, and Esperanto ...

Another questionmark for the Nook is if it would allow direct library loans (i.e. not having to transfer through a computer) from Nordic libraries. At my local library in Sweden this is possible from the PRS-T1. (In Finland, where I spend quite long periods, I don't know, as my local library there will launch their e-book site only next month, with a grand total of ... wait for it ... 31 ebooks!!! ) I'd like to borrow quite many e-books from the Swedish library when I get a dedicated eInk device, so this possibility would be convenient. The only other reader I know for sure that does this is the iRiver Story HD Bibliotek, but to me its OS stability and user interface seem much inferior to that of the T1, though the HD screen is a plus.

Another thing – apart from the locked choice of dictionaries and web links – which I don't like about the Sony is that it's closely tied to their own electronic book store. They have no plans of launching this in my corner of the world (got this confirmed from Sony today). This makes it somewhat less user friendly and according to online guides on how to borrow books from nordic libraries with the T1, it also forces the user to lie about her country of residence. (I believe the reason being that the reader needs to be registered with Sony's store in order to authorize it with an AdobeID?) Of course I can still buy ebooks from other stores, in spite of the Sony store being blocked. So in practice this is not such a big deal, but psycologically I think it creates badwill against Sony.

Still, the T1 is probably the best choice on the market for my needs, so I'll probaly pick one up during the coming weeks, unless I find or someone points me to a better option. I just wish Sony had done some things differently! I might just have to root it in the end if I get one ... Guess there is no such thing as the perfect reader.

07-25-2012, 02:44 PM	#3
Alpha Centauri Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Sweden / Finland Device: none	Thanks a lot bibahbuzemann for taking the time to write such a detailed response! It's good news that it's only two-three clicks between the browser and reader, though I would of course prefer being able to add embedded dictionaries or web-links. I can probably survive the battery drain as well. I was afraid the answer would be something like 2-3 hours. After all, if there is wifi, there is likely also a power outlet near by. And the battery life is still better than on my phone or laptop. I hadn't really looked at the Nook at all before your post as I don't think they sell it over here. It's probably possible to order one, though postage, taxes ans duties will add up and make it quite expensive. I've just read a couple of reviews now and watched a YouTube video, and I don't think it would be a better choice than the Sony for me, but I need to check it out better. They don't mention much about the internet capabilities. But as I understand it, it doesn't come with any dictionaries at all? That is a big minus for me. I read mostly in Swedish, but also regularly in English, German, Dutch, and French, and since they are all foreign languages to me I'd appreciate having those dictionaries on board. I just wish I could also get Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, and Esperanto ... Another questionmark for the Nook is if it would allow direct library loans (i.e. not having to transfer through a computer) from Nordic libraries. At my local library in Sweden this is possible from the PRS-T1. (In Finland, where I spend quite long periods, I don't know, as my local library there will launch their e-book site only next month, with a grand total of ... wait for it ... 31 ebooks!!! ) I'd like to borrow quite many e-books from the Swedish library when I get a dedicated eInk device, so this possibility would be convenient. The only other reader I know for sure that does this is the iRiver Story HD Bibliotek, but to me its OS stability and user interface seem much inferior to that of the T1, though the HD screen is a plus. Another thing – apart from the locked choice of dictionaries and web links – which I don't like about the Sony is that it's closely tied to their own electronic book store. They have no plans of launching this in my corner of the world (got this confirmed from Sony today). This makes it somewhat less user friendly and according to online guides on how to borrow books from nordic libraries with the T1, it also forces the user to lie about her country of residence. (I believe the reason being that the reader needs to be registered with Sony's store in order to authorize it with an AdobeID?) Of course I can still buy ebooks from other stores, in spite of the Sony store being blocked. So in practice this is not such a big deal, but psycologically I think it creates badwill against Sony. Still, the T1 is probably the best choice on the market for my needs, so I'll probaly pick one up during the coming weeks, unless I find or someone points me to a better option. I just wish Sony had done some things differently! I might just have to root it in the end if I get one ... Guess there is no such thing as the perfect reader.