I just read Paul Biba's (of Teleread) great summary of the Sony event and I noticed something that I haven't read in any other summary, mainly:
Quote:
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Also, there is no flicker or “blink” when you change pages. This is a major ergonomic improvement over earlier versions. A representative of E-ink, who makes the screen, was at the event and I cornered him and asked him how Sony accomplished this. He said it was a combination of Sony proprietary technology and some small improvements in the E-ink screen. Primarily, he said, this is a result of Sony’s expertise in writing an optimized driver and in designing the display chip and optimizing timing issues. This, I would guess, is going to be extremely difficult for competitors to do for themselves.
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Many people, here on the forums and elsewhere, have expressed opinions on the new reader. Opinions which ranged between simple disappointment to calling the PRS-700 an inferior device to the PRS-505. I understand how people can feel cheated, especially if they just bought a PRS-505 (as many in the UK did) but I think that they are giving up on the PRS-700 too soon.
Let me summarize why I think the PRS-700 is gonna be great:
1. Touch-screen.
Yes, Touch screen. Not for nothing Apple had started using touch screen with the iPod line - once you get used to it it's a better way to interface with the hardware (IMHO). Many people here wrote how they miss the button placement of the old PRS-505. With a touch screen anywhere can be a button. Since Sony said the whole thing is configurable - make your own buttons, wherever you like them.
2. Faster page turns.
Every reviewer who reviewed the units agreed that the PRS-700 has faster page turns than the 505. It's still not instantaneous, but it's gotten to the point where it doesn't matter anymore, especially paired with point 3.
3. No "blink".
See Paul Biba's quote.
4. Great hardware and ergonomics.
True, the PRS-505 has this as well, but no other reader on the market, INHO, comes close to sony when it comes to designing hardware that just works. Coupled with good ergonomics - you get the best device on the 6' market.
Many here seems sure they don't like the new design but opinions can change. When the PRS-505 came out many had said the same thing about the PRS-505. Said that it looked worse than the PRS-500. Some probably still think so today, most though has grown to like the design.
5. Integrated side light.
I remember how many people wanted this when the PRS-505 came out, yet now you don't read a much about it. Yes, I know there are light wedges available, but it's not the same as when you get it as part of the package.
What about battery life you say? well, is it any easier when you have to take care of two batteries? You don't need it - don't use it.
6. (future, hopefully) Dictionary support.
It's been talked about here already. The hardware is available. You can mark a word with the touch of a finger (or a stylus). I do believe we will see it, if not right now, then with a later firmware release. How much later? that will depend how much pressure people will put up, I suppose.
Also, Sony has made it clear they intend to improve on their ebooks store offering, increasing the available content to a 100,000 titles by Christmas. That's still half of what Amazon has made available, but there is no reason to assume they will stop there. Much of Amazon large difference is made by works which, without being insulting, is not what you'd call quality content. I'm not sure that Sony is going to do any better, but here's to hoping.
All in all, when you look at the changes from the PRS-500 to the 505 and now 700 you can see a long line of small improvement. Which, when summed up amount to a great device. So maybe it's not a revolutionary device, but it's certaintly an evolutionary one.