PRS700/800 Next Gen - Wish List

[Server]

Okay, new thread. And since we have no shortage of Armchair
Generals here on screen quality and product design, perhaps we
can all chip in and help SONY develop the next best (bar none)
eBook eReader in the biz.


In no particular order:

1. Better Touch Screen implimentation (ie. iPhone type glass with
anti-reflex coating) and no gap between digitizer and eDisplay.

2. Better back-light night reading option.

3. Display time and book title while reading (Firmware update)

4. Faster processor for larger file rendering (but not at expense of battery)

5. Additional support for file formats (Firmware update?)

6. Simultaneous USB charge and read function (Firmware update?)

6. Saved Search functionality (firmware?)

7. Live doc edit function (perhaps wishful thinking)

8. Fill in the Blank ________________

[dhbailey]

1. no argument from me on this one -- except the gap issue, which brings me to your point 2:
2. I don't want a backlight -- if I wanted a backlight I'd be buying a completely different device. e-ink can't be back-lit, which is what makes it such a nice reading medium. I like the sidelights, which is what forces the gap between the digitizer and the reading screen.
3. As long as this function could be turned off (user option) I wouldn't mind having the ability. But I don't want to be reminded of the passage of time when I'm reading. That's what watches are for -- if you really need to know the time while reading. But as I say, if it can be turned on or off by the user I'm all for including it in a firmware update.
4. The 700 handles large files fine -- what about it don't you like currently? When you say "larger file rendering" do you mean indexing lots of files or opening a large file? How large are the ones you are having problems with?
5. Mobi support would be terrific -- what other formats would you like to see implemented?
6. I haven't tried charging from a USB charger to know if it's possible, but you can read and charge when using an AC adapter, and with the low cost of PSP chargers I'm not sure if this is such a terrific thing, but I wouldn't mind it if it can be enabled. Are you thinking about so the Reader could be read from while attached to a computer?
7. That's what pocket PCs and notebooks are for. I think that the processor necessary for full-scale doc editing would be such a battery hog that the weight would become an issue to get any sort of decent reading time out of the device.

I have no complaints about any of your suggestions and would support all of them except the backlight issue, because that would entail a completely different screen from the e-ink display.

My only suggestion to improve the 700, so far, is to come up with a more completely transparent overlay for the touchscreen, so the clarity of the underlying eink display can be seen.

Oh, yes, one more thing -- without adding any weight or extra size, come up with better battery technology so that even when using the light we can get more than 8 hours (low setting) out of a charge.

Great list to get things started -- thanks!

[Liviu_5]

Screen - crisper would be nice but I like the current one well enough as I do the sidelights

Software - here I have 2 main things that truly annoy me by their lack:

- ability to modify book metadata on the device or at least in the EbookLibrary.
With Calibre I can do it for lrf's and with some PDF software for PDF's but the ability to choose your metadata for the 700 directly, the way I do it on my 770/Fbreader would be very useful

- memory of the last 20-100 opened books. Say have a default collection on the device and each time a book is opened it goes there/moves up in rank. Again it is something that I truly love on my 770 - there it works up to 99 books

On the 700 I try and bookmark every book opened and go from notes, but it's annoying as is remembering the collection in which I put it. Search title/author works the best but having such an automatic memory would be even better.


Formats - non-drm prc would be useful as would be html, but Calibre is great anyway so that's less of an issue

Future wish list - color and wireless

[Server]

Couple more to add....


- Reverse eDisplay capability (white txt on Black background) - I actually like
reading in reverse display on my iPhone eReader, and it actually might give
some people better contrast. (most do-able via firmware)

- Ability to search entire collection of files (keyword) - a la Google search app

- Editable eBook title and ability to organize collection

- SDK open source firmware (not likely but very smart if they did)

- Better pricing for the masses. (These devices should be priced
very aggressively - as e-Ink WILL be the future!)

- Color e-ink (Technology already exists but perhaps cost prohibitive, maybe
down the road I suppose)



I see no reason to make this wireless, it would only add to the cost
and weight. Throw everything on your card and thats it.
No fuss no muss, and no subscriptions.

*UPDATE/EDIT* Obviously, I clearly missed the marketing point of making
thier reader 3Gwireless capable - OTA SALES!! (ie. iPhone App store etc)
For me, I think because I access all my audible and text reading material
from one free site, why bother with wireless.
I'd rather they invest on better screen technology etc...
Gotta go and think with the masses!

[Server]

Originally Posted by dhbailey

....
opening a large file? How large are the ones you are having problems with?

Yes, Large file (159MB and larger) although not common

Originally Posted by dhbailey

5. Mobi support would be terrific -- what other formats would you like to see implemented?

Thats the one... and others.

Originally Posted by dhbailey

6. I haven't tried charging from a USB charger to know if it's possible,

its not.

Originally Posted by dhbailey

7. That's what pocket PCs and notebooks are for. I think that the processor necessary for full-scale doc editing...

no, just minor editing (ie. titles and such)

[astra]

Basically the same as one year ago.

505+dictionary support+search function+out of box cyrillic support.
8" screen would be a cherry on the cake.
All of this without downgrading any of 505 performance, such as screen's crispiness/contrast, battery life.

[Wetdogeared]

Originally Posted by Server

- Color e-ink (Technology already exists but perhaps cost prohibitive, maybe down the road I suppose)

You can buy colour eInk ana-digi watch here.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by Wetdogeared

You can buy colour eInk ana-digi watch here.

The screen itself isn't color. The hands are actually physical, similar to one of those hybrid LCD/analog watches.

[Wetdogeared]

Originally Posted by Dylrob

The screen itself isn't color. The hands are actually physical, similar to one of those hybrid LCD/analog watches.

I sit, like a dog, corrected. It is not colour eInk. But they did have the option of black on white or white on black numerals.

[Server]

I was told this is possible via firmware update but TEXT to SPEECH would
be nice. I already have loads of audio-books in addition to the countless
reference materials and ebooks already collected so why not vocalize older
books or materials at will?

If a hardware chip is needed then I see no reason why the next version should
not include this option (besides reducing cost) The engine to drive the speech
module, I believe is mostly software as in Adobe Reader Pro.

[Lord KiRon]

Defenatly clearer screen , at least as on 505 needed.

And guys, touch is nice thing but we NEED 2 page buttons on side.

[Tobias Weihmann]

I don't have the Sony yet, but I already know that I want:

- cyrillic / arabic localization out of the box, without any hacking involved (and I thought we're living in the age of globalization!)
- support for looking up selected words from electronic dictionaries, which are either located on the reader itself, or on a seperate device (PDA/mobile) by USB or bluethooth connection (or should I really have to buy a scanner pen to re-digitalize analogized letters?!)
- less technical design, larger screen (maybe the Plastic Logic will solve this in 2009?)

Toby

[Andybaby]

Originally Posted by Lord KiRon

And guys, touch is nice thing but we NEED 2 page buttons on side.

no you dont. if you have a 700 you would know that. there is nothing easier then turnign the page on the 700, no matter where you hold it.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Andybaby

no you dont. if you have a 700 you would know that. there is nothing easier then turnign the page on the 700, no matter where you hold it.

i agree with you, however there are times when hard buttons are useful : i have a file with a linked index. when i'm in the index, a swipe on the screen will activate the link and take me wherever it goes, not to the next / previous page. for situations like this buttons are better. and if you're going to have buttons, they should be largish and on the side, to make them easy to use.

[shighfield]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

i agree with you, however there are times goes, not to the next / previous page. for situations like this buttons are better. and if you're going to have buttons, they should be largish and on the side, to make them easy to use.

Agreed! Nothing beets the Ebookwise 1150's buttons! Though I'm used to swiping my finger to turn pages on the 700 now, I still reach for those side buttons every now and again.