Considering a Sony...

[Gwen Morse]

I have a kindle and I love my kindle. However, I'm getting more and more interested in reading ebooks from the library (as more and more publishers do d*ckish things with selling ebooks).

Having already been thoroughly spoiled by my Pearl screen, I think that limits me to a Sony reader.

However, I've also been spoiled by the official Kindle cover w/integrated booklight. It shuts off when the Kindle shuts off. I often fall asleep with my ereader in hand.

Is there a similarly-working light available for the Sony reader (one that shuts off when the reader shuts off)?

[Poppaea]

No, Gwen, I am sorry to say. The Sony light shuts off when put back in its slit. It does not shut off when the reader goes to sleep as it is powered by separate batteries as opposed to the Kindle light that is powered by the Kindle.

[Crimson Blur]

Well...it probably depends on which Sony Reader you decide on getting...but I know the M-Edge e-Luminator Touch Booklight that fits into their covers turns off automatically after 1 hour.

Of course, you would need to buy one of their cases. Plus, I'm not sure if any of their covers fit the 350/650 models well; perhaps someone else can comment on that (M-Edge only has covers for the older PRS-X00 models, would the sizes be similar enough to work?). I've heard that the kindle 2 case M-edge sells fits well with the PRS-950. I just bought the kindle 2 cover for my 950 and am awaiting it's arrival. So, I'm not sure if this option is for you...too many unknown factors.

If it's a standalone light that you are looking for, I'm afraid I'm not aware of any. Then again, I haven't looked for one, so there could quite possibly be one that exists.

[jbcohen]

There are a whole lot of readers besides the Sony that are based around the pearl OS. Do you think that you need on board dictionaries that are available at the tap of a button? This is one of the big advantages of a Sony. Sony owners please feel free to tell me I'm all washed up.

[doreenjoy]

IMO the biggest plus of the Sony is the ease of checking out e-books from the library. And even if your local library doesn't have a wide selection of Overdrive titles, the Singapore library offers free membership, and you can get a card to the Philadelphia Free library for $15 a year (free for those over age 65).

Thanks to the extensiveness of the FLP collection, I haven't had to buy an ebook in a long time.

[dordale]

What doreenjoy says--except that the Philadelphia Library recently raised the cost of non-resident library cards to $35 a year--still a great deal!

Regarding lights for Sony--I have the lighted case and I really like it--although light doesn't shut off when reader does. I actually like the way it works better--as the light is powered by a separate aaa battery--so it doesn't drain the reader battery.

dordale

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

There are a whole lot of readers besides the Sony that are based around the pearl OS.

Such as?

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

There are a whole lot of readers besides the Sony that are based around the pearl OS. Do you think that you need on board dictionaries that are available at the tap of a button? This is one of the big advantages of a Sony. Sony owners please feel free to tell me I'm all washed up.

I love the onboard dictionaries, they alone are worth the price of the reader for me. I love the lighted case for my 350. The light does not shut off automatically, but rather when lowered. I like that it runs off a battery and does not drain the reader's battery.

I am not aware of any devices other than the kindle and Sony devices which use the pearl screen.

[silasgreenback]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

There are a whole lot of readers besides the Sony that are based around the pearl OS.

I think she meant the higher contrast Pearl eInk display vs. the lower-end Vizplex.

Pearl = 16 shades

Vizplex = 8

[carpetmojo]

[QUOTE=dordale;
..............Regarding lights for Sony--I have the lighted case and I really like it--although light doesn't shut off when reader does. I actually like the way it works better--as the light is powered by a separate aaa battery--so it doesn't drain the reader battery.
dordale [/QUOTE]

I like the case too, the light is excellent - and I use a rechargeable battery, so not much of a hassle, and cheaper.

[aceflor]

Originally Posted by silasgreenback

I think she meant the higher contrast Pearl eInk display vs. the lower-end Vizplex.

Pearl = 16 shades

Vizplex = 8

And still she or he is wrong. Pearl Screen are used only by Sony and Amazon Kindle.

[silasgreenback]

Originally Posted by aceflor

And still she or he is wrong. Pearl Screen are used only by Sony and Amazon Kindle.

The OP wrote:

Originally Posted by Gwen Morse

I have a kindle and I love my kindle...

Having already been thoroughly spoiled by my Pearl screen, I think that limits me to a Sony reader.

I'm confused about how that is wrong.

The later comment about the "Pearl OS" is a different story.

[Lemurion]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

There are a whole lot of readers besides the Sony that are based around the pearl OS. Do you think that you need on board dictionaries that are available at the tap of a button? This is one of the big advantages of a Sony. Sony owners please feel free to tell me I'm all washed up.

You're all washed up: Pearl in this case refers to the latest generation EInk screen - which is only available on the Kindle and Sony. It's not the OS.

Whether other screens might fit the poster's needs is a valid question: but if the Pearl screen is their sticking point then an x50 Sony is the only non-Amazon option.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

There are a whole lot of readers besides the Sony that are based around the pearl OS. Do you think that you need on board dictionaries that are available at the tap of a button? This is one of the big advantages of a Sony. Sony owners please feel free to tell me I'm all washed up.

Pearl is not an OS. It's the screen. There is more to a Sony then just double tapping for a definition. There is the ease of page turning by swiping. It's good for both left and right hands. the 650 is fairly compact. The collections are quite easy to sort out. No need for a 5-way controller. You can use your finger or the stylus. You could even use a q-tip if you wanted. The interface is quite nice. Graphics on a Sony are very nice as they know how o dither very well so with just 16 shades, you look to get lots more.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by silasgreenback

I think she meant the higher contrast Pearl eInk display vs. the lower-end Vizplex.

Pearl = 16 shades

Vizplex = 8

Vizplex is also 16 shades. But it depended on the controller used in the reader.