PRS-950 How useful is web surfing on PRS-950?

[petercreasey]

Originally Posted by jswinden

don't get me started on Sony's horrible customer support. Their CS is populated with stupid idiots

Jack, My experience has been the exact opposite of yours.

I have found Sony customer service to be excellent, knowledgeable, responsive, and even generous.

[Gleidson]

Originally Posted by jswinden

@rhadin, I think your question can be answered by stating that the arrogance of Sony is surpassed only by Apple. It is almost like they look down their noses at their customers. That crap might work in Japan, but here in the USA it will eventually cost Sony a LOT of customers. I'm reading that M-Edge won't even make covers for the new Sony readers due to lack of sales. And don't get me started on Sony's horrible customer support. Their CS is populated with stupid idiots and designed to keep us from using it. Amazon on the other hand bends over backwards to help customers. With Sony readers we need to find our answers on our own at forums like this.

Hey Sony, pretend these are not thumbs!

Considering the fact that I'm openly a Sony fanboy, I shamefully have to echo your words. Actually I have already spread the word on some complains here when it comes to updates policy, especially related to the previous models, e.g. PRS-900 (on top of all), which I consider totally capable to embrace the features (at least most of them) presented on the new ones.

BTW, your thread is totally pertinent mainly by the last message to Sony!!!

[Purl5]

Silly question this, but like many I've been looking at ereaders for months now. I'm this close to making my decision & it's come down to Sony's PRS-650 or 950.

I know that the wifi isn't a real replacement for a web browser, but I do love the idea that I could check my gmail while on the road, not to mention a few other sites.

Question: is there a charge for the wifi access? I can't find anything that mentions that & I know I should understand it better.
thanks.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by Purl5

Question: is there a charge for the wifi access? I can't find anything that mentions that & I know I should understand it better.
thanks.

Wi-fi is free. The caveat is unless you are trying to access a Wi-fi site like a hotel that requires you to pay a fee. Also note that you can only access the browser over Wi-fi. You cannot use it over 3G wireless.

[Purl5]

ok, so I can use it at home, I can use it anywhere that allows me to hop on their wifi network... isn't it funny how places like La Quinta offer it up free but you pay close to $10/day for it at the more expensive hotels?!
But i wouldn't be able to use it on the road in the car unless I had one of those mobile wireless devices I've seen advertised, I assume. I'm thinking of a 2 day car trip I've got coming up.

[Bookworm_Girl]

That's correct, Purl5. On a roadtrip I would recommend to make a stop somewhere that offers Wi-fi like McDonald's or Starbucks.

[Purl5]

At the risk of being over persistent (not to mention dull) -- Sony's web site (which I've spent too much time prowling, after Etsy bookcovers) specifically mentions AT&T's mobile broadband 3G browsing.

is it that this hasn't turned out to be the case... My cell phone is AT&T & that makes me wonder whether somehow I should be able to use this access for the 950. Or am I thinking of this all wrong?

[SeaBookGuy]

Originally Posted by Purl5

ok, so I can use it at home, I can use it anywhere that allows me to hop on their wifi network... isn't it funny how places like La Quinta offer it up free but you pay close to $10/day for it at the more expensive hotels?!
But i wouldn't be able to use it on the road in the car unless I had one of those mobile wireless devices I've seen advertised, I assume. I'm thinking of a 2 day car trip I've got coming up.

They charge for it, under the assumption that their guests won't mind because a) they're wealthier or b) they're on expense accounts. At Hilton, Doubletree, etc. it's more like $12.95 minimum.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by Purl5

At the risk of being over persistent (not to mention dull) -- Sony's web site (which I've spent too much time prowling, after Etsy bookcovers) specifically mentions AT&T's mobile broadband 3G browsing.

No worries. Sony's website is not always accurate, sad to say... It's a better idea to download the 950 User Guide from the Sony website if you want more accurate info.

The 950 has 3G wireless connectivity just like your cell phone. However, you can only use it to access the Sony Reader Store to buy books and periodicals (or download previous purchases). So on your road trip you could use the 950 to buy a book from your car (if there is a cell phone signal). You just can't use the 3G connection with the web browser.

The 950 also has Wi-fi. The Wi-fi can be used to access both the Sony Reader Store and the web browser.

I assume that Sony does not allow you to use the web browser over 3G wireless in order to limit the amount of data that is transferred over the network and therefore limit their cost since they aren't charging you for the 3G connection in your ereader (like your cell phone plan does). Hope that helps!

[Purl5]

This is all very helpful. I can see I need to download the manual. Next on list. I'm not so concerned about the difference in price at this point.
My decision comes down to whether the height of the 950 gives me sufficient additional usable real estate so that I can make the font just large enough that I can read without my 2.25 reading glasses... (& that it's significant enough difference from the 650) that it makes up for any added bulkiness.

Unfortunately no one around here is carrying the new models. I was in Atlanta last weekend & was able to play with a Nook. Pretty eye candy, but I really felt that it got much too heavy too quickly and I don't need all the lovely colors. I need to be able to read easily again. I really miss that & that is what is driving my current decision. Thanks for the clarifications. If anyone has any comments about the above, I'd be interested (tho I do realize this is probably the wrong thread for the topic).. Happy Thanksgiving.

[kartu]

How is battery life with wifi / browser on?

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

At Hilton, Doubletree, etc. it's more like $12.95 minimum.

I recall paying 24$ per day at Hilton in Prague about 4 years ago.

[Purl5]

Originally Posted by kartu

How is battery life with wifi / browser on?


I recall paying 24$ per day at Hilton in Prague about 4 years ago.

Yikes. We often stay at La Quinta while traveling with our pup on the road -- I do appreciate that they're free. (of course not luxurious). I was in an Embassy Suites last week that charged less than $10. I want to say $7.95 but can't remember for sure. A year or so ago in downtown Chicago I almost paid $14. And I thought THAT was high. You can see I don't travel high end too often.

[jackinca]

Originally Posted by advocate2

I have purchased many items from the Sony Style store here in Vegas and know one of the salesmen well. We talk tech when I stop by. Sharing stories about Readers on Sunday he told me that a firmware update is coming for the 950 that will improve internet performance.

I've heard this as well from a Sony Cust. Sv. representative. It probably has a better than even chance of occurring sometime in 12/2010 and before the Xmas holidays. The browser is not great but good in a pinch. These devices are for reading primarily as had been repeated several times, and Sony has performed very well in that regard. Perhaps the presumed software update will solve some of the sideline type glitches.

[SeaBookGuy]

Originally Posted by kartu

How is battery life with wifi / browser on?


I recall paying 24$ per day at Hilton in Prague about 4 years ago.

European rates are closer to $30 a day I understand - about twice the domestic U. S. cost.

The 950 seems like it'd be great for checking email, etc. at times when you don't feel like hauling out and booting up a netbook/laptop.

[Purl5]

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

The 950 seems like it'd be great for checking email, etc. at times when you don't feel like hauling out and booting up a netbook/laptop.

I think that's exactly what is going to tip me over into buying a 950. I just want a really good reader. But the thought of being able to check my gmail on the road when we arrive at the hotel late at night... w/o booting up the laptop is just a bit of icing on the cake. Huh. Did I just make a decision?