Sony or Nook Touch

[ST-One]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It depends what you read. Jo a lot of computer programming books, so he needs a reader which can display long lines of code in a sensible manner.

Smaller font-size or a larger reader then (KindleDX); are the pbook versions of these book printed in "landscape"-mode too? Or are thez just larger with a smaller print?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ST-One

Smaller font-size or a larger reader then (KindleDX); are the pbook versions of these book printed in "landscape"-mode too? Or are thez just larger with a smaller print?

True, but one doesn't always want to carry around a large device. The page of a typical computer programming reference book is a lot larger than a 6" screen, and landscape mode is undeniably useful for viewing longer lines. Like you, I don't use landscape mode either when reading novels, but there are undoubtedly many purposes for which it is very useful.

[delphin]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

So far, the one reader I've found useful for pdfs is the PRS-950; whether that's due to screen size alone or screen size + flexibility, I haven't yet decided. I have noticed it's quite difficult to return to my Kindle 3 after using the 950. I'll have to take both to a store that carries the Touch and A/B/C all three.

I agree that given the limitations of the current crop of eInk devices when viewing PDFs, if you insist on using a small profile eInk device, the PRS-950 is one of the best options.

A lot of folks don't realize this, but the resolution (1024x600), and the screen size (7 inch), is the same on the Sony PRS-950 and B&N Nook Color.

The difference of course, is that the Nook Color is a TFT LCD, where the Sony has a black and white eInk Pearl screen.

Unfortunately, the 7 inch screens on both the Nook Color and PRS-950 are at the extreme lower limit of what is usable for comfortable PDF viewing.

Software wise, I agree that B&N's default PDF viewer is worse than the default Sony PDF viewer, but contrary to what has been said, I think recent improvements in the Android apps give the Nook Color some fairly good 3rd party options (ezPDF, RepliGo, etc), so that's not the real issue.

Unfortunately, as I said above, I think the REAL ISSUE (that effects BOTH the PRS-950 and Nook Color equally) is simply that a 7 inch 1024x600 screen is just a little too small for most folks to find comfortable when it comes to full page PDF viewing, and nearly ANY kind of zoomed PDF viewing is a pain, regardless of how clever your software is.

So getting back to this threads topic of the Nook Touch vs. the Sony's . . .

Though I am pretty sure that the Nook Touch will eventually have a first rate PDF viewer that supports landscape mode, annotations, etc. (if not from B&N, then from a third party Android app), this will not magically make it 'perfect' for PDFs, because a 6 inch screen is just NEVER going to be that great when it comes to PDFs no matter how good the viewer software is.

I guess that B&N figured this out, and set their development priorities on that basis, putting emphasis on the Nook Touches EPUB support, which has some bells and whistles that the Sony lacks, like user selectable fonts, and line spacing.

[booklover6]

I voted for Sony, but I would definitely pick the new Kobo Touch over either of the other two. I like wireless connectivity and SD card storage.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by booklover6

I voted for Sony, but I would definitely pick the new Kobo Touch over either of the other two. I like wireless connectivity and SD card storage.

The lack of support for hyperlinks on the Kobo would be a "killer" for me. I read many books with footnotes; there's no way to get at them on the Kobo.

[anamardoll]

Originally Posted by ST-One

This constant need for pdf-support is beyond me.
Neither of these functions you mentioned is important to. All I personally care about is actually reading on the reader; for that I need epub-support and a good display.
That's why I switched from a K2 to the NookClassic and will now get a NookTouch (I would have bought a new Sony if it weren't so damned expensive).

As I've already explained, I'm a hobbyist reviewer who receives PDFs from author and publishers. They want the book to be seen exactly as it will look on the printed page, so they aren't going to be moving away from PDFs any time soon, alas.

I'm rather amused to see anyone say that the things I feel are necessary for MY personal reading experience aren't "important". Well, that settles THAT issue, let me just conform to YOUR reading style.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by ST-One

I have never seen a use for that function when reading.

Then you have never read computer or programming books with an ereader.

[ST-One]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Then you have never read computer or programming books with an ereader.

Nor on paper.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by ST-One

Nor on paper.

That's why you do not miss landscape

[ST-One]

Originally Posted by jocampo

That's why you do not miss landscape

Probably; though i have the NookColor in landscape-mode right now to make this post

[JSWolf]

The nook Touch has been rooted. So it's now become a multi-platform reader. In fact, it makes a better Kindle then the Kindle.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The nook Touch has been rooted. So it's now become a multi-platform reader. In fact, it makes a better Kindle then the Kindle.

If a rooted Nook Touch can read Amazon's DRM-wrapped mobi files, then it might well be a better Kindle than the Kindle (which I was using yesterday and find far more annoying than my 950) -- in theory.

Unfortunately, that still leaves the problem of getting Amazon content onto the Touch, since the only reason some of us actually own a Kindle is because we have to interface with the Kindle Store for business and/or personal reasons.

The font and line spacing options out of the box also show that less advanced users who choose the Touch and don't think they require workable pdf support might have reason to prefer it to the 650. Some people aren't comfortable rooting or installing custom firmware, and the PRS's lack of font options is one of its most frustrating limitations for people who just want the thing to be useful to them out of the box.

To the people who complain that pdf support is unnecessary to them: With all due respect, you'll say that until the day that it is necessary: When an author sends you a file, or a library book is only available, or a book you really need to read is only offered, in pdf.

To delphin: Many of us whose job it is to read computer screens all day -- whether editing other's writing, producing music, writing fiction or composing scores -- need to rest our eyes afterward, and that means not looking at another backlit LCD screen when it's time to read. Which means that pdf support is rather important to some of us even though we're aware that a larger-screened tablet would be more flexible and have better real estate.

BTW: The other reason I should own a powerful tablet is because its screen is a much better interface for composing than an UL's keyboard, which is why the original Fairlight and Synclavier, both of which originally cost anywhere from $40,000 to $120,000 fully loaded, used a touch screen with a stylus like that of a $109 DS Lite.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

If a rooted Nook Touch can read Amazon's DRM-wrapped mobi files, then it might well be a better Kindle than the Kindle (which I was using yesterday and find far more annoying than my 950) -- in theory.

Unfortunately, that still leaves the problem of getting Amazon content onto the Touch, since the only reason some of us actually own a Kindle is because we have to interface with the Kindle Store for business and/or personal reasons.

If it's running the Android Kindle app, you'd load content just as you would on any other Android device.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by HarryT

If it's running the Android Kindle app, you'd load content just as you would on any other Android device.

I have that app on my phone and I seem to recall its requiring a wireless connection to authorize it each time I opened a tagged file. But perhaps that's only Amazon's App Store app, which I uninstalled before rooting because it opened my wireless connection constantly even if killed by ATK.

Whenever they sell certain kinds of programs or content, Amazon seems to want to surveil any device that is not proprietary.

[delphin]

Originally Posted by booklover6

I voted for Sony, but I would definitely pick the new Kobo Touch over either of the other two. I like wireless connectivity and SD card storage.

The new Nook Touch has both microSDcard storage, and wireless connectivity, so I'm not sure what you are getting at.

If you only want wireless for reading magazines, newspapers, and downloading books, the Kobo is a fine choice.

But if you like the idea of web connectivity because you want to eventually have higher end features like a browser, wikipedia, etc. then I would go with the new Nook Touch, because it's Android OS insures that these things are going to be available fairly quickly (whether B&N wants it or not) .