Sony PRS-T1 specs!

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

Well, as far as the android part. The icons used for the Back, Home, and Menu buttons are the same as used on Android systems.

The Reader OS was already Linux-based, so a move to android would be relatively "easy."

Originally Posted by kartu

Free books from http://www.gutenberg.org/ alone need times more than that. [4GB Memory Card]

Not after you cut out the 8,000 page Gutenberg License Agreement from each book!

-Pie

[Hellmark]

Originally Posted by EatingPie

The Reader OS was already Linux-based, so a move to android would be relatively "easy."

Really no different than if they decided to switch to Windows Mobile, but I can see what you mean by "relatively easy".

Plus licensing may be cheaper for Android than Montavista Linux (what they've used so far), especially if they don't need the google apps or market access.

[Barty]

Originally Posted by HarryT

My actual library is about 40GB. But seeing as how it wouldn't really be practical to store it on all my reader, I confine myself to those books which I feel I may want to read in the foreseeable future. It takes only moments to transfer books from my portable hard disk, after all.

40gb? Are you immortal? A vampire? Do you know Edward?

[snarkophilus]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

Really no different than if they decided to switch to Windows Mobile, but I can see what you mean by "relatively easy".

I'm not sure I understand the logic here.

Android uses Linux as its core operating system, so switching from one Linux based OS to another would be a lot easier than switching from a Linux based OS to Windows Mobile.

Cheers,
Simon.

[SensualPoet]

It looks as if the Sony S1 Tablet will actually be released well ahead of the PRS-T1 Sony Ereader. In fact, it's expected in Canada Sep 14th.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by snarkophilus

Android uses Linux as its core operating system, so switching from one Linux based OS to another would be a lot easier than switching from a Linux based OS to Windows Mobile.

The fact that Android is layered on top of Linux does not make this inherently more likely. What does make it possible is the touch screen. Most of the basic Android porting is probably done by the ARM CPU (or more accurately SOC) provider, particularly now that the EInk controller is mostly in software. The reason for Sony to do this would be software compatibility with Android tablets, but since they already have most of the native Linux software they would need on their existing Readers this does not seem compelling (although Android would likely provide a better shopping experience for their bookstore from the device). It is clearly a good idea for B&N, with a tablet Reader and an eInk Reader. So if Sony puts Android on the T1 that might suggest they are thinking about a B&N style stripped down tablet as well.

[Ankh]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

So if Sony puts Android on the T1 that might suggest they are thinking about a B&N style stripped down tablet as well.

It appears that they are already going after, not stripped down, but full blown Tegra 2 based Andoid tablets:

Originally Posted by Joseph R

No, it may be the end for Sony's stand-alone e-readers as their Tablets S1 and S2 are about to hit the shelves next month.

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

The fact that Android is layered on top of Linux does not make this inherently more likely. What does make it possible is the touch screen. Most of the basic Android porting is probably done by the ARM CPU (or more accurately SOC) provider, particularly now that the EInk controller is mostly in software. The reason for Sony to do this would be software compatibility with Android tablets, but since they already have most of the native Linux software they would need on their existing Readers this does not seem compelling (although Android would likely provide a better shopping experience for their bookstore from the device). It is clearly a good idea for B&N, with a tablet Reader and an eInk Reader. So if Sony puts Android on the T1 that might suggest they are thinking about a B&N style stripped down tablet as well.

Let me give two answers. First, in terms of my post, it is easier to port since tons of low level routines are going to be exactly the same.

However, I think I see your point. All they need to do is write one e-Reader app, and it works on phones, tablets and the Readers. That may be why BBeB isn't listed, since I don't think it (LRF) was ever supported under android.

-Pie

[Hellmark]

Originally Posted by snarkophilus

I'm not sure I understand the logic here.

Android uses Linux as its core operating system, so switching from one Linux based OS to another would be a lot easier than switching from a Linux based OS to Windows Mobile.

Just because Android is linux based, doesn't mean that Linux apps can automatically run. Various libraries and other things are needed, plus different systems are in place on Android for making things displayed on screen. Much will have to totally be rewritten.

[Soul_Est]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

It looks as if the Sony S1 Tablet will actually be released well ahead of the PRS-T1 Sony Ereader. In fact, it's expected in Canada Sep 14th.

You're right about that. Are you going to the VIP session that Sony is holding for the tablets and several other products?

[charleski]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The Kindle has 4GB memory, with about 3.25GB available to the user. I agree that one doesn't NEED that much: I currently have 600 books on my Kindle (many of which are large omnibus editions) and still have 2.3GB free), but it's better to have too much memory than too little.

But since the Kindle allows you to download any book you've bought in under a minute isn't this all a bit irrelevant?

I suppose size would matter if you're storing a few audiobooks on the Sony, but otherwise it's mostly wasted. But then I never had any problems with the 192MB on my 505 and my library of 900 books comes to less than 1.2GB....

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by charleski

But since the Kindle allows you to download any book you've bought in under a minute isn't this all a bit irrelevant?

Not if you prefer to load your own content, rather than download it directly from Amazon. Commercial eBooks can be a real mess, with missing covers, messed-up metadata, etc. What I prefer to do is to buy the book, transfer it to Calibre, tidy it up (make sure it has a proper cover, edit the metadata, etc) and then transfer it from Calibre to my Kindle. ie, I regard my Calibre library as my "master source" of eBooks, not the archive on Amazon.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by HarryT

What I prefer to do is to buy the book, transfer it to Calibre, tidy it up (make sure it has a proper cover, edit the metadata, etc) and then transfer it from Calibre to my Kindle. ie, I regard my Calibre library as my "master source" of eBooks, not the archive on Amazon.

I'm the opposite. I don't care about covers or metadata; and I don't use Calibre. I'm quite content to keep a few books (less than 10) on my Kindle and let Amazon store the rest.

[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

Just because Android is linux based, doesn't mean that Linux apps can automatically run. Various libraries and other things are needed, plus different systems are in place on Android for making things displayed on screen. Much will have to totally be rewritten.

Well, actually...

Linux is supposed to be binary compatible on the same platform. That means that if I compile for, say Ubuntu, on my Reader, I should be able to use that executable in Android on my Reader without recompiling. That assumes major version of the core linux, and as you point out, the required shared libraries already in existence.

That said, I have not personally tried this on any platform. Theory rocks, but application is rocky.

-Pie

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I'm the opposite. I don't care about covers or metadata; and I don't use Calibre. I'm quite content to keep a few books (less than 10) on my Kindle and let Amazon store the rest.

I don't mind covers and/or metadata. Unless it's completely wrong or horrible to see.

On my BBMini, I can't see either metadata nor covers. Personally, I don't care about that. On my Sony, however, I can see metadata and covers. And if either is wrong, I get annoyed...