Sony Reader to go unwired!

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Wouldn't it still need some way to input information and a browser?

Yes, it would of course need firmware update to support the WiFi. I'm not sure if it would have a "browser" but it could connect to Sony's eStore to get raw data and display it in some fashing. This is how the eBook software works, by making requests from the server and displaying the results.

But, this is only code, not a physical change. The 10 buttons could be used to enter alpha characters they way you do on a cell phone. 2 = ABC, 3 = DEF, 4 = GHI, etc. Press 2 twice and you get B. Press 3 three times and you get an F, etc.

BOb

[TheJohnNewton]

On the battery issue the Kindle allows you to turn the wireless on/off independantly of the overall unit. I only turn it on when I actually use it. I would think Sony would want to do the same.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

But, this is only code, not a physical change. The 10 buttons could be used to enter alpha characters they way you do on a cell phone. 2 = ABC, 3 = DEF, 4 = GHI, etc. Press 2 twice and you get B. Press 3 three times and you get an F, etc.

BOb

The very reason I never got into text messaging. I know for some, it's second nature but it drives me nuts. I even have software for my phone that allows me to input all the names and numbers on my computer and transfer them to the phone

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

As people have talked about... the 505 could be upgraded software wise to support a WiFi SD card. This would require no change to the current device and it would be fully optional to buy a WiFi card. I personally think this is the best way for them to go.

What Wifi SD card? There aren't that many, and with one exception I'm aware of *, they all expect to be used in a Windows Mobile device and connect to Windows network services on the handheld.

* The exception is a Palm branded card based on a Sychip reference design, usable in Palm OS devices with SDIO slots.
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Dennis

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

What Wifi SD card? There aren't that many, and with one exception I'm aware of *, they all expect to be used in a Windows Mobile device and connect to Windows network services on the handheld.

* The exception is a Palm branded card based on a Sychip reference design, usable in Palm OS devices with SDIO slots.
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Dennis

Eye-Fi is the one I was thinking of. But, sony could work with some one to OEM it, or do it themselves. To me making it an add-on accessory is a better option and more choices for revenue. If they build it in and jack up the reader $50 sales could drop. As an add-on they could sell it to current 500/505 owners too.

BOb

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Eye-Fi is the one I was thinking of. But, sony could work with some one to OEM it, or do it themselves. To me making it an add-on accessory is a better option and more choices for revenue. If they build it in and jack up the reader $50 sales could drop. As an add-on they could sell it to current 500/505 owners too.

BOb

Assuming the SD slot is even i/o capable which it may not be.

Dale

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by TheJohnNewton

On the battery issue the Kindle allows you to turn the wireless on/off independantly of the overall unit. I only turn it on when I actually use it. I would think Sony would want to do the same.

Better to use T9 (see our wiki).

Dale

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Assuming the SD slot is even i/o capable which it may not be.

Dale

Um... well you can send data to the SD card... that is (O) and you can read data from the SD card... that is (I).

BOb

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Eye-Fi is the one I was thinking of. But, sony could work with some one to OEM it, or do it themselves. To me making it an add-on accessory is a better option and more choices for revenue. If they build it in and jack up the reader $50 sales could drop. As an add-on they could sell it to current 500/505 owners too.

The Eye-fi card is specifically intended to allow digital cameras to upload photos to photo sharing sites. It's not a general purpose Wifi card.

It's probably cheaper for them, all told, to build it in. That's increasingly the trend. Palm's TX unit features built in Wifi, ranter than using the Palm card. New Pocket PC models have built-in Wifi. The chipsets to do it are available and easy enough to integrate onto the motherboard, with SDKs to help vendors develop drivers.

And built-in cards avoid the problem of the antenna portion that sticks out of the SD slot and can break off, and the issue of the user losing the card.

I understand your feelings, but I don't see it happening that way.
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Dennis

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Um... well you can send data to the SD card... that is (O) and you can read data from the SD card... that is (I).

But not, alas, SDIO that will permit an SD Wifi card to function...
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Denis

[igorsk]

According to some pages I found, the Ricoh's R5C807 chip can do SDIO (and SDHC too).

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

The Eye-fi card is specifically intended to allow digital cameras to upload photos to photo sharing sites. It's not a general purpose Wifi card.

Ok, how about something like this one:

http://www.flash-memory-store.com/qm...d-io-card.html

Anyway... my point is by doing this as an SD card add-on they can sell to existing users and new users (bundle). The device may not already exist. But, sure, a possible PRS-510 with this build in would be nice too. I could probably get a used 505 at a good price once the 510s come out.

BOb

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Ok, how about something like this one:

http://www.flash-memory-store.com/qm...d-io-card.html

Same problem I mentioned before:

Supports WPA and WPA-PSK on Windows Mobile 2003 SE as well as on the original WM 2003 with ROM upgrade (some devices)

It assumes a Windows Mobile device.

Anyway... my point is by doing this as an SD card add-on they can sell to existing users and new users (bundle). The device may not already exist. But, sure, a possible PRS-510 with this build in would be nice too. I could probably get a used 505 at a good price once the 510s come out.
BOb

Assuming the PRS-500 or 505 have an SDIO slot, you still need a driver to communicate with and use the card, which means a firmware update. Good luck.
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Dennis

[igorsk]

Yes, of course it would need an updated SD driver. Still, the possibility is there.

[jerryleejr]

Originally Posted by rhadin

I'm sure there must be some advantage to having wi-fi, perhaps with daily newspapers or magazines, but at least for me, until the screen becomes a color screen, it makes no sense to read magazines on my 505. As for newspapers, maybe it's because of my age and a lifelong habit, but I like to read the print version of the newspaper; I think the 505 is simply too small a screen to enjoy the NY Times..

Yeah I hate it when I cant do the Jumble

JJ