I just got my new Sony PRS 505!

Falbe Publishing · 07-09-2008, 04:30 PM

My very first actual ebook reader arrived yesterday. And it is such a delightful gadget.

So what was my first ebook reader experience like?

I could read off the screen fine without strain, and I was reading in bed with only a small lamp on.

I did have to bump up the font size to the highest setting (which I still would not call big) but it was readable.

I must say that I was not in love with pushing the little button to turn the page. I also did not like how the advance page was on top of the reverse page button. I think it would be more comfortable to reverse the placement of these buttons. I was always worried I'd push the back button by mistake.

I think the Sony 505 is a very attractive gadget. I really like how the cover closes it like a book and the leather cover makes it look very elegant and sophisticated.

When I told my mom how attractive it was, it made her reconsider the Sony. She's leaning toward Kindle because of its wireless connectivity, but she does agree that it is ugly, which, in a stereotypical female way, is an issue!

I'm looking forward to loading up the library in my 505 and always having something on hand to read.

daffy4u · 07-09-2008, 04:35 PM

Enjoy your new 505! Let your mom get the Kindle for the 30 day trial so she can compare the two head to head.

MickeyC · 07-09-2008, 04:38 PM

Glad to hear you like the 505. You'll get used to things like button placement after a bit and, if you're like me, will soon forget it was a concern.

Also, that's good advice about the Kindle

pilotbob · 07-09-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falbe Publishing

I must say that I was not in love with pushing the little button to turn the page. I also did not like how the advance page was on top of the reverse page button. I think it would be more comfortable to reverse the placement of these buttons. I was always worried I'd push the back button by mistake.

Sounds like you would prefer the Kindle button arangement.

BOb

astrodad · 07-09-2008, 04:42 PM

Glad you like your Reader. I got used to the buttons after a day or so and now I don't even notice which one I am pressing, my fingers go there automatically.

MickeyC · 07-09-2008, 04:53 PM

In fact, I got so used to the 505 that I soon found myself absentmindedly sliding my finger up to the top right corner pf the reader to turn the page.

seajewel · 07-09-2008, 05:23 PM

If you use Calibre to convert your ebooks (even ones that are already in sony format, I think?) you can specify the smallest font size. That way, you could make your smallest font size (default) to be larger and uniform across your books. I love Calibre, could not love the Reader without it.

dordale · 07-09-2008, 06:09 PM

Congrats on your new device!

I too love my 505. And it only took me a little while to get used to the page turn buttons. I don't know which ones I use more, the two buttons at the right or the round button on the left. It just depends on how I'm sitting/holding my reader at the time.

Have fun!

dordale

=X= · 07-09-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falbe Publishing

My very first actual ebook reader arrived yesterday. And it is such a delightful gadget.

AWSOME! Welcome to the club.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falbe Publishing

I was always worried(emphasis by =X=) I'd push the back button by mistake.

Well to ease your worries the worst that will happen is you go back one page.
You'll get use to the page navigation quick. What I really like about the navigation buttons is that there are two different sets of buttons so that each hand can advance/reverse. This really helps when reading for long periods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falbe Publishing

She's leaning toward Kindle because of its wireless connectivity,
but she does agree that it is ugly, which, in a stereotypical female way, is an issue!

Every time I hear how ugly the Kindle is I feel like such a geek. The ugly factor did not once cross my mind when looking into these devices. To be honest I still don't get why the Kindle is ugly. I just agree with everyone just to be hip

Well if it is not too much of a hassle you should let her to buy the Kindle to really compare the two devices and see which one you like. Then before the 30 day eval period expires either return it or keep it.

BTW Happy reading. Don't hesitate to post any questions or further testimonials. The group here at MobileRead always happy to help.

=X=

Jelis · 07-09-2008, 08:06 PM

Glad you like your reader, I have had mine now for almost 2 weeks. The next/last page buttons for me are in the right place. The only little problem I'm still having is that, occasionally, my eyes turn to the upper part of the left page when I turn pages... oh yes, right, there is no left page. May be, if my little problem persists, Sony will consider making a 'double-paged-reader'...

Jelis

Elsi · 07-09-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by =X=

Every time I hear how ugly the Kindle is I feel like such a geek. The ugly factor did not once cross my mind when looking into these devices. To be honest I still don't get why the Kindle is ugly. I just agree with everyone just to be hip

I thinkiit's more that the Kindle isn't sleek! If you look at how cellular phones have changed in the past year, you'll see the trend toward a sleek and smooth design. The Kindle isn't. It's got sharp angles and it's unashamedly plastic rather than metal or a metallic-looking plastic or composite.

I bought for usefulness rather than spending any time thinking about the appearance. I wish the Kindle's case were grey -- about the color of the background of the eInk screen -- and it would visually disappear when reading. The white plastic looks like they had a bunch left over from old computer peripherals and used it up!

And -- since it's the type of plastic that it is, you can't get neat skins for it. Neither brand of the silicone skins appeal to me, and the sticker guys don't have cool racing stripes for the Kindle. Oh well.

Elsi · 07-09-2008, 10:33 PM

I just had an idea -- we could hold a "Pimp my Kindle" contest! Or make it generic "Pimp my eBook reader" contest.

jerryleejr · 07-10-2008, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

I just had an idea -- we could hold a "Pimp my Kindle" contest! Or make it generic "Pimp my eBook reader" contest.

I wonder if you can get a Kindle shell yet?

JJ

=X= · 07-10-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

I thinkiit's more that the Kindle isn't sleek! If you look at how cellular phones have changed in the past year, you'll see the trend toward a sleek and smooth design. The Kindle isn't. It's got sharp angles and it's unashamedly plastic rather than metal or a metallic-looking plastic or composite.

Okay I get it. Good explanation. Also a confirmation I'm a geek here is my phone
as oppose to what is a cool phone

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

I just had an idea -- we could hold a "Pimp my Kindle" contest! Or make it generic "Pimp my eBook reader" contest.

That would be hilarious. I would like to see that event.

=X=

jerryleejr · 07-10-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by =X=

Okay I get it. Good explanation. Also a confirmation I'm a geek here is my phone
as oppose to what is a cool phone

That would be hilarious. I would like to see that event.

=X=

I can see it now, A kindle with a big gold chain, or wrapped in a pink fur coat. Oh wait that is a real pimp. Never mind

JJ

07-09-2008, 04:30 PM	#1
Falbe Publishing Gadget Slave Posts: 264 Karma: 600001 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Device: Sony PRS505SC	I just got my new Sony PRS 505! My very first actual ebook reader arrived yesterday. And it is such a delightful gadget. So what was my first ebook reader experience like? I could read off the screen fine without strain, and I was reading in bed with only a small lamp on. I did have to bump up the font size to the highest setting (which I still would not call big) but it was readable. I must say that I was not in love with pushing the little button to turn the page. I also did not like how the advance page was on top of the reverse page button. I think it would be more comfortable to reverse the placement of these buttons. I was always worried I'd push the back button by mistake. I think the Sony 505 is a very attractive gadget. I really like how the cover closes it like a book and the leather cover makes it look very elegant and sophisticated. When I told my mom how attractive it was, it made her reconsider the Sony. She's leaning toward Kindle because of its wireless connectivity, but she does agree that it is ugly, which, in a stereotypical female way, is an issue! I'm looking forward to loading up the library in my 505 and always having something on hand to read.

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07-09-2008, 04:35 PM	#2
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Enjoy your new 505! Let your mom get the Kindle for the 30 day trial so she can compare the two head to head.

07-09-2008, 04:38 PM	#3
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Glad to hear you like the 505. You'll get used to things like button placement after a bit and, if you're like me, will soon forget it was a concern. Also, that's good advice about the Kindle

07-09-2008, 04:42 PM	#5
astrodad Guru Posts: 962 Karma: 568242 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kindle Paperwhite 1, iPad, iPhone	Glad you like your Reader. I got used to the buttons after a day or so and now I don't even notice which one I am pressing, my fingers go there automatically.

07-09-2008, 04:53 PM	#6
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	In fact, I got so used to the 505 that I soon found myself absentmindedly sliding my finger up to the top right corner pf the reader to turn the page.

07-09-2008, 05:23 PM	#7
seajewel Fanatic Posts: 589 Karma: 1451235 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505, Sony PRS-950	If you use Calibre to convert your ebooks (even ones that are already in sony format, I think?) you can specify the smallest font size. That way, you could make your smallest font size (default) to be larger and uniform across your books. I love Calibre, could not love the Reader without it.

07-09-2008, 06:09 PM	#8
dordale Wizard Posts: 1,731 Karma: 3472866 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Sony PRS-650 & 350; Kindle Voyage; Kobo Aura HD, Aura One, and Forma	Congrats on your new device! I too love my 505. And it only took me a little while to get used to the page turn buttons. I don't know which ones I use more, the two buttons at the right or the round button on the left. It just depends on how I'm sitting/holding my reader at the time. Have fun! dordale

07-09-2008, 08:06 PM	#10
Jelis Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 742 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: France Device: sony 505	Glad you like your reader, I have had mine now for almost 2 weeks. The next/last page buttons for me are in the right place. The only little problem I'm still having is that, occasionally, my eyes turn to the upper part of the left page when I turn pages... oh yes, right, there is no left page. May be, if my little problem persists, Sony will consider making a 'double-paged-reader'... Jelis

07-09-2008, 10:33 PM	#12
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	I just had an idea -- we could hold a "Pimp my Kindle" contest! Or make it generic "Pimp my eBook reader" contest.