PRS505 Firmware update: epub, DE, and reflow -- oh my! - Page 12

llasram · 07-24-2008, 03:17 PM

Some notes from an early(?) adopter:

Epub rendering is snappy. No long reformatting wait on changing the zoom as with LRF files -- I'm very very impressed.

The "Books by Author" icon is different -- I wonder why?

The interface feels snappier. The wait time after unplugging it from USB is certainly shorter, although the rest might just be my imagination.

Letter/A4-sized PDFs are now actually legible, even without the reflowing-zoom-magic, especially when rotated to the landscape half-page view.

Excellent job, Sony and Adobe!

-Marshall

athlonkmf · 07-24-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lackbeard

Well, it just says that: "Update in progress. Do not disconnect. Waiting for the PRS-505 to restart."
And then there's a rolling bar.

I'm tempted to disconnect it, but I'm a bit nervous about the warnings not to. Would I brick my device?

Have you seen it saying "removing software" "installing software" etc? If not, I guess your update haven't started yet.

astrodad · 07-24-2008, 03:23 PM

Honestly, Sony, is it that much work to get device support on the Mac? Are you stuck in in 1995? How frustrating.

sam1am · 07-24-2008, 03:29 PM

If anyone wants a free epub book to try out, they just posted one on tor.com. Check the freebies forum for how to get the books. I'm going to try it out soon and I'll let you all know if it's awesome.

athlonkmf · 07-24-2008, 03:29 PM

Whoohoo. So fast! BOoks are now opened almost instantly, and depending on the card speed, it opens the first page fast.

With the previous firmware, I have to wait quite a while until the complete book is loaded. Now it doesn't matter if the book is 1MB or 100MB large.

Lackbeard · 07-24-2008, 03:30 PM

I grew impatient, disconnected the device and restarted Parallels. At first my stomach dropped as the Reader wouldn't turn off or respond to anything, but reconnected to a new session of Parallels and the Updater everything suddenly worked, I got the two minutes worth of "installing software" and a smooth restart.

Phew, no horror ending for me this time.

astrodad · 07-24-2008, 03:32 PM

From the DE help site on Adobe's site:

Quote:

Transferring items to a Sony® Reader PRS-505

Adobe Digital Editions allows you to transfer items from your library to a Sony® Reader PRS-505. To make the model PRS-505 compatible with Adobe Digital Editions, you must first download the firmware updater and new version of the Sony eBook Library from the Sony® Reader PRS-505 product site and install it on the model PRS-505.

When you first connect your Sony® Reader PRS-505, you are asked to authorize the device using your Adobe ID. After authorization, the Sony® Reader PRS-505 appears as a new bookshelf in your library. You can transfer items to and from the Sony® Reader PRS-505 bookshelf just as you do with other bookshelves in your library. Important: Do not disconnect the Sony® Reader PRS-505 while transferring library items to or from your computer.

Note: Text annotations in eBooks appear as bookmarks in the Sony® Reader PRS-505.

If you need support for the model PRS-505, please visit the Sony® Portable Reader System support site.

Notice no mention that this DOES NOT WORK ON THE MAC! Honestly, if this is just a USB mass storage device, why would you need the Sony software installed at all? We already know you can just drop in the ePub file.

Shadowplay · 07-24-2008, 03:33 PM

Wow congrats, Lackbeard! I wouldn't have thought the update software could have resumed like that. Very cool!

kovidgoyal · 07-24-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplumey

Honestly, Sony, is it that much work to get device support on the Mac? Are you stuck in in 1995? How frustrating.

Maybe it's a good thing. It will help wean non windows users off DRM

astrodad · 07-24-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Maybe it's a good thing. It will help wean non windows users off DRM

Haha, yeah right.

Shadowplay · 07-24-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplumey

Notice no mention that this DOES NOT WORK ON THE MAC! Honestly, if this is just a USB mass storage device, why would you need the Sony software installed at all? We already know you can just drop in the ePub file.

Well it is just a USB storage device, but the firmware is a windows only executable...

kacir · 07-24-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

From the Reader directly?

Okay, now I'm torqued about the lack of update for the 500!

You CAN delete files directly from PRS 500.
try looking for HackBuilder on this site.
One of the hacks is deleting files and copying files from memory to card and vice versa.

ambertape · 07-24-2008, 03:38 PM

To me it is sad to note that the upcoming PRS-505 upgrade is for the 505 and not the PRS-500 . It seems to me that SONY should consider the pioneers of the PRS-500 and bring them into the PRS-505 world or give us an incentive to trade in the PRS500 for a PRS-505 and then they will not have to develop a upgrade to the owners of the PRS-500. If SONY does nothing for owners of PRS-500 then it might be an idea to sell my unit, and buy another manufacturer product. It is very important for a manufacturer like SONY to get good publicity and not bad publicity. Why should I show this product to my friends ?

athlonkmf · 07-24-2008, 03:38 PM

Hmm.. quick test shows that the reader does not appreciate files to be put in a freshly formatted card through a SD-card reader.
It's like it can't index the new card and it needs to reformat the files.

Now putting the books through the ebooksoftware which has proven to be the bets way to transfer books. But it takes a very long time (ah well, at least the reader will be fully charged afterwards)

mikecook · 07-24-2008, 03:39 PM

perhaps a warning for PRS-500 users.

I've just upgrade the library software, everything went fine, until it asked me to activate the reader. I was already on my last free activation, I kept formatting my HD without de-activating

- and now I can't read any of my old purchases!

I am uninstalling and loading up the older version to see if can get access to de-activate.

I'll let you know how that goes...wish me luck

07-24-2008, 03:38 PM	#178
ambertape Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: PRS-500	SONY complete disregard to PRS-500 owners To me it is sad to note that the upcoming PRS-505 upgrade is for the 505 and not the PRS-500 . It seems to me that SONY should consider the pioneers of the PRS-500 and bring them into the PRS-505 world or give us an incentive to trade in the PRS500 for a PRS-505 and then they will not have to develop a upgrade to the owners of the PRS-500. If SONY does nothing for owners of PRS-500 then it might be an idea to sell my unit, and buy another manufacturer product. It is very important for a manufacturer like SONY to get good publicity and not bad publicity. Why should I show this product to my friends ?

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07-24-2008, 03:17 PM	#166
llasram Reticulator of Tharn Posts: 618 Karma: 400000 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: EST Device: Sony PRS-505	Some notes from an early(?) adopter: Epub rendering is snappy. No long reformatting wait on changing the zoom as with LRF files -- I'm very very impressed. The "Books by Author" icon is different -- I wonder why? The interface feels snappier. The wait time after unplugging it from USB is certainly shorter, although the rest might just be my imagination. Letter/A4-sized PDFs are now actually legible, even without the reflowing-zoom-magic, especially when rotated to the landscape half-page view. Excellent job, Sony and Adobe! -Marshall

07-24-2008, 03:23 PM	#168
astrodad Guru Posts: 962 Karma: 568242 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kindle Paperwhite 1, iPad, iPhone	Honestly, Sony, is it that much work to get device support on the Mac? Are you stuck in in 1995? How frustrating.

07-24-2008, 03:29 PM	#169
sam1am Enthusiast Posts: 42 Karma: 32 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: Sony Reader	If anyone wants a free epub book to try out, they just posted one on tor.com. Check the freebies forum for how to get the books. I'm going to try it out soon and I'll let you all know if it's awesome.

07-24-2008, 03:29 PM	#170
athlonkmf Guru Posts: 714 Karma: 1014039 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500, Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3, Sony PRS350, iPad 64GB	Whoohoo. So fast! BOoks are now opened almost instantly, and depending on the card speed, it opens the first page fast. With the previous firmware, I have to wait quite a while until the complete book is loaded. Now it doesn't matter if the book is 1MB or 100MB large.

07-24-2008, 03:30 PM	#171
Lackbeard Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Sony Reader 505	I grew impatient, disconnected the device and restarted Parallels. At first my stomach dropped as the Reader wouldn't turn off or respond to anything, but reconnected to a new session of Parallels and the Updater everything suddenly worked, I got the two minutes worth of "installing software" and a smooth restart. Phew, no horror ending for me this time.

07-24-2008, 03:33 PM	#173
Shadowplay Groupie Posts: 185 Karma: 1096228 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Oasis	Wow congrats, Lackbeard! I wouldn't have thought the update software could have resumed like that. Very cool!

07-24-2008, 03:38 PM	#179
athlonkmf Guru Posts: 714 Karma: 1014039 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500, Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3, Sony PRS350, iPad 64GB	Hmm.. quick test shows that the reader does not appreciate files to be put in a freshly formatted card through a SD-card reader. It's like it can't index the new card and it needs to reformat the files. Now putting the books through the ebooksoftware which has proven to be the bets way to transfer books. But it takes a very long time (ah well, at least the reader will be fully charged afterwards)

07-24-2008, 03:39 PM	#180
mikecook Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: iPad Mini, Nexus 7, Sony Reader, Kindle, and others.	perhaps a warning for PRS-500 users. I've just upgrade the library software, everything went fine, until it asked me to activate the reader. I was already on my last free activation, I kept formatting my HD without de-activating - and now I can't read any of my old purchases! I am uninstalling and loading up the older version to see if can get access to de-activate. I'll let you know how that goes...wish me luck