Sony's unannounced Reader PRS-T3 leaks out at the FCC

[parkher]

Originally Posted by shalym

You must have better eyes than I do, then. If I am not in bright lighting, I have a very hard time focusing on the text, and give up. Before I got my paperwhite, I used a lighted cover, and before that, a clip on light. I was always having to adjust the way I held my reader or the clip on lights so that I wouldn't get bright patches on the screen...and yes, I have tried the Ozeri, and the Kandle, and the Mighty Bright. All had problems with bright spots, or with the light petering out at the bottom of the screen so that I had to struggle to see the text.

Have you tried a powerful enough desk light? Or several large led lights mounted on the wall where you can change the direction of each separately or switch on/off them separately - I'm sure you could find the best lighting configuration for you.
With a specialized lighting you can have very well lit screen, just as well as you need.
Of course, that ties you down to a fixed reading position somewhat.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I don't know of any stores that stock the Sony ereader in the UK either, I may be mistaken but I can't think of any stores. Online we can get them from the Sony store.

The Sony shops sell them (although the one nearest me closed down recently). I think I've seen them in Joh Lewis as well, but I could be mistaken.

[parkher]

I bought two T2s from ebook.de in Germany (last year, immediately after boroda successfully rooted T2) and two T2s from B&H in USA, already this year, when it became not safe to buy from Europe.
I am afraid of Sony stores, thinking that perhaps they might update firmware to non-rootable version once it appears. Perhaps they do no such thing, though.

[DuskyRose]

Originally Posted by parkher

I am afraid of Sony stores, thinking that perhaps they might update firmware to non-rootable version once it appears. Perhaps they do no such thing, though.

The units from the Sony stores have always come sealed in a box, just like any of the other stores.

They'd get no advantage by breaking the seal and messing with them.

They'd also have no incentive to mess much with the demo models. Twice I've been to the Sony store and they didn't even have the demo models charged for testing.

[parkher]

Probably.
My concern was this: if Sony is so actively closing the holes so that rooting is no longer possible, perhaps Sony can order its stores to update firmware before selling.

[parkher]

I was discussing the issue of firmware with ebook.de - I even offered them additional money just for opening a box, switching T2 on and checking the firmware version.
Then I tried to explain to them that it would be much better to them not to send the order at all rather than if I sent it back to them after finding the firmware I don't like - which I have the right to do for no reason.
I failed to convince them, neither the bribe nor the threats worked....
Bureaucrats....

[tvuongpham]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I don't normally get involved with on line arguments but for you I'd make an exception. You are arrogant beyond belief.

I have discovered that often when one speaks english as a second language.. the terse, stiff formal written dialogue is misinterpreted as a conveyed arrogance.

or perhaps the choice of words used fails to deliver the message with tact.

[parkher]

I was talking about a rather narrow case and it was somewhat expanded by others, but in that narrow case I consider it denying the obvious - and that, I guess, is arrogance.
I am not saying that the internal lighting does not have any advantages for some people:
it may increase contrast, make the screen look whiter, it is very convenient. But when it is too dark to read there is no question that a good clip-on light gives a better quality lighting and much easier on the eyes. However, I am not advocating using clip-on lights either. I prefer avoiding such conditions altogether.

I am arrogant because I am a purist. For example, when I read a review of an e-reader and the reviewer says that it cost so much that its price is in the tablet territory I want to say to the reviewer: why don't you say that it costs as much as a pair of shoes and advice people to buy a pair of shoes instead? For me, a tablet is just as suitable for reading books as a pair of shoes.

So there. I should have kept quiet, I know

[hwlester]

Originally Posted by DuskyRose

I do hope they have enough success to keep going, but they're severly lagging in the US market.
...
It's a Sony desert out here. When I talk ereaders with people who ask me about my device when I'm out? They never heard of them. When they find out they can't walk into a store and try one out, let alone buy one, they move right along and ask about the Kindles. They've seen Kindles in the stores. They know what they are. They know who makes them.

When I started my current job, one of my co-workers had a Kindle Keyboard and when I pulled out my Sony PRS-600, he commented that I was the only person he knew who had a Sony. We work in IT.

Originally Posted by shalym

Even if my eyes weren't this bad, there is the convenience factor. I like being able to just shove my Kindle into my purse and go. I don't want to have to worry about whether or not I have my light, or enough batteries to last me for my reading session.

I like the Sony lighted cases (had one for both the 600 and the T1) for this reason, but when I'm in good light, I like to take the reader out of the case because the case adds weight. I've tried clip-on lights (before I got the lighted case for my T1) and not only do they add weight, but they change the center of gravity on the device and make it less comfortable to hold. The lighted case is the lesser of evils in this respect, but I'd love to have the convenience of a built-in light as you mention.

[parkher]

Originally Posted by hwlester

I've tried clip-on lights (before I got the lighted case for my T1) and not only do they add weight, but they change the center of gravity on the device and make it less comfortable to hold.

Ozeri make a big deal about how their lights do not change the balance of weight. They use CR2032 batteries to reduce weight.
But it is still 1.2 ounces (about 30g?) so the weight cannot be ignored completely. And less convenient than Sony's AAA (can be rechargeable).

Still, I like Ozery Kandle Flex better than the Sony cover light for three reasons:
1. with 3 leds (versus Sony's 2?) and 2 power settings it does a bit better job of lighting the screen evenly and sufficiently brightly. And also its longer flexible neck allows higher positioning of the light.
2. you can clip it on the top, on the side, on the bottom - to choose even better even distribution of light but also a better weight balance.
3. as I do not use it often, I like the smaller Sony cover without the light. It fits even into my shirt pocket. The cover with the light is larger in all dimensions and weighs more. I'd rather have Ozeri in a different pocket just in case.

[robko]

Originally Posted by parkher

For this internal lighting issue - sorry. I cannot find any setting on Aura which would allow me to read even one page of text without eyes beginning to hurt. The internal lighting is completely worthless to me, especially that I have a solution which does not hurt eyes - a clip-on light - a more intimate lighting than normal external lighting, but still of the same character. The screen is still pleasant to my eyes e-ink.

I have no problem reading for hours on my Aura with the light set at 60%. I read for hours on my Glo with the light always on before I got the Aura. I've never had any eye strain or pain from reading with the light on. So apparently reading with the built in light works well for at least some people (your opinion on the topic not withstanding).

[medard]

Originally Posted by parkher

3. as I do not use it often, I like the smaller Sony cover without the light. It fits even into my shirt pocket. The cover with the light is larger in all dimensions and weighs more. I'd rather have Ozeri in a different pocket just in case.

Sir, I tried that with different shirts since you suggested this. The Sony cover without light doesn't fit into any of my shirt pockets.

Yes, the Sony cover without light is easier to carry arround than the Sony cover with light. It feels better, it looks nicer and it weighs less. So I change the cover (almost) every day.

Maybe with T3 there won't be any need for a Sony cover with light anymore and we'd just need the Sony cover without light. I'd like that actually.

Concerning this Ozeri lamp: As far as I know this lamp isn't made by Sony so I don't get the point why I should need this. If such lamps are good and Sony wants me to use such a lamp Sony would make one for me.

[porkupan]

Well, for what it's worth, I hope the T3 comes with at least an option for front-light technologically similar to that of its competitors. It seems that the opinion of the reading public is rather clear on this issue: a front light would be a huge advantage. Notwithstanding individual opinions of the "pure eInk" holdouts. The Cover with the light admittedly is not bad, but it increases the size of the package to almost that of the nook's, and breaks the pocket portability. Sony with a built-in light in a standard cover would be pretty close to my ideal.

I don't expect the T3 to be easily rooted, if ever. Sony for some reason has been working extra hard to ensure that its products are impossible for their owners to improve. This cat and mouse game has brought us now to almost complete lock-down of the device. One might think it were a DoD approved product. Neither Amazon nor B&N has ever been so decidedly anti-hacking, and they sold a lot more devices.

[Rizla]

Originally Posted by porkupan

I don't expect the T3 to be easily rooted, if ever. Sony for some reason has been working extra hard to ensure that its products are impossible for their owners to improve. This cat and mouse game has brought us now to almost complete lock-down of the device. One might think it were a DoD approved product. Neither Amazon nor B&N has ever been so decidedly anti-hacking, and they sold a lot more devices.

I have walked away from Sony for that reason.

[parkher]

Originally Posted by robko

I have no problem reading for hours on my Aura with the light set at 60%. I read for hours on my Glo with the light always on before I got the Aura. I've never had any eye strain or pain from reading with the light on. So apparently reading with the built in light works well for at least some people (your opinion on the topic not withstanding).

With 60% - is it with sufficient ambient light?
I made a specific experiment in semi-darkness (darkness, really) where you can not read at all without it - in a situation where clip-on or internal light is practically the only source. In such a situation I cannot find any good level for internal light - it is blinding if stronger (and the screen no longer looks like e-ink, but worse than lcd) or straining eyes if too low. With clip-on, at least the screen still looks like e-ink and eyes are not hurting, although, of course, it is not for regular reading either.

Interesting, that after my experiments with Aura and the clip-on light, the touch screen stopped reacting to fingers.
Required off/on - after that ok again.
I tried the clip-on light on the top of Aura, then on the side and on the bottom. I doubt that the pressure of the clip-on mechanism caused it, but if it was caused by the rays from the leds of the clip-on light - it is also strange.