Sony's new 13.3" digital paper DPTRP1 released

[antistar]

Originally Posted by juegos

So what are the alternatives to the current state of the DPT-RP1?

1. Wait for software updates for the DPT-RP1. Unlikely given that the software of the predecessor DPT-S1 has remained virtually similar to when the device came out.


3. Buy an eInk tablet from another company. It's a blessing that Sony has no monopoly in this market. Contenders are the Good E-Reader (wouldn't recommend this, tons of bad stories of people not getting their device, crowdfunded), the Onyx Boox Max Carta (similar hardware but from what I read more of a multi purpose device - software is thus much less optimized for PDF reading and writing) and the reMarkable tablet that's released soon.

The reMarkable tablet really stands out here, their team has been working on the device for years and the story of how they got to developing the device is inspiring. You can read Harvard's Business School case study on them here (unfortunately you have to pay for it).

The fact that Harvard picked them for a study gives them a lot of credibility as they don't pick random startups. The latest prototype of their device has also been reviewed by the BBC, The Verge, Techcrunch and so on. Here is the latest video of the device, the first batch of devices is sent out to buyers in August:
[/B]

For your first point, I am not an S1 owner but I did notice on various forums through the years that Sony continued to update the firmware of S1. What makes you conclude that Sony won't do the same for RP1 this time?

For all the "reviews" of the reMarkable that you listed, I've seen them all, when the links were sent to me by the reMarkable team to my inbox. I don't call them reviews. Up to now there were no real user hands-on reviews on the machine in the wild. All those articles mentioned pretty much the same things you can find on the reMarkable website. No special perspectives from the authors, no comparison with other devices, and even very little new information considering how many of them appeared at the same time. The only thing that's worth checking is probably the short video done by BBC. No, I call them marketing materials. They are not reviews.

[NNN]

Originally Posted by antistar

For your first point, I am not an S1 owner but I did notice on various forums through the years that Sony continued to update the firmware of S1. What makes you conclude that Sony won't do the same for RP1 this time?

Hopefully, Sony will, in time (and with concerted feedback), take advantage of its hardware to add professional features, such as Bluetooth device support and cloud/internet/mobile support. They could even add screen mirroring, like Onyx.

Sony's S1 updates have been helpful, but relatively minor and infrequent (there has been none since December, 2015). There is valid concern that this is, and will remain, nothing more than a dumbed-down S1 (i.e., ReMarkable).

[wmcl]

Originally Posted by SnowMuffler

Still haven't received an update on my Amazon order other than for them to say that they will provide a better estimate later. Hopefully, based on some of the Q&A I've seen on the product page, Sony really does have all pre-orders delivered before the end of the month.

Shortly after the 20th I placed an order for the case separately. I did receive an update on that. My date range is anywhere from July 7th to August 4th. WTF.

FYI - I got the same alert for the case. As of last night, B&H has the cases in stock. I canceled the Amazon case order and bought from B&H, and it is arriving on Tuesday. Might be worth trying

[ManDay]

There is also the remote, though fairly appealing possibility that with time someone cracks this device open in manner that permits own software to be put onto it. I'm not sure about the OS they are using in this model, but if it's Linux like its predecessor and can be rooted without opening or re-soldering the device like the latter, I'll be tempted to obtain one irrespective of any possible software updates from Sony's side.

[LarryNYC]

Juegos

You forgot one other option.

0. Buy RP1, use it, adapt to its feature set

You have a lot of theories about what the software developers at Sony have been doing but I would say that you have no actual knowledge of their work. Industry standards, give me a break. Manufacturers are free to add or remove features as they see fit. There is no law that says they have to keep providing functionality that they deem to be inadequate or flawed.

I don't mourn the loss of features that I never used and that performed poorly anyway.

The current Synch capability is fine and is better than the slow, clunky, Send functionality on the S1 that warned you not to interact with the device. Yes, you need a computer. What, you don't own one? In this age? Really, that's preposterous!

Are you somehow connected to the Harvard study or the reMarkable? You never answered that question when it was put to you. I'm not interested in reading and paying for studies from Harvard. I have work to do and the RP1 helps me do that work, brilliantly, I might add.

For me, I am just a happy user of the RP1 and was a happy user of the S1. I am not in any way connected to Sony. I write software for a living. The S1 and the RP1 have finally allowed me to jettison the use of paper when making design sketches and notes as I write code. I've been searching for an adequate replacement for paper for twenty five years and have finally found it.

No firmware update will ever fix the fact that the screen on the reMarkable is too small.

Since I know you're going to bring up the cloud again, I want to reiterate that I think Sony could make the device more attractive for untethered operation if they gave us a simple app that allowed us to send PDFs to the RP1 from our iPhones. That would be awesome, but, you know, that would require time and money to implement so I can understand if they don't do it.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by LarryNYC

The current Synch capability is fine and is better than that awful, slow, Send functionality on the S1 that warned you not to interact with the device. Yes, you need a computer. What, you don't own one? In this age? Really, that's preposterous.

Larry, I'd just note that tablet devices that don't require the use of a desktop / laptop computer are becoming increasingly common. I personally know several people who have an iPad as their sole computing device, and don't own a PC or Mac. It really isn't "preposterous" not to own a computer: indeed, "in this age" it's far more likely than it was a few years ago. For many people, using a tablet and storing their documents in the Cloud is an entirely satisfactory solution to their needs.

Of course, that doesn't mean that there's anything inherently wrong with a device that does require a PC or Mac to pair with, such as the Sony, but that requirement is one which is becoming increasingly less common.

[John F]

Originally Posted by juegos

So what are the alternatives to the current state of the DPT-RP1?

...

3. Buy an eInk tablet from another company.

...

And let's not forget a tablet, or a Surface, or a "convertible" laptop, or ...

[allochi]

Hi guys, cool down a little

So, Sony changed the software, they never promised they won't, they just released a completely new product, and in the process they didn't maintain the set of features they used to provide with the S1, besides, this is not S2 to expect the same user interface and software, it's RP1 (whatever this means). Consider it a situation similar to Windows 7 to Windows 10 upgrade (I'm a mac user, I think I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to Windows)

And, S1 still a good paper tablet, there was nothing wrong with it couple of months ago when RP1 didn't exist, and it's cheaper now, so who likes the older version (me included) get the S1, expansion card, browser, and ability to sync documents online.

Regarding reMarkable, it's a product that is still under development, and has not entered mass production yet! no one has it to review it, and you can only hope that it will work as they advertised, and to be quite honest, the last demo on PDF reading was a disappointment for me (I pre-ordered one months ago), the PDF zoom function is not what I want at all, I need to crop margins, store zoom settings and have the ability to set different crop/zoom settings for odd/even pages. I'm going to send them an email request these features.

Also, I had my doubts too about reMarkable 10" screen size, I didn't know how it will work for me, since I got used to the 13", but when I used the new iPad 10", I tried some PDFs, and they looked good, I think it the perfect middle ground (if I don't like the reMarkable when released, I will just sell it and get an iPad instead)

Finally, everybody's opinion and suggestions are respected, and this community of S1 users has been always helpful, and an example of good communication and help.

[LarryNYC]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Larry, I'd just note that tablet devices that don't require the use of a desktop / laptop computer are becoming increasingly common. I personally know several people who have an iPad as their sole computing device, and don't own a PC or Mac. It really isn't "preposterous" not to own a computer: indeed, "in this age" it's far more likely than it was a few years ago. For many people, using a tablet and storing their documents in the Cloud is an entirely satisfactory solution to their needs.

Of course, that doesn't mean that there's anything inherently wrong with a device that does require a PC or Mac to pair with, such as the Sony, but that requirement is one which is becoming increasingly less common.

Of course, Harry, you're right, I was making a joke, but what constitutes a "computer" keeps getting redefined. An iPad is still a computer, as is the iPhone. Like I mentioned a couple of times, an iOS app that allowed us to synch documents with the RP1 would be a useful thing to have, and maybe we'll get it, although I don't have any specific knowledge about that.

I can live without cloud integration, though, and, well, as a programmer, I look for ways to solve my problems with what I have, and not complain about the things that I don't have.

[LarryNYC]

Just a little gotcha I discovered a few minutes ago. So, my client often sends me lists of things I have to fix in the code, as messages in Slack. I've decided to make those things into ToDo lists, in PDF files, so that I can check items off as I go.

I took a screenshot of the message and used Adobe Photoshop to convert the PNG file to PDF. I forgot to give the file an extension of .pdf and so the Digital Paper App would not synch that file to the RP1. Once I changed the file extension to .pdf, the file transferred fine.

The resulting PDF file is in landscape mode. I suppose I missed some option to convert it to portrait mode. It's ok, I can work with it this way.

Oh, and Two Page Mode is excellent and such a great way to work. Handwritten notes on the left, and reference document on the right, or vice-versa. Of course, you can write on both sides.

[digiflash]

The case from Sony is really good. Fits perfect. Adhensive pad is really holding tight. Two magnets hold the cover closed. The speed of the device is WOW. Syncing is a bit complicated because you have to add a network via the app but on the other hand secure, as no other wifi networks can easily be added from other people.

I'm using this USB magnetic cable... I use them on many devices on a daily basis.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019DNF7W0/
To minimize the physical force on the usb port.
The price is currently REALLY high. It started with 15 bugs or so... now.... 35. Insane. You get these cables in various kinds, but this one is working well and has a status-led on both sides. And it is easy to remove, even a protection when the device is dropped. Important thing is the shape of the connector. Don't buy other versions of this cable. I tested them all..... and all other are really shitty

[Avenger]

I finally got an update from Amazon that mine will ship July 3. But I'm thinking about cancelling not because of the lack of direct cloud access, but the lack of document navigation options. Does anyone know if this item is returnable at Amazon? I know many electronics and tablets aren't unless the item is defective.

[LarryNYC]

Originally Posted by digiflash

The case from Sony is really good. Fits perfect. Adhensive pad is really holding tight. Two magnets hold the cover closed. The speed of the device is WOW. Syncing is a bit complicated because you have to add a network via the app but on the other hand secure, as no other wifi networks can easily be added from other people.

I'm using this USB magnetic cable... I use them on many devices on a daily basis.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019DNF7W0/
To minimize the physical force on the usb port.
The price is currently REALLY high. It started with 15 bugs or so... now.... 35. Insane. You get these cables in various kinds, but this one is working well and has a status-led on both sides. And it is easy to remove, even a protection when the device is dropped. Important thing is the shape of the connector. Don't buy other versions of this cable. I tested them all..... and all other are really shitty

Thanks for that tip on the cable! I ordered it. It's worth it to me to minimize the wear on the USB port.

Yep, WOW, that's what I think every time I write a note or flip a page. ;-)

I haven't gotten my case yet, that's ok, I'll get it eventually. I'm glad the case fits the RP1 well. Thanks for posting the pictures.

[ManDay]

Originally Posted by digiflash

I'm using this USB magnetic cable... I use them on many devices on a daily basis.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019DNF7W0/
To minimize the physical force on the usb port.
The price is currently REALLY high. It started with 15 bugs or so... now.... 35. Insane. You get these cables in various kinds, but this one is working well and has a status-led on both sides. And it is easy to remove, even a protection when the device is dropped. Important thing is the shape of the connector. Don't buy other versions of this cable. I tested them all..... and all other are really shitty

That cable is one gem of a tip there! Thanks a lot for sharing! Can't believe I didn't find (or even look for that) earlier!

[FenderP]

Originally Posted by digiflash

Take a look at

http://www.gvido.tokyo/

Already discussed earlier in the thread - have a quick search!