New Sony model to be called PRS-300 and PRS-600 - Page 10

yvanleterrible · 07-30-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porkupan

Wow, you're right! That's pretty bad, using a 5 year old microprocessor, not recommended for new designs, in a "brand new" device. Well, perhaps they are using one of the newer Freescale modifications of MX-1...

An older processor maybe but coupled to a newer screen. Quite an improvement over the 500.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Not true. BMW had their 3 series and 5 series and they then came out with the more entry level 1 series.

BOb

Sony owns BMW?

jswinden · 07-30-2009, 05:20 PM

[QUOTE=Elfwreck;537726...They were created in Adobe InDesign CS4 (released Sept 2008), version 6.02, which was released in May of 2009....QUOTE]

That's the kind of professional technical writing/document design software you would expect from a corporation. IMO, the more expensive the design software, the less likely the manuals were created as a hoax. I believe these are real, as it is about time for Sony to introduce new readers if they want to stay competitive.

JSWolf · 07-30-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radius

Hmm... does that mean that it is more likely that any firmware improvements in the 300 can be backported all the way back to the 500 by Sony?

Nope. The reason the 500 does not have ePub support is because there is not enough memory for ePub to run. So that's out. And I'm thinking maybe the 300 will have a faster processor then the 500 and be able to handle ePub easily.

acastillo · 07-30-2009, 05:54 PM

It may not be such a bad idea.

Using the gaming system battle for comparison, I think that Sony may be trying to support the idea rather than a product.

With the latest entry of Amazon into the e-book business as an example, I think that the concept of digital books is growing and Sony has decided (correctly in my opinion) to support the idea of digital books. By expanding support for PDF and ePub formats, Sony is setting itself up as the "system" to have for your casual reading needs. (and by that I mean allowing anyone to have access to books readable by the Sony product vs. the exclusivity of the Kindle books)

To me this is similar to what Nintendo has done with its Wii gaming system. If you are at all familar with game consoles, the Sony PS3 and the Microsoft Xbox console has by far better graphics and better internet capabilities. However, these systems are for the hard core gamers.

For families and casual gamers, Nintendo Wii was (is?) more popular because it is useable by a broader audience and is less expensive.

Likewise, I think the Kindle (and the DX) is geared to the hard core reader and is trying to offer the newest and greatest - whispernet, larger screen, etc. and exclusive access to Amazon books at $x.xx day or night.

In contrast, perhaps Sony is going back to the basics to try and capitalize on the growing market of casual digital book readers, who can get free books from Google (notwithstanding format problems), Feedbooks, MobileRead, etc. And with the depressed market and the lackluster sales of electronic products, perhaps Sony is wanting to put out a less expensive digital reader in order to encourage customers to buy. (The corollary to this idea, however, is that Sony will likely be hurting its Sony Store sales of ebooks)

In summary, does Sony want to go after the person wanting the top of the line (who may not purchase because of the economy) OR does Sony want to go after the person who has just heard about ebooks and wants to try it out.

Someone once said that iPods use to be music players before they became fashion accessories (you had to have one to feel dressed). Perhaps the next item to walk around with, along with your blackberry/iphone/palm pre, is an ebook reader?

Who wouldn't look dashing and "intellectual" carrying around a Sony 600?

voidIndigo · 07-30-2009, 06:02 PM

The 300 looks very much like the old 500. Even the joystick in the middle.

I hope the firmware was improved also, so they can really handle all the books that can fit in the memory and a friendlier locking mechanism.

JSWolf · 07-30-2009, 06:02 PM

I'm hoping Sony does come out with a larger screen reader. At the right price and with better software, it could be a DX killer.

JSWolf · 07-30-2009, 06:08 PM

Duplicate post due to an internal server error.

SolRaven · 07-30-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I'm disappointed that the 300 doesn't have the side buttons for page turns, and lost the memory card slot. Glad no wifi, and that they kept a device with expandable memory.

What I've noticed is that it seems Sony took a step back with both of these, which is apparent in their model numbers. The 300 will be a simpler version of the 500 & 505. The 600 is a simpler version of the 700. So until they figure out how to keep all the features of the 700 and make it better, they've dumbed it down for more contrast on the screen.

I still love both of my readers but really glad I have the 505 since it's replacement, the 300, doesn't seem as appealing.

aafuss · 07-30-2009, 06:32 PM

These manuals were available via Sony's Reference Library which is for use by Sony's Authorized Service Network and invited users only.

Interestingly now the docs.sony.com/release/smd links don't work as of today.

These links are also used by Sony's Reference Library.

Noticed the PRS-600/PRS-300 manuals have been removed from Scribd.com.

lilac_jive · 07-30-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolRaven

What I've noticed is that it seems Sony took a step back with both of these, which is apparent in their model numbers. The 300 will be a simpler version of the 500 & 505. The 600 is a simpler version of the 700. So until they figure out how to keep all the features of the 700 and make it better, they've dumbed it down for more contrast on the screen.

I still love both of my readers but really glad I have the 505 since it's replacement, the 300, doesn't seem as appealing.

Like I said earlier in the thread, I think the scaling back is for a price drop. I love love love my 505, but if the 600 proves to be a clearer screen than the 700 and something happened (god forbid and knock on wood) to my 505, I'd probably pick that as a replacement.

KindleKid · 07-30-2009, 06:53 PM

They look neat, maybe the PRS-300 will offer a lower price? Just from what we know it seems to lack a lot. I'm still not regretting just getting my 505!

I guess we'll know more about these, the closer we get to Oct. 1st!

SolRaven · 07-30-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by komugi

http://files.getdropbox.com/u/749647/switch.JPG

I meant this. There is a little notch there next to the ports, so I was wondering what exactly it was, it's not labeled, looks similar to a switch.

It looks like a proprietary port. I have a Sony MP3 walkman that has a proprietary port that looks like that.

rixte · 07-30-2009, 06:59 PM

I'm still looking for the magic of 'under $200', particularly for a 5 inch reader. So I am definitely keeping my eyes on these and hoping.

porkupan · 07-30-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aafuss

These manuals were available via Sony's Reference Library which is for use by Sony's Authorized Service Network and invited users only.

Interestingly now the docs.sony.com/release/smd links don't work as of today.

These links are also used by Sony's Reference Library.

Noticed the PRS-600/PRS-300 manuals have been removed from Scribd.com.

Looks like Sony ran ahead of themselves, and you caught them.

Not a bad catch.

Someone else posted this info (without direct links to the manuals) on the Russian ebook forum a couple of days ago, and I thought it was just a prank.

I am sure Sony will re-place the manuals once the models are officially released (or at least announced).

Dr. Drib · 07-30-2009, 07:10 PM

Here's a link to the two Service Manuals. I suggest you copy them to your hard drive and study them in case these are also taken down. (Click below the two photos.)

http://www.sonyinsider.com/2009/07/3...rvice-manuals/

Don

07-30-2009, 05:54 PM	#139
acastillo Enthusiast Posts: 49 Karma: 806 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Device: Sony PRS-505, Apple iPad	Failing to keep up with the Jones . . . It may not be such a bad idea. Using the gaming system battle for comparison, I think that Sony may be trying to support the idea rather than a product. With the latest entry of Amazon into the e-book business as an example, I think that the concept of digital books is growing and Sony has decided (correctly in my opinion) to support the idea of digital books. By expanding support for PDF and ePub formats, Sony is setting itself up as the "system" to have for your casual reading needs. (and by that I mean allowing anyone to have access to books readable by the Sony product vs. the exclusivity of the Kindle books) To me this is similar to what Nintendo has done with its Wii gaming system. If you are at all familar with game consoles, the Sony PS3 and the Microsoft Xbox console has by far better graphics and better internet capabilities. However, these systems are for the hard core gamers. For families and casual gamers, Nintendo Wii was (is?) more popular because it is useable by a broader audience and is less expensive. Likewise, I think the Kindle (and the DX) is geared to the hard core reader and is trying to offer the newest and greatest - whispernet, larger screen, etc. and exclusive access to Amazon books at $x.xx day or night. In contrast, perhaps Sony is going back to the basics to try and capitalize on the growing market of casual digital book readers, who can get free books from Google (notwithstanding format problems), Feedbooks, MobileRead, etc. And with the depressed market and the lackluster sales of electronic products, perhaps Sony is wanting to put out a less expensive digital reader in order to encourage customers to buy. (The corollary to this idea, however, is that Sony will likely be hurting its Sony Store sales of ebooks) In summary, does Sony want to go after the person wanting the top of the line (who may not purchase because of the economy) OR does Sony want to go after the person who has just heard about ebooks and wants to try it out. Someone once said that iPods use to be music players before they became fashion accessories (you had to have one to feel dressed). Perhaps the next item to walk around with, along with your blackberry/iphone/palm pre, is an ebook reader? Who wouldn't look dashing and "intellectual" carrying around a Sony 600?

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07-30-2009, 05:20 PM	#137
jswinden Nameless Being	[QUOTE=Elfwreck;537726...They were created in Adobe InDesign CS4 (released Sept 2008), version 6.02, which was released in May of 2009....QUOTE] That's the kind of professional technical writing/document design software you would expect from a corporation. IMO, the more expensive the design software, the less likely the manuals were created as a hoax. I believe these are real, as it is about time for Sony to introduce new readers if they want to stay competitive.

07-30-2009, 06:02 PM	#140
voidIndigo Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 20 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brazil Device: Sony PRS 505, REB 1200, Kobo Glo	The 300 looks very much like the old 500. Even the joystick in the middle. I hope the firmware was improved also, so they can really handle all the books that can fit in the memory and a friendlier locking mechanism.

07-30-2009, 06:02 PM	#141
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,798 Karma: 146391129 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I'm hoping Sony does come out with a larger screen reader. At the right price and with better software, it could be a DX killer.

07-30-2009, 06:08 PM	#142
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,798 Karma: 146391129 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Duplicate post due to an internal server error.

07-30-2009, 06:32 PM	#144
aafuss Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 84 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: none	These manuals were available via Sony's Reference Library which is for use by Sony's Authorized Service Network and invited users only. Interestingly now the docs.sony.com/release/smd links don't work as of today. These links are also used by Sony's Reference Library. Noticed the PRS-600/PRS-300 manuals have been removed from Scribd.com.

07-30-2009, 06:53 PM	#146
KindleKid Zealot Posts: 115 Karma: 24 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: iPad 2	They look neat, maybe the PRS-300 will offer a lower price? Just from what we know it seems to lack a lot. I'm still not regretting just getting my 505! I guess we'll know more about these, the closer we get to Oct. 1st!

07-30-2009, 06:59 PM	#148
rixte Addict Posts: 300 Karma: 396757 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: new oasis, paperwhite, ipad, kobo	I'm still looking for the magic of 'under $200', particularly for a 5 inch reader. So I am definitely keeping my eyes on these and hoping.

07-30-2009, 07:10 PM	#150
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,464 Karma: 59592133 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	Here's a link to the two Service Manuals. I suggest you copy them to your hard drive and study them in case these are also taken down. (Click below the two photos.) http://www.sonyinsider.com/2009/07/3...rvice-manuals/ Don