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

[Aran]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

There is a program to convert them, however you would have to remove the DRM for them first which may be illegal... it's a point of debate around here all the time.

That said, you can't buy eBooks from Amazon unless you have a kindle.

I do think that B&N will eventually sell ePub format which the sony reader does support. So, no conversion will be needed.

BOb

I guess it could be illegal. But really, how harmful is it if you've actually paid money for their book, and you'd just like to be able to read it?

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Aran

Does anyone know if we'll be able to convert the e-books from the B&N or Amazon store via a program such as calibre to a format readable by the sony reader? That's the main thing I'm worried about right now when deciding which device to buy.

If you buy ebooks from the Sony store in the US, they are tied to Sony Readers (and PCs/Macs) and there is currently no way to circumvent their DRM (encryption). So I suggest instead buying ePub ebooks from Books on Board (and/or UK ebook stores), because these are readable on the Sony and their DRM can be circumvented (ineptepub.pyw) if you later switch to a different vendor's ebook reader.

You need a Kindle or an iPhone/Touch to buy ebooks from Amazon, but their AZW format is MOBI which can be made DRM-free (if necessary, not all Amazon ebooks have DRM) using mobidedrm.py. Many other ebook stores sell MOBI ebooks, so mobidedrm.py isn't just for Kindle ebooks. If you buy ebooks from B&N they will currently be in eReader format with DRM which can be removed using ereader2html.py. Finally, MS Reader (LIT) ebooks are often still recommended for those who like to strip DRM from their ebooks. It is sold many places and you use ConvertLIT (or ConvertLIT GUI) to strip the DRM.

Once an ebook is DRM-free, Calibre can convert it into whatever format you want. For the Sony's, use either LRF or ePub.

There have been no US cases directly on point, but it is probable that the circumvention of DRM on ebooks you bought for personal non-commercial use is legal in the US. As a practical matter, even in places (like the UK) were it is illegal to format shift doing so for personal use harms no one and is unlikely to have legal consequences.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

So I suggest instead buying ePub ebooks from Books on Board (and/or UK ebook stores)

FWIW, Diesel has started carrying ePub too.

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I'm curious to know how many people have actually pre-ordered one of the soon-to-be-released Sony Readers.

I would like to get the 300, due to the form factor. However, I just bought two new, different Readers while recently in the U.S.


Don

Don, I admire your continued attempts to keep this thread on the straight and narrow and off the more titilating question of Derriere Size! Although, as a topic of conversation, it is interesting to see the viewpoints from both sides of the gender aisle! Perhaps we should start a thread in the Llounge?!?

As to your quoted post, that's something I've been wondering, as well.

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by Aran

I guess it could be illegal. But really, how harmful is it if you've actually paid money for their book, and you'd just like to be able to read it?

That's the question that keeps the forum debates rolling. If a tree falls in the forest and all that. . .

Welcome to MobileRead, Aran!

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I'm curious to know how many people have actually pre-ordered one of the soon-to-be-released Sony Readers.

I would like to get the 300, due to the form factor. However, I just bought two new, different Readers while recently in the U.S.


Don

I'm still sitting on my fence... Besides, they aren't officially introduced here yet...

[Donnageddon]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I'm still sitting on my fence... Besides, they aren't officially introduced here yet...

Yes, but does that fence you're sitting on make your bu....

Sorry Dr. Drib

[ReaderTom]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Sony is waiting for the plastic backed device screen, instead of glass, before plunging into the larger screen model. IMHO this is a better business strategy that will be the best strategy. Sorry you are disappointed but if you broke your screen you would be even more disappointed.

Dale

Hmm, how do you know they are waiting for a "plastic backed screen" ?
Anyways, as my DRS1000 has a big screen, which is one of the few things of high quality on this device, I don't get your point: the screen of my DRS1000 doesn't break easily - at least not on my device - and if other users had a problem there, there would be tons of bad comments on this problem, which there is not. I cannot tell though, if iRex uses plastic backed or glass backed screen.

[ReaderTom]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Maybe Sony is waiting for the flexi screens before they do a larger screen Reader. We just don't know. And I think we'll be pleasantly surprised when we see one from Sony.

Yeah, maybe. I am not sure though, if I wanted a 9 or 10" reader with a flexi screen. "flexi" also means less stable, and that means you'd need be more careful while using the device.

[Tuna]

Originally Posted by ReaderTom

Hmm, how do you know they are waiting for a "plastic backed screen" ?
Anyways, as my DRS1000 has a big screen, which is one of the few things of high quality on this device, I don't get your point: the screen of my DRS1000 doesn't break easily - at least not on my device - and if other users had a problem there, there would be tons of bad comments on this problem, which there is not. I cannot tell though, if iRex uses plastic backed or glass backed screen.

As an 'expensive' purchase, it's likely you do treat it with some care. As these things move into the mass market, durability becomes more of an issue. Look at the cases where Apple have made minor mistakes in iPod screens that have been turned into major consumer campaigns.

Besides, the thing with glass backed screens isn't necessarily that they will break more easily but that the manufacturer may have to build a stronger, heavier and more complicated shell to protect it. With the larger screen sizes, you really want the rest of the reader to be as small as possible, or you end up with something that's far from portable. Your DRS1000 has a (slightly) smaller screen than the Plastic Logic one, but is nearly twice as thick, and weighs a third as much again.

Another issue with plastic backed screens is that notionally, they can be part of the case itself - which reduces manufacturing costs, and enables a much more sophisticated design.

[keith_mahoney]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

Many Baen ebooks can be downloaded for free at The Fifth Imperium. The Baen CDs hosted there are freely-distributable disks provided to promote the sale of the books contained within.

Thanks for the info, but did you know you can get them for free straight from the source?
http://www.baen.com/library/

or buy some much cheaper than anywhere else and drm free
http://www.webscription.net/

or subscribe to the short story magazine
http://baens-universe.com/
The magazine is coming to an end next year, but for $30 you can get every issue made in its 4 years of running. Not a bad price.

[keith_mahoney]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Welcome! And now you'll have to wait 3 more weeks before you can get it. think you can wait that long?

Not a problem. I have plenty to read already. The main point of getting one of these is for travel and work. I am not really in a crisis situation regarding it.

I can work very long hours. Some times I will go into work expecting to be home for dinner and not get home for 3 days. I can not even count the # of times I finished a book halfway through a shift and forgot to bring another to start.
My wife and I usually travel by motorcycle and that limits me from bringing more than one book at a time.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by kazbates

Don, I admire your continued attempts to keep this thread on the straight and narrow and off the more titilating question of Derriere Size! Although, as a topic of conversation, it is interesting to see the viewpoints from both sides of the gender aisle! Perhaps we should start a thread in the Llounge?!?

As to your quoted post, that's something I've been wondering, as well.

All posts of that nature would certainly benefit from being in that area of MobileRead. (I LOVE humor - the more dangerous, the more raunchier, the more thought-provoking, I find delicious - but try now [mostly successful] not to mix these two genres.)

Interested individuals should definitely visit the area that you mention - if that is one's decision, of course.



Don

[spirit_wolf]

Originally Posted by keith_mahoney

I'm sold. I just pre-ordered a black Pr's-600 this morning from Borders. I am sure I will have plenty of questions about converting and uploading ebooks soon after I get it.

Welcome to MR Keith--a little place where even newcomers can welcome newcomers.

Originally Posted by kazbates

I am probably going to switch from the 700 to the 600. I am having issues with my eyesight (getting old stinks) and could use a sharper display. I'm torn between the silver and the black. The 700 has a bit of chrome on it that tends to reflect light into my eyes occasionally. I like the silver but am worried it could be reflective.

Love my 505, but I'm drooling over the 600 too! Still just a wee bit annoyed at Sony for the lack of blue among the color choices. However, I suppose one must take a mature view of these things and eventually get over it.

Silver looks kinda purty, but I have the same issue with frequently adjusting booklights to avoid reflection off silver trim on my 505. At least the body seems non-reflective. Did someone say if these babies are on display at Borders yet?

[Ea]

Originally Posted by spirit_wolf

...

Silver looks kinda purty, but I have the same issue with frequently adjusting booklights to avoid reflection off silver trim on my 505. At least the body seems non-reflective. Did someone say if these babies are on display at Borders yet?

It's only the trim at the ends that are reflective, the case itself is matte. The screen itself is a bit reflective, but you already know that