Sony Android Reader App

[Bookworm_Girl]

Thanks, Ken401. The app sounds very basic, although I'm not surprised.

Looking back at the firmware update notes, it says the following:
* Page Sync
Synchronizes reading information such as bookmarks, highlights and text notes between two or more Reader Daily Edition™ (PRS-950) devices.
Notes:
o To start using the sync function, turn on Page Sync in the Application Preferences screen.
o Synchronizing across your smart phone devices with applications such as Reader™ for iPhone® will be coming soon.

Not sure what coming soon means. I wonder if that means there will be another firmware update to enable syncing with the Reader app? Have you checked to see if you have Page Sync turned on in your 950 settings?

[Ken401]

I did turn page sync on within the 950, and I do get options to sync the pages between the app and the 950. What I am unsure of is whether bookmarks and highlights are being transferred. I simply have not tested that yet. (Edit: I have subsequently seen that bookmarks and highlights do transfer in both directions between the Droid X and the 950.)

It seems I had to select the page sync option on the 950 each time before I would get a message in the app about the 950's position. In other words, if the app is on page 90 and 950 is on page 100, that app does not seem to know it is behind unless I do a page sync on the 950. Perhaps I have not experimented enough with it yet. It is automatic for the app to send the 950 it's position. In the app, there doesn't seem to be a way to manually sync to the device, so I am not sure when the data is being sent.

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Thanks, Ken401. The app sounds very basic, although I'm not surprised.

Ditto. Sony is not known for good software!

Originally Posted by Ken401

In other words, if the app is on page 90 and 950 is on page 100, that app does not seem to know it is behind unless I do a page sync on the 950.

The Kindles are like that. They will eventually update the syncing of information, but it is usually best to do it manually. If I remember correctly, the K3 updates the info to the Amazon server when you close the book. But occasionally I had to manually force a sync once or twice to get the iPod touch on the same page.

I haven't checked this, but since Sony released the 950 they updated their business model and the 950 firmware to work with that model. The 950 User Guide is thus out dated. I wonder if Sony has released an updated UG? I'll check that in a few minutes.

Amazingly, Sony has an updated User Guide 2.0 for the 950.

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/mod...l=PRS950&LOC=3

From page 66 of the new UG:

Synchronizing Reading related Information

The [Page Sync] function synchronizes bookmarks, typed notes and current page across your compatible reading devices like handhelds.

To turn on the [Page Sync] feature, confirm the following:

• The [Page Sync] is set to [On] at [Application Preferences] ( 127).
• The WIRELESS switch is set to “ON” ( 18).
• A wireless network is available ( 36).

To retrieve the latest reading-related information to the currently-reading book:

In the page view, press OPTIONS  tap [Page Sync].

Tip: Compatible reading devices are updated with the latest bookmarks, typed notes and current page when the Reader enters sleep mode.

Note: Handwritten notes attached to bookmarks or highlights cannot be synced since not all devices support handwriting. However, if information is synced to the Reader from a compatible device, existing handwritten notes in the Reader will not be overwritten.

...

[Ken401]

Great find on the new Owner's Manual, Jack.

A tip for others, when using the app, it is not obvious whether or not you are signed into your Sony account. If not signed in, the spinning download indicator on a book will just spin forever rather than tell you that you are not signed in. Also, you will never get position indicators from your 950. When you open the app, go to the Home menu from the listing of your books and check whether it says "Store" or "Sign In" at the bottom below the Highlights option.

Also, the new owner's manual says the 950 passes its information after entering sleep mode if a wireless connection is available and wireless turned on. I noticed my 950 would not wake up shortly after going to sleep mode. I think it was busy synching as it eventually woke up and the 3G indicator was on.

[vxf]

Can you get content auto-delivered on android devices with that app? I have subscriptions to WSJ and FT that I would love delivered on my iPad (once the apple app is out...).

[Ken401]

Originally Posted by vxf

Can you get content auto-delivered on android devices with that app? I have subscriptions to WSJ and FT that I would love delivered on my iPad (once the apple app is out...).

Nope, I don't see any auto-deliver options. In fact, I don't see an option to show periodicals at all. I bought a magazine just to see if it would appear, but just the books in my Sony Library are available for download to my Droid X.

[crells]

My Archos 101 (Android 2.2.1) won't let me see the Sony Reader app in the Market (frustrating, because I can get Aldiko, Kindle etc).

Does anyone know of a link to the apk file so I can sideload it? Its a free app so am assuming its OK to ask this ...

Thanks in advance ...

[Rick1971]

my Cruz reader is only 2.0, I don't need it for my 350
but i kinda would like it for the cruz so I could get both options

[vxf]

Originally Posted by Ken401

Nope, I don't see any auto-deliver options. In fact, I don't see an option to show periodicals at all. I bought a magazine just to see if it would appear, but just the books in my Sony Library are available for download to my Droid X.

Thanks for the reply - although that is terribly disappointing news.

[bjornb]

I am also interested in the Sony Reader apk file (not available in market on my phone since I am in Europe...).

[Pinecone]

For info on an iOS app, see this:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=119422

From the home page of Mobile Read

Direct link to NYT article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/te...apple.html?hpw

[alfredopp]

Originally Posted by crells

My Archos 101 (Android 2.2.1) won't let me see the Sony Reader app in the Market (frustrating, because I can get Aldiko, Kindle etc).

Does anyone know of a link to the apk file so I can sideload it? Its a free app so am assuming its OK to ask this ...

Thanks in advance ...

I was able to install and run the app on an android emulator, and was also able to extract the apk to my computer. Someone please let me know if I would not be breaking any rules by posting it

[SCION]

Originally Posted by alfredopp

I was able to install and run the app on an android emulator, and was also able to extract the apk to my computer. Someone please let me know if I would not be breaking any rules by posting it

There are no issues with posting an app that's available for free in the Android Market. Many people don't have access to the Market. I often provide links to free apps using my public DropBox.

[jgray]

I tried the Sony app on my phone and my opinion is, Sony shouldn't have bothered. The app stinks. As Ken401 stated, most things you want to change can't be changed. The most egregious of these is the margins. On my phone, the margins take up almost 1/3 of the screen width and can't be changed.

Aldiko is so much better that there is no comparison. I tried just about all the ereader apps I could find and liked the free Aldiko so much more that I bought the paid version. It's not perfect, but it's darn good.

For desktop reading, I still like the Sony Reader Library. I will also still use it for purchasing from the Sony store. I can schlep my epubs to the phone with Dropbox, so it's not much extra trouble.

Joe