Sony CLearance

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by Poppaea

We saw the same to be true for Russia where Sony was not even sold officially until this week.

It's not yet sold in Russia officially, and no dates have been announced so far, they're only saying "soon".

[mcrmama]

Best buy is still at $199 in Canada for a Sony 350. They do not sell the kindle or nook at bestbuy stores in Canada. Nook is not available in Canada and the kindle has to be purchased from the US Amazon site. The Canadian amazon site does not sell it either. So here, most people I see in the general public that have an ereader have either a Sony or a Kobo. Most I have encountered have been Sony's. They sell out very quickly. My work does a Christmas gift each year and apparently last year it was the Sony 650. They were lucky to get them.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by mcrmama

My work does a Christmas gift each year and apparently last year it was the Sony 650. They were lucky to get them.

That's pretty neat. to your company.

[doreenjoy]

Price isn't much of a consideration for me. I buy what I want, and I wanted the features the Sony 350 had. Bought it the week it was released and I haven't been sorry.

[tubemonkey]

I like the size of the 350, but it isn't worth $180 because it's missing some features - namely an audio player and a mSD card slot. I could see myself listening to audiobooks on it because of its small size. But alas, tis not to be.

[pashlit]

Ebay beats all the market places LOL.
I have DXG and like it. But if SONY came up with bigger screen I would jump on it. Touch screen is a sweeeeeet feature.

[delphin]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I like the size of the 350, but it isn't worth $180 because it's missing some features - namely an audio player and a mSD card slot. I could see myself listening to audiobooks on it because of its small size. But alas, tis not to be.

I agree that $180 is too much, but with the 350 showing up on sale or clearance in the 100 to 130 dollar range it's a good value.

You say you "like the size" of your 350, but then complain that it lacks features like a card slot and mp3 playback.

I can see why the size of the 350 would be attractive to a Kindle owner, considering that it's 5 inch screen only gives up an inch to the Kindle, but by eliminating the cumbersome keyboard, packs everything into a package about HALF THE SIZE.

And that slightly smaller PRS-350's screen is still 800x600 resolution, same as the Kindle, so it's actually a bit sharper due to it's higher pixel density.

I also agree with you that a card slot and built in MP3 player would be nice additions to the Sony (which is why I bought a PRS-650) but find your comments in this regard a little confusing given your previous high praise of the Kindle's feature set.

Considering that the Kindle that you were previously so complementary about ALSO lacks a 'card slot' of any kind, and that Kindle's MP3 playback feature is so incredibly poorly implemented as to be almost useless, this seems to be a bit of a double standard.

True, Kindle does CLAIM that it has a built in MP3 player, and you can load MP3s onto the device and get some kind of sound out, but the Kindle's software is so poorly written as to make this feature essentially USELESS.

On the Kindle you can't even select specific MP3 tracks for crying out loud! Of course there is a widely known 'hack' to get around this by putting your music files into the 'audible' folder so the tracks show up in your main book index, but this doesn't really fix anything, because then the Kindle will play ONE and ONLY ONE track at a time THEN STOP. As far as I could tell, the one thing Kindles MP3 playback feature seems to be really good at doing is running down the battery quickly, destroying the single attribute about the Kindle that I did find attractive, the long battery life.

So given that the Kindle also has no expansion card memory capability, and given that it's MP3 playback feature is effectively USELESS, and given that at 130 dollars Kindle costs MORE than you paid for your 350, I think you got a pretty good deal.

[Salgueiros]

I would not buy a kindle for half the price of the Sony 350... the Sony is waaay better in quality, features and design.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by delphin

You say you "like the size" of your 350, but then complain that it lacks features like a card slot and mp3 playback.

>snip<

I also agree with you that a card slot and built in MP3 player would be nice additions to the Sony (which is why I bought a PRS-650) but find your comments in this regard a little confusing given your previous high praise of the Kindle's feature set.

Considering that the Kindle that you were previously so complementary about ALSO lacks a 'card slot' of any kind, and that Kindle's MP3 playback feature is so incredibly poorly implemented as to be almost useless, this seems to be a bit of a double standard.

No contradictions. The reason I'd like an MP3 player and card slot is for audiobooks. The Kindle doesn't need a card slot because it has 4GB of onboard storage, while the 350 only has 2GB. That extra 2GB makes a world of difference when it comes to loading audiobooks, which have files that are substantially larger than ebooks. With 4GB, I have room for a large number of books and a few audiobooks. With 2GB, I'd be forced to trim my selections down substantially.

A card slot is preferable, because that way I could load larger cards with audibooks or dramatized books and swap them at will. Failing that, I'd settle for an increase in storage to 4GB.

Listening to music on an ereader is not an option I'd ever use. I have a Sansa Clip+ for that and always have that device with me.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Salgueiros

I would not buy a kindle for half the price of the Sony 350... the Sony is waaay better in quality, features and design.

I paid less for my 350 than I did for my K3; and I agree that the 350 is better in terms of quality, but disagree in terms of features and design.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by delphin

So given that the Kindle also has no expansion card memory capability, and given that it's MP3 playback feature is effectively USELESS, and given that at 130 dollars Kindle costs MORE than you paid for your 350, I think you got a pretty good deal.

The Kindle is still my primary ereader and I have no intention of using the 350 for that role. The 350 is currently being used for library books; but once Kindles gain that ability later this year, I'll start using my Kindle for that function. Then the 350 will be relegated to its role of being a spare ereader when family drops by for extended visits.

Generally, I only use my ereaders to read at home. I don't like lugging around a device that large when I'm out and about. I have an iPod touch that fits easily in my pocket for that. I could change my mind on the 350 because of its size, but not sold on that idea yet.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Generally, I only use my ereaders to read at home. I don't like lugging around a device that large when I'm out and about. I have an iPod touch that fits easily in my pocket for that. I could change my mind on the 350 because of its size, but not sold on that idea yet.

I bought the 350 because I wanted a little more geography than the Touch provides. The Touch is great for odd moments (and beats the heck out of having nothing to read or having to lug a book around), but as a reading experience it's lacking. The 350 is perfect for bigger chunks of time when I'm out and about, but! Right now I'm stymied by the lack of a good case--one that takes advantage of the 350's petite size, but provides sufficient protection in my purse. The Sony covers are flimsy and overpriced and won't stay closed on their own.

[Piper_]

Originally Posted by issybird

The 350 is perfect for bigger chunks of time when I'm out and about, but! Right now I'm stymied by the lack of a good case--one that takes advantage of the 350's petite size, but provides sufficient protection in my purse. The Sony covers are flimsy and overpriced and won't stay closed on their own.

This is so true, and it's making me crazy. I saw a bunch of these on ebay, and I like that style - with the strap/snap, but I don't really like the leather covering the frame all around, and I at least want to see reviews and better pictures.

[bobsi18]

Originally Posted by issybird

Right now I'm stymied by the lack of a good case--one that takes advantage of the 350's petite size, but provides sufficient protection in my purse. The Sony covers are flimsy and overpriced and won't stay closed on their own.

I just wanted to add that I bought the Sony case with light when I first got my 350 - you're right, it is ridiculously overpriced, but I feel that it protects the reader well, and it closes as it should etc. The light is brilliant too, makes life so much easier.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by issybird

I bought the 350 because I wanted a little more geography than the Touch provides. The Touch is great for odd moments (and beats the heck out of having nothing to read or having to lug a book around), but as a reading experience it's lacking. The 350 is perfect for bigger chunks of time when I'm out and about, but! Right now I'm stymied by the lack of a good case--one that takes advantage of the 350's petite size, but provides sufficient protection in my purse. The Sony covers are flimsy and overpriced and won't stay closed on their own.

I don't like reading on the touch either, so I just use it for playing games or streaming music when I need a diversion away from home.

I'm also in the market for a good case that takes advantage of the 350's size. Too much bulk would destroy its portability.