From an Unlikely Source: A First Peek at the New Sony Reader Model?

[Hadrien]

Originally Posted by ricdiogo

My main issue will be deciding between Sony 505 and Cybook. If Sony has a better RTF display and sells in Europe and if Cybook doesn't support highlighting, I'll buy a Sony.
350 euros (Cybook) - 220 euros (Sony) = 130 euros. For a 113 euros saving I'll definitively pass Cybook's HTML, Vizplex and Mobipocket support. But if Cybook has a highlighting support of some kind, my decision is going to be very though.

Don't expect this one at 220 euros. They'll use the strange conversion that we're used to now in Europe: 1€ = 1$

[volwrath]

I am surprised that no one has commented on the lack of a vizplex screen.

[eimert]

Originally Posted by ricdiogo

My main issue will be deciding between Sony 505 and Cybook. If Sony has a better RTF display and sells in Europe and if Cybook doesn't support highlighting, I'll buy a Sony.
350 euros (Cybook) - 220 euros (Sony) = 130 euros. For a 113 euros saving I'll definitively pass Cybook's HTML, Vizplex and Mobipocket support. But if Cybook has a highlighting support of some kind, my decision is going to be very though.

Well, the difference will be much less, after you add the P&P (from the US) + import tax (or VAT - that differs from country to country, but usually it is around 19% in most EU countries). And, with the Cybook you will have the full warranty. So, it will be a tough decision, indeed ;-)

Cheers,
Klaus

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by volwrath

I am surprised that no one has commented on the lack of a vizplex screen.

I've commented about the lack of mention of Vizplex a couple of times -- I'd expect it to have Vizplex given the timing, and I'd expect them to mention it, unless they're clueless about the implications of Vizplex ....

Hmmm. That and a couple of other things make me wonder a bit about how reliable ABT's info is, given the lack of corroboration. Kindle kinda 'broke loose' in a similar 'back-alley' fashion a year ago, and still there's really nothing definitive on it on it ....

Maybe it's all spot on, but then again ....

[ricdiogo]

Originally Posted by Hadrien

Don't expect this one at 220 euros. They'll use the strange conversion that we're used to now in Europe: 1€ = 1$

Even if they sell it at 300 euros... I'll save 50€ and I'll still get a soft cover and a charger.
The only reasons I haven't already bought a Sony are the limited warranty if compared to EU's and because I'm still waiting for reviews on the Cybook, specially the highlighting thing.
Oh but if Sony sells in Europe at 300 and Cybook has highlighting support I'll buy a Cybook.
Mobipocket means nothing to me by the way, since I won't pay 15$ for a DMRed ebook that I won't be able to re-read in 5 years. My main reason for buying a Reader is saving money in books, by getting them for free in public domain projects.
Vizplex, from what I've been reading here, doesn't mean to much of a difference.
HTML is not too much of a problem to me too since I plan to convert Project Gutenberg's files to RTF or get them from Manybooks.
PDF is the eternal problem: it won't display properly in Sony nor in Cybook.

[nesagwa]

Looks like it's been taken down. The plot thickens.

[Ravenflight]

Originally Posted by nesagwa

Looks like it's been taken down. The plot thickens.

It's probably just a mockup "leaked" to guage our reaction. And posted by a new member who's first post is to direct our attention to an anouncement on some obscure webpage of a new Sony product which cant be found in any language anywhere else on the entire web? Obviously a- Uh-oh, a black helicopter just started circling overhead- gotta go!

[JSWolf]

The Reader Digital Book holds about 160 eBooks4 or hundreds more with optional removable memory cards. Its portable size makes it the perfect travel companion, allowing you to read a variety of books whenever and wherever you want. With thousands of eBook titles available from CONNECT™ eBooks Store, you can choose to download new releases, classics and popular book titles3 as well as view other document formats such as Adobe® PDF10, RTF, TXT, BBeB® and Microsoft® Word5. Its long battery life lasts up to 7,500 continuous page turns2, and the amazing paper-like screen technology is easy on the eyes.

Key Features:

* Compact and light weight-Approx 9 oz6 without soft cover
* 6” Diag. “E-Paper” display- easy on the eyes
* Display print quality of Approximately 170 Pixels Per Inch
* Up to 7,500 continuous page turns on full charge-usage will vary
* 16,000+ eBooks sold from integrated CONNECT™ eBooks Store3
* Internal Memory for storing multiple books
* MemoryStick Duo™ media & SD® Memory Slot-media optional

Features:

* Ultra Portable
The Reader Digital Book offers a unique, on-the-go reading experience and is the perfect travel companion. With a compact and lightweight design, you can take it almost anywhere and read your books whenever and wherever you want. More compact than many paperbacks, it weighs about 9 ounces6 (without cover), is ½” thin8, and holds up to 160 eBooks4. You can easily hold it in one hand, and with its rechargeable battery, you can turn up to 7,500 continuous pages on a single charge2.
* Impressive, Paper-Like Display
The Reader Digital Book provides a new way to experience reading. It boasts an impressive 6-inch display1, utilizing breakthrough E Ink® technology that’s almost paper-like, making it easy to read even in bright sunshine. In addition, the screen allows for high contrast and high resolution, with a near 180º viewing angle. The text can also be magnified for sight-impaired readers.
* Content Storage Capability
With a compact and lightweight design you can take the Reader Digital Book almost anywhere. And with plenty of internal memory, and a slot for optional removable memory cards, you can take hundreds of titles, user-selected web content, or other supported documents for reading on the go. It will hold approximately 160 averaged sized eBooks in internal memory4 and hundreds more with optional removable memory cards (sold separately).
* Multiple eBook Titles Available
The Reader Digital Book allows you to search, browse, discover, and buy thousands of new releases, classics and popular eBook titles from the CONNECT eBooks Store and other participating websites3. You can even go to other sites that have unsecured eBooks in file formats that the Reader supports5. This translates into an incredible amount of content suitable for the Reader.
* More than eBooks
The Reader Digital Book isn’t just about reading eBooks. Using the included eBook Library 2.0 PC Software, you can easily transfer Adobe® PDF documents10, Microsoft Word documents5, BbeB Book, and other text file formats to the Reader, allowing you the flexibility to access and view multiple files at any time.

Specifications:

Display

* Technology: E-Ink® "Electronic Paper"
* Screen Size: Approx. 6" Measured Diagonally
* Resolution: Approx. 170 Pixels Per Inch
* Gray Scale: 4-Level Grey Scale
* Residual image may show on display. This is due to the display characteristics and not a malfunction.

Media Formats Supported

* Unsecured Text: BBeB Book, TXT, RTF, Adobe® PDF, Microsoft® Word (Conversion to the Reader-requires Word installed on your PC)
* DRM Text: BBeB Book (Marlin)
* Unsecured Audio: MP3 and AAC7
* Image: JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP

Power

* Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
* Battery Life (Approx.): Up to 7,500 page turns2
* Recharging Time: Approx. 4 Hours with USB charging from powered Computer or Approx. 2 Hours when using optional AC wall charger.
* AC Power: Optional AC Charger requires 120 Volts 60Hz

System Requirements

* Operating System: Genuine Windows® XP (Home Edition/Professional, Media Center Edition, Media Center Edition 2004, Media Center Edition 2005) & Windows Vista® (Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate).
* Processor: 800MHz Intel® Celeron® class processor or better
* RAM: 128MB Minimum
* Hard Drive: 20MB9 Minimum availible Hard Drive space
* Optical Drive: Optical Drive capable of reading CD-ROM
* USB Port: USB 1.1 or faster USB Port (Optimal with USB 2.0)
* Internet Connection: Broadband suggested3

What's Included:

* PRS-505 Portable Reader System
* PC Management Software
* Soft Case
* USB Cable
* AC Power Adapter
* Quick Start Guide

Approximate Dimensions:

* Height: 6.9" (175mm)
* Width: 4.8" (122mm)
* Depth: 0.3" (8mm)

Approximate Weight:

* Unit (Without Soft Cover): 9 oz
* Shipping: 1.22 lbs (554 grams)

Download Files (.pdf):

* Sony Reader Warranty

Warranty Information:

* Manufacturer Warranty (authorized online retailer):
90 days labor / 1 year parts

Footnotes:

1. Viewable area measured diagonally.
2. Up to 7,500 continuous page turns with a single full charge on internal rechargeable battery. Actual battery life will vary base on usage patterns, settings and battery conditions.
3. Requires Internet connection (broadband recommended). Internet service may require a fee.
4. Based on average un-illustrated eBook file size of 1.2MB. Actual file sizes vary by electronic book title.
5. Adobe® PDF, JPEG, BBeB Book and plain text formats natively supported. Microsoft Word requires conversion using included software.
6. Non-metric weights and measures are approximate and may vary.
7. Un-encrypted MP3 and AAC format audio files only. Not compatible with most digital copyright formatted audio file content. Headphones not included.
8. Measured at the narrowest point.
9. MB means one million bytes when referring to memory capacity. Accessible capacity may vary. A portion of memory space is reserved for operating system and other system functions.
10. Adobe® PDF files look better when optimized with the Reader’s screen size, and text may appear small if not optimized.

Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

[Nogg]

Those specs indicate that it's NOT Vizplex... they say only 4 grey levels, and Vizplex is supposed to be 8, if I'm not mistaken.

[flamaest]

The new units say their only 8mm thick.. nice..

[RalphTrickey]

Originally Posted by Nogg

Those specs indicate that it's NOT Vizplex... they say only 4 grey levels, and Vizplex is supposed to be 8, if I'm not mistaken.

I think that there's another Vizplex reader that's 4 grey levels as well. It means they don't need to rewrite their software, and very few people would care.

[Nogg]

Really? Where have you seen that?

[WilliamG]

Those specs are suspiciously similar to the PRS-500. Only 4-level greyscale, and only 170 ppi.

Hmmm.

[nathany]

Yes, the Bookeen Cybook is only 4 gray scale on its Vizplex screen. Given the timing, it seems likely that this is a Vizplex device (which perhaps isn't mentioned because it would mean nothing to the average consumer).

[Nogg]

I see. Are the timing and contrast specs the same for the 2-bit and 3-bit versions?