My First Two Weeks: PRS-505

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by Hamza

...and two extremely attractive female hipster girl roommates sitting next to me at the bar while I ate brunch each inquire about the device....

Always makes it a nice day when someone is interested in you device and wants you to show it to them...

[c-not-k]

Originally Posted by Ret

...and bigger page-turn buttons would be positive.

My feelings also. I have large hands, and I'd like it if the buttons stuck out a little more.

Overall, I'm very happy with my reader. It's one of my favorite gadgets.

I have an MP3 on it, but have yet to listen to it. I, too, find reading and listening somewhat mutually exclusive.

[allen.gotwald]

Your experiences are the same as mine on the 505. As for advertising, at LAX I notice the device is advertised in the bottom of security trays you put your coat, laptop and stuff in, and I noticed a billboard at O'Hare in the underground between concourses B and C. That's about it.

The only place where I've physically seen the devices for sale is at Border Books in Torrance California, which is the store where I bought my 505. They also have accessories (like the overpriced AC Adaptor and different color covers and reading lamp).

As for books, I have downloaded more books from Mobileread, Gutenberg than I've purchased. Of course the 100 free classics and $50 coupon definitely helped start my ebook library.

I agree with the 505 style. I've never used the MP3 player and don't intend to since I didn't buy it as an MP3 player. Also, I don't intend to add memory cards since I don't have a compelling need to carry around hundreds of texts with me that slow the system down and become a nuisance to navigate on the device menu.

[recycledelectron]

Originally Posted by mflood

First, there is an "ipod-like lock switch." It's a slider on the top left of the device. When you use it, it turns off all the buttons, and shuts off the screen.

I disagree. That switch shuts down the audio mid-word, which is great when I want to suspend the unit, but not when I want to lock the buttons and keep listening to audio.

Andy

[DrMoze]

Ah. Audio. Maybe that's why it's called a Reader and not a Listener?

Seriously, dedicated mp3 players are tiny and inexpensive, and much better for audio. They are small enough that carrying a 'second device' poses no real inconvenience imo.

[Penforhire]

But then I'd have my iPod, my e-reader, my Palm PC, my cell phone, my car fob and other assorted RFID devices. Pretty soon I'm an OSHA regulated EM radiation hazard!

Integration is a good thing and the Sony reader is so close to usable for audiobooks or a few tunes. Why not want it to get over the hump of almost-great design?

[mflood]

About the switch shutting the audio off. . .that's a fair criticism, but I don't think enough people would need to utilize it that way to make it a real issue. I mean not only would the user have to desire frequent mp3 use (which not many people buy the reader for), but they'd also have to want it for frequent MOBILE use. If you're sitting on a couch or in your car, you don't need the buttons to turn off as you're not likely to bump them accidentally.

So we're talking about someone who wants to use the large, heavy reader, with few mp3 features, as their primary listening device. That might be you. . .or you. . .or even YOU, but it's not many others.

[DrMoze]

Originally Posted by Penforhire

But then I'd have my iPod, my e-reader, my Palm PC, my cell phone, my car fob and other assorted RFID devices. Pretty soon I'm an OSHA regulated EM radiation hazard!

Integration is a good thing and the Sony reader is so close to usable for audiobooks or a few tunes. Why not want it to get over the hump of almost-great design?

Ah, device choices. Reminds me of a friend in Baltimore who looks like a walking electronics repair shop, with about as many devices hanging from pouches, etc. Cell phone, PDA, mp3 player, gps, etc. Plus a bluetooth headset.

I use a small blackberry pearl as phone/pda, and a Sony(!) music player that's as big as a cigarette lighter. So those two plus the Reader covers my 'basic needs.' (No car here in NYC, and the subway pass is paper-thin.)

[recycledelectron]

Originally Posted by DrMoze

Ah. Audio. Maybe that's why it's called a Reader and not a Listener?

I bought my PRS-505 as the next step towards a perfect library-in-my-hand. That library will let me access anything ever written, in text, audio book, or video (play / movie) format. Eventually, this will all be in one hand-held, pocketable device that runs like a solar calculator with an internal rechargable battery.

I know that some print fundamentalists hate audio. There are also people that hate electronic books compared to paper books. Then there's the scan I have of a flyer advertising a publisher who promises that they respect the hand-copied manuscript, and will never stoop to using a press to prepare their books.

Originally Posted by mflood

So we're talking about someone who wants to use the large, heavy reader, with few mp3 features, as their primary listening device. That might be you. . .or you. . .or even YOU, but it's not many others.

As these evolve, and get into the hands of people who use them for more than just text, we'll get closer to an information device, instead of an eBook.

Originally Posted by DrMoze

Seriously, dedicated mp3 players are tiny and inexpensive, and much better for audio. They are small enough that carrying a 'second device' poses no real inconvenience imo.

I do consider having yet another place to store things a real inconvenience. most tiny MP3 players will not let me fast forward or requind worth a flip. They have sperate batteries. They are another USB drive to enourage me to forget where I stored that file I need.

Andy