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

[kazbates]

Originally Posted by Ea

Like this, perhaps? Then you'd only need to reach over, no need to get up...

OMG!! (Please don't tell my daughter I used OMG ~ she says it's reserved for her generation. ) That house is tiny. My dogs would probably yelp about going in there!

Originally Posted by JasonB

Hopefully, though, even if they do discontinue the models they would still provide firmware updates (assuming that something important comes out)? I know of other vendors who do that - you can no longer buy the device but you can still update it...

From your fingers to Sony's ears, but I wouldn't count on it. They really don't have any motivation to provide it. The bottom line for companies these days is to make a profit anyway they can and customer support doesn't do that. Sorry to sound so cynical.

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Ea

Like this, perhaps? Then you'd only need to reach over, no need to get up...

My brother-in-law is an architect, and he has designed me a home that is a 2-storied loft house, and the footprint is only 650 sq. ft., with 550 sq.ft. in the loft. It's very nice, and I plan on building it when I can find the money to do so.

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

So far as I know there is no hard evidence that a PRS-900 is even on the drawing board, but it would make sense for Sony to compete for the large screen market.

AFAIK Sony actually did say that they're working on a wireless-enabled Reader ("large screen" is rumored too but not sure if it was confirmed).

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by igorsk

AFAIK Sony actually did say that they're working on a wireless-enabled Reader ("large screen" is rumored too but not sure if it was confirmed).

If the wireless is for downloading newspapers (say) as PDFs then adding this to a large screen device, and not their small screen devices, would make sense.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

The PRS-300 and PRS-505 are so similar that I'm sure Sony is discontinuing the PRS-505. There is no point in having three models between $200 and $300.

I agree with igorsk that any 3rd Sony Reader will be a "900". I guess (hope) that this is just like the 600 but with a 9.7" screen. This is the large-screen device that Amazon should have produced, except that they are clueless about PDFs. So far as I know there is no hard evidence that a PRS-900 is even on the drawing board, but it would make sense for Sony to compete for the large screen market.

I suspect the 505 is toast but not because the 300 and 505 are similar because they are not. The 300 is missing many features found in the 505 and is an inch smaller with different ergonomics. The 300 is stripped completely down as I look at the specs and would never be the top model while the 505 enjoyed that position for a year and continues to meet peoples needs today. I suspect that between the 300 and 600 people will find the unit they want. One for price and one for features.

While there is no hard evidence that Sony as a 9.7" in the works there is certainly an indication that this is true as it first appeared when the Kindle DX was first announced. Like everyone else in the current 6" market I think the fall availability of the 9.7" screen with a plastic backplane is the gating item. As soon its available we will see and hear about devices from all the 6" E-ink players.

Dale

[finster]

Hi all,

I've been watching this thread with interest, trying to decide whether to get a 505 or wait and see what the new models offer.

Anyway, looks like there is some more news coming out (although it only really confirms what we already know) - http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/04/s...f-entry-onlin/

[dordale]

Here's an article posted over at CNBC which states that Sony will be announcing two new readers AND discontinuing the 505.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/32289759/for/cnbc/

They're also reducing the price of books in their bookstore to be in line with Amazon's 9.99 pricing.

I just skimmed the article, but didn't see any mention of a date the new models will be available.

dordale

[MerLock]

Purty pictures from Gizmondo. Also, information regarding wireless coming to future devices and drop in book prices to better compete with amazon.

http://gizmodo.com/5330083/sonys-poc...-wireless-next

Woo hoooo

Albeit, in my opinion, the 505 and 700 had a better look to them that makes you just want them until you look at the price tag.

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by dordale

Here's an article posted over at CNBC which states that Sony will be announcing two new readers AND discontinuing the 505.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/32289759/for/cnbc/

They're also reducing the price of books in their bookstore to be in line with Amazon's 9.99 pricing.

I just skimmed the article, but didn't see any mention of a date the new models will be available.

dordale

Holy crap awesome! Although I'm actually kind of OK paying an extra 2 bucks so they can actually make a profit...

[Donnageddon]

Originally Posted by MerLock

Purty pictures from Gizmondo. Also, information regarding wireless coming to future devices and drop in book prices to better compete with amazon.

http://gizmodo.com/5330083/sonys-poc...-wireless-next

Woo hoooo

Albeit, in my opinion, the 505 and 700 had a better look to them that makes you just want them until you look at the price tag.

Sweet gizmodo pictures! Thanks Merlock!

Now I am sooo tempted. That 600 looks positivity drool worthy. And with the built in dictionary and hand written notes.... I am thinking I will sell my 505 and get the 600. I will keep the 700 as my "low light" reader.

[Lemurion]

The 505 was almost a perfect storm. It was released before the Kindle 1, and still seen as a valid competitor to the Kindle 2. Many people thought it was better than both its immediate predecessor (the 500) and successor (the 700).

The 300 can't compete with the 505 - so it's got to be much cheaper. The 600 is has more features, but the features the 505 has are very well implemented. It's too strong a contender.

The one thing I do find interesting is that the Gizmodo article states that not only will the 505 and 700 be getting access to the Mac client - but that they're also getting a firmware update.

Could be very interesting.

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

My 500 is sitting on a shelf unused. It is still perfectly fine. I keep wondering if I should sell it or maybe even give it away.

BOb

Vcat needs one... :hint:

[pking36330]

Too funny!

Gizmodo is reporting that the pink version is called the "Pink Drama F." What's the "F" stand for?

Gizmodo article

[Scarpad]

I sold my 505 a little while back but I might be interested in the 300, a 5 inch screen would help in the portability of the device the 505 was just too big to bring with me as will be the 600. Right now I'm reading on my Ipod Touch thru the Kindle and Stanza app, it isn't bad but I really like e-ink.

[starrigger]

Re the possibility of firmware updates for our now-legacy devices, it's worth noting (and I hope Sony does) that Microsoft continued to provide firmware updates for Zune models after the models themselves became history.