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

[westsan]

You guys are fast! I thought I could get the jump on the reporting this time... but I guess some of the guys here are just too quick.

I just wish they would improve the performance and allow it to display PDF's better.
all the other stuff is just frivolous.

[Ravenflight]

I am so happy to see this because now I don't have to feel bad anymore for just having bought the Reader knowing a new one was around the corner.

To my eyes, except for the scroll wheel the old one looks better- I prefer having the page turn buttons on the left- Thinner is good but putting the number keys on the right is a wash- on one hand it makes it more intuitive now that they line up with the menu items, on the other hand they're on the side I don't have my thumb on- and visually it makes it look unbalanced. Thankfully it comes in blue/black- the silver would be a pain to read in direct sun. No improvements on the software side, so overall I can't see any compelling reason to upgrade from my 49.00 prs500 to 299.00 prs505. Guess I'll be waiting for the 4th generation Reader before I upgrade- unless I see a compelling review of the Cybook!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by 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).

My understanding is that, although the VizPlex screen is, like the iLiad, capable of 4 bit (ie 16 grey-scale) display, Bookeen (and, by the looks of it, Sony too) are using a controller which is only driving the screen in 2 bit (4 grey-scale) display mode.

[Nightwing]

Will say it...

The darn think looks uggly! Like they busted an uggly stick or two on it...

Looks like a prototype or one of the Before iPhone CG generated things...

[TadW]

Originally Posted by volwrath

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

I am 99.9% sure it will have the Vizplex screen simply because PVI has said before that they will focus on the production of Vizplex and discontinue the old screens. Perhaps they didn't include the info because it would only mean something to geeks like us.

Originally Posted by nesagwa

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

Oops! Seems like someone screwed up majorly.

[kilohertz53]

Engadget has the story now.

Although having the button strip along the right edge is more logical (as it corresponds with the menu numbers on the screen), it will also be easier to accidently press a button and lose your place in the text. Having page turns on both the left and right sides of the unit without the universal flasher workaround is nice, though.

I love the silver finish. Black is so tired.

[NatCh]

Almost a full day late. I love it when we're ahead of those guys.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by NatCh

Almost a full day late. I love it when we're ahead of those guys.

They probably found out because someone there watches us here.

[slayda]

Originally Posted by drgnbear

Ugg. It's a tough decision for me I would love to have page controls on both sides of the device, but is it worth buying a new one? I'm not sure yet.

Is it just me or does anyone else still get confused with the page advance? Since I read from top to bottom, it seems more intuitive that the page advance be on the bottom and back-page be on the top. I've had mine for about a year now and I still sometimes hit the wrong button.

Of course I still prefer a calculator with "Reverse Polish entry" & if you don't know what that is, don't ask.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by slayda

Is it just me or does anyone else still get confused with the page advance? Since I read from top to bottom, it seems more intuitive that the page advance be on the bottom and back-page be on the top. I've had mine for about a year now and I still sometimes hit the wrong button.

Of course I still prefer a calculator with "Reverse Polish entry" & if you don't know what that is, don't ask.

I have that trouble too. It's nice to know it's not just me.

Where did you find a calculator with reverse polish entry? I would love to have one, just to lend to people..

[Azayzel]

Judging from the button layout and colors, if this is in fact the real deal and not a gimmick, I'd venture to guess it might be Sony's overseas model for Asia/Japan. When I saw the pic, the first thought to jump into my mind was Sony Librie, and since eBook sales are supposed to be on the rise here... who knows? I'm still hesitant to believe the rumors about the sales figures, as I haven't seen any actual proof yet.

Secondly, why would some no-name online company be advertising Sony's new product before you can actually find any info of it off of Sony's? Also, why would Sony revamp the whole shell and issue another model if the first is doing well, especially if they didn't really upgrade the innards too much? Time will tell.

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by Azayzel

Also, why would Sony revamp the whole shell and issue another model if the first is doing well, especially if they didn't really upgrade the innards too much?

Regardless of how the first one is doing, why would you bother to do a second model with so few differences, and ZERO differences in functionality? That's a lot of money to spend for no gain.

How would you even market it? "Hey! Check out our new model. It's like...well, different, see? It's new. Buy it. Now. Please?"

I think your speculation about it being intended as a non-US model makes the most sense.

[HarryT]

If they have to reengineer because of a new screen, perhaps they feel that they may as well make some other "cosmetic" changes at the same time. Just a thought.

[msundman]

it [...] is ½" thin[...] at the narrowest point.

and

Depth: 0.3"

So it's 0.3" deep but 0.5" thin at the narrowest point. Sign me up for one of these non-euclidean devices!

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by Azayzel

Judging from the button layout and colors, if this is in fact the real deal and not a gimmick, I'd venture to guess it might be Sony's overseas model for Asia/Japan. When I saw the pic, the first thought to jump into my mind was Sony Librie, and since eBook sales are supposed to be on the rise here... who knows? I'm still hesitant to believe the rumors about the sales figures, as I haven't seen any actual proof yet.

Secondly, why would some no-name online company be advertising Sony's new product before you can actually find any info of it off of Sony's? Also, why would Sony revamp the whole shell and issue another model if the first is doing well, especially if they didn't really upgrade the innards too much? Time will tell.

I just hope this is worldwide distribution model. As of yet it is still unofficial; Sony would surely have said something by now. Some distributor will get his fingers rapped!

Looking forward getting my paws to it.