New Sony Firmware for PRS-T1 to Fix Problems

[vxf]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

The Reader software has a bug that if it is set to "sync nothing" it forgets and starts to "sync all" when you connect via USB. You have to pay attention and be quick to hit the cancel button when the sync action starts. It's a good thing that now they have a download link on the website support page so you don't need the Reader software.

Unfortunately this firmware update didn't enable more wireless features that the T1 is missing. You still can't setup auto-deliveries of newspaper and magazine subscriptions to the T1. Once they enable these features, then firmware updates should be over-the-air like the 950 model.

They still don't have auto-delivery for magazines and newspapers? That's unbelievable... they had that working, over 3g, over two years ago on the PRS900...

It's a pity, but, in terms of newspapers and magazines, the T1 is a huge step back... no 3g and not even auto-delivery via WIFI.

But how the heck does one get magazines and newspapers on the T1? The Reader software misses a lot of issues - as in, it often will NOT import them - whereas the Reader Library worked. So what's the other option? Drag-and-drop?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

Yes, it can be set to not sync anything, but there is a bug that doesn't recognize that setting the next time you connect via USB. It defaults back to sync all and you have to quickly press the cancel button. No, there is not really manual transfer with the new software like there is with Reader Library. Manual transfer only works from the T1 to the Reader software. Not from your library in Reader software to the T1. I ended up using drag-and-drop to transfer all of my books to my T1 and then creating collections on the device. I also use DropBox as well as wireless downloads from websites and my library.

So every time I run Reader for PC, I have to turn off sync? Then can I create the collections on the T1 and copy the books onto the T1 and into the collections?

[Shopaholic]

What I learned from it is that Sync nothing will Sync All next time you connect your device when you have the software running.

Sync is sync and as soon as you connect your device to your computer when the software is running it will sync. I was quick to hit cancel but it takes time to stop and by the time it stops it's already deleted most of the stuff on the reader.

I had only 1 collection set to Sync. I had it for the collection I called Sony Documentation so that the program would have 1 thing to Sync.

What happens though is the library thinks I want to sync 1 collection with 1 book in it. That's it. Nothing else.

It sees the reader with 400 books on it and it wants to synchronize with the library. The library has 1 book on it. The device has 400. Therefore what it does is delete the other 399 books on the reader. Follow?

It's not a bug. It's just stupid. lol That's what it's designed to do. It defaults to Sync. Period. Whether it's set to sync everything in your library or just what you select it to sync to. The bottom line seems to be if your device is in any way different from what the software thinks it's supposed to sync to, it'll 'fix' it to make it synchronized to what we told it to. That 1 book in my case.

[Shopaholic]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So every time I run Reader for PC, I have to turn off sync? Then can I create the collections on the T1 and copy the books onto the T1 and into the collections?

No!

Use only Drag & Drop. Do NOT start Reader for PC. Make sure the settings on Reader for PC are set to NOT launch the software when the device is connected to your computer.

Connect your device to your computer. Use it strictly as a harddrive and drag and drop the books you want on it to the proper folder. Disconnect the device and manually put those books into whatever collections you want. Then you can add or delete at whim. Syncing does NOT allow for any changes whatsoever to any collection you've made. You can't add books and you can't remove books from Synced collections.

It's a PITA but it appears to be the only way. If you want to use the reader software everytime you sync it will delete whats on the device and reload it with the select books you've chosen to sync it to on the software. It's just dum!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

No!

Use only Drag & Drop. Do NOT start Reader for PC. Make sure the settings on Reader for PC are set to NOT launch the software when the device is connected to your computer.

Connect your device to your computer. Use it strictly as a harddrive and drag and drop the books you want on it to the proper folder. Disconnect the device and manually put those books into whatever collections you want. Then you can add or delete at whim. Syncing does NOT allow for any changes whatsoever to any collection you've made. You can't add books and you can't remove books from Synced collections.

It's a PITA but it appears to be the only way. If you want to use the reader software every time you sync it will delete whats on the device and reload it with the select books you've chosen to sync it to on the software. It's just dumb!

So if I use Reader for PC, I can build the collections on the computer as I want, and delete any read books and then when I plug in the T1, it will sort it out to match?

[vishcompany]

Originally Posted by porkupan

Oops, sorry, the correct link is this.

Thank you! su is back...

(You original link was fine, actually. I just was not sure, about which package to take, but well, I could have guessed. ...-su)

[Avwriter]

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

No!

Use only Drag & Drop. Do NOT start Reader for PC. Make sure the settings on Reader for PC are set to NOT launch the software when the device is connected to your computer.

Connect your device to your computer. Use it strictly as a harddrive and drag and drop the books you want on it to the proper folder. Disconnect the device and manually put those books into whatever collections you want. Then you can add or delete at whim. Syncing does NOT allow for any changes whatsoever to any collection you've made. You can't add books and you can't remove books from Synced collections.

It's a PITA but it appears to be the only way. If you want to use the reader software everytime you sync it will delete whats on the device and reload it with the select books you've chosen to sync it to on the software. It's just dum!

A much simpler way, is to simply not bother with the software. Use Wifi to access your Sony account and just download your previous purchases as needed. Any other materials can be side-loaded using a MicroSD card. I bought my reader at launch and have never used Reader for PC.

[Avwriter]

Originally Posted by vxf

They still don't have auto-delivery for magazines and newspapers? That's unbelievable... they had that working, over 3g, over two years ago on the PRS900...

It's a pity, but, in terms of newspapers and magazines, the T1 is a huge step back... no 3g and not even auto-delivery via WIFI.

But how the heck does one get magazines and newspapers on the T1? The Reader software misses a lot of issues - as in, it often will NOT import them - whereas the Reader Library worked. So what's the other option? Drag-and-drop?

It is not as bad as it sounds. Though not completely seamless, downloading newspaper issues is actually quite smooth. When I sit down to breakfast in the morning, I simply tap the "Purchased Content" button and wait perhaps 20-30 seconds while the Wifi wakes up and loads the periodicals page (by the time I have poured my coffee its up). There is no password to enter; it just goes right to the download page. I select my newspaper, click on the topmost issue (always the most recent), and in about five seconds, it downloads it, and I am ready to read. The whole process is over in less than 1 minute. Easy peasy.

[Shopaholic]

Not really JSWolf. The software won't let you delete purchased books. In theory that would work but you'd have to delete all the books you don't want on your device from your library to ensure they match.

It'd be like wanting to use iTunes to manage your 10,000 song library but deleting everything except the music you want to carry on your iPod which can only carry 1000 songs. Why even bother then?

I don't want to do that Azwriter. I want copies on my computer in case of anything. I don't just want them on the reader. My understanding is that you can't mix content on an SD card with content on the device. I haven't tried it yet so don't know for sure but I like the idea of having my stuff in various collections and all in one not some on internal memory and some on the SD card.

I'm going to have to learn to use Calibre much better.

[vxf]

Originally Posted by Avwriter

It is not as bad as it sounds. Though not completely seamless, downloading newspaper issues is actually quite smooth. When I sit down to breakfast in the morning, I simply tap the "Purchased Content" button and wait perhaps 20-30 seconds while the Wifi wakes up and loads the periodicals page (by the time I have poured my coffee its up). There is no password to enter; it just goes right to the download page. I select my newspaper, click on the topmost issue (always the most recent), and in about five seconds, it downloads it, and I am ready to read. The whole process is over in less than 1 minute. Easy peasy.

Oh ok, for some reason, I assumed that auto-delivery not working means you can't download directly from the device. But, looking back, I see that was a fallacy. I now understand that you can download from the device - it just won't auto-deliver.

That is actually not too bad. I often turn auto-delivery off on my 950 because it always seems to kick-in at the worst moments and freeze my device for a minute or so exactly when I am reading.

Thanks for the clarification.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by vxf

Oh ok, for some reason, I assumed that auto-delivery not working means you can't download directly from the device. But, looking back, I see that was a fallacy. I now understand that you can download from the device - it just won't auto-deliver.

That is actually not too bad. I often turn auto-delivery off on my 950 because it always seems to kick-in at the worst moments and freeze my device for a minute or so exactly when I am reading.

Thanks for the clarification.

That's correct. It's the auto-delivery that doesn't work. Sorry I confused you. The download from purchased content works just like the 950 does. They just don't show up automatically like they do on the 900 & 950. It's easy to get them. However, if you are used to them just being there like they are on the older Sony models or like they do on my Kindle and Nook ereaders, then it's an annoyance to have to manually fetch them and a step backwards.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So if I use Reader for PC, I can build the collections on the computer as I want, and delete any read books and then when I plug in the T1, it will sort it out to match?

Yes, syncing still works the same way that it did with Reader Library. You can build your collections in Reader for PC and then individually select which collections you want to sync with the T1. Shopaholic is pointing out that if you have set your collections to sync that you can't modify the collections (or their content) on the device manually. All modifications have to be done through the Reader software. However, Reader Library was also the same in this manner so that's not a change. What's different is that you can't manual drag-and-drop within the Reader software. You have to drag-and-drop within Windows Explorer (Mac Finder).

Another difference as Shopaholic mentions is that you see ALL of your Sony purchases ALL of the time. You can't select which ones you see like you could in Reader Library, and you can't delete purchases and redownload them from the Sony store later.

I was able to read for several hours today. No freezes!!! Tomorrow I will test periodicals.

[sabredog]

Upgraded my T1's firmware today. No issues and all ebooks remained on the device.

As smooth an upgrade as can be.

[JSWolf]

Can I have Reader Library and Reader for PC on the same computer without issue?

[vxf]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Can I have Reader Library and Reader for PC on the same computer without issue?

Yes, they install in different directories and do not appear to interfere.