New Sony model to be called PRS-300 and PRS-600 - Page 4

Shadowplay · 07-30-2009, 12:27 PM

I'm very unimpressed with these new models, but I admit we don't know a whole lot about them. Maybe they have proper folder support now.

The thing that worries me a bit is what will become of my beloved 505 reader? I'm actually just about to order a very expensive cover for it to better protect it and as a fun gift to myself, however what if my 505 gives up the ghost on me soon? It shouldn't, but if it does die does it mean I'll have to either hope for good luck on ebay to find another 505 or have to consider one of the new Sony models that so far don't impress? Bah. "What ifs"

igorsk · 07-30-2009, 12:29 PM

Another tidbit: it seems PRS-300 will come with a "sleeve" instead of the usual "soft cover".

lilac_jive · 07-30-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

Another tidbit: it seems PRS-300 will come with a "sleeve" instead of the usual "soft cover".

I'm OK with that, as long as it comes standard with some protection (and hopefully an option to buy the other cover). This also points to dropping to Reader to a low price point. If this is true, this is super stellar news. A low price point would seriously open up the market, especially coming from a reputable company.

Verencat · 07-30-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I'm OK with that, as long as it comes standard with some protection (and hopefully an option to buy the other cover). This also points to dropping to Reader to a low price point. If this is true, this is super stellar news. A low price point would seriously open up the market, especially coming from a reputable company.

That would actually be a major turning point for me: I could maybe afford an e-reader!

JSWolf · 07-30-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verencat

That would actually be a major turning point for me: I could maybe afford an e-reader!

eReader is free. Just download it from eReader.com.

ahi · 07-30-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

eReader is free. Just download it from eReader.com.

Purposefully failing to understand something is the ultimate sign of the superior intellect.

- Ahi

Verencat · 07-30-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

eReader is free. Just download it from eReader.com.

Bah, you know what I mean! I still have problems with terminology...

porkupan · 07-30-2009, 12:51 PM

I don't think it's relevant whether the Wi-Fi is really needed. It's the main advantage of the Kindle - being able to load the content without connecting to the computer. That's why people want Kindle.

I understand it is not a big deal to connect the USB cable. I've been doing it for years and years. But that's not what the customers want. The customers want their books downloaded directly to the ebook reader.

In fact, I am quite shocked that after so many rumors and customer requests Sony came up with two unconnected readers whose only advantage seems to be their "lower" price. Absolutely ridiculous.

ProDigit · 07-30-2009, 12:54 PM

pdf's seem to be removed.

HarryT · 07-30-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porkupan

I don't think it's relevant whether the Wi-Fi is really needed. It's the main advantage of the Kindle - being able to load the content without connecting to the computer. That's why people want Kindle.

The Kindle does not have WiFi; it has a cellular telephone connection. They are entirely different things.

Moejoe · 07-30-2009, 01:07 PM

Colour me unimpressed. I love my prs505 (the weight and metallic industrial nature of the design give it some substance) but these look like a step-backward design wise. Come on Sony, get the Vaio team on this and give us something worthy.

ProDigit · 07-30-2009, 01:13 PM

If it would have been a 9"model I would have been interested.
The 600 looks ok, though I have a silver 505, and the metallic paint feels cold to the touch, which is rather unpleasant to hold.
It looks nice, and probably offers a slight better protection than the cheaper plastic cover, but.. has drawbacks too.

I'm sure these models have upgraded hardware, faster page turns, and more diskspace. Perhaps even for a lower or the same price.

I don't really like the large frame around the screen (=bezel?). On the 5" device it just looks huge because it's a small device.
But on the 600 the bezel looks larger than on my 505 (at least that's the impression I have).

I don't really like touchscreen for changing pages, so the buttons will be more than welcome; although it looks to me that they might be harder to reach,and are very small.

jswinden · 07-30-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The Kindle does not have WiFi; it has a cellular telephone connection. They are entirely different things.

TRUE! I've got a Kindle 2 and the their Whispernet is Sprint and even in 3G it is incredibly slow. It sometimes takes 30 minutes to download a book when not in 3G, and you cannot use the Kindle 2 while it is downloading. Wireless LAN would be next to useless outside the home as most wireless routers are now protected and locked. BTW: The web features on the Kindles are mostly useless because the processor is too slow to support them, and Whispernet will eat up a battery charge in just a few hours.

It seems to me that the manuals are in the early state of development. If they are the most recent editions, then I would not expect an August release. Of course the information that has been discovered could be old.

I like the idea of the 600 not having the light so that the screen is crisp and readable like my 505. I also like the touchscreen. But beyond that, any new functionality needs to come in better firmware and format supports. That is, interactive dictionary, bookmarking by being able to highlight specific text (not whole pages), true customizable folder/directory support, etc.

yvanleterrible · 07-30-2009, 01:21 PM

Did anyone copy those PDFs? The access has been removed.

Abecedary · 07-30-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jswinden

It seems to me that the manuals are in the early state of development. If they are the most recent editions, then I would not expect an August release. Of course the information that has been discovered could be old.

They're service manuals, not user manuals. As such, they provide information about the hardware only--there's really nothing about the software side of things. If they're releasing these models any time this year, then it's safe to say that the hardware design is finalized and that the service manuals should be considered reliable.

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07-30-2009, 12:27 PM	#46
Shadowplay Groupie Posts: 185 Karma: 1096228 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Oasis	I'm very unimpressed with these new models, but I admit we don't know a whole lot about them. Maybe they have proper folder support now. The thing that worries me a bit is what will become of my beloved 505 reader? I'm actually just about to order a very expensive cover for it to better protect it and as a fun gift to myself, however what if my 505 gives up the ghost on me soon? It shouldn't, but if it does die does it mean I'll have to either hope for good luck on ebay to find another 505 or have to consider one of the new Sony models that so far don't impress? Bah. "What ifs"

07-30-2009, 12:29 PM	#47
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Another tidbit: it seems PRS-300 will come with a "sleeve" instead of the usual "soft cover".

07-30-2009, 12:51 PM	#53
porkupan Fanatic Posts: 556 Karma: 1057213 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Eastern U.S. Device: Sony Reader	I don't think it's relevant whether the Wi-Fi is really needed. It's the main advantage of the Kindle - being able to load the content without connecting to the computer. That's why people want Kindle. I understand it is not a big deal to connect the USB cable. I've been doing it for years and years. But that's not what the customers want. The customers want their books downloaded directly to the ebook reader. In fact, I am quite shocked that after so many rumors and customer requests Sony came up with two unconnected readers whose only advantage seems to be their "lower" price. Absolutely ridiculous.

07-30-2009, 12:54 PM	#54
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	pdf's seem to be removed.

07-30-2009, 01:07 PM	#56
Moejoe Banned Posts: 5,100 Karma: 72193 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South of the Border Device: Coffin	Colour me unimpressed. I love my prs505 (the weight and metallic industrial nature of the design give it some substance) but these look like a step-backward design wise. Come on Sony, get the Vaio team on this and give us something worthy.

07-30-2009, 01:13 PM	#57
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	If it would have been a 9"model I would have been interested. The 600 looks ok, though I have a silver 505, and the metallic paint feels cold to the touch, which is rather unpleasant to hold. It looks nice, and probably offers a slight better protection than the cheaper plastic cover, but.. has drawbacks too. I'm sure these models have upgraded hardware, faster page turns, and more diskspace. Perhaps even for a lower or the same price. I don't really like the large frame around the screen (=bezel?). On the 5" device it just looks huge because it's a small device. But on the 600 the bezel looks larger than on my 505 (at least that's the impression I have). I don't really like touchscreen for changing pages, so the buttons will be more than welcome; although it looks to me that they might be harder to reach,and are very small.

07-30-2009, 01:21 PM	#59
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Did anyone copy those PDFs? The access has been removed.

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