Sony PRS-350 and PRS-650 - Page 4

sgtpokey · 09-01-2010, 12:52 PM

As a former 505 user and current 900 user,
I've figured out what I like in a reader.

If the 950 is lighter AND does away with that built-in cover then I may opt for that solely because of the extra screen real estate. Otherwise I'll be happy to return to the 6 inch form factor for my next purchase.

All in all the specs on all three new models look good and address what I thought Sony did poorly on the 600-era models.

* Note on my personal preference for a "real" cover: On the plane or at the airport, I tend to put my boarding pass in my "book". With the 900 Daily Edition's half-cover it was not as convenient or secure to do that. It's the little things like (and the BIG things like readability of the last gen touchscreens) that I wanted to see cleaned up and it looks like they've done it.

** Other side note. A lot of the standard tech websites keep dinging the Sony readers for lack of wireless/3g. To me that is a non-issue, especially if your work travel takes you outside your home country/continent. Once you are abroad, that free 3g/wireless coverage will no longer apply. I'd much rather have a lighter book that will last for weeks even if I forget to charge it.

babyd · 09-01-2010, 12:58 PM

ooh Ive been waiting to see what they would be like.
I am a bit dubious about a few things, so will wait to see what they are like when our forum members get them..
I want to be sure the screen is as good as the 505, and that epub is definitely justified now. Looks like we can still use lrf?
The two week battery life puts me off though, I get a lot more than that with my 600 and stacks more with my 505's.........
I want to love them, just not sure I can commit yet, can't wait to see what you guys think when you get them

eGeezer · 09-01-2010, 01:52 PM

It is apparent that Sony is sticking to their plan to compete on quality rather than price, what with paying no attention whatsoever to the Kindle and nook price-drops.

The metal case they are proud of is certainly attractive, but there still needs to be some sort of protection for the screen, so that is added to the cost of the reader.

Certainly Pearl was a must for a product to realistically carry the "new and improved" label. And the pics of the units definitely appear sharper and clearer than the old touches. WiFi -- ho hum, but nice if you want it.

But is all that enuff to pull any significant market from the Kindle and nook price drops? Heck, even the Astak (Hanlon) at $169/6" and $149/5" are price-matched to the K3 and nook, what with a real cover being included in the package.

Of course, I'm personally not really in the market for a second reader since my PPro works fine for me. But there was a blurb about Kobo software doing something cross-platform that would include nook DRM compatibility for the Sony, and some mention of a possibility of nook compatibility on the Sony itself. The nook (or compatibility) is of interest to me since my wife has an iPad with nook-reader app and a reader with nookability would let us buy books from B&N that we both could read.

Yeah, got Kindle app, too, but I just can't get past that keyboard-clutter on the Kindle, or the lack of ADE (for library books). The nook's screen takes up as much space, but at least is more functional (to me) and the nook has ADE. The Sony with neither, but with nookability and ADE, would really catch my attention if it ever happened. Perhaps the next nook will have Pearl AND other attractive improvements and solve my dilemma.

Of course, I wouldn't HAVE to buy my books from B&N if I got another Astak (with the included crush-resistant cover at no extra cost). But the wife would HAVE to use the second reader to read any ADE purchased and borrowed books instead of her iPad.

astra · 09-01-2010, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbus

Waterstones UK have the 350 & 650 listed for pre order at £159.99 ($245.42) and £199.99 ($306.78) respectively. Some mark-up!!!!
Neither Play or W H Smith are listing them yet, still showing old models.

Any news about PRS-950?
Will it be available in the UK?
Is it the same non-standard ratio as 900?

I also wonder whether epub is fully justified in 650.

thymaster · 09-01-2010, 06:47 PM

I pre-ordered mind today. Anybody else?

McNutt · 09-01-2010, 09:12 PM

I was really hoping that Sony would give me a good alternative to the Kindle, but it doesn't appear to be the case. For much less than the $650 I can get a Kindle with WiFi. I have no idea why they didn't include that. The only advantage I can see is the touchscreen, but I am not that excited about that feature. Maybe it's better in use.

SkyDream · 09-02-2010, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

Any news about PRS-950?
Will it be available in the UK?

From what i heard it's the same problem as with the 900 (shame on Sony).
It's US only. Need to use USunlocked or similiar service to order.

Scott Nielsen · 09-02-2010, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I'm looking at the 950 maybe. If it's also using the Pearl screen and no touch layer, then it would be a really nice size.

Interesting size, indeed. I'm concerned about 6" being slightly too small but, equally, the 9.7" on my DX is a waste; I do not make use of the width of the screen as I feel the lines then become too long. And it's heavy.

On the 900/950, it appears most of that extra inch comes in height rather than width. Is that correct?

The form factor look a bit unconventional on the pictures. Are you supposed to only hold it in your left hand?

If the 950 screen is as good as the K3's and the weight significantly lesser than the DX, I might well be tempted to go with one despite it being severely overpriced.

Latinandgreek · 09-02-2010, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McNutt

I was really hoping that Sony would give me a good alternative to the Kindle, but it doesn't appear to be the case. For much less than the $650 I can get a Kindle with WiFi. I have no idea why they didn't include that. The only advantage I can see is the touchscreen, but I am not that excited about that feature. Maybe it's better in use.

Well, there are other things to consider as well, such as better PDF rendering, and the fact that you can put rtf files directly on there. There are also the 12 dictionaries included, all of which are features that are worth the extra price for me. I couldn't care less about wi-fi or 3g; I imagine Sony didn't include them in the lower priced models to try to keep the price down. For others, something else might be a deciding factor. To each his own.

kartu · 09-02-2010, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDream

From what i heard it's the same problem as with the 900 (shame on Sony).
It's US only. Need to use USunlocked or similiar service to order.

Am I the only one who finds the "free wireless" concept to be wrong?

I'd rather have unrestricted browser and free choice of mobile provider.

SkyDream · 09-02-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Nielsen

On the 900/950, it appears most of that extra inch comes in height rather than width. Is that correct?

Correct !

wachuko · 09-02-2010, 12:13 PM

I just called the local Sony Style store and they are clueless as to when they will get the new readers...

jaxx6166 · 09-02-2010, 12:55 PM

I just called mine to save a trip. They had to put me on hold for a few minutes and came back to tell me they won't have the display or the inventory for another "two to three weeks"

So much for available immediately

The second store I called told me that they will have their stock on the 15th or 16th.

JSWolf, any luck at yours?

dmapr · 09-02-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Nielsen

The form factor look a bit unconventional on the pictures. Are you supposed to only hold it in your left hand?

Don't know, I read my PRS-900 (same form factor) in two-page mode all the time and hold it in both hands when it is not lying down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartu

Am I the only one who finds the "free wireless" concept to be wrong?

I'd rather have unrestricted browser and free choice of mobile provider.

I don't find it "wrong", but it's not not nearly as "right" as what you're proposing

.

Otter · 09-02-2010, 04:10 PM

I am really hoping they've improved the "library scan" speed....I have half a gig of books on my SD card for my 505 and it takes 15-20 minutes for it to "reboot" these days. I heard that there wasn't any improvement when the 900 came out, but maybe this time there will be.

09-01-2010, 12:52 PM	#46
sgtpokey Member Posts: 12 Karma: 3206 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: sony prs-505, 900, 650	Hopefully the 950 model will do away with the built in cover. As a former 505 user and current 900 user, I've figured out what I like in a reader. If the 950 is lighter AND does away with that built-in cover then I may opt for that solely because of the extra screen real estate. Otherwise I'll be happy to return to the 6 inch form factor for my next purchase. All in all the specs on all three new models look good and address what I thought Sony did poorly on the 600-era models. * Note on my personal preference for a "real" cover: On the plane or at the airport, I tend to put my boarding pass in my "book". With the 900 Daily Edition's half-cover it was not as convenient or secure to do that. It's the little things like (and the BIG things like readability of the last gen touchscreens) that I wanted to see cleaned up and it looks like they've done it. ** Other side note. A lot of the standard tech websites keep dinging the Sony readers for lack of wireless/3g. To me that is a non-issue, especially if your work travel takes you outside your home country/continent. Once you are abroad, that free 3g/wireless coverage will no longer apply. I'd much rather have a lighter book that will last for weeks even if I forget to charge it.

09-01-2010, 01:52 PM	#48
eGeezer NE1 seen my glasses? Posts: 396 Karma: 4864 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Seattle Device: Nook Glowlight (following previous nook STR and STR w/GL)	It is apparent that Sony is sticking to their plan to compete on quality rather than price, what with paying no attention whatsoever to the Kindle and nook price-drops. The metal case they are proud of is certainly attractive, but there still needs to be some sort of protection for the screen, so that is added to the cost of the reader. Certainly Pearl was a must for a product to realistically carry the "new and improved" label. And the pics of the units definitely appear sharper and clearer than the old touches. WiFi -- ho hum, but nice if you want it. But is all that enuff to pull any significant market from the Kindle and nook price drops? Heck, even the Astak (Hanlon) at $169/6" and $149/5" are price-matched to the K3 and nook, what with a real cover being included in the package. Of course, I'm personally not really in the market for a second reader since my PPro works fine for me. But there was a blurb about Kobo software doing something cross-platform that would include nook DRM compatibility for the Sony, and some mention of a possibility of nook compatibility on the Sony itself. The nook (or compatibility) is of interest to me since my wife has an iPad with nook-reader app and a reader with nookability would let us buy books from B&N that we both could read. Yeah, got Kindle app, too, but I just can't get past that keyboard-clutter on the Kindle, or the lack of ADE (for library books). The nook's screen takes up as much space, but at least is more functional (to me) and the nook has ADE. The Sony with neither, but with nookability and ADE, would really catch my attention if it ever happened. Perhaps the next nook will have Pearl AND other attractive improvements and solve my dilemma. Of course, I wouldn't HAVE to buy my books from B&N if I got another Astak (with the included crush-resistant cover at no extra cost). But the wife would HAVE to use the second reader to read any ADE purchased and borrowed books instead of her iPad. Last edited by eGeezer; 09-01-2010 at 02:11 PM. Reason: Add last paragraph for the heck of it

09-02-2010, 12:55 PM	#58
jaxx6166 Wizard Posts: 1,222 Karma: 769316 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eternal summer Device: 350, iPad, PW	I just called mine to save a trip. They had to put me on hold for a few minutes and came back to tell me they won't have the display or the inventory for another "two to three weeks" So much for available immediately The second store I called told me that they will have their stock on the 15th or 16th. JSWolf, any luck at yours? Last edited by jaxx6166; 09-02-2010 at 12:59 PM.

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09-01-2010, 12:58 PM	#47
babyd Addict Posts: 384 Karma: 1567 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Device: Sony:505, 600, 350, 650, Kindle 3 & PW, Kobo Mini & Aura HD	ooh Ive been waiting to see what they would be like. I am a bit dubious about a few things, so will wait to see what they are like when our forum members get them.. I want to be sure the screen is as good as the 505, and that epub is definitely justified now. Looks like we can still use lrf? The two week battery life puts me off though, I get a lot more than that with my 600 and stacks more with my 505's......... I want to love them, just not sure I can commit yet, can't wait to see what you guys think when you get them

09-01-2010, 06:47 PM	#50
thymaster Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 34074 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kobo Aura Edition 2	I pre-ordered mind today. Anybody else?

09-01-2010, 09:12 PM	#51
McNutt Member Posts: 16 Karma: 1010 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kindle 3	I was really hoping that Sony would give me a good alternative to the Kindle, but it doesn't appear to be the case. For much less than the $650 I can get a Kindle with WiFi. I have no idea why they didn't include that. The only advantage I can see is the touchscreen, but I am not that excited about that feature. Maybe it's better in use.

09-02-2010, 12:13 PM	#57
wachuko eBook Worm Posts: 205 Karma: 2745996 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Device: Kindle Paperwhite/ Sony PRS-505/PRS-600 Silver/PRS-T1	I just called the local Sony Style store and they are clueless as to when they will get the new readers...

09-02-2010, 04:10 PM	#60
Otter Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 79 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fairfax, Va Device: PRS-500, PRS-505, PRS-650, ipod Touch, ipad 2, NC, Kindle Scribe	I am really hoping they've improved the "library scan" speed....I have half a gig of books on my SD card for my 505 and it takes 15-20 minutes for it to "reboot" these days. I heard that there wasn't any improvement when the 900 came out, but maybe this time there will be.

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