SONY PRS-950 is up on the FCC website

[switchman2210]

The SONY PRS-950 is up on the FCC website. The FCC ID is AK8PRS950.


Reading through some of the documents is very interesting. I had to extract the text below using OCR so excuse any errors and formatting issues.



PRS-950 is a hand-held content reader. Its relevant features are as follows:

* The PRS-950 allows an end user to browse, purchase and download books and periodicals from the Sony Reader Store via 3G or WiFi wireless data access. (Subject to service availability; 3G connection does not permit general internet browsing, but connects users to Sony's proprietary Reader Store. Only WiFi connection can browse the internet).
* The wireless 3G data connection in the PRS-950 connects the end user to Sony's proprietary Reader Store. It does not provide access to the public Internet generally, and does not, for example, permit Internet web browsing.
* WiFi and 3G radio will not transmit simultaneously.
* The PRS-950 allows an end user to read in either portrait or landscape format, using six adjustable font sizes.
* The PRS-950 features a 7" paper-like display and touch screen navigation.

Wireless Technology:
* The PRS-950 uses 3G wireless mobile broadband module manufactured by Qualcomm / Gobi 2000 (FCC ID:J9CGOBI2000, grated on Jan. 06,. 2009) without voice communication capability. The wireless interface supports HS PA, UMTS, EDGE and GPRS data services.
* For WiFi connectivity, PRS-950 uses WiFi module / AR6102 (802.11 b/g) from Atheros Communications, Inc. 802.11 b/g module is used to connect WLAN to access the Sony eBook store.

4. Radio Protocols:
The PRS-950 supports following RF protocols:
1. GSM (850/1900 MHz)
GPRS (Class10)
EGPRS/EDGE (Class10)
2. UMTS / HS PA
FDD BAND II (1900 MHz band)
FDD BAND V (850 MHz band) 3. WiFi
802.11 b (2.4 GHz band) 802.11.g (2.4 GHz band)
WiFi is always the preferred radio access technology. PRS-950 will connect by WiFi before connection to the cellular network through any of the RF protocol it supports. If a supported WiFi WLAN is not found, PRS-950 will register and authenticate to the cellular network while continuing to search for WLAN access points at regular intervals. However, in no case will PRS950 use more than one radio access technology at a time.
Of cellular protocols, HSPA represents the worst case for the purposes of calculating the UBTDF for the PRS-950, because HSPA requires continual transmission during the data download process. This "always-transmitting" mode is due in part to the use of HARQ or "Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request" and results in a source-based time averaging duty factor of 100%.
In summary, PRS-950 uses WiFi as the default means of connection and if WiFi are not available, it will use the cellular network.

5. Software Connection Manager:
When using a wireless connection the following priorities are used when content is required:
1. By Wi Fi, if a WLAN is available
2. By the cellular network if WiFi is not available.
3. Once the connection is made either via WLAN or 3G network, the software connection manager will apply to WiFi or 3G connectivity in the same way.
The software connection manager sequence of the PRS-950 in 3G network is as follows:
* The default mode of the PRS-950 wireless radio is OFF; user has to turn on the wireless function by switch on the wireless function.
* Once wireless function is turned on, PRS-950 will be seeking the connection to WLAN access; only if WLAN access is not available, PRS-950 will be seeking the connection to AT&T network.
* When the PRS-950 receives any of the following requests, 3G module is using the order of priority listed above in order to seek to wireless connection and prompts a download from the Sony eReader Store:
1. A download request directly from the end user
2. For subscribed content, where the end user has purchased a subscription to receive a new edition of periodical content on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, the Sony eReader Store server attaches a parameter to each edition of the downloaded content. This parameter designates the timing of the next download. The PRS-950 then activates the 3G module based on this parameter to access Sony eReader Store server and download the current edition.
* Following the completion of a download, and upon receipt of a command from the Sony eReader Store, the PRS-950 returns the 3G module to an IDLE state.
* After 10 minutes in the IDLE state without any further content requests, the PRS-950 switches OFF the 3G module off automatically.
6. Intended Use Cases:
PRS-950 uses its 3G network or WLAN access functionality to allow the user to use the Sony eReader Store as follows:
1. Browse and Search for content at Sony eReader Store.
* The end-user may use the PRS-950 to access Sony eReader Store home page, which displays lists of available digital book content based on certain categories, such as bestsellers or new arrivals.
* The user may also search for available digital book content by author or title.
2. Purchase and download the content from the Sony eReader Store.
* After identifying a selection, the end user can view an overview of the content, information about the author of the content, user reviews of the content, and recommendations for additional content based on the title and the author of the selected content
* The end user may then select the content to buy on the store by following the purchase process and then will download the content to the device for reading.
3. Synchronize/Download previously purchased content from the Sony Reader Store to the PRS-950.
* The end user may download content to a personal computer using the Reader Library PC software and then re-download the content to PRS-950 wirelessly via WiFi or 3G radio.
* The end user may also transfer previously purchased content from a PC to the PRS-950 via USB cable.
* The end user may also schedule the PRS-950 to download periodical content at pre-determined times.
The PRS-950 does not allow 3G wireless downloads of device software or firmware. The end user must perform any necessary software or firmware updates by downloading the update to a personal computer and then transferring the update to the PRS-950 or can be transferred via wireless LAN.
The PRS-950 is a data only device and does not support voice communications.
7. Data Rates
PRS-950 operates on the AT&T 3G Network in the USA and Puerto Rico and has no domestic or international roaming support. This SAR analysis is based on using this specific AT&T network configuration.

[OrcaBlue]

Thanks. Where do you go on FCC website to get that info?

[igorsk]

Here's the FCC ID search form:
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid/
Direct link to PRS950 docs: here.

[OrcaBlue]

Originally Posted by igorsk

Here's the FCC ID search form:
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid/
Direct link to PRS950 docs: here.

I tried using 'AK8PRS950' as the Product Code but came back with no result. Just tried PRS950 by itself and found. Thanks!!!

[petercreasey]

Does the wireless capability (or any other capability) incur any extra (monthly) charges?

[OrcaBlue]

Originally Posted by petercreasey

Does the wireless capability (or any other capability) incur any extra (monthly) charges?

No, the wireless capability does not cost you extra charges. The 3G connection will allow you to access SONY's store only. Once connected via Wi-fi, you can do some basic web browsing.

I could be wrong but I think the PRS-950 might only be available in the US.

[harryE123]

Why will it only be available in the US? Not even Japan?

What's with that SONY, just a get a move on already...

[SensualPoet]

For sure the PRS 900 was never sold in Canada; the 950 is not announced here either, whereas the non-connected models 350 and 650 are showing as "pre-order".

[harryE123]

very strange marketing from sony, what's with that? I guess on can buy a prs 950 from the us and use the wifi to read blogs etc. on the net and get books in the uk.

[simplyparticular]

Originally Posted by harryE123

Why will it only be available in the US? Not even Japan?

What's with that SONY, just a get a move on already...

I suspect they don't figure they have a market for enough 3G-connected ones to pay for 3G service, or the 3G service is too expensive in those markets so it would raise the cost of the device beyond practical sale.

[Psykhe]

Originally Posted by simplyparticular

I suspect they don't figure they have a market for enough 3G-connected ones to pay for 3G service, or the 3G service is too expensive in those markets so it would raise the cost of the device beyond practical sale.

Possibly, but what I kinda do not get is why they cannot just strip the 3g functionality and make an "international" version with just wifi and 7' screen. I do not think people care *that* much about the 3g compared to those (especially the 7').

[SensualPoet]

Did I miss something? I understood the 3G of Sony's ereaders is solely to access the Sony bookstore. Amy I wrong?

[harryE123]

yeah if you can access the store via wifi abroad who gives a damn about not having 3g really. Sony are making some patently stupid moves. As they have been doing for the past ten years. (Oh yeah sony, the whole world will ditch mp3 so your "walkmans" can play in proprietary alac and convert back and forth from mp3. Brilliant move. Now you watch becoming a has been, or a never was, in a market you once owned with real walkmans.) So to me is same strategic development stupidity, different day for sony. Oh yeah we can't undercut amazon with a 9.7" device in price so for people wanting something a bit larger than 6" around, we ll provide a 7" device in the U.S. with 3g and in the rest of the world where some people are eagerly waiting for a large 7" with wifi (where the competitor amazon doesn't have any size higer than 6" with wi fi.) we just won't bother to ship. Brilliant strategy. If they manage to mess it up for themselves and become has been in the reader market too they 'll need a Darwin award.

[jackinca]

The only possible reason that I can imagine having 3G in a ebook reader is for immediate downloads of daily newspapers. Could there be another valid reason other than the specious idea that it is easier to get books directly to the device through 3G than side loading them from your computer?

[loveangel]

damm it is only in us not other country