Best UI on Older E-readers?

Richwood · 12-09-2017, 03:14 PM

I just got a claimed NOS Sony PRS-350 and love the user interface compared to Kindle and Kobo all touch screen units. The 5 buttons across the bottom and the overall user interface are excellent IMO The included stylus is a neat feature too and the Sony aesthetics of their readers is hard to beat with the metal outer covers. Enough so that I just grabbed a PRS-900 off of Amazon with cases and original boxes, charger etc.

Had to update the firmware on my PRS-505 and PRS-350 as delivered but both went without a hitch. PRS-505 firmware was so old it did not support EPUB files. So I now have the PRS-505, PRS-300, PRS-350 and the PRS-900 is on the way. Be interesting to compare the PRS-900 to my Kindle Oasis 2, both with 7" screens.

rcentros · 12-09-2017, 05:26 PM

I've had a Sony PRS-T2 for awhile, but haven't used it much. Mostly kept it because it gave me access to my Sony/Kobo library. But I've been reading with it for the last couple weeks and discovered that I like it quite a bit. Meanwhile I bought a Sony PRS-300 from Goodwill online (shopgoodwill.com) for only $6 (including s/h) during their Cyber Monday sale and it's like new. Very nice little reader. I tried one of these before (then sold it) but, at that time, I was more into messing with PRS+, etc., rather than just using it. I think I was trying to make it more like a Kindle or Nook – now I'm happy to leave it "as is" and find I like it. I wish Sony was still in the eBook Reader business. Choice is a good thing.

John F · 12-09-2017, 06:07 PM

I liked the UI for the 505. You could jump to specific letters when scrolling through authors/titles (if I recall correctly). This is pretty standard with Android and iOS, why not e-readers?

Hemmi · 12-09-2017, 08:43 PM

I love all my Sonys! I've been using my T2 lately. I got a 950 not that long ago. Wish they'd combined the screen on the 950 with the wonderful leather-like back and built in cover on the 900. I'm not fond of the screen on the 900.

shalym · 12-10-2017, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

I liked the UI for the 505. You could jump to specific letters when scrolling through authors/titles (if I recall correctly). This is pretty standard with Android and iOS, why not e-readers?

I can do that on my Kindles, but not on my Kobo Aura HD. On the Kobo, I can go to a specific page in my list, but not a specific letter when I sort by author.

Shari

JSWolf · 12-11-2017, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

I liked the UI for the 505. You could jump to specific letters when scrolling through authors/titles (if I recall correctly). This is pretty standard with Android and iOS, why not e-readers?

The 505 uses Linux.

JSWolf · 12-11-2017, 09:18 AM

The UI for Kobo is pretty good and the current version is available for most of the other devices.

ZodWallop · 12-11-2017, 11:10 AM

For me, Kobo's old tiled home screen was the best UI of any of the e-readers I've messed around with (Kobo, Nook, Kindle and Sony).

I've used a Sony 505 and didn't care for the UI at all. I admit, it could be that I didn't use it long enough. But it felt cumbersome. I loved the solid metal body. That baby felt like it was built to last.

12-09-2017, 03:14 PM	#1
Richwood Astronomy Nut Posts: 519 Karma: 3700000 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Reno, NV Device: Kindle (All), Kobo (Multiple), Sony (most) and Nook Glowlight Plus	Best UI on Older E-readers? I just got a claimed NOS Sony PRS-350 and love the user interface compared to Kindle and Kobo all touch screen units. The 5 buttons across the bottom and the overall user interface are excellent IMO The included stylus is a neat feature too and the Sony aesthetics of their readers is hard to beat with the metal outer covers. Enough so that I just grabbed a PRS-900 off of Amazon with cases and original boxes, charger etc. Had to update the firmware on my PRS-505 and PRS-350 as delivered but both went without a hitch. PRS-505 firmware was so old it did not support EPUB files. So I now have the PRS-505, PRS-300, PRS-350 and the PRS-900 is on the way. Be interesting to compare the PRS-900 to my Kindle Oasis 2, both with 7" screens.

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12-09-2017, 05:26 PM	#2
rcentros eReader Wrangler Posts: 7,437 Karma: 48453105 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Boise, ID Device: PB HD3, GL3, Tolino Vision 4, Voyage, Clara HD	I've had a Sony PRS-T2 for awhile, but haven't used it much. Mostly kept it because it gave me access to my Sony/Kobo library. But I've been reading with it for the last couple weeks and discovered that I like it quite a bit. Meanwhile I bought a Sony PRS-300 from Goodwill online (shopgoodwill.com) for only $6 (including s/h) during their Cyber Monday sale and it's like new. Very nice little reader. I tried one of these before (then sold it) but, at that time, I was more into messing with PRS+, etc., rather than just using it. I think I was trying to make it more like a Kindle or Nook – now I'm happy to leave it "as is" and find I like it. I wish Sony was still in the eBook Reader business. Choice is a good thing.

12-09-2017, 06:07 PM	#3
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,157 Karma: 63764653 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Glo HD	I liked the UI for the 505. You could jump to specific letters when scrolling through authors/titles (if I recall correctly). This is pretty standard with Android and iOS, why not e-readers?

12-09-2017, 08:43 PM	#4
Hemmi Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,351 Karma: 15987608 Join Date: Apr 2015 Device: Sonys, Nooks, Kobo Libra, Forma, Mini, Paperwhite	I love all my Sonys! I've been using my T2 lately. I got a 950 not that long ago. Wish they'd combined the screen on the 950 with the wonderful leather-like back and built in cover on the 900. I'm not fond of the screen on the 900.

12-11-2017, 09:18 AM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,897 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The UI for Kobo is pretty good and the current version is available for most of the other devices.

12-11-2017, 11:10 AM	#8
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 10,981 Karma: 108309641 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara HD; Nook ST w/Glowlight, (2015) Glowlight Plus, Paperwhite 3	For me, Kobo's old tiled home screen was the best UI of any of the e-readers I've messed around with (Kobo, Nook, Kindle and Sony). I've used a Sony 505 and didn't care for the UI at all. I admit, it could be that I didn't use it long enough. But it felt cumbersome. I loved the solid metal body. That baby felt like it was built to last.