From an Unlikely Source: A First Peek at the New Sony Reader Model?

NatCh · 09-10-2007, 01:10 PM

New MobileReader pgt has made quite a splash with his first post, bringing to our attention a new model of Sony Reader that ABT Electronics is listing as "New Item- Not Available For Pre-Ordering"

Specs on it appear to be very similar to the current model, except that they seem to have increased the on-board memory, now boasting 160 books versus the current model's 80.

Other changes include a pretty drastic re-arrangement of the controls, as you can see from the picture. Oh, and it's silver.

Please join the on-going discussion here.

UncleDuke · 09-10-2007, 01:31 PM

interesting. it seems to support the same group of formats as the current one and retains the usb 1.1 interface. as noted the only changes are in the color, layout of the controls, and the number of books that can be loaded to the internal memory.

for me at this point it is not enough of a change to to even consider trading "up" to the new unit.

jasonkchapman · 09-10-2007, 01:35 PM

And what is with adding AAC to the list of formats? Is that supposed to be some kind of compensation for dumping Connect Music. When in Rome, do as the iPods do?

NatCh · 09-10-2007, 01:50 PM

It's always done AAC, jasonkchapman, it's not an addition, just not much commented on.

I'm a bit surprised they didn't at least jump to USB 2.0.

There may be some other, internal, changes that aren't apparent from the specs that might make it a bigger deal, we need more information to evaluate that, though.

Ah, yes, I meant to mention before: Can't tell if there's Vizplex on the rascal or not, but I'd be moderately astounded if there weren't.

jasonkchapman · 09-10-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

It's always done AAC, jasonkchapman, it's not an addition, just not much commented on.

Huh. Really? That would be my dazzlingly acute observational skills at work again, I guess.

Being an Ogg-Vorbis kinda guy, I guess I just never noticed.

JSWolf · 09-10-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

It's always done AAC, jasonkchapman, it's not an addition, just not much commented on.

I'm a bit surprised they didn't at least jump to USB 2.0.

* USB Port: USB 1.1 or faster USB Port (Optimal with USB 2.0)

Yes it is USB 2.0.

NatCh · 09-10-2007, 02:01 PM

That will be a nice improvement.

drgnbear · 09-10-2007, 02:18 PM

Ugg. It's a tough decision for me I would love to have page controls on both sides of the device, but is it worth buying a new one? I'm not sure yet.

nesagwa · 09-10-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

* USB Port: USB 1.1 or faster USB Port (Optimal with USB 2.0)

Yes it is USB 2.0.

That just means it will go a little faster on a USB 2.0 port. Its not actually 2.0.

Cthulhu · 09-10-2007, 02:21 PM

I wonder if the rather un-eventful revealing of this new iteration is intentional or not. There are numerous discussions and debates regarding whether SONY is providing enough media attention and marketing for their latest, greatest gadget, and releasing a unit like this for pre-sale on a home electronics company's website seems rather odd. (By the way, a google search for PRS505SC yields 2 links to Abt, then this forum thread).

In my opinion, this does not augur well for the next Reader's rollout.

By the way, there is also a dark blue model, PRS-505LC

I am excited that they have--ostensibly--improved upon the Reader, but have to question the quiet manner of selling it.

JSWolf · 09-10-2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nesagwa

That just means it will go a little faster on a USB 2.0 port. Its not actually 2.0.

That means it's backwards compatible. Most USB 2.0 devices work with USB 1.1 and get the optimal speed from USB 2.0.

NatCh · 09-10-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cthulhu

I wonder if the rather un-eventful revealing of this new iteration is intentional or not.

I suppose, if the listing mysteriously disappears in shortly, we may have a hint on that question, Cthulhu.

JSWolf · 09-10-2007, 02:28 PM

My guess is that mabey ABT put the listing up too soon. There is nothing about the new model on Sony's website. And a search on google for either model number has come up with only ABT.

RWood · 09-10-2007, 02:52 PM

At least they did mention that there are web sites with lots of free content for the Reader even if they did not mention MobileRead by name.

ricdiogo · 09-10-2007, 02:56 PM

My main issue will be deciding between Sony 505 and Cybook. If Sony has a better RTF display and sells in Europe and if Cybook doesn't support highlighting, I'll buy a Sony.
350 euros (Cybook) - 220 euros (Sony) = 130 euros. For a 113 euros saving I'll definitively pass Cybook's HTML, Vizplex and Mobipocket support. But if Cybook has a highlighting support of some kind, my decision is going to be very though.

09-10-2007, 01:10 PM	#1
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	From an Unlikely Source: A First Peek at the New Sony Reader Model? New MobileReader pgt has made quite a splash with his first post, bringing to our attention a new model of Sony Reader that ABT Electronics is listing as "New Item- Not Available For Pre-Ordering" Specs on it appear to be very similar to the current model, except that they seem to have increased the on-board memory, now boasting 160 books versus the current model's 80. Other changes include a pretty drastic re-arrangement of the controls, as you can see from the picture. Oh, and it's silver. Please join the on-going discussion here.

09-10-2007, 01:31 PM	#2
UncleDuke books & doughnuts Posts: 882 Karma: 37857 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: usa Device: sony reader, kindle2	interesting. it seems to support the same group of formats as the current one and retains the usb 1.1 interface. as noted the only changes are in the color, layout of the controls, and the number of books that can be loaded to the internal memory. for me at this point it is not enough of a change to to even consider trading "up" to the new unit. Last edited by UncleDuke; 09-10-2007 at 01:33 PM.

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09-10-2007, 01:35 PM	#3
jasonkchapman Guru Posts: 767 Karma: 2347 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NYC Device: Sony Reader, nook, Droid, nookColor, nookTablet	And what is with adding AAC to the list of formats? Is that supposed to be some kind of compensation for dumping Connect Music. When in Rome, do as the iPods do?

09-10-2007, 01:50 PM	#4
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	It's always done AAC, jasonkchapman, it's not an addition, just not much commented on. I'm a bit surprised they didn't at least jump to USB 2.0. There may be some other, internal, changes that aren't apparent from the specs that might make it a bigger deal, we need more information to evaluate that, though. Ah, yes, I meant to mention before: Can't tell if there's Vizplex on the rascal or not, but I'd be moderately astounded if there weren't.

09-10-2007, 02:01 PM	#7
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	That will be a nice improvement.

09-10-2007, 02:18 PM	#8
drgnbear Evil alien overlord. Posts: 57 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2007 Device: Kindle	Ugg. It's a tough decision for me I would love to have page controls on both sides of the device, but is it worth buying a new one? I'm not sure yet.

09-10-2007, 02:21 PM	#10
Cthulhu Technologist Posts: 488 Karma: 585237 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: I'm between Cities Device: SONY Reader PRS-500	I wonder if the rather un-eventful revealing of this new iteration is intentional or not. There are numerous discussions and debates regarding whether SONY is providing enough media attention and marketing for their latest, greatest gadget, and releasing a unit like this for pre-sale on a home electronics company's website seems rather odd. (By the way, a google search for PRS505SC yields 2 links to Abt, then this forum thread). In my opinion, this does not augur well for the next Reader's rollout. By the way, there is also a dark blue model, PRS-505LC I am excited that they have--ostensibly--improved upon the Reader, but have to question the quiet manner of selling it.

09-10-2007, 02:28 PM	#13
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 75,862 Karma: 134368292 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	My guess is that mabey ABT put the listing up too soon. There is nothing about the new model on Sony's website. And a search on google for either model number has come up with only ABT.

09-10-2007, 02:52 PM	#14
RWood Technogeezer Posts: 7,233 Karma: 1601464 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Sony PRS-500	At least they did mention that there are web sites with lots of free content for the Reader even if they did not mention MobileRead by name.

09-10-2007, 02:56 PM	#15
ricdiogo Gutenberger Posts: 142 Karma: 700 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lisbon, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen 3	My main issue will be deciding between Sony 505 and Cybook. If Sony has a better RTF display and sells in Europe and if Cybook doesn't support highlighting, I'll buy a Sony. 350 euros (Cybook) - 220 euros (Sony) = 130 euros. For a 113 euros saving I'll definitively pass Cybook's HTML, Vizplex and Mobipocket support. *But* if Cybook has a highlighting support of some kind, my decision is going to be very though.

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