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

[lilac_jive]

I'm disappointed that the 300 doesn't have the side buttons for page turns, and lost the memory card slot. Glad no wifi, and that they kept a device with expandable memory.

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I'm disappointed that the 300 doesn't have the side buttons for page turns, and lost the memory card slot. Glad no wifi, and that they kept a device with expandable memory.

My first reaction, too - no card slot!

BUT - I've got over 250 books on my 505, haven't managed to get anywhere close to filling it up. I have an SD card for it, but I've never used it.

So in reality, I doubt I'd miss a card slot. I wouldn't mind having wi-fi, but I don't want anything like the Kindle's Whispernet. I don't want anyone having unauthorized (by me) access to my device.

[porkupan]

If it turns out there is no Wi-Fi I am going to be very disappointed. What's the purpose of this enclosure redesign? To make it cheaper, more affordable? While all competitors are coming up with connected ebook readers, with various screen sizes, with more capabilities, Sony is removing the paging buttons? Is this what they were working on for a year? I sure hope not...

[Lemurion]

Makes me glad I got the 505. However, it's great to see that Sony is not exiting the market, and makes me wonder if there's a larger reader on the horizon?

[donslade]

One more thing that can be deduced from the PRS-600 service manual:

1. No mention of a light (the only occurrence of the word is on page 8).
2. No light switch.
3. No way to test the light.
4. No connection for LED's or a light panel.

This tells me that the display should be close to the sharpness of the PRS-505 since no thick plastic 'lightpipe' is required. The touch sensor may degrade the display some but not a lot. This is good in my opinion.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by donslade

One more thing that can be deduced from the PRS-600 service manual:

1. No mention of a light (the only occurrence of the word is on page 8).
2. No light switch.
3. No way to test the light.

This tells me that the display should be close to the sharpness of the PRS-505 since no thick plastic 'lightpipe' is required. The touch sensor may degrade the display some but not a lot. This is good in my opinion.

...and those LEDs added a lot of thickness to the 700.


Don

[vivaldirules]

So is the 300 a slightly downsized 505 (no slots or mp3) and the 600 a slightly downsized 700 (no light) - and that's all?

[Wario]

Originally Posted by donslade

This tells me that the display should be close to the sharpness of the PRS-505 since no thick plastic 'lightpipe' is required. The touch sensor may degrade the display some but not a lot. This is good in my opinion.

That would be a good thing

I even like the design of the PRS-600 (which is more very important to me).
To me if it got WiFi or not is not a issue.

[igorsk]

I guess the wireless model will be an upgrade of PRS-700 (PRS-705? PRS-800?).
If they really discontinue PRS-505 I think it might become a hot item on ebay, since none of the new models is as good replacement IMO...

[donslade]

Originally Posted by donslade

One more thing that can be deduced from the PRS-600 service manual:

1. No mention of a light (the only occurrence of the word is on page 8).
2. No light switch.
3. No way to test the light.
4. No connection for LED's or a light panel.

This tells me that the display should be close to the sharpness of the PRS-505 since no thick plastic 'lightpipe' is required. The touch sensor may degrade the display some but not a lot. This is good in my opinion.

More stuff:

5. Screen test allows selection of 2 resolutions: 600x800 and 500x700. Does this mean that the 5" PRS-300 has the same or lower DPI as the PRS-505/600/700? Maybe lower and that is a step backward but may point to a lower price.

Update: The PRS-600 test mentions an image size, not a resolution, so #5 above may not apply. The test for the screen on the PRS-300 does not mention an image size.

[kazbates]

This may be a silly question/observation, but, but why would they go backwards in there numbering system? I understand one reason would be that they are making a downsized version that would be less costly and thus be able to reach more people. However, why go backwards with the numbers? Generally they don't do that. It makes me wonder if this is all a red herring.

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by kazbates

This may be a silly question/observation, but, but why would they go backwards in there numbering system? I understand one reason would be that they are making a downsized version that would be less costly and thus be able to reach more people. However, why go backwards with the numbers? Generally they don't do that. It makes me wonder if this is all a red herring.

It might mean that it's a more basic model with a lower price point, IMO.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by kazbates

This may be a silly question/observation, but, but why would they go backwards in there numbering system? I understand one reason would be that they are making a downsized version that would be less costly and thus be able to reach more people. However, why go backwards with the numbers? Generally they don't do that. It makes me wonder if this is all a red herring.

My guess is the 600 is replacing the 505 and the 300 is just a new model and the replacement for the 700 is yet to be seen.

[AJ Starr]

From the fine print in the 300 model manual:

• This product includes software developed by the OpenSSL Project for use in the OpenSSL Toolkit.
(<http://www.openssl.org/>) Copyright © 1998-2006 The OpenSSL Project. All rights reserved. This
product includes cryptographic software written by Eric Young (eay@cryptsoft.com). This product
includes software written by Tim Hudson (tjh@cryptsoft.com). For details on OpenSSL License, refer

to “openssl.txt” on the Reader.

[igorsk]

OpenSSL is also mentioned in PRS-500 and other models. As noted by Abecedary, it is likely used for their encryption routines.