PRS-950 How will 950 work on Kobo?

[petercreasey]

With the transition of Sony Store to Kobo, it appears that PRS 950s will be able to access Kobo only via wired USB connection.

Will there be any difficulties with the PRS 950 accessing Kobo books? Any special procedure(s) needed?

Thanks!

. . . . . Pete

[Bookworm_Girl]

It should be ok. You can purchases books from Kobo today and read them on your 950. It seems that Sony does not plan to update the 950 to work directly with the Kobo store. However they are updating the Reader for PC/Mac software. Basically you'll have to buy books from Kobo or other compatible EPUB stores, download them to your computer, import them into software like Reader or ADE, and then sideload them via USB to your 950. Hope that helps!

[petercreasey]

I'm not sure I fully understand. I didn't know (or don't recall) that reader of ADE has the import capability.

Hopefully, things will become clearer as more dialogue and experience comes forward.

. . . . Pete

[Bookworm_Girl]

Don't worry! You have lots of options. Here are just a few.

1) You could import book purchases into the Reader software and then connect the 950 and transfer them by USB. Once Sony transitions to Kobo as it's official store provider then books should appear in your Reader for PC/Mac library just like a Sony purchase would and you don't have to import those.

2) You could import book purchases into ADE and then the software downloads them into an ADE storage folder. You can drag and drop the EPUB book file from that folder via Windows Explorer / Mac Finder over a USB connection to your 950.

3) You could find the file from the ADE or Sony Reader folder and then import it into calibre library management software and then transfer it to your 950 with that software.

When the transition happens and you're ready, I'm sure somebody here will help you out if you have problems.

[carpetmojo]

If you want to take the hassle out of things, why not simply use Caibre as your eReader Library ? Calibre recognises all ereaders, handles transfers easily, and so simple and easy to use even Mr. TechDunces like me can use it without any problems ....................
I've never found I absolutely HAVE to get a particular book instantly, and rarely if ever buy wifi-ly via any of my readers, and have never quite understood the huge "advantage" this supposedly confers.

And, of course, should one really wish to expand one's reading horizons, there's always Alfie to call on .........

[petercreasey]

Thanks for the good info!

It sounds like the Reader Library Software will still work as will Calibre...assuming Kobo accordingly furnishes books in epub format.

. . . . Pete

[SoCalReader]

Peter - since you and I are avid 950 fans (did you recently out bid me for a 950 on on eBay? ) I second carpetmojo's recommendation. The Sony software ended up having bugs for me after I started purchasing books from Google and other sources. You still have to download and install Adobe's Digital Editions when using Calibre, but it has been worth it. I would not say the process is as easy as using the Sony software when it is working since you have to download first to ADE and then copy the actual file over to Calibre. For my spouse who has little interest in software beyond "which button do I push" (otherwise she is brilliant - just not interested), it probably is beyond her activation barrier. Your mileage will vary. Good luck.

Note - for the two of us, really the only thing that will fail on the device should be the batteries. Do you have info on how to change batteries?

[SoCalReader]

Quick follow up Pete: see

http://projects.mobileread.com/reade...PRS-950_sm.pdf

for a service manual for the PRS 950. Has more info than we will ever need, but pretty readable.

Until someone comes out with another 7" screen (I don't know how my wife likes the postage stamp screen on the PRS T2), I'm going to milk these babies for as long as possible.

[petercreasey]

Originally Posted by SoCalReader

Peter - since you and I are avid 950 fans (did you recently out bid me for a 950 on on eBay?

You still have to download and install Adobe's Digital Editions when using Calibre, but it has been worth it.

Note - for the two of us, really the only thing that will fail on the device should be the batteries. Do you have info on how to change batteries?

S, It may have been me. I got a really fine package that provides me duplicates of everything, including, of course, a backup 950.

I haven't used ADE in a long time. I don't see why I can't continue to use the Sony Library Software for those books that Calibre can't handle directly. Obviously I will no longer be able to access Sony Store, but the software should still work for the unconventional format.

On the battery, I really have no interest in trying to change the battery. Hopefully, (knocking on wood!) my primary 950 and my backup 950 will keep on keeping on.

. . . . . Pete

[Bookworm_Girl]

Yes, you should be able to use the Sony software still. That's Option 1 in my list.

The FAQs from Sony say that the plan to issue an update to it that makes the store connect to Kobo rather than their own. Otherwise I would expect it to function the same.

The 950 just isn't on the list to get a device firmware update for the Kobo store like the newer models.

[Bookworm_Girl]

By the way my 950 battery died. I haven't found any sources for a new one or instructions on how to change it.

[SoCalReader]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

By the way my 950 battery died. I haven't found any sources for a new one or instructions on how to change it.

The 650 battery might be the same and there are options for that model... Did you try contacting Sony directly?

[Bookworm_Girl]

No, I doubt Sony will supply any info on the batteries. I think when I researched it before that they are not the same as 650.

[petercreasey]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

By the way my 950 battery died. I haven't found any sources for a new one or instructions on how to change it.

B, If that happened to me, I would contact Sony support and see what my options are to have the 950 repaired i.e. with new battery or otherwise replaced with a refurbished unit.

. . . . Pete

[Bookworm_Girl]

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it some thought. Probably not worth the hassle since I have several other options such as my T2 and Kindle Paperwhite. I do miss the larger screen and have been reading quite a bit on my iPad Mini.