Firmware update for PRS-500 available - EPUB!

igorsk · 11-15-2009, 08:56 AM

Alas, it's not updateable by user and the device must be sent in.

Quote:

Update your Reader firmware, compliments of Sony.

Sony has created a firmware update for your Reader, allowing it to remain compatible with the new eBook Store format. This update will allow your PRS-500 to support the ePub and Adobe DRM format and add the ability to re-flow PDF documents. Due to the nature of the work required, you will need to send your PRS-500 Reader to the Sony Service Centers for updating.

All you need to do is complete the request for firmware update through the link below, or call 866-962-7669. We will provide you with a pre-paid UPS label for sending in your Reader. You should have your PRS-500 back within 14 days, with the firmware update installed.

Alternatively, you can trade it for a newer model.

Quote:

Trade in for a new Reader Pocket Edition or Reader Touch Edition:
Trade in your PRS-500 when purchasing a new Reader Pocket Edition or Reader Touch Edition. You will receive $50 off of the Reader Pocket Edition or $75 off the Reader Touch Edition.

Linky.

JSWolf · 11-15-2009, 09:03 AM

Do you know if the 500 will still be able to read BBeB after the firmware update?

igorsk · 11-15-2009, 09:04 AM

I don't see why not.

BTW, they also give a more precise date for the switchover.

Quote:

Sony will soon be converting The eBook Store library platform from BBeB eBook format to the industry-standard ePub format. This transition will take effect in mid-December, 2009.

HarryT · 11-15-2009, 09:08 AM

I would guess that this offer will only be available in the US, given that the PRS-500 was never officially sold elsewhere.

Abecedary · 11-15-2009, 09:11 AM

I suspect that they'll basically replace the guts with something similar to the 300/505. It would be interesting to see some teardown pics from somebody who takes this upgrade path. Still, good news for those who still have 500s.

HarryT · 11-15-2009, 09:13 AM

Yes, I suspect you're right - this will be a hardware update.

JSWolf · 11-15-2009, 09:16 AM

My guess is that at the very least, Sony will be replacing the rom inside the 500 so itis large enough to allow the ePub firmware.

igorsk · 11-15-2009, 09:18 AM

And I'm betting it will be software only

They probably just need to do some repartitioning of the flash which might be tricky to do with the existing updater.

JSWolf · 11-15-2009, 09:21 AM

So once your 500 is flashed and you have it back, are you going to open it to see what's maybe changed?

igorsk · 11-15-2009, 09:22 AM

Well, I haven't yet decided whether to send it, since they offer shipping only inside USA...

JSWolf · 11-15-2009, 09:24 AM

If you want to send it here with pre-paid postage back to you, I can send it in for you no problem. That is if Sony will allow multiple 500s to be sent in from the same address.

zelda_pinwheel · 11-15-2009, 10:01 AM

wow !! this is great news !!! and i have to say, i am REALLY impressed that sony is offering this solution. nicely done, sony ! i'll be really interested to hear whether the update is software only or hardware ; i was under the impression the 500 hardware wasn't able to render epub for material reasons. but, if igorsk says those can be fixed by re-partitioning the flash, then that would explain it.

vivaldirules · 11-15-2009, 10:26 AM

This is good news.

(doggie looks at watch, then thumps it)

Do you have the time? My watch says it's 2009.

David Munch · 11-15-2009, 10:38 AM

Good service for such an old product, especially since it such a hassle for the company. Thumbs up for this Sony.

khalleron · 11-15-2009, 10:47 AM

Wow, that's going to a deal of trouble on Sony's part. I don't think I've ever heard of a company doing this for its customers. Usually outmoded electronics are simply left unsupported.

Good move, Sony.

11-15-2009, 09:18 AM	#8
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	And I'm betting it will be software only They probably just need to do some repartitioning of the flash which might be tricky to do with the existing updater. Last edited by igorsk; 11-15-2009 at 09:21 AM.

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11-15-2009, 09:03 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,355 Karma: 142887248 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Do you know if the 500 will still be able to read BBeB after the firmware update?

11-15-2009, 09:08 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I would guess that this offer will only be available in the US, given that the PRS-500 was never officially sold elsewhere.

11-15-2009, 09:11 AM	#5
Abecedary Exwyzeeologist Posts: 535 Karma: 3261 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: :PRS-505::iPod touch:	I suspect that they'll basically replace the guts with something similar to the 300/505. It would be interesting to see some teardown pics from somebody who takes this upgrade path. Still, good news for those who still have 500s.

11-15-2009, 09:13 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Yes, I suspect you're right - this will be a hardware update.

11-15-2009, 09:16 AM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,355 Karma: 142887248 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 at the very least, Sony will be replacing the rom inside the 500 so itis large enough to allow the ePub firmware.

11-15-2009, 09:21 AM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,355 Karma: 142887248 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	So once your 500 is flashed and you have it back, are you going to open it to see what's maybe changed?

11-15-2009, 09:22 AM	#10
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Well, I haven't yet decided whether to send it, since they offer shipping only inside USA...

11-15-2009, 09:24 AM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 78,355 Karma: 142887248 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you want to send it here with pre-paid postage back to you, I can send it in for you no problem. That is if Sony will allow multiple 500s to be sent in from the same address.

11-15-2009, 10:01 AM	#12
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	wow !! this is great news !!! and i have to say, i am REALLY impressed that sony is offering this solution. nicely done, sony ! i'll be really interested to hear whether the update is software only or hardware ; i was under the impression the 500 hardware wasn't able to render epub for material reasons. but, if igorsk says those can be fixed by re-partitioning the flash, then that would explain it.

11-15-2009, 10:26 AM	#13
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	This is good news. (doggie looks at watch, then thumps it) Do you have the time? My watch says it's 2009.

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11-15-2009, 10:38 AM	#14
David Munch Scholar Posts: 1,009 Karma: 3999312 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kobo Libra H2O + iPad Air 4	Good service for such an old product, especially since it such a hassle for the company. Thumbs up for this Sony.

11-15-2009, 10:47 AM	#15
khalleron Kate Posts: 1,700 Karma: 3605799 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oregon, United States Device: MeeBook, Kobo Libra Colour	Wow, that's going to a deal of trouble on Sony's part. I don't think I've ever heard of a company doing this for its customers. Usually outmoded electronics are simply left unsupported. Good move, Sony.