3 New Sony Readers announced today, apps coming this fall

Nate the great · 09-01-2010, 07:48 AM

A couple of blogs have broken the embargo, so I got permission to post this now. Here's the highlights:

Sony have updated all 3 current models. All 3 models have the new Pearl screen with an improved touch screen component. They also have 12 dictionaries now (2 English, 10 translation). The Pocket and Touch now has 2GB Flash. The Daily Edition now has Wifi, 4GB Flash. Prices haven't changed ($299, $229, $179).

The Android, iOS apps are coming in November (ish).

Sony will be expanding into new markets this year: Spain, Italy, Australia, China, and Japan.

You can find the complete write up over at The Digital Reader:
http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20...ing-this-fall/

petermillard · 09-01-2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate the great

The Android, iOS apps are coming in November (ish).

Do you have a source for that Nate? The digital reader link doesn't mention it, and unless I've got the wrong end of the stick, I think this would be a very big deal if it meant getting ADE books on iOS, no?

TIA Pete

igorsk · 09-01-2010, 08:10 AM

Other sources said that only Pocket and Touch are "shipping today" (I don't see that so far), Daily is coming in November.

mtravellerh · 09-01-2010, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

Other sources said that only Pocket and Touch are "shipping today" (I don't see that so far), Daily is coming in November.

Are epubs finally fully justified if so wanted?

darex2 · 09-01-2010, 08:16 AM

I have a PRS-505. I'm wondering the following about these new guys:

1) Is the new touchscreen as sharp as the PRS-505's is, or is that still unattainable?

2) Is the total shutdown process more streamlined than in the PRS-505 (not the power slider switch -> power-munching stand-by, but TOTAL shutdown, with the 5-step process)? It's ridiculous on the PRS-505.

3) Will the PRS-650 still fit into my current new-gen Sony cover with light?

It appears the new touch (PRS-650) does away with the proprietary power port, and relies on USB exclusively now.

JSWolf · 09-01-2010, 08:30 AM

1. Supposed to be sharper

2. No idea

3. Doubtful that the lighted 505 cover will fit on the 650.

fjtorres · 09-01-2010, 08:35 AM

The Pocket Edition looks like a true next-gen update; 4X memory and the Touch/Pearl combo. Given the paucity of 5in eink readers the street price ($149?) should be acceptable.
The others? more like a point-one update.
The 950 still looks interesting but it still looks pricey.
The 650? A complete miss. It doesn't look all that hot compared to its own sibling, the Pocket Edition. They should've dropped it and done an unconnected version of the 950 at the same price.
Two out of three may not be bad (with apologies to Meat Loaf) but the big miss comes in the heart of the Market.
And if Nate-the-great's report on DRM-support (Adept-only, no B&N-DRM) is accurate (no reason to doubt him) B&N is likely smiling today.
Now to wait for the Pocketbook news out of Germany.

igorsk · 09-01-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darex2

2) Is the total shutdown process more streamlined than in the PRS-505 (not the power slider switch -> power-munching stand-by, but TOTAL shutdown, with the 5-step process)? It's ridiculous on the PRS-505.

All models since PRS-600 support full shutdown by holding power switch for 5 seconds. I don't know why the excitement about it, it's not something you do every day anyway.

Nate the great · 09-01-2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petermillard

Do you have a source for that Nate? The digital reader link doesn't mention it, and unless I've got the wrong end of the stick, I think this would be a very big deal if it meant getting ADE books on iOS, no?

TIA Pete

Apps are the first thing I mentioned in my post over on TDR. And my source is the follow up emails I exchanged last night with my Sony contact.

Nate the great · 09-01-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

Other sources said that only Pocket and Touch are "shipping today" (I don't see that so far), Daily is coming in November.

I'm probably wrong. Let me go double check.

Wall · 09-01-2010, 08:55 AM

Any word on what the apps will be capable of, exactly? I'm guessing they'll be able to read Adobe-encrypted files...?

JSWolf · 09-01-2010, 08:55 AM

If he 650 & 350 are going to be in the SonyStyle stores, I'll be able to go there on Friday to have a look. I'll be able to report how the new screens look.

Nate the great · 09-01-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wall

Any word on what the apps will be capable of, exactly? I'm guessing they'll be able to read Adobe-encrypted files...?

They didn't have those details.

darex2 · 09-01-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

All models since PRS-600 support full shutdown by holding power switch for 5 seconds. I don't know why the excitement about it, it's not something you do every day anyway.

I disagree. Maybe I don't use mine as frequently as yours, but when I first got it, I was pretty shocked to see the battery level go down, down, down, and only last a week or so, when I thought the unit was off. That was before I learned about the total shutdown, and have done that every since. It's a pain, but it's worth it, because my battery now lasts months.

I'll check my PRS-505 to see if recent firmware updates have added that feature to the 505.

Thanks.

taming · 09-01-2010, 09:06 AM

What does "flash" mean in this context? I'm guessing you are NOT talking about the flash that has come to be associated with video--not with eInk.

09-01-2010, 07:48 AM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	3 New Sony Readers announced today, apps coming this fall A couple of blogs have broken the embargo, so I got permission to post this now. Here's the highlights: Sony have updated all 3 current models. All 3 models have the new Pearl screen with an improved touch screen component. They also have 12 dictionaries now (2 English, 10 translation). The Pocket and Touch now has 2GB Flash. The Daily Edition now has Wifi, 4GB Flash. Prices haven't changed ($299, $229, $179). The Android, iOS apps are coming in November (ish). Sony will be expanding into new markets this year: Spain, Italy, Australia, China, and Japan. You can find the complete write up over at The Digital Reader: http://www.the-digital-reader.com/20...ing-this-fall/ Last edited by Nate the great; 09-01-2010 at 11:01 AM.

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09-01-2010, 08:10 AM	#3
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Other sources said that only Pocket and Touch are "shipping today" (I don't see that so far), Daily is coming in November.

09-01-2010, 08:16 AM	#5
darex2 Member Posts: 19 Karma: 22 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: PRS-350 (and PRS-505; for sale)	I have a PRS-505. I'm wondering the following about these new guys: 1) Is the new touchscreen as sharp as the PRS-505's is, or is that still unattainable? 2) Is the total shutdown process more streamlined than in the PRS-505 (not the power slider switch -> power-munching stand-by, but TOTAL shutdown, with the 5-step process)? It's ridiculous on the PRS-505. 3) Will the PRS-650 still fit into my current new-gen Sony cover with light? It appears the new touch (PRS-650) does away with the proprietary power port, and relies on USB exclusively now.

09-01-2010, 08:30 AM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	1. Supposed to be sharper 2. No idea 3. Doubtful that the lighted 505 cover will fit on the 650.

09-01-2010, 08:35 AM	#7
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	The Pocket Edition looks like a true next-gen update; 4X memory and the Touch/Pearl combo. Given the paucity of 5in eink readers the street price ($149?) should be acceptable. The others? more like a point-one update. The 950 still looks interesting but it still looks pricey. The 650? A complete miss. It doesn't look all that hot compared to its own sibling, the Pocket Edition. They should've dropped it and done an unconnected version of the 950 at the same price. Two out of three may not be bad (with apologies to Meat Loaf) but the big miss comes in the heart of the Market. And if Nate-the-great's report on DRM-support (Adept-only, no B&N-DRM) is accurate (no reason to doubt him) B&N is likely smiling today. Now to wait for the Pocketbook news out of Germany.

09-01-2010, 08:55 AM	#11
Wall Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: none	Any word on what the apps will be capable of, exactly? I'm guessing they'll be able to read Adobe-encrypted files...?

09-01-2010, 09:06 AM	#15
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	What does "flash" mean in this context? I'm guessing you are NOT talking about the flash that has come to be associated with video--not with eInk.

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