Sony Reader Digital Book PRS-505 (dark blue) (discontinued)

Review: Awesome Product however can be improved by adding a basic dictionary, Scroll wheel instead of page Scrolling buttons and adding more features in Utility e.g. delete book(s) and format external memory card etc.

Review: never again. cables negate convenience and no selection options. I can by books anywhere, read anywhere and sell to a used dealer etc. Expensive paper weight. I never use it.

Review: Pretty much like it.

Review: Notice I didn't include lack of wireless connectivity under cons. It's a nice feature, but I don't miss wireless at all partly because I'm always around a PC with Internet connectivity. As for color--even though silver and red are flashier to look at, I agree with others that blue is more conducive to focus on the e-ink display while reading. My only gripe is the blue has a purplish tinge that I personally don't like. Dark blue with a grayish or metallic tinge would have been more to my taste, but that's nit picking.

Lack of a dictionary is a more serious gripe, but a dictionary is not practical without search capability. The PRS-700 would have been my choice for this reason, but the 700 display is a step backwards due to being noticeably dimmer and less sharp than the 505 (evidently a trade-off for touch screen functionality).

Weaknesses in Sony's eBook Library software has spawned alternative ebook managers such as Calibre that extend features like format conversion and management of ebook metadata. Other freeware solutions help with reformatting A4 PDF files to fit smaller ebook displays. For the most part, these tools work best on simple PDFs. BTW, I discovered these solutions at Mobileread.com forums -- an excellent site for discussing anything and everything about ebooks and ebook readers.

Given my set of preferences, Sony's PRS-505 was the best choice and should keep me happy while the technology to evolves and while waiting to see if someone builds a reader with everything I want in one package.

Review: I've been reading ebooks on my Palm handhelds for years, and when I saw the Reader at the Sony outlet, I was definitely interested in getting one. However, the availability of the Kindle, supposed lack of Linux support, lack of wireless, made me think twice. But, upon doing more research, Kindle 2 seems to have more flaws than the Reader. Here's where the Reader has the Kindle 2 beat in my opinion:

1. Expandable memory
2. Design
3. Multi-format support allowing for more online sources

The Kindle does have "Wireless" BUT it only works in the US. I'm not from the US so that's a non-issue for me.

Now, the other main thing that threw me off was the supposed lack of Linux support. This is simply untrue. If you plug in the Reader via USB to any Linux (maybe Mac) computer, it will show as a removable disk and allow you to cut and paste files. For example, you can download a book to the Reader's "Book" folder under media. I don't really understand why Sony didn't state this capability. Linux support was a major thing for me and I think it's also a concern for non-windows users. Just want to set things straight, here.

Now, as for those other flaws:

1. Pricing - could definitely be cheaper. I mean, I can get a netbook for that price that can do way more than just read books. However, I doubt any netbook out there can match any ebook reader's battery life.

2. "Connect" - this only works for windows. Again, why is Sony just sticking to Windows? There are emulators but, come on. They should allow users the option to choose. Thankfully, Sony's bookstore isn't the only place I can get books from.

3. PDF display woes - if your PDF has pictures or images, resizing doesn't really work so well. For example, a comic in PDF will show with very small font unless you change orientation, thereby cutting the page and some panels in half. Still readable, but not that pretty. Some PDF manuals don't allow you to change fonts at all.

So, there it is. Given that there are only two good ebook readers out there; the Sony Reader and Amazon Kindle, I choose the Sony. Most of the flaws are really minor gripes if you look at it and they virtually disappear if you're a Windows user. And even if you're not a Windows user, all the pluses make this the reader to beat.

Review: I'd recommend this to all. Get one before they are all gone. It's like American Express. I NEVER leave home without it!!

Review:

Review: The reader broke after 6 months and when we called custimer service they asked me to pay for a refurbished replacement. When I balked at that -- they negotiated somewhat but still asked that I pay for refurb and to add insult to injury i need to box up the replacement and pay for shipping.

I understand stuff breaks -- but if it does within the first six months GOOD companies stand by their products. Not the case here.

Clearly Sony does not stand by its products and they apparently lack quality. Stay away from this reader. the lack or response from customer service from Sony will also keep me from purchasing any other sony product in the future.

Review: This product was a great surprise!! High quality construction, Easy software to use and great E-ink pages!! The page turning really doesn't bother me as it changes quite quickly! The background is quite white and printing really sticks out nicely!!
Would have given it a 10 if Sony offered more Ebooks on it's website. But check out Feedbooks.com. They offer some great free ebooks in .pdf for the Sony Reader that have a nice size print!! ALL IN ALL A++ SONY!!!

Review: The device is great, plus I can load other formats using a free program named "calibre" that converts my texts to the reader format.
I own a Sony reader and I am happy with its performance. The access to the menus could improve, you have to do all the way back to access the player, for instance.

Review: This was a lovely birthday present this week! Despite many "mediocre" reviews on various websites {not just this one}, I have been quite pleased with my new Blue Sony Reader. I felt compelled to submit my $0.02 because I wanted to clear up one main thing that many people, apparently, are not getting straight [INCLUDING cnet.com editorial reviewer(s) -- unless they have since realized the inaccuracy -- please see comment on pdf files].

OK, here is my two cents worth:

PROS:

=> it fits easily in my purse; not much taller than a paperback and obviously much thinner;

=> w/blue being my childhood favorite color, it is a very sleek looking piece of hardware and coordinates beautifully with the included navy blue cover;

=> I s'pose I could be shot for this, but I absolutely cannot imagine reading on my cellphone, PDA, laptop {w/the flickering, ugh}, etc.; hence, my new reader is PERFECT for...well, reading :o);

=> for those of us with ~20/20-but-not-quite vision, there is the small/med./large zoom feature for all e-book text AND [cnet], if you simply go to Sony's website, you can download the SUPER EASY instructions for creating your own pdf files AND you can ZOOM them...I tested these instructions with an online article after initially pasting into MS Word. Using the simple instructions, I QUICKLY CREATED A 2-PAGE PDF FILE AND WAS ABLE TO ZOOM IT ON MY READER;

=> I have had no problems w/downloads; they are quick and painless {e.g., War and Peace (~6mb) took about 35 seconds on my computer. I read a review where the person complained about it taking "65" seconds on his/her PC...};

=> while I have not had it long enough to test the 7,500 page turns before recharging {what, about 2-3 weeks or more???}, I will assume this to be the case. I have been reading quite a bit this week, and thus far, the indicator is still "full;"

=> quite pleased w/the add'l memory slots. I already had SD cards for my PDA, so this was a nice feature on the reader {I do not use Sony's memory stick, but that is the other option in case you are not aware};

=> the navigation is fairly simple & quick. Bookmarks can be set up for where you left off {in SEVERAL books, in case you tend to read more than one @ a time}. Page turning accommodates both righties and lefties. Being right-handed, I like the fact I can turn the page forward/backward with my thumb--barely moving my hand while reading. I also like the 0-9 tabs along the right side of the reader to quickly get to a title, author, etc., and I like the page search feature of simply entering a page number (e.g., 108) and you quickly get to that page. Hyperlinks in any e-book allow for quick navigation, as well;

=> SINCE THIS IS SUPPOSED TO MIMIC/REPLACE A BOOK, I do not have a problem with the screen not having a back light. Oddly enough, while I enjoy reading the text on the screen in the three zoom modes as if this were a paperback, admittedly, I slightly miss the cover of the book not being in color on the reader [oh well];

=> last, but not least, as a subway commuter I was compelled this week to "pretend" I was actually listening to music while reading. Sometimes, folks in the subways [strangers] want to strike up a conversation {on airplanes, too--right, folks?!}, or a guy tries to flirt :o), {or a panhandler begs for money :o( }, and so forth. So I am always doing something on the subways during my commute {reading, logic problems, listening to music, whatever}, so now I can simply put the ear buds in my ears WITHOUT actually listening to music, but I can then read in peace. I have on occasion listened to classical music while reading on the subways, but I decided not to load/listen to music on my reader to maintain the battery life...but who knows in the future. Of course, playing mp3s is still a nice feature and it comes with a couple of songs.

CONS:

=> perhaps I would have seen things differently had I not used Microsoft's free reader on my desktop first, but...alas: unlike MS's reader, the Sony portable reader does NOT allow text highlighting, selecting a word to look up the definition {i.e., if you have an e-dictionary(s) already downloaded}, searching for specific words/phrases in your e-book, or adding your very own notes or drawings on a page. Since I used these features on occasion w/desktops, they were somewhat missed on Sony's reader {esp. word search & definitions}. I suppose this would be a bigger problem for students {although, it would certainly be better for their backs and the environment by not killing so many trees for those enormous textbooks}. Oddly, given the fact that the reader supports audio files to listen while you read, it does not support audio books. While I do not have any audio books in MS's reader, there is an audio feature and it works nicely with regular e-books I downloaded {e.g., if/when you are tired, you can press play and a voice starts speaking from wherever your cursor is};

=> similarly to the above, I cannot help but compare Sony's desktop software to iTunes. The navigation is just a wee bit sluggish. Screen changing in the desktop software with those status arrows is slow, even on a fast computer AND even on Sony's own website on the internet [noticeable on several computers around town, etc.]. While I am OK with the way the portable reader turns pages [time in seconds], the desktop software is much slower to navigate. also, it is slightly annoying the way it returns to an author's HOME page instead of just his/her PREVIOUS page when you want to read add'l info about a specific title {using the back arrow}. This is not a big deal if the author has just two pages, but for those with several pages, it is ridiculous to have to page through to, say, the sixth page AGAIN to continue where you left off;

=> not sure if this is a software bug, but so far this happens ALL the time on my desktop when I open Sony's software -- I click on "eBook Store," my e-mail address is already there, and I enter my password. But then I get a gray screen that says "Page not available...contact our customer support..." Yet, if I just go to the bottom of this window and click the eBook Store TAB, it goes directly to the home page of the store. Again, so far this happens 100% of the time and there is certainly nothing wrong w/our broadband connection, etc.;

=> inventory ? this is a strange one. While Sony and Borders Books are in partnership, currently, there still are not as many titles as for, say, Amazon's new reader...go figure;

=> while it is only the 2nd gen, @ 300 bucks [much less than Amazon's, obviously] it is still pricey. Also, websites like fictionwise.com and others tend to have much cheaper content, so not sure what is up with that. I do hope inventory pricing will come down in the future. We opted to purchase the reader on sonystyle.com because it appeared the other online vendors were NOT doing the free 100 classic titles w/the purchase of the unit &/or any engraving; and

=> just a minor pet peeve I alluded to in the other section ? I am spoiled by the vibrancy of MS's reader {even its highlights/drawings can be done in SEVERAL colors} so it is a bit to get used to, only viewing things in several shades of gray w/Sony's portable reader. I keep telling myself: "THIS REPLACES BOOKS; YOU ARE READING ? READING; YOU COULD NOT PRESS A BUTTON TO LISTEN TO MUSIC WHEN YOU READ PAPERBACKS; YOU DID NOT HAVE A BACK LIGHT; YOU COULD NOT DO A WORD SEARCH WITH A HARD COPY; ETC.; ETC.; ETC."

Folks, I guess if you keep everything in perspective, you will find very strong merits for having this tool--if you read a lot--and for taking back shelf space in your homes/doing right by the environment.

Thx for your time-

MLA

Review: Can only use Sony's E-book Store. Cannot download prior e-books obtained from, say, e-Reader.com into the PRS system. Spoke with a tech services guy; no joy there. Also, the unit offers no illumination and does not allow e-dictionary interactions. Sorry, I'd rather have stayed with a Palm PDA. And, yes, the Sony e-books ARE expensive.

Review: For $300, I got 100 books. All further books will be at a good price. Sure, $300 is nothing to sneeze at, but for what you're getting, it's a great deal. I love carrying a small library with me. Somehow, I'm able to read longer and focus better with this gadget. I think it's because I like to read curled on my side, which is easier when I'm not fighting Book Bump. (the curve of the page near the binding) The screen is easy on my weak eyes as well. The screen is easy on my weak eyes as well. All in all, this was a great anniversary present.

Review: While the correct on the goo everything listed in the bad is WRONG!!!!!!!!!!

The bad:
1.)Downloadable titles are expensive and only available through Sony's online store
REAL ANSWER= Manybooks.com has a ton of free titales!!! also fictonwise.com is a good paysite. CNET IS DUMB

2.) AC adapter is an optional accessory (you charge the PRS-505 by connecting the included USB cable to your computer)
OK- even a broken clock is correct 2 x a day

3.)desktop software isn't available for Mac owners;
REAL Answer= MACS are dumb the 80'd are over. cut the pony tail already!!!

2.)PDF files are hard to read because they're reduced to fit the screen and you can't magnify (zoom) them
REAL ANSWER= That is why you convert them with the countles free pdf2 text progs. Or just download the orig BBEB format from manybooks.com
3.though diminished, some lag issues remain when flipping pages;
Real Answer= Books are big and smell funny. Way to nitpick bro!

4.)no support for Audible audio books.
Real answer= Another LIE just google it.

come on guys!! people rely on you!! get it straight!!!

Review: Since i have to read a lot of documents on laptop, PC that was causing eye strain, i wanted an e-reader that is easy on eyes and had read about e-ink technology. And I must say that the Sony PRS 505 reader is a good product in this regard. its as nice to eye as a printed book, but that also means you cant read it in the dark. the inbuilt memory of 190 MB + 2GB SD card + 8GB Sony memory stick assure enough books can be accomodated. user friendly as it remembers what page you were at when you stopped reading last time. other user friendly features i liked are facility of collections (where you can classify your content), landscape/portait reading, menu screen and navigation. Easy to carry, and battery lasts real long inspite of heavy reading. The screen is soothing white in color and size is good trade off between amount of information and portability / mobility. Images look a bit ok. I have been using it for two weeks now, and this thing is selling like hot cakes; i am surprised how come it does not have user reviews on cnet so far.

On the other hand, its very slow in performance when opening certain rtf, pdf. the software is bad at importing other formats such as pdf (especially A4 size) or rtf. if support for these formats is improved, the sales would boom. currently, managing with http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_conversion . Cmon Sony, take a cue from this site above, you can do better than just publishing a 3-4 pager "how to guide", that relies on people using Acrobat software (not reader) to resize and reformat docs to fit reader. Please read the website mobileread.com; its a good companion. Expect a slightly longish learning curve in getting your PC docs (pdf, chm, doc, html) on to the reader. Also dont expect it to replace your laptop or pc. Also remember, its just black and white.

As compared to competition such as kindle or iliad, i would prefer sony. the kindle might be tied to Amazon only stuff and seems a 100$ more expensive, and iliad is way to expensive at 700$, however you can make your notes.

Wishlist - faster firmware, better support for opening pdf, more investment in e-book library to make it a bit more professional, user friendly and attractive.

e-ink technology has a good future, please add color to our lives, its like going back to 1700s.

Between blue and silver, i found blue better due to its good contrast with the white screen, may be its just me. The metallic finish and the magnetic black cover that snaps to close on reader, are coool.

overall - excellent for taking and reading in garden, train, or in your bed in daytime, and by a night lamp at night. the Sony reader is like a fiction book, just much thinner and lighter and can hold 100s of them. Go, do your eyes a favor by trying it out at a store.