Sony reader on sale in Waterstones this Thursday
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The Sony reader goes on sale in Waterstones this Thursday 4th September. Price is £199 online on Waterstones.com, €249 in Waterstones stores in Ireland. Haven’t seen anything about them in the shops, but it looks quite interesting. As well as being able to read specially formatted Ebooks on the device, you can load your own pdf’s, word documents and image files onto it too. Image files will be in black and white though. It also has the ability to import MP3 files.
I don’t think we will ever see the day when an electronic device replace a book, but I would like to see one in action. The majority of the reviews are pretty positive – like this one
I do still buy paperbacks (where an electronic version isn’t available), but given the option I would now always go for the electronic version – purely for the ease of use / portability. I’ve actually re-purchased a lot of my favourite paper books in electronic format.
My PRS500 fits my inside jacket pocket and allows me to take a library of over 100 books with me where ever I go.
I read for a couple of hours each evening and I need to recharge the reader about 1 per month (takes around 4 hours for a full charge from almost empty).
The text is clear and easy to read (plus can be enlarged if needed), and the screen refresh isn’t really noticeable once you start using it – in fact numerous times I’ve found myself trying to turn the page as if the Reader was a paper book.
There won’t be any iPhone mania for this device, but you should check it out if you are near a Waterstones store and see for yourself whether an electronic reader would suit you. If I take the plunge I’ll do a review.
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5 Comments
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Technology is great. I love my MP3pllayer, I love my laptop, my HD projector and the list goes on but to me books are sacred.
There’s nothing* as satisfying as the feel and smell of a new book. Hopefully this is just a silly fad.
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:23 pm
It’s definitely here to stay and don’t think it’s a fad. I’m in the same camp as yourself re: the satisfaction and smell of a new book BUT I can see the benefits of having a reader as well. Or maybe that’s my out and out gadget lust coming to the fore again!
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:11 am
BBC Breakfast did a piece on it this morning – it might show up on iPlayer soon (?).
General conclusion that it isn’t about killing off books, but enhancing our reading pleasure.
I tend to agree and as much as I relish having the printed book in my hands, I could see myself happily making use of this technology.
One point well made on the Beeb this morning, while some competitors have bluetooth the Sony model doesn’t. So if you wanted to read an electronic version of your favourite newspaper on the bus/train to work in the morning then you’re stuck.
It won’t replace books. But that isn’t the point of it.
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Had a look at one today and I like it. Only problem now is getting one in Ireland. Speaking to Waterstones today they are having problems getting them.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
One of my nephews gave me the Sony reader as a birthday present, and I initially just started using it to please him. However, it’s been 2 weeks and I can’t imagine life without my reader. I’m a dunce when it comes to technology, but the Waterstones people were quite helpful in helping me set up. The BooksOnBoard people were beyond helpful in helping me transfer books to the reader (link to their Sony help page) and now using my reader is quite simple and really does look like a book. I love it!