Does Sony's New eReader make me regret my kindle 3 preorder?

[muggle]

Sony Readers

• No WiFi
• No 3G
• No updated PDF support (I just read through the 650 User manual and it hardly mentions PDF)
• No Text to Speech
• Limited Bookstore
• High price

The Sony Daily Edition eReader does support Wifi and 3G, but it is the only model that does so.  Of course, all of the Sony models are more expensive than the Kindle.

[w5jck]

I'm pretty sure I will get one too.  I already own the K3, and I'm happy with it, but the PRS-350 supports ePub, is more durable (kindle is contructed with plastic instead of metal) and it is truly pocket-able.  There is definitely space in my life for both readers.

I would disagree on the more durable. I've owned every Sony except the 500. Although they might have a very thin metal front and back, the sides are plastic. The K3 is IMO just as durable as the Sonys. For one thing plastic is more pliable whereas metal will dent and deform more easily.

[Belle2Be]

I would disagree on the more durable. I've owned every Sony except the 500. Although they might have a very thin metal front and back, the sides are plastic. The K3 is IMO just as durable as the Sonys. For one thing plastic is more pliable whereas metal will dent and deform more easily.

I agree, metal does not = strength or durability.

[ProfCrash]

My K1 is coming on two years old and is humming along just fine. I think Kindles are more then durable.

[Meemo]

If one is looking for the broadest ePub capability, the Nook probably turns out to be a better choice right now, since you can put books from the Sony store on a Nook, but you can't put books from the B&N store on a Sony (yet - it's allegedly coming - like the ability to put library books is allegedly coming to the Kindle).  Plus if you're using a reader for library books, you can't have an ePub library book and a PDF library book on the Sony readers at the same time (unless they fixed it with these new readers).  Not a problem with the Nook.  The best things about my little Sony Pocket reader were the collections and the ability to set them up with their (sometimes buggy) software on the computer, the Sony cover with the built-in light, and it was cute & pink.  I liked it, but for me the Nook turned out to be a better choice.  I'm underwhelmed by the Nook's touch screen, as I have been with the touchscreens on the previous Sonys, so that's definitely not a draw for me.  Nook has no collections feature right now, but just the thought of trying to set that up with the Nook's touch keyboard makes me twitchy. 

I'm just talking about the "big 3" here - Kindle/Sony/Nook - and know there are other readers for ePub, but I suspect the B&N DRM remains an issue. 

[Selcien]

Sony 350 & 650 Readers

• AC adapter not included

I completely disregarded that when I first saw it as I figured that I could use my PRS-600 AC adapter, or even my PSP AC adapter, but I've come to find out that that is not an option as the only way to charge the new Sony Readers is with a USB cable. The new AC adapter is an attachment for the USB cable and they (sonystyle.com) want $29.99 for it. Not sure if a Kindle adapter, or other similar adapters would work, but I'm not about to risk it. On top of that it doesn't even come with a slip cover.

I ended up pre-ordering a pink PRS-350 anyway, it should ship on or around the 16th, albeit the email says "On backorder. We will notify you by e-mail once your order has shipped." so no telling for sure, and it came to $192.59 (7% sales tax). It would have come to $224.68 if I had ordered the AC adapter. Just for the hell of it, the PRS-650 would come to $246.09, with the AC adapter it would be $278.18.

I really have no idea what Sony thinks they're doing. I want the touch screen and the small form factor that the PRS-350 offers enough to pay a $52.60 premium over the Wi-Fi K3, and am willing to make a habit of charging the reader on my PC to keep from spending more, but if I was looking to replace my PRS-600 with the PRS-650 that premium would be $106.10, and there's no way that I could justify that.

You might as well pronounce Sony dead 'cause I honestly do not see how they expect to be competitive against the K3.

[KayakerNC]

Sony 350 & 650 Readers

• AC adapter not included

The AC adapter is the same as a play station adapter, and you can buy them all day on ebay for about $5 delivered.

[ProfCrash]

I completely disregarded that when I first saw it as I figured that I could use my PRS-600 AC adapter, or even my PSP AC adapter, but I've come to find out that that is not an option as the only way to charge the new Sony Readers is with a USB cable. The new AC adapter is an attachment for the USB cable and they (sonystyle.com) want $29.99 for it. Not sure if a Kindle adapter, or other similar adapters would work, but I'm not about to risk it. On top of that it doesn't even come with a slip cover.

I ended up pre-ordering a pink PRS-350 anyway, it should ship on or around the 16th, albeit the email says "On backorder. We will notify you by e-mail once your order has shipped." so no telling for sure, and it came to $192.59 (7% sales tax). It would have come to $224.68 if I had ordered the AC adapter. Just for the hell of it, the PRS-650 would come to $246.09, with the AC adapter it would be $278.18.

I really have no idea what Sony thinks they're doing. I want the touch screen and the small form factor that the PRS-350 offers enough to pay a $52.60 premium over the Wi-Fi K3, and am willing to make a habit of charging the reader on my PC to keep from spending more, but if I was looking to replace my PRS-600 with the PRS-650 that premium would be $106.10, and there's no way that I could justify that.

You might as well pronounce Sony dead 'cause I honestly do not see how they expect to be competitive against the K3.

You just ordered a smaller reader at a higher price then the K3. So it seems like their game plan is working fine for them. Had you said you would not order the reader then they would be in trouble.

[Selcien]

For me, the rose color is what attracts me to the Sony.  I almost bought the 300 a few months ago but couldn't justify it, since I have the Cybook Opus for library ebooks.

Judging from a pic I found on the Mobile Read forums http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96918, the video on Sony Style, and the pics in a hands on review http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/hands-on-sony-reader-touch-review-713812# it looks like the pink one will not be pink at all, or at least not what I'd consider to be pink. I think that I'm going to be very happy with the color when I get it and find myself wondering why I'd want any other color.

You just ordered a smaller reader at a higher price then the K3. So it seems like their game plan is working fine for them. Had you said you would not order the reader then they would be in trouble.

I wish it were that simple. I bought a Sega Saturn and a Sega Dreamcast and yet both consoles failed.  

It looks like Sony has made improvements to more than just the form factor and screen though, http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97011 so I could very easily be selling them short. I mean, today I already want it more than I did yesterday, and there's no telling what I'm going to think once I can actually use it.

I distrust anything Sony says as they like to talk big but they might not be full of themselves this time, it could be that the quality will be good enough to be competitive.

[Arkali]

I'm another person that doesn't like the touch screens.  I wanted to like the Nook, truly.  Loaning books, library check-outs, pretty color covers... yumm.  Tried the Nook at Best Buy and the touch screen was MADDENING.  I seriously hated it and immediately went with a Kindle.  The Sony readers I looked at were pretty cruddy looking, too, IMO. 

[ProfCrash]

As long as they are selling the product, then Sony is doing what it wants to do. There are some serious Sony Devotees, just as there are serious Kindle Devotees.

I doubt that the Sony will be competitive. It is too expensive for what it is and their book store sucks. The posters at sites like Kindle Boards and Mobile Read are looking for different places to buy books and how to convert formats and the like. Many people are not as invested. They are going to want a reader that is easy to use and buy books from. The Kindle and Nook offer that. Good readers with good bookstores.

Sony is probably doing well because EPub is the more poular format outside of the US so more international users have a desire to use the Sony.

[w5jck]

The AC adapter is the same as a play station adapter, and you can buy them all day on ebay for about $5 delivered.

No it is not. Sony did away with the barrel type charge adapter on the new models and instead went with a micro-USB. If you have a Blackberry charger it might work. I suspect any of the AC to standard USD adapters will work too and they are cheap. I suspect that the Kindle adapter will even work. But if all else fails just use a USB cable plugged into a PC to charge it. That is what I do with my 300.

[KayakerNC]

No it is not. Sony did away with the barrel type charge adapter on the new models and instead went with a micro-USB. If you have a Blackberry charger it might work. I suspect any of the AC to standard USD adapters will work too and they are cheap. I suspect that the Kindle adapter will even work. But if all else fails just use a USB cable plugged into a PC to charge it. That is what I do with my 300.

My Sony Pocket (300) has a barrel type and a Mini-USB, checking the online PRS350 User Guide, the new one has the micro connection only.   
I agree, the Kindle adapter will most likely work, saves the aggravation of figuring out which cord goes to which unit.   

[muggle]

Here is a hands-on review of the Sony Reader with a video clip:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/01/sony-slims-down-speeds-up-and-adds-touch-to-its-entire-reader/

[Selcien]

I found a thread on the mobileread forums that links to a good video showing the 650. The thread: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97622 The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35yB4qRLcXQ&feature=player_embedded#