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

[Varin]

The only reason I was going to replace my Sony Touch is because of the double layer it uses (lighting issues, the way it traps debris). The K3 is not an ideal e-reader for me because of it's lack of a touchscreen, so not only is there an inferior user interface, but an overly large form factor due to the keyboard, but those things aren't more important than the screen quality, learned that the hard way, and the K3 seemed the best option. The mere chance that Sony will fix the one issue I have with it made it very easy for me to cancel my K3 pre-order. Worst case scenario, this proves to be a rumor or it's true but the screens still aren't good enough, at which point I can quite easily order a K3. My next e-reader will be my fourth one, I just assume be patient in buying it.

Overly large? But the K3 with it's keyboards is smaller than the nook... does it really take up THAT much space?

[Vegas_Asian]

Haven't ordered my kindle 3 yet, but if i had I wouldn't regret the pre-order. I have had used older ereader some nine years ago. I like how Amazon's only device is the kindle, so there is a certain focus on it. Also I have had great experiences with the Amazon's customer service.

[Boston]

I own both a Sony PRS-505 and a Kindle 1.

The K3 is .6 of an inch taller. I checked as my Sony just fits in the outside pocket of some of my handbags

I don't want a touchscreen.
I don't want a keyboard because of the added real estate.
 

I do want the increased memory (or the SD capability both my ereaders have), faster page turns and improved clarity of the K3.

I would prefer a user replaceable battery.
I prefer epub support (because I do use the library and its less vendor specific).

Wireless or 3G is nice but not a showstopper for me (but it would be for my mom whom I share an account with)

So for now I am sticking with the ebook readers I have and playing the waiting game to see what others come out with.   That being said, if I didn't already have two readers, I would've bought the K3 in a heartbeat (and still almost did).

[Selcien]

Overly large? But the K3 with it's keyboards is smaller than the nook... does it really take up THAT much space?

It's in comparison to what my ideal form factor for an e-reader would be, which is a slight bit smaller than the Sony Touch, about what the Reader Pocket should be if what engadget posted is true.

[mlewis78]

I couldn't find anything else online about this.  The reproductions of the Sony pictures are just awful.

Sony has waited too long to drop the price of its pocket reader.  It's still $150 on their own website.  It's $130 at B&H Photo.  I'm talking about the rose one, which Sears doesn't have.

[Nicolas]

The wi-fi/3G is a vital point for me, so no, I never regretted my pre-order. Also, the 5 inch screen looks fairly small. That means more page turns, so shorter battery life as well. Plus, the Kindle looks far more professional

[mlewis78]

Just saw this.  There was a link in mobileread forum page.

http://www.sonyinsider.com/2010/08/12/new-sony-reader-ebook-devices-coming-soon/

No pictures.  I wonder what the 350 will be like compared with the PRS-300.  And when will they announce this?

[Varin]

It's in comparison to what my ideal form factor for an e-reader would be, which is a slight bit smaller than the Sony Touch, about what the Reader Pocket should be if what engadget posted is true.

Ah, ok ^^

Sorry about the first post if it came off a bit harsh, spent a good part of the day arguing with someone else who was convinced by the pictures that the Kindle's keyboard took up far too much space... it's not like it double or triples the length of the device or anything, and next to the nook, without the keyboard the k3 is going to be smaller than it, but she was adamant to believe otherwise...

[Wunderkind]

I own both a Sony PRS-505 and a Kindle 1.

The K3 is .6 of an inch taller. I checked as my Sony just fits in the outside pocket of some of my handbags  

The Sony Touch isn't the PRS-505 model. The Touch model in my view is noticeably smaller than the K2 (I'm not sure how it will compare to the K3 yet) and if I was able to get a Kindle with the Touch dimensions I would grab it in a second. The screen size is the same 6" display - the only difference is that there is no keyboard at the bottom of the Touch, but there are some buttons.

[muggle]

I often read laying down on my couch with my Kindle resting on my stomach. As with a book, I would often prefer to hold my Kindle at the top. For me, it's just not as natural to hold the Kindle where the page forward buttons are located - they just feel too far down sometimes.

This is how I often read my kindle too, but I put a pillow between my stomach and my Kindle so my hands naturally rest on the page turn buttons.

The Kindle really is feather light, but in any other position, my arms/hands get tired after propping it up after reading for several hours.

[Boston]

The Sony Touch isn't the PRS-505 model.

They are the same height (6.9 inches).  The K3 is 7.5 inches. (The K2 is 8 inches)

[Wunderkind]

They are the same height (6.9 inches).  The K3 is 7.5 inches. (The K2 is 8 inches)

Thanks for the measurements -- I haven't actually seen the PRS-505 so I wasn't sure how it compared. I am glad to see the K3 significantly narrows the size difference. The smaller size of the K3 is one of the reasons I ordered it the same day I saw it was announced (and can't wait to get it)!

[Wunderkind]

This is how I often read my kindle too, but I put a pillow between my stomach and my Kindle so my hands naturally rest on the page turn buttons.

The Kindle really is feather light, but in any other position, my arms/hands get tired after propping it up after reading for several hours.

I will sometimes use a pillow too (I have a nice Peeramid for reading) but it would be nice to not need to use that to have the button positioned ideally. The extra motion isn't that much of an irritation - just something that if I were to design my ideal Kindle, I would place the page forward buttons a little higher.

[KayakerNC]

SizeEasy.

http://sizeasy.com/page/size_comparison/29650-Kindle-2-vs-Amazon-Kindle-vs-kindle-3-vs-SonyPocket-vs-Sony-Touch

[muggle]

easy size is the coolest thing I've seen all day

[Meemo]

I couldn't find anything else online about this.  The reproductions of the Sony pictures are just awful.

Sony has waited too long to drop the price of its pocket reader.  It's still $150 on their own website.  It's $130 at B&H Photo.  I'm talking about the rose one, which Sears doesn't have.

Unless you get the Eat, Love, Pray package (which isn't in Rose, oddly) but does include a nice cover, a code for downloading Elizabeth Gilbert's two books ($26 worth) and a $25 gift certificate for the Sony store.  That's a pretty good deal especially for someone interested in her books (which I'm not).  
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666218153

[Selcien]

Ah, ok ^^

Sorry about the first post if it came off a bit harsh, spent a good part of the day arguing with someone else who was convinced by the pictures that the Kindle's keyboard took up far too much space... it's not like it double or triples the length of the device or anything, and next to the nook, without the keyboard the k3 is going to be smaller than it, but she was adamant to believe otherwise...

I didn't find anything harsh in your post, just realized that I had some 'splaining to do about my "overly large" comment, actually surprised no one called me out for saying that the the K3 has an "inferior user interface", it does, unless you compare it to the current Sony Pocket (and other equally crippled e-readers) or the Nook, in which case the K3 has the superior interface.

I was rather baffled by your comparing the K3 to the Nook though as I hadn't mentioned it. I had the K3 pre-ordered but it's not like I just jumped right to it.

I considered the current Sony Pocket, for form factor, before deciding that the trade off wasn't worth it (lack of functionality, older screen, less memory, priced a little higher than the K3).

I considered the Nook as well, what stopped me from buying it the first time is the same thing that stopped me from buying it now, it's pretentious little touch screen. It may be a suitable replacement for the keyboard that the Kindle uses but it's certainly no match to the Kindle's five way controller, and it comes at the price of an extra drain from the battery.

I would also like to point out that the design of the Nook contains the same optical illusion that Sony likes to use with their touch enabled readers. They use a solid piece around everything on the face of the device, when you trace it with your eye it creates the illusion of a tiny edge all the way around. However, if you focus right on the bottom of the screen you will see that the bottom edge is bigger than it appears.

[Scheherazade]

It's going to take a lot of new technology to do away with the smudges and fingerprints.  While that layer on top of the old touch eReaders was also a deal breaker, I'm just as concerned with the marks on the screen.  I guess real books smudge if they're cheaply printed, but having streaks across the screen doesn't really come across as "a natural reading experience" to me.  I guess if you're used to rubbing your books across your chest every few pages then your mileage may vary.

[Varin]

I didn't find anything harsh in your post, just realized that I had some 'splaining to do about my "overly large" comment, actually surprised no one called me out for saying that the the K3 has an "inferior user interface", it does, unless you compare it to the current Sony Pocket (and other equally crippled e-readers) or the Nook, in which case the K3 has the superior interface.

I was rather baffled by your comparing the K3 to the Nook though as I hadn't mentioned it. I had the K3 pre-ordered but it's not like I just jumped right to it.

I considered the current Sony Pocket, for form factor, before deciding that the trade off wasn't worth it (lack of functionality, older screen, less memory, priced a little higher than the K3).

I considered the Nook as well, what stopped me from buying it the first time is the same thing that stopped me from buying it now, it's pretentious little touch screen. It may be a suitable replacement for the keyboard that the Kindle uses but it's certainly no match to the Kindle's five way controller, and it comes at the price of an extra drain from the battery.

I would also like to point out that the design of the Nook contains the same optical illusion that Sony likes to use with their touch enabled readers. They use a solid piece around everything on the face of the device, when you trace it with your eye it creates the illusion of a tiny edge all the way around. However, if you focus right on the bottom of the screen you will see that the bottom edge is bigger than it appears.

Well, I was going to say something about the inferior interface.... what do you find inferior about it? ^^

I just compared it to the nook because I thought it was it was small as far as 6 inch readers go. I've seen and held a nook, and compared it to my K2, but I've never seen a sony reader save the 300 model, so I didn't know how the six inch reader compared.

[DYB]

I don't like touch-screens either!  They get filthy fast.  Who needs the hassle.

And about this Library of Congress ruling: I'm still confused as to what this guy was trying to say.  It's a little bit like reading Yoda.  Maybe it's because English is my second language. 

[Luvmy4brats]

And about this Library of Congress ruling: I'm still confused as to what this guy was trying to say.  It's a little bit like reading Yoda.  Maybe it's because English is my second language. 

It sounds like Yoda to me too, and English is my first language.

[Selcien]

It's going to take a lot of new technology to do away with the smudges and fingerprints.  While that layer on top of the old touch eReaders was also a deal breaker, I'm just as concerned with the marks on the screen.  I guess real books smudge if they're cheaply printed, but having streaks across the screen doesn't really come across as "a natural reading experience" to me.  I guess if you're used to rubbing your books across your chest every few pages then your mileage may vary.

I very much doubt that it's a problem that technology can fix. I mean, you compared it to ink smudges which are readily visible to smudges that are visible at angles that are not used for reading. It's not at all the same. And then you said "rubbing your books across your chest every few pages" which describes a compulsive need to have a clean screen as there's no way the screen can become truly dirty that quickly unless your hands are dirty.

This is something that can only be fixed by a person becoming capable of overriding their compulsion to clean the screen. I've gotten better but I still find myself wiping away smudges when I notice them more often than I ignore them, although I use my finger, not my shirt.

Well, I was going to say something about the inferior interface.... what do you find inferior about it? ^^

It's about scrolling to what you want to select versus just touching what you want to select. Not so bad when you're just selecting something from a menu but it's so much quicker to be able to touch the screen to select a word that you want to look up (double tap) and to highlight text (double tap and then drag).

I just compared it to the nook because I thought it was it was small as far as 6 inch readers go. I've seen and held a nook, and compared it to my K2, but I've never seen a sony reader save the 300 model, so I didn't know how the six inch reader compared.

That makes sense, using the Sony Touch has really spoiled me. Though to be fair to the K3 and the nook, I've never held an e-reader that was the same width as the touch but with a different height, which is how they are, so for all I know it could be just the width that matters to me. In fact, after thinking about it, it could be the placement of the page buttons that'd give me trouble, I palm the touch, which doesn't have buttons along the sides, don't know if I could hold either the K3 or the nook that way without accidentally turning the pages.

[mlewis78]

I've never had a touch screen on a reader or computer, and I don't have an iphone, itouch or ipad, so I really don't miss it and don't see any advantage to a touch screen reader.

As for the dictionary comparison, the Sony pocket reader doesn't have one.

[muggle]

Here's a snippet describing Dupont's touchscreen technology.  It was posted back in 2009, so it might actually be coming to market 2010!

...the quality of the image is not degraded because the sensing is done behind the display. This is critical in a reflective display which depends on ambient light rather than backlight...

Original link is located here: http://www.epapercentral.com/eink-partners-develop-touch-screen.htm

I think one of the great things about the Kindle is that it's e-ink display is NOT a finger print magnet because it's not made of glass or reflective plastic like normal computer screens or iphones.

[ClickNextPage]

@ OP:

Not at all. Don't like touchscreens. It has nothing to do with interfering with readability. We have a touchpad on the copier at work, and I don't like it, either.

Not only am I happy with the Kindle, I'm happy to be associated with the Amazon store where the choice of reading material is so extensive and customer service excellent.