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

[muggle]

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

Sorry, English is a second language for me.  After a long conversation with my mom, sometimes I do sound like Yoda.  I'll try to get my roommate to proof some of my postings before I send them.

[Addie]

Sorry, English is a second language for me.  After a long conversation with my mom, sometimes I do sound like Yoda.  I'll try to get my roommate to proof some of my postings before I send them.

Reading over the thread, I believe they were talking about the Library of Congress ruling sounding like Yoda, not you. If you hadn't just told me English was your second language, I never would have guessed.

And since people were talking about the ruling sounding like Yoda, I can't read the ruling without hearing Yoda's voice reading it in my head.

[muggle]

I don't think it would be too surprising to see Amazon support the Sony eReader.  They already support iPad, Blackberry, Palm, iPhone, Mac, PC, etc.

[amafan]

I'd be shocked to see amazon support kindle or vice versa.  Amazon support the other multi-purpose devices with their own software application. The device manufacturers certify it.  I can't see either competitor in the ebook reader market wanting to give the other any advantage to draw people away from their own store. 

[Meemo]

I'd be shocked to see amazon support kindle or vice versa.  Amazon support the other multi-purpose devices with their own software application. The device manufacturers certify it.  I can't see either competitor in the ebook reader market wanting to give the other any advantage to draw people away from their own store. 

Well some of them do - Kobo has its own reader, but Kobo books can go on the Nook or the Sony.  Sony books can go on the Nook.  I'd love to see the day when you can buy an e-book from any store and put it on any e-reader.  And for publishers to pull their heads out of their behinds and let the e-book sellers act like retailers and set their prices - then we could see some good competition again.  And while they're at it, to lose DRM.  I don't want a lot, do I?  

But I'm not holding my breath.

[muggle]

Amazon was the first major music seller to remove DRM from their MP3s...Apple soon followed Amazon's lead...so it could happen with ebooks too!  (keeping my fingers crossed!)

[Pirate]

Does the Sony have anything like wispernet? I'm not really interested in any other ebook reader to check. Amazon has, by far, the largest selection of ebooks. I really like Amazon so I'm not going anywhere. I had a K2 and gave it to my daughter when I bought my DX. Then ordered a K3 for my daughter on launch day. She can use the enhanced pdf capability of the K3 for school. I also have the kindle for android on both my Sprint EVO and Dell Streak. The only thing the Sony ebook reader can do better than my EVO or Streak is battery life. And, well it's a lot cheaper. At some point I will post my thoughts on the EVO/Streak/Kindle for android in the 'Other ebook reader section' Just permit me to say that the Streak, at 5inches, blows away every other portable ebook reader out there.

[Ann in Arlington]

There is at least one Sony model. . .the Daily Edition I think. . .that has a cell modem with 3G. . . .I don't think any of them have WiFi. . . .

No idea if either of the new/updated models coming out will have modems. . . . .

[mlewis78]

New Sony readers:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20015248-1.html

Too expensive now that Kindle and Nook cost less than any of these.  I was hoping that the prs350 would cost less than the 300.

[mlewis78]

I do not agree with this article in the Times today:

To Win Over Users, Gadgets Have to Be Touchable
By CLAIRE CAIN MILLER

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/01/technology/01touch.html?ref=technology

[castro]

I have to say...as the proud owner of the Kindle 3, I predict I will be the equally proud owner of the Sony eReader 350 as well.  

The K3 is fantastic, but let's face it, it's all PLASTIC.  It just doesn't feel as durable as the K2.  My bf has the much older eReader 505 and it is truly sleek and has a METAL shell.  I'm getting ready to do some back packing through out Europe, and having a more rugged and compact design means I wont have to baby the reader when trying to cram everything into my backpack.  Also, the touch screen just rocks!...and the fact that it "behind" the Pearl eInk display means that it will be at least as enjoyable as my K3.

[Ann in Arlington]

I have to say...as the proud owner of the Kindle 3, I predict I will be the equally proud owner of the Sony eReader 350 as well. 

The K3 is fantastic, but let's face it, it's all PLASTIC.  It just doesn't feel as durable as the K2.

You think not?  I think it feels quite solid.  And much warmer and friendlier than the K2 with it's shiny metal back.

My bf has the much older eReader 505 and it is truly sleek and has a METAL shell.  I'm getting ready to do some back packing through out Europe, and having a more rugged and compact design means I wont have to baby the reader when trying to cram everything into my backpack.  Also, the touch screen just rocks!...and the fact that it "behind" the Pearl eInk display means that it will be at least as enjoyable as my K3.

And. . .for me. . ..the touch screen is a definite negative.  I'm just not a fan.  My phone has a touch screen but I got, on purpose, the version with a pullout keypad as I prefer real keys when 'typing'. . . . .

So. . . .the lesson is:  it's great that there are lots of options so that everyone can find something that will work for them! 

[Edge]

Not tempted in the slightest. I love my Kindles.

[w5jck]

Now with the touchscreen capability that doesn't hinder the "readability" of the screen, it is a very tempting.  I've owned a Sony eReader before and it has GREAT build quality in a sleek and elegant form factor.  I switched to a Kindle because of the better pricing and selection of the Amazon store, but now that Congress has said we can hack our DRM'ed books without breaking the law (as long as we don't share them) a person can transfer their current and future kindle purchases to other platforms!

See the new eReaders here:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/19/sonys-new-e-readers-pictured-last-25-percent-longer-on-a-charg/

It's a little temping to cancel my Kindle 3 preorder.  What do you guys think?

I'm sticking with Kindle. I tried Sony's 505, 300, 600, and 900. The touchscreens are not good. You have to use a stylus as finger control is not very good. The new 350 and 650 don't have WiFi or 3G and cost more than the Kindles. And those photos on Engadget definitely show glare on the screen. Probably less glare than the 600 and 900, but it is still there and noticeable. Plus with Sony you won't get firmware upgrades.

[castro]

I'm sticking with Kindle. I tried Sony's 505, 300, 600, and 900. The touchscreens are not good. You have to use a stylus as finger control is not very good. The new 350 and 650 don't have WiFi or 3G and cost more than the Kindles. And those photos on Engadget definitely show glare on the screen. Probably less glare than the 600 and 900, but it is still there and noticeable. Plus with Sony you won't get firmware upgrades.

The Sony screen is EXACTLY the same as the Pearl eInk display as the Kindle, it just has a touch sensor BEHIND the eInk panel.

The Engadget article isn't very good.  mlewis78 posted a much better CNET review earlier today: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20015248-1.html

[KayakerNC]

My K3 is plug-and-play, side loading is quick and easy.
My Sony Pocket does ePub, but the Sony Reader Library is buggy and SLOW!  And no way to update/change collections on the reader, you have to go through the Library or Calibre programs. 
So, I'll keep my Sony 300 Pocket for ePubs, but no way do I need a touch-screen version.

[Jazzys Mom]

I have pre-ordered my Kindle 3G after researching Sony and Nook. This will be my first e-reader ever! The Sony readers just didn't make it for me, didn't like the look, the screen is 5" compared to Kindle and Nook's 6". Of course I haven't seen their NEW pearl eInk screen yet but still like the Kindle better. I liked the Nook but the touch screen was slow in responding and I have little patience with things like that so ordered a Kindle. I am sure I will be fantastically happy with it - once it arrives sometime in the wayyyyy future! lol

[w5jck]

The Sony screen is EXACTLY the same as the Pearl eInk display as the Kindle, it just has a touch sensor BEHIND the eInk panel.

The Engadget article isn't very good.  mlewis78 posted a much better CNET review earlier today: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20015248-1.html

Photos are what I went by, and they showed glare. Besides, I don't care for stylus based touchscreens. I had the 600 and 900 and they were not very responsive. As a matter of fact, you could use your finger unless you used a fingernail.

Plus the 6" 650 costs $230 compared to the K3 WiFi + 3G at $189, and the 650 does NOT have WiFi or 3G. The K3 Wifi is $91 cheaper and the WiFi + 3G is $41 cheaper. No way I would go with Sony again. The K3 came out first and it is still way ahead of the Sonys in technology.

Another drawback is the two-only bottom page buttons. They were difficult to use while holding with one hand. Forget the swipe, as it rarely worked without a stylus. I really like the ambidexterous side buttons on the K3.

[ProfCrash]

The ruling was that DRM could be broken when it was onerous and there was no other option for an individual to access the protected material. It specifcally mentioned TTS. If you cannot reasonably listen to a book using some type of computer program or audiobook then you can break the DRM so you can use TTS.

The DRM associated with ebooks does not fall into this category since you can easily buy an e-reader that reads EPub books or use an application that allows you to read Nook books on a variety of devices.

The Sony readers need to keep falling in price if I am going to think about getting one. If all I am using it for is the library I want to spend under $99. But that is me.

[Selcien]

The PRS-350 is looking very good to me, fixes almost everything that turned me off from buying the PRS-300, the exception being that I was hoping for battery life that would match the K3. I remain skeptical regarding Sony's ability to make a touch screen reader without negatively affecting readability but it's a better option for me than the K3 so I'll be giving it a shot.

I do wish that they offered colors other than silver or pink, like blue, or red (I really like the red), or black, as I don't like the idea of owning a pink e-reader, but at the same time I'm grateful that they didn't make it silver only like the PRS-950, I would hate to get stuck with silver.

Now it's just a matter of waiting until I can actually order one.

Forget the swipe, as it rarely worked without a stylus.

I'd have to disagree. I had some issues with the page swipe feature being inconsistent when I first got my PRS-600, but after reversing the direction used for the page swipe gesture (right to left instead of left to right for page forward), and getting accustomed to using it (it's a matter of figuring out how much pressure you need to use), I rarely ever find the page not turning when it should, in fact, I find using the page turn buttons to be far more inconistent.

[mlewis78]

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.

[Belle2Be]

Touch screens make me gag.

Ok not really, but every single one I've ever some across has frustrated me at some point in time. And that's coming from someone who is pretty darn electronic savvy. I don't need that drama with my books. I'm also in the "it's just one more thing to break" boat.

[castro]

Now it's just a matter of waiting until I can actually order one.

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.

[w5jck]

Sony 350 & 650 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
• AC adapter not included
• High price

New Kindle 3s

• WiFi
• 3G option
• Updated PDF support
• Text to Speech
• Great Bookstore
• AC adapter included
• Lower price

I think I'll stick with my Kindles.

[muggle]

The K3 is fantastic, but let's face it, it's all PLASTIC.  It just doesn't feel as durable as the K2.

I did a quick "flex" test with both the K2 and K3.  The K3 definitely feels more fragile and does indeed "flex" when applying even slight torsion to the shell.  I guess this is the trade off for wanting a lighter form factor...even so, I am still happy with the K3 and consider it a big upgrade from the K2.