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Electronic Book Readers
urbanmiffed
04-04-2009
OK, I've got an Ipod but would not choose to read a book on it. I've noticed book readers in the shops but at first glance they seem to be expensive in comparison to portable Dvd a when functionality is taken into account. What's the low down?
Anika Hanson
04-04-2009
Im also thinking about buying one of these but have no experience of them. I have been contemplating buying the kindle from Amazon, but Im just not sure. I'm getting the iphone delivered on monday so I will first try reading ebooks on there and see how I get on. Im hoping the kindle comes down in price soon, because it's alot of money to spend on just for books.
lininjim
04-04-2009
My wife is a voracious reader. I got her a Sony PRS-505 for Christmas. It is constantly used. She loves it.
It is easy to get stuff onto it, probably easier with the supplied Windows software, the 3rd party OSX application is not perfect, but at least it is freeware.
It is easy to navigate the content.
If you can afford the next model (or an equivalent) that has the built in backlight, go for that. We have bought some booklights (clip-on) just for this device.
All in all a big thumbs up.
weateallthepies
07-04-2009
The price at the moment is basically down to it being new technology, and the screens in particular. Only one company currently makes the screens and I imagine they have the idea quite well protected so there isn't much in the way of competition.

The rest of the things are basically just oversized linux PDAs but it is the screen that makes the technology.

There are some cheaper readers in the works and no doubt their will be some budget chinese models out within the next year or so.
weateallthepies
07-04-2009
Originally Posted by Anika Hanson:
“Im also thinking about buying one of these but have no experience of them. I have been contemplating buying the kindle from Amazon, but Im just not sure. I'm getting the iphone delivered on monday so I will first try reading ebooks on there and see how I get on. Im hoping the kindle comes down in price soon, because it's alot of money to spend on just for books.”

If you are in the UK then the kindle's extra features are a bit pointless here at the moment because we don't have the same mobile technology it uses. Amazon are planning to release it in the UK at some point though, no doubt with a sim card slot.
eddgreen
08-04-2009
Originally Posted by lininjim:
“My wife is a voracious reader. I got her a Sony PRS-505 for Christmas. It is constantly used. She loves it.
It is easy to get stuff onto it, probably easier with the supplied Windows software, the 3rd party OSX application is not perfect, but at least it is freeware.
It is easy to navigate the content.
If you can afford the next model (or an equivalent) that has the built in backlight, go for that. We have bought some booklights (clip-on) just for this device.
All in all a big thumbs up.”

the next model came out on the usa ages ago
in the uk still no release
John_Elway
08-04-2009
Originally Posted by lininjim:
“My wife is a voracious reader. I got her a Sony PRS-505 for Christmas. It is constantly used. She loves it.
It is easy to get stuff onto it, probably easier with the supplied Windows software, the 3rd party OSX application is not perfect, but at least it is freeware.
It is easy to navigate the content.
If you can afford the next model (or an equivalent) that has the built in backlight, go for that. We have bought some booklights (clip-on) just for this device.
All in all a big thumbs up.”

Can you import existing PDFs on it? I have loads but keep reading user comments on Amazon that you can only use books that you buy from Sony's website or Waterstones, that true?

Thanks
weateallthepies
08-04-2009
Originally Posted by John_Elway:
“Can you import existing PDFs on it? I have loads but keep reading user comments on Amazon that you can only use books that you buy from Sony's website or Waterstones, that true?

Thanks”

Yes you can import your own stuff onto it.

There is a nice piece of software called calibre for converting to sony's own formats but pdf is just supported. Saying that, PDF is the worst format for electronic readers.
weateallthepies
08-04-2009
Originally Posted by lininjim:
“My wife is a voracious reader. I got her a Sony PRS-505 for Christmas. It is constantly used. She loves it.
It is easy to get stuff onto it, probably easier with the supplied Windows software, the 3rd party OSX application is not perfect, but at least it is freeware.
It is easy to navigate the content.
If you can afford the next model (or an equivalent) that has the built in backlight, go for that. We have bought some booklights (clip-on) just for this device.
All in all a big thumbs up.”

It's actually front/side lit rather than back lit. The e-ink technology doesn't really allow for back lighting which is kind of the point of it. It is supposed to behave like paper with light reflecting off it.

Apparently the addition of the touch screen has made the screen less clear also, so not everyone is happy with the "improved" model.
John_Elway
08-04-2009
Originally Posted by weateallthepies:
“Yes you can import your own stuff onto it.

There is a nice piece of software called calibre for converting to sony's own formats but pdf is just supported. Saying that, PDF is the worst format for electronic readers.”

Thank you for the information
John_Elway
02-05-2009
Well, Mrs Elway bought me one for my birthday. It's amazing. Best thing ever. Only word of warning is don't buy the Sony screen protector for it, you onyl get one and dust sticks to it (it's sticky) as soon as you undo it. Fingerprints, air bubbles (despite using a credit card as guided). Anyway, unless you're silly you don't need it.

Product is fabulous, just fabulous.
Scrolllock
03-05-2009
Originally Posted by eddgreen:
“the next model came out on the usa ages ago
in the uk still no release”

That's a shame as the Kindle is a fantastic machine.
welshyyyyy
03-05-2009
bought my girlfriend one of these for christmas and she hasn't put it down since
http://mybebook.com/index.html

i've downloaded lots of books for her from your standard file sharing websites
quality is amazing, reads just like a normal book - normal notepad txt format seems best to read - pdf's are a bit iffy
only downside is that the books on sale from websites are a bit expensive, we've paid about 13quid for a couple of books which seemed a bit steep - ie too close to actual paper book prices - hence the file sharing websites !
iain
06-05-2009
this mob also do them :

Pixelar e-readers.

i think they're essentially the same as the bebook one.

Iain
grassmarket
06-05-2009
My advice is not to bother until the manufacturers and publishers sort out the copyright issues. At the moment their tactics seem to be determined to just kill the technology at birth. Until there are as many books available as there are songs on Itunes - getting on for 10 million - it's not worth it.
iain
06-05-2009
although in the meantime there are no copyright issues on any book written more than 25 years ago. and that's a lot of books that are freely available.

Iain
grassmarket
07-05-2009
Originally Posted by iain:
“although in the meantime there are no copyright issues on any book written more than 25 years ago. and that's a lot of books that are freely available.”

75 years, I think you will find, not much good if you are looking for a history of the second world war.
Lou_Smorals
07-05-2009
They do seem a rather attractive thing to have but, ouch, those prices!
!!11oneone
07-05-2009
Originally Posted by Lou_Smorals:
“They do seem a rather attractive thing to have but, ouch, those prices!”

Exactly. How many paperbacks could you buy for £200?

I also object to the price of e-books: paperbacks are bulky, heavy things that need to be printed, transported and stored.

e-books have no such costs yet are the same price as full price paperback.

But paperbacks are available on 3 for 2 deals all over the place from Tesco to Waterstones to local bookshops, so you rarely pay full price.

Which means paperbacks are much cheaper, despite being far more expensive to produce and distribute.
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