Guess what I have! (Hint: it’s a Sony Reader PRS-505)
byThat’s right! I gave in and decided I really, really wanted one of these e-book reader things, and the last commenter who mentioned that Target had the Sony PRS-505 was the final straw that just broke my will power!
I didn’t want to wait for the new Kindle or the new Sony, and, hey, the instant gratification factor of the PRS-505 being at Target down the street was a big plus. And this one was cheaper than the Kindle or Sony 700 reader, especially when the wireless would be less useful to me since I have my iPhone.
I’ll review it more but first impression is that I LOVE the screen! As my husband put it, "It looks fake," as in, it looks like you need to peel off the sample "here’s what it would look like if it were on" plastic before using, that’s how clear it is. Awesome.
And of course, if it’s good enough for my avid-reader co-author, then it’s good enough for me! I’ll be loading books for the rest of tonight :-D.
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Too funny! The first time I spotted it at Target I too thought there was a film on the screen to simulate what it would look like if the device was on.
And you’re right, the screen in beautiful in its simplicity.
Glad you’re happy with your purchase. I’m going to hold out for an updated device - be it the Kindle or the Sony.
October 20th, 2008 at 9:24 pmhey tracy,
in your upcoming review can you comment on whether or not the [url=http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665480080&storeId=10151&INT=M:ak]Digital Book Cover with Light[/url] accessory for the Sony reader is necessary.
The fact that Sony offers this leads me to believe that the ereader isn’t viewable in dark rooms??
I hope this isn’t the case.
October 20th, 2008 at 10:12 pmshoot - trying to fix the above link
Digital Book Cover with Light
October 20th, 2008 at 10:17 pmJust as a quick answer: yes, the reader needs a light in dark rooms. Anywhere you couldn’t read a normal book due to light, you´ll need light just the same with this. It´s light a super clear etch-a-sketch.
The 700 Reader does have a built-in light, unlike the 505 Reader.
I suppose this is what really helps the battery life be two weeks though, so I´m still happy.
October 20th, 2008 at 10:34 pmYAY!!!!! Way to go partner! :o) I think (read:know) you’re going to love it. I’m just a little peeved at the moment that Sony decided to announce the 700 less than a month after the UK release of the 505.
Sure it’s going to take a while for the 700 to filter over to us but the it somehow seems a little underhand.
That said the 505 is a beautiful little gadget and I love mine almost as much as my Tablet PC - and in some scenarios i.e. public transport, waiting rooms, even more!!
October 21st, 2008 at 3:00 amYeah, the new 700 will likely be very nice indeed, but for just reading books, I do love this thing so far. The 100 free classics is great, especially since they let you pick them. I spent an hour last night browsing and could only decide on 13 so far! So many to choose from.
I think the main advantage to the 700 over the 505 is the lack of that flicker between page turns, but that’s probably something you get use to.
But yeah, I love it so far as well! Maybe I’ll join you on your book challenge now. Was it 50 in a year or 100? I’ll have to check :-D.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:13 am[...] the 50 Book ChallengeGuess what I have! (Hint: it’s a Sony Reader PRS-505)Cute OneNote tip for meeting [...]
October 21st, 2008 at 11:49 amDamn it Tracy! We should have gone for the Pony eReader
:o) October 22nd, 2008 at 5:13 pmCongrats! My husband bought me one for my b-day last year (I’m such a Geekie Girl at <3!!!LOL). It’s always in my bag so I always have something to read. I can’t tell you how many people have stopped me to see what I was doing/using/reading! Enjoy it!
October 24th, 2008 at 10:30 amI’ve had a Sony PRS-500 for a couple of years now. It’s exceedingly rare for me to buy a hard copy book now. They are supposedly updating the book store later this month and adding more books. Regardless of the model you have it was a great purchase!
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:52 pm