let me know when it can handle color illustrations and shows two pages. You know, like a book.

let me know when it can handle color illustrations and shows two pages. You know, like a book.

Any word on an increase in the refresh rate of the screen? On of the main complaints about e-ink readers in general is the half-second delay to flip pages.

So is it better than the Amazon kindle?

a half-second lag to flip a page is an issue?? How long do you think it takes to flip a paper page??

I *REALLY* want an ebook reader, but ONLY if I can load it with ANYONE's PDF documents.

I echo some of David's concern with what types of files this reader will handle. Will it handle rights-protected ebooks from sources like MyMediaMall and Net Library used by public libraries as well as pdfs of books I've purchased? Will it also handle audiobooks? I'd love a devices that could handle both so that I could get it all on one device.

Hi all, thanks for your comments. We'll be better able to answer the questions after we get a production unit in for review; I'll post a link here when it posts (Sony says we'll get a unit sometime around the end of October).

The current Sony eBook reader, the 505 model, supports PDFs with encryption/DRM (such as you would get from the public library), so it would be a real shame and a surprise if this new version doesn't.

@chowza

Well, it's really closer to a full second or more. In any event, when you're used to instantaneous page turns, as on my PSP, there's no reason not to expect similar performance to justify the cost.

Emulation of previous technology is important, but advancing technology is also important. Also, a half-second turn is an inconvenience when one is flipping through pages or dealing with a device that can't fit as much text on a single page (as the Reader does), especially when you read as fast as I do.

So, just how many of these clumsy gizmos do they expect to sell at $400 a pop while the economy is tanking? I've been hearing this siren song about ebooks for years. Sorry, but paper book technology is simply better: you can lend a book to a friend, take it to the beach, not depend on batteries, and not worry about misplacing it and being $400 out of pocket. Maybe the ebook will be useful for professional periodical subscriptions which are horrendously expensive anyway.

Its a shame it does not support "Text to Speech" and a dictionary / thesarus for those not so young readers.

I use the eBookwise reader (www.ebookwise.com) and have for years. I need to replace the one I have since I dropped it and the touch screen no longer works. Can you compare it's simplicity of use with the other readers?? I have been reading up on this and following the news and I am puzzled.

Here's a link that compares the top 5 digital book readers:
http://www.myebizreviews.com/Top5ProductReviews/eBookReader/eBookDigitalReaders-Top5.htm?gclid=CP3J1PWul5YCFRxNagodO3sn6g

I'm not sure why a e-book reader should cost 400$ - when you can get a powerfull notebook computer, 14" wide at least, with much more power, and software alternatives for roughly the same price ?

does Sony think people are dumb ?

i won't consider buying these gizmos until they sell for 200-250$ $ tops.

Simply put... I want to be able to read PDF files... even those I made myself. To be able to read recipes, books from the Gutenberg project, or anything else I want is a prerequisite. There is NO way I will allow myself to get locked into a proprietary file format. Color is not as important, though it would be nice. It also needs to use standard batteries. I'm not paying $80 for some proprietary battery either. What happens when they quit making them? $400 paperweight? Dror is right... This should sell for $99-$150 considering how weak the computing platform behind it really is.

I've been a life-long reader - and I have the bookcases full of books to prove it. The reality is that no solution is perfect for everyone. Real books require no batteries, paperbacks can be quite reasonable in price and they are easily loaned out. However, they can also take up quite a bit of space and, in a disaster, they are toast (well, ash or sludge). Ebooks take up effectively no space and can be protected with a good offsite backup regimen.

I read some books on my computer but I have to admit, I love my Sony PRS-505. It isn't cheap, and I'm not sure that I would be willing to spend 1/3rd more for the 700 (or even more yet for wireless) but it is absolutely as legible as a printed page and it has an exceptional battery life (4 to 5 days constant use). It is a far better solution for me than any LCD based device could be.

As for the page delay - I don't even notice it. When I'm reading, the back of my mind tells me that I'm almost to the end and my finger hits the button. Just as I finish the last word, the page changes. Admittedly, it is a big pain to go searching for a specific spot in the book, but as I already said, there is no perfect solution.

Ebooks and book readers are not for everyone, but they have many useful advantages that make them great solutions for some of us.

I have 13 titles (12 novels + 1 copy of Wired magazine) on my iPhone 3G... downloaded them all seamlessly over the air after cruising a variety of sites). I have the eReader software and Stanza on there -- both are excellent. The screen is small, but very high resolution and infinitely adjustable... it's a compromise, but then, anything but ink on paper is likely to be for a while.

I also have 4 full length movies, a bunch of video and audio podcasts, games... oh, and all my contacts, calendar, email, websurfing, etc.

And I can make and receive phone calls...

I've used both the Sony and Kindle devices and they're fine, but really, a dedicated e-book would have to be so insanely fabulous, and cheap, to take up the extra space in my bag that it's nearly inconceivable. And this is *always* with me.

Until further notice, I consider this category of device moot.

For me, the Sony Reader cannot compete with the Amazon Kindle until it has a very large repository of easily available titles behind it. I've looked at it, it's a nice machine . . . but then what? Wireless delivery of ~100,000 titles? Not so fast . . .

two pages at a time, color, the ability to give books to friends, file formats that aren't "owned" by anybody but me, much more reasonable price (i.e., laptop vs. e-reader?)....nope, won't be giving up real books anytime soon

The PRS 500 is a real boon to a person with arthritic hands and wrists. Not having to struggle to hold a book open is such a pleasure.

My only complaint is that a lot of the books on the Sony e-book site are available to 'US only'. I live in Canada. I've e-mailed Sony several times asking about this but of course, no reply.

There's no advantage to having two pages available and as for color - not needed. It's a pleasure to read in full sunlight with sunglasses on with no trouble at all.

Well done Sony - elegant and simple - now just make everything availble to owners everywhere!
BJS

getting the light notebooks that sell for ~ 400$ is much more consumer savvy than buying these monochrome readers with a minimal ram, and limited capabilities (only display books and dome music) for the same price (!)

One thing that people need to realize - with a Sony book reader, users are NOT limited to books from the Sony store. The same is true for the Kindle too. Obviously, it's easier to get titles from each reader's "official" store, but with the help of the growing "mobile reader" community, there are lots of options for getting content.

Also, "minimal RAM" is not a fair complaint either. Many of these devices take standard memory cards (the Sony can take two formats). With a single card, I have enough memory so that I can load the Sony with everything that I will read for at least the next 30 years (3000 books). If I fill it up, I can always use the other card slot.

Donald, you try to make it sound all dandy, but keep in mind, that for the outrageous amount that Sony charges, for this weak peace hardware (after all- the PRS is a just a LCD with a weak CPU, without even a wireless capability) you can get a much more powerfull ultraslim notebook computer.

and to have to pay this much (400$) and then to have to pay extra because the internal puny RAM that sony provides- is an insult to the target audience of this product.
That's my 2 cents.

Keep in mind that the advantage of e-ink is that it's far better for your eyes than using a computer/back lighted device as e.g. a computer. The technology is different and there is no reason to compare a computer with an e-ink device such as e-reader.
If the publishers could standardize today's formats to one single e.g. Epub format, which would be the best for the consumers at least.
I have used Sonys 505 reader for half a year now, and I am really happy with it. It's thinner than a paperback and it contains all the books I need.
Because I am not an American citizen, I have to download books in other ways than buy it from the stores online. Unfortunately this means I bump over "free books", which in one way is convenient, but at the same time it's not right for the authors. If the producers/publishers of the books could make it easier to buy them with an open format and at the same time make the stores global, it would be real progress. I sit on an expensive device, so of course I will use it. Too bad the publishers are jumping into the same trap as the music branch. Soon they will start to sue their customers to?

Hi Filibuster,
you compare the LCD display to the e-ink display, and say that the e-ink is superior, but you forgot to compare the rest of the features that an ultra-slim laptop has , and the SONY PRS lacks.

such as: disk space, monitor size, CPU "strength" , a decent operating system, wireless connectivity, play mp3 and view any kind of file that's out there, and the list goes on...

In my opinion, the shortcomings of the PRS-700 (and PRS series in general) , should have made it much cheaper than the laptop.
this is the point I'm trying to make, but Sony think they can overprice the product - and I haven't heard a good reason for this (greed perhaps?).

Inexpensive laptops can be handy little items for general use. In that sense, they are like a Swiss army knife - adequate for many things.

All eInk readers are specific use items. Like a good carving knife, they are designed to do one thing and do it well.

Do I wish that they were cheaper? Sure. I suspect though, that as eInk technology (which is in its infancy) matures, that cost and features will both improve.

Do I think that they're overpriced? No. I read over 100 books per year so for me, it is perfect and infinitely more useful to me than an ultra-slim laptop would be. Battery life and readability give eInk readers and edge that a laptop will never be able to match.

One final note: yes, the Sony line can all play MP3 files but I still use my iPod for that. I guess that I'm the kind of person who, when faced with a roast, would much rather have a carving knife.

The Hanlin Ereader @ $299 is one of the best deals out there. Reads more formats than any other ebook and is at least 100 less than most. The future Hanlin readers due out soon will be availabe in 9" screens. http://www.jinke.com.cn/Compagesql/English/embedpro/prodetail.asp?id=41

I'm very intrigued by this device. Being able to view PDFs and highlight and make annotations makes this insanely handy. I'm sure I'll use it for reading some books but where it's really going to shine for me is for reference manuals and docs I create myself for reference. Color would be great but the B&W I've seen are clear enough for the kind of reference images I'll need.

The whole WiFi thing is so overrated for me - do people envision walking down the street and thinking 'hey, I need to download a book!' I'd rather the money be invested in performance rather than WiFi. Wish it were cheaper though.

Are there any dictionaries that support these Sony PRS 700 portable reader systems?

I,love the ereader just the way it is.It may not show two pages at once,but if you can read two pages aty once I am impressed!

Hi,
I'd like you buy the cheapest ebook reader. Please guide me. I am residing in Dubai, U.A.E.
How can I buy ebook reader in Dubai. Please reply.
Thanks.

Hi I just want to know where I can buy the Sony book Reader in Dubai, or any where that they can deliver it in dubai.

Will appreciate more if you reply asap

Thanks and Regards

Does anyone know if you can load the ebook reader software onto any computer or is it like the Ipod software that only allows you to use one PC at a time? We are in the Netherlands at the moment and I want to load the software onto MY laptop for my wife so that she can downlaod books to her Sony ebook reader Prs 700 but I don't want her to find she cannot do it on her own laptop when she gets back to the UK

I got mine last week and this Sony ebook reader sucks! always hang! I need to reboot this so often. I dont recommend this. Get a loptop instead and make sure its not Sony!

I LOVE MY SONY BOOK READER!!! ITS AWESOME HAD THE PRS505 FOR 2YEARS AND WOULD NOT TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING BUT THE NEWER 700