Electronic Books: The reality for this holiday season
It's official: If you were considering buying an Amazon Kindle for someone on your holiday list, it's time to make alternate plans. The online merchant says that the $399 electronic book/wireless device is now "sold out." And any new orders will be filled on a "first come, first served" basis. Amazon's site also warns: "Your Kindle will not arrive by December 24th."
There appears to be availability still for the Sony Reader PRS-505, the updated version of the first-generation Sony Reader. At $299, the Sony device is cheaper than the Kindle and has comparable readability. (Both Sony's and Amazon's devices use so-called eInk technology.)
We've taken a closer look at the revamped Sony Reader and one of the things we've discovered: It's harder to use than the Kindle, in part because you need to connect the Reader to a computer in order to download books and other content. (Unlike the Kindle, the Reader doesn't have wireless broadband access to the Net.)
However, Sony is offering a great deal right now for those who want a collection of classic books on their Reader: Buy the device before January 31 and you can download 100 classic titles (a $199 value) from Sony's Connect eBooks store for free. (Click on the "Specials" tab on Sony's Connect Web site for more details.)
If you're looking for last-minute gift alternatives to the sold-out Amazon Kindle—or even if you're just curious about electronic book technology—check out our First Look at the Sony Reader for free on ConsumerReports.org.
—Paul Reynolds
Posted by: Cat Faber | Dec 15, 2007 5:01:56 PM
The "free" ebooks Sony is offering with the PRS-505 are all out-of-copyright books anyone can get free online from Project Gutenberg and read on *any* e-book reader (including the Kindle, the Cybook Gen3 or the iLiad).
Also to use the Sony Connect store you don't just need a computer, you need a *Windows* computer. Mac and linux users need not apply.
Two things to keep in mind as you consider various e-book readers.
Posted by: Robert Nagle | Dec 14, 2007 2:16:16 PM
Why perpetuate the myth that transferring ebooks through USB is hard? It isn't. USB isn't hard. Also, for free ebooks, you can put them on an SD card easily (without even using the Sony software).
In the previous PRS-500 downloading ebooks via USB was complicated by the fact you needed to install a special USB driver (which wasn't Vista friendly). Fortunately, for the latest version, they use a generic USB driver.
Even if you assume that it is hard (which it is not, I promise you), it's an inconvenience you only have to do once in a while. After it's transferred, you no longer have to worry about it again. (There is the inconvenience of having to backup files though).
I don't deny the usefuless of downloading Amazon books directly through Whispernet (esp for RSS feeds). But Whispernet adds another layer through which you need to go through to obtain an ebook. What happens if the wireless receiver stops working? Also chances are the ebooks offered through Amazon's channel are going to be pricier than those you can transfer through USB.
The main disadvantage of Sony right now is that its inventory is smaller than Amazon's, but that could change with their upcoming firmware update when they plan to support Digital Edition formatted ebooks (which would be a major deal if that happened).
Posted by: Mike Cane | Dec 14, 2007 11:46:45 AM
>>>It's harder to use than the Kindle, in part because you need to connect the Reader to a computer in order to download books and other content.
Well, that's only part of it. I'd argue that the Kindle is harder to use than the Sony because of all of its buttons. People too often lose their place with the Kindle. The Sony Reader is the only current ebook reader that was designed with a "book experience" in mind.
http://mikecane.wordpress.com/2006/10/26/sony-reader-part-4-of-4/
Posted by: Gareth | Dec 14, 2007 9:53:18 AM
I've had the Sony Reader for about 3 months, and I've been delighted with the way it performs. And although the Kindle is an interesting device, I still struggle to see why the wireless feature is such a big draw. I read about 1 book a week, not all of the e-books, and so I cannot see me having to connect my Sony Reader to my PC more than 4 or 5 times a YEAR to download new books. I've only hooked it up TWICE so far, and bought 3 or 4 books each time, and with all the free "classics", and even more free public-domain books from the ebook enthusiasts at www.mobileread.com, I've got plenty of material on my Reader for MONTHS to come. The Reader performed flawlessly on a recent long-haul trip, and I would recommend it to anyone who is a big reader, and travels a lot. Keeps the weight down in your hand luggage tremendously.