Sony Reader
A Sony reader is a reader for e-books ( e-book readers ) from Sony . The black and white or grayscale display is based on electronic paper technology .
At the 2008 Internationale Funkausstellung , Sony presented an e-book reader for the first time in Germany. The current product is the Sony PRS-T3, which has replaced the PRS-T2 and was officially presented on September 4, 2013. In August 2014 it was announced that Sony would not develop any further e-book readers.
Technical specifications
Supported software formats are: The used by Sony in its "eBook Store" EPUB format, Adobe PDF files, blogs , RSS - Web feeds , JPEG image files, and Sony's proprietary BBeB format ( "Broadband eBook") . In addition, MP3 and DRM- free AAC files can be played on most devices .
A touch screen with infrared sensors has been used in all Sony e-book readers since the Reader Touch PRS-650. The touch technology is not based on capacitive screen technology, as usual, but on infrared sensors that are used to locate the position of the finger on the device. In addition, all Sony e-book readers use so-called electronic paper , which enables readability even when exposed to direct sunlight.
| PRS-300 Edition |
PRS-350 Edition |
PRS-500 | PRS-505 | PRS-600 Touch Edition |
PRS-650 Touch Edition |
PRS-T1 Reader WiFi |
PRS-T2 | PRS-T3 (S) | PRS-700 | PRS-900BC Daily Edition |
PRS-950SC Daily Edition |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| idea | August 5, 2009 | September 2010 | September 2006 | July 24, 2008 | August 5, 2009 | September 2010 | August 31, 2011 | August 16, 2012 | 4th September 2013 | October 2, 2008 | August 25, 2009 | 2010 | ||
| Dimensions [mm] |
length | 157 | 145.0 | 175.6 | 175 | 175.3 | 168.0 | 173.0 | 173.0 | 160.0 | 174.3 | 200.6 | 200 | |
| width | 108 | 104.3 | 123.6 | 122 | 121 | 118.8 | 110.0 | 110.0 | 109.0 a (107.0 b ) | 127.6 | 120.7 | 128 | ||
| thickness | 10.2 | 8.5 | 13.8 | 8th | 8th | 9.6 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 11.3 a (8.8 b ) | 9.7 | 15.08 | 9.6 | ||
| Weight [g] | 220 | 155 | 250 | 250 | 286 | 220 | 168 | 164 | 200 a (160 b ) | 283.5 | 361.5 | 273 | ||
| Screen diagonal | 12.7 cm (5 ″) | 15.5 cm (6 ″) | 15.2 cm (6 ″) | 15.5 cm (6 ″) | 17.8 cm (7 ″) | |||||||||
| Screen resolution | 200 ppi | 170 ppi | 212 ppi | 170 ppi | ||||||||||
| Grayscale | 8th | 16 | 4th | 8th | 16 | 8th | 16 | |||||||
| Screen size [pixels] |
800 × 600 | 800 × 600, (754 × 584 c ) |
800 × 600 | 1024 × 758 | 800 × 600 | 600 × 1024 | ||||||||
| particularities | IR touchscreen pearl display |
Touch screen | IR touchscreen pearl display |
Dual-Touch IR-Touchscreen Pearl-Display WiFi Android |
Touchscreen pearl display |
UMTS modem touch screen |
UMTS modem touchscreen pearl display |
|||||||
| Storage | all in all | 512 MB | 2 GB | 64 MB | 256 MB | 512 MB | 2 GB | 512 MB | 2 GB | |||||
| free of it | 440 MB | 1.4 GB | 192 MB | 380 MB | 1.4 GB | 1.2 GB | 420 MB | 380 MB | 1.4 GB | |||||
| Memory card slot | unavailable | SD / HC, Memory Stick Pro Duo | Micro SD | SD / HC, Memory Stick Pro Duo | ||||||||||
| processor | i.MX1L | i.MX31L (TO 2.0.1) | Freescale i.MX508 | |||||||||||
| Interfaces | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 1.1 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | ||
| Text formats | EPUB BBeB Text RTF Word |
EPUB BBeB Text RTF Word |
PDF
text RTF LRF |
EPUB BBeB Text RTF |
EPUB BBeB Text RTF Word |
EPUB BBeB Text RTF Word |
EPUB Text |
EPUB Text |
EPUB Text |
EPUB BBeB Text RTF Word |
EPUB BBeB Text RTF Word |
EPUB BBeB Text RTF Word |
||
| Audio formats | MP3, AAC | MP3, AAC | ||||||||||||
| Image formats | JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP | JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP | ||||||||||||
Models
The models all have the abbreviation Portable Reader System (PRS) in their name.
Model story
Since March 11th, 2009 the PRS-505 is also available in Europe. In August 2009 Sony presented the two new models PRS-300 Pocket Edition and PRS-600 Touch Edition.
6 inch devices
PRS-505
The device has 256 MB of memory, of which 192 MB is writable. This corresponds to about 160 books with an average file size of 1.2 MB. The Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo 8/16 GB and SD cards up to 16/32 GB are supported. According to the information on the packaging, the functionality of all SD / MS memory cards is not guaranteed. The lithium-ion battery is sufficient for up to 7500 page changes.
PRS-700
The newer PRS-700 is equipped with a touchscreen and LED backlight and has 420 MB of writable memory. The Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo 8 GB and SD memory cards with up to 32 GB are supported. The lithium-ion battery is sufficient for up to 7500 page changes without background lighting or for up to 4 hours with light or 8 hours with medium lighting.
PRS-600 Touch Edition
The PRS-600 was released in 2009 and is also equipped with a touchscreen and has 380 MB of writable memory. Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo and SD memory cards are supported as memory expansion. The lithium-ion battery in turn for about 7500 page changes.
PRS-650 Touch Edition
For the PRS-650 , Sony is using an E Ink® Pearl display for the first time, which enables an even better image display and is also built into the Kindle product by the competitor Amazon. The screen has a screen diagonal of 6 inches. The device is slightly smaller than the PRS-600 and is also lighter. With the new screen, 16 instead of the previous 8 gray levels are now possible. In addition, 1.4 GB of writable memory can now be used. Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo and SD memory cards are supported as memory expansion. One charge lasts up to 2 weeks. The device is available in silver, black and red.
PRS-T1 Reader WiFi
The PRS-T1 is the first Sony device to be launched in Europe with a wireless connection ( WLAN ). This innovation allows Sony to integrate its own e-book shop directly into the device. Android version 2.2 is used as the operating system in a Sony Reader for the first time , but with an adapted interface. By default, however, the user does not have access to the Android home screen and also no option to install Android applications . This is only possible with a root of the device, which means that alternative reading software can be installed, for example. However, the root can void the guarantee. Another special feature of this model is its low weight. At just 168 grams, it was the lightest 6-inch e-book reader with a touchscreen until its successor, the T2, was released. In contrast to previous generations, the housing of the PRS-T1 is made entirely of plastic, with the exception of the metal strip above the buttons. Micro-SDHC memory cards are supported (up to 32 GB) as memory expansion for the 2 GB internal memory (1.2 GB free ). The device is available in white, black and red.
PRS-T2
The PRS-T2 features as the PRS-T1 via WiFi, and a preparation for access to the systems operated by Sony eBook Store. Android is used as the operating system, the user interface of which has been slightly redesigned compared to the Sony PRS-T1. For the first time in a 6 inch Sony eBook reader, the PRS-T2 has no audio support whatsoever. This makes it a little lighter than its predecessor at 164 grams. The new Evernote Clearly software support allows you to synchronize notes on the Internet. In addition, articles from the Internet can be specially prepared for the PRS-T2 and sent to the device in ePub format. Micro-SDHC memory cards are supported (up to 32 GB) as memory expansion for the 2 GB internal memory (1.2 GB free ). The device is available in black, white and red, whereby the black model is equipped with a matt housing surface, while the other two color variants have a glossy housing.
PRS-T3
The PRS-T3 has, like the previous two also, via WiFi. This enables direct access to the built-in Sony e-book store. Android Gingerbread is still used as the operating system. Sony uses a specially adapted surface for operation, which is largely similar to that of the PRS-T2. For the first time, in addition to the foreign language dictionaries , a German dictionary is also integrated with the Duden .
With 1024 × 758 pixels, the PRS-T3 has a higher screen resolution than other 6-inch e-book readers from Sony. The pixel density is 212 ppi. In addition, the PRS-T3 uses an integrated protective cover for the first time, which covers the screen and is firmly connected to the removable back of the device. With a total of 200 grams and a depth of 11.3 mm, the device is heavier and thicker than its predecessor. In addition, there is a case with integrated lighting that draws the required power directly from the PRS-T3. The special model PRS-T3S has been available since October 2013; it is sold without the protective cover and is therefore slightly smaller and lighter. Otherwise PRS-T3 and PRS-T3S are identical.
The internal memory is still 2 GB (1.2 GB free) and can be expanded with micro SDHC memory cards (up to 32 GB). Like the covers, the device is available in black, white and red.
5-inch devices (since 2009)
PRS-300 Pocket Edition
Since 2009 there has been a smaller version of the reader with the PRS-300 . This model does not have a touchscreen, and no memory expansion or audio output is possible. The device has approx. 440 MB writable memory. One battery charge is enough for approx. 6800 page envelopes.
PRS-350 Pocket Edition
In 2010, a new device with a 5-inch screen diagonal appeared with the PRS-350 . A pearl display is also used as the screen. The device has a touch screen . Compared to the previous model, the dimensions are a little smaller and it is a little lighter. The writable memory is now 1.4 GB, and again there is no memory expansion or audio output. The device is available in the colors silver, dark blue and pink.
7-inch devices (since 2009)
PRS-900BC Daily Edition
In the USA, the PRS-900 was also released in 2009 , a model with a 7-inch screen diagonal. The specialty of the device is that it has a UMTS modem for mobile internet. The display is a touchscreen . It has 380 MB of free memory, and there is also the option of expanding the memory with Memory Stick Pro Duo or SD cards.
PRS-950SC Daily Edition
In 2010 the PRS-950 appeared in the USA . The device has a pearl display with a touchscreen . The device has a UMTS modem and can also be connected to the Internet via WiFi. It has 1.4 GB of free space. One battery charge should last for 10 days with mobile internet switched on, and for up to 22 days with mobile internet switched off. Although the device is not officially available in Europe, it may support a. German as an adjustable language.
PRS +
The PRS + project offers a modified firmware with support for directories ("Browse Folders") and other functions. Furthermore, games are possible and the most popular "hacks" are integrated. The current version supports the models PRS-300, PRS-505, PRS-350, PRS-650 and PRS-950. The exact list of functions depends on the model.
- PRS + 1.0.2
main menu
Settings
Available literature
In addition to Sony's bookshop and the cooperation with the Thalia bookstore, a cooperation with Google became known in March 2009. The search engine operator is making the 500,000 books in its digitization project available to buyers of the Sony Reader free of charge.
Sony Reader on other platforms
Android
An official app called "Reader" has been available in the Google Play Store for Android mobile phones since January 2011 . The app requires Android version 2.2 or higher. The app can be used to read books purchased using the Sony Reader Store on a computer, a Sony Reader or on the mobile phone itself. Marking and commenting functions are also available. It is also possible to synchronize the reading position, markings and comments with the "PRS-950".
iPhone
Sony has also developed an app for the iPhone , but Apple has rejected the app in its current version. Sony then announced that it wanted to negotiate with Apple.
criticism
As part of the poll for the worst product of the year carried out by several print and online magazines, the Sony Reader was chosen for 2009 under besteproduct.nl in the Netherlands . The jury justified this with the lack of internet connection , deficiencies in usability and the amount of the purchase price. The award related to the entire family of Sony readers available in 2009. The Sony Readers PRS-650 and PRS-350, which were released at the end of 2010, were given the grades Very Good (1.5) and Good (1.6) respectively in October and November 2010 bylesen.net . Both the Sony PRS-T1 and the Sony PRS-T2 were given the grade Very Good (1.4) by cme.at in November 2011 and September 2012, respectively . The Sony PRS-T3 was rated Good (1.7) by AllesEbook.de in September 2013 . The main point of criticism is the lack of integrated lighting.
See also
Web links
- Official Sony PRS-T3 product page on sony.de
Individual evidence
- ↑ heise online, August 8, 2014: E-Books: No new Sony reader planned
- ↑ heise online February 2, 2009: Germany launch for Sony's e-book reader in March
- ↑ heise online March 11, 2009: Sony Reader in stores from today
- ↑ heise online, August 5, 2009: Sony introduces new e-book readers
- ↑ Instructions for rooting the Sony PRS-T1
- ↑ Project overview on PRS + at Google Code , accessed on April 20, 2011.
- ↑ http://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-News-PC-Hardware-E-Book-Kooperation-Sony-und-Google-gemeinsam-gegen-Amazon-4177447.html
- ↑ android.market.com, April 2, 2011
- ↑ ebookstore.sony.com, April 2, 2011 ( Memento of the original from May 13, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ a b lesen.net, December 2, 2009: sony reader "Worst Product of the Year 2009"
- ↑ besteproduct.nl
- ↑ Sony Reader PRS-650 Touch Edition in the test. Test atlesen.net from October 19, 2010.
- ↑ Sony Reader PRS-350 Pocket Edition in the test. Test atlesen.net from November 5, 2010.
