Comments on: Sony Portable Reader System PRS-500 http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sat, 26 May 2012 18:07:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Al http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-96038 Al Mon, 17 Jan 2011 01:32:50 +0000 #comment-96038 WELL I'm late! Just as I was going to purchase the Kindle 3 I remembered that I had this little device that was just collecting dust. It works beautifully, even as a 4-5 year old. I haven't updated it yet, can barely operate it at this point. WELL I’m late! Just as I was going to purchase the Kindle 3 I remembered that I had this little device that was just collecting dust. It works beautifully, even as a 4-5 year old. I haven’t updated it yet, can barely operate it at this point.

]]> By: Amazon Kindle 2 Wireless E-book Reader Review — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-74161 Amazon Kindle 2 Wireless E-book Reader Review — The Gadgeteer Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:16:39 +0000 #comment-74161 [...] once you finish reading it. Prices are actually a lot better than I remember them being with the Sony Reader. You can even find free books to download through the online store. Amazon knows what it’s [...] [...] once you finish reading it. Prices are actually a lot better than I remember them being with the Sony Reader. You can even find free books to download through the online store. Amazon knows what it’s [...]

]]> By: Janet Cloninger http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-70377 Janet Cloninger Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:42:53 +0000 #comment-70377 You can also read about my experience sending my old PRS-500 to Sony for the upgrade here http://the-gadgeteer.com/2010/02/04/my-experience-with-sonys-upgrade-process-for-the-prs-500-reader/ You can also read about my experience sending my old PRS-500 to Sony for the upgrade here http://the-gadgeteer.com/2010/02/04/my-experience-with-sonys-upgrade-process-for-the-prs-500-reader/

]]> By: Fritz http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-70346 Fritz Fri, 16 Jul 2010 07:05:21 +0000 #comment-70346 To update this review a bit. The software package now supports Mac and there is a firmware update to add support for ePub format. The Sony bookstore is dropping BBeB and going to ePub. If your PRS firmware is v1.x then it does not support ePub and needs to be returned to Sony to have the update installed. See the Sony website for instructions on obtaining the update. If the firmware version is v2.x then the update is installed and the PRS500 can use .ePub format ebooks To see the firmware version number choose Settings->About (0->4) and the version number will be at the top of the page. To update this review a bit. The software package now supports Mac and there is a firmware update to add support for ePub format. The Sony bookstore is dropping BBeB and going to ePub.

If your PRS firmware is v1.x then it does not support ePub and needs to be returned to Sony to have the update installed. See the Sony website for instructions on obtaining the update.

If the firmware version is v2.x then the update is installed and the PRS500 can use .ePub format ebooks

To see the firmware version number choose Settings->About (0->4) and the version number will be at the top of the page.

]]> By: My Experience With Sony’s Upgrade Process for the PRS-500 Reader — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-55495 My Experience With Sony’s Upgrade Process for the PRS-500 Reader — The Gadgeteer Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:50:05 +0000 #comment-55495 [...] my Sony PRS-600 review, you’ll know that I entered the dedicated ebook reader world with the Sony PRS-500.  After we upgraded to the PRS-505 readers, we passed along our old readers.  All three of these [...] [...] my Sony PRS-600 review, you’ll know that I entered the dedicated ebook reader world with the Sony PRS-500.  After we upgraded to the PRS-505 readers, we passed along our old readers.  All three of these [...]

]]> By: Give your Sony PRS-500 eReader a new lease on life — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-48979 Give your Sony PRS-500 eReader a new lease on life — The Gadgeteer Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:15:55 +0000 #comment-48979 [...] is offering current PRS-500 owners the option of trading in their ereader for $50 off the purchase of a Reader Pocket Edition [...] [...] is offering current PRS-500 owners the option of trading in their ereader for $50 off the purchase of a Reader Pocket Edition [...]

]]> By: Sony PRS-600 Touch Edition Reader Review — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-42765 Sony PRS-600 Touch Edition Reader Review — The Gadgeteer Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:17:16 +0000 #comment-42765 [...] the Sony Touch Edition (PRS-600) for pre-order.  I’ve been a devoted Sony Reader user since the PRS-500, so I quickly placed a pre-order for the Touch in red.  On August 25, Sony officially announced [...] [...] the Sony Touch Edition (PRS-600) for pre-order.  I’ve been a devoted Sony Reader user since the PRS-500, so I quickly placed a pre-order for the Touch in red.  On August 25, Sony officially announced [...]

]]> By: Sony Announce New e-Book Readers — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-40184 Sony Announce New e-Book Readers — The Gadgeteer Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:19:04 +0000 #comment-40184 [...] have owned a Sony Reader prs-500 and now use a 700. I bought the 700 for the promise of a built-in light, and that has not been too [...] [...] have owned a Sony Reader prs-500 and now use a 700. I bought the 700 for the promise of a built-in light, and that has not been too [...]

]]> By: Aldiko for Android Review — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-36896 Aldiko for Android Review — The Gadgeteer Thu, 04 Jun 2009 07:00:29 +0000 #comment-36896 [...] played with Stanza a little bit on my wife’s iPod Touch. A few years back I received a Sony PRS-500 and recently upgraded to a [...] [...] played with Stanza a little bit on my wife’s iPod Touch. A few years back I received a Sony PRS-500 and recently upgraded to a [...]

]]> By: Skay http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-24098 Skay Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:52:00 +0000 #comment-24098 Thanks for the review! I'm looking to buy the new 505 version within a couple weeks. Anyone know of any site online that offers custom fit cases. So, that I could have a custom sized case made for the Sony Reader? Sharon Thanks for the review! I’m looking to buy the new 505 version within a couple weeks. Anyone know of any site online that offers custom fit cases. So, that I could have a custom sized case made for the Sony Reader?

Sharon

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-24097 Julie Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:08:16 +0000 #comment-24097 DocGo: Yes, you can copy .PDF files directly to a Memorystick or SD card, pop it in the Reader and it will show up in the document list. :) The only problem is that if your .PDF file has Black and White images embedded in it, they show up like a photo negative on the Reader. At least the files I tried had this issue while the photos showed up fine on my desktop computer. DocGo:

Yes, you can copy .PDF files directly to a Memorystick or SD card, pop it in the Reader and it will show up in the document list. :)

The only problem is that if your .PDF file has Black and White images embedded in it, they show up like a photo negative on the Reader. At least the files I tried had this issue while the photos showed up fine on my desktop computer.

]]> By: DocGo http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-24096 DocGo Sun, 09 Sep 2007 12:42:34 +0000 #comment-24096 I am considering this reader. Since it allows expansion cards, can I just load a pdf file to the card (using a card reader) and then read the file with this Sony portable reader? Or does the pdf file have to be converted before it is readable? I read lots of medical journals (mostly in pdf format) that this will be great if the Sony reader supports native pdf files. I am considering this reader. Since it allows expansion cards, can I just load a pdf file to the card (using a card reader) and then read the file with this Sony portable reader? Or does the pdf file have to be converted before it is readable? I read lots of medical journals (mostly in pdf format) that this will be great if the Sony reader supports native pdf files.

]]> By: Smitty http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-24095 Smitty Sun, 09 Sep 2007 01:04:02 +0000 #comment-24095 Sony, by trying to force the world to their standards, misses the boat on so many fronts. Their cameras are not <em>nearly</em> as popular as they could be, if they would only drop memory stick and join the rest of the world in SD/CF-land. The other irritating factor is not supporting Mac users. There are tons of Mac users in Japan, not to mention the rest of the world. They are relegating themselves to the Zune dustbin by not realizing that many Mac users don't want to piddle with software that "kinda-sorta" makes things work. Look at how quickly the Palm was adopted when they fully embraced the Mac market, and how they have been turned into a backwater with their dropping of it (although Missing Sync has saved their bacon in many ways.) You'd have thought Sony would have learned this with the Clio, but, no, they continue to think they can change the rest of the world. They will never get past early adopters with that attitude. This ain't a TV, folks! <slight rant ahead> I'm a technical person, and can usually make anything work if I put my mind to it, but if a company doesn't want to consider that users like me are a place they can make money, well, I'll find someone else to give that money to. It spends nicely, they tell me, and they come back and offer to add more features through upgrades. And I am not alone by a long shot. </rant> Sony, by trying to force the world to their standards, misses the boat on so many fronts. Their cameras are not nearly as popular as they could be, if they would only drop memory stick and join the rest of the world in SD/CF-land. The other irritating factor is not supporting Mac users. There are tons of Mac users in Japan, not to mention the rest of the world. They are relegating themselves to the Zune dustbin by not realizing that many Mac users don’t want to piddle with software that “kinda-sorta” makes things work. Look at how quickly the Palm was adopted when they fully embraced the Mac market, and how they have been turned into a backwater with their dropping of it (although Missing Sync has saved their bacon in many ways.) You’d have thought Sony would have learned this with the Clio, but, no, they continue to think they can change the rest of the world. They will never get past early adopters with that attitude. This ain’t a TV, folks!

<slight rant ahead>
I’m a technical person, and can usually make anything work if I put my mind to it, but if a company doesn’t want to consider that users like me are a place they can make money, well, I’ll find someone else to give that money to. It spends nicely, they tell me, and they come back and offer to add more features through upgrades. And I am not alone by a long shot.
</rant>

]]> By: Chantry http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-24094 Chantry Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:31:28 +0000 #comment-24094 I've been a happy happy Sony Reader user since last winter. I am a very fast reader, so being able to carry lots of books without a lot of weight means that I don't have to worry about running out of reading material. This is going to be a big plus on my upcoming Hawaii vacation! One thing that I haven't seen mentioned yet that could be important for some people - unlike other e-readers of the past (yes, I was an early adopter of both versions of the Rocketbook), you can authorize more than one device on the same account (up to five, if memory serves me correctly). This means that my partner and I each have our own device, but can share purchased books (including having them on both devices at the same time). This is a win for me, as not having to purchase a book twice means she lets me spend more money on books! I’ve been a happy happy Sony Reader user since last winter. I am a very fast reader, so being able to carry lots of books without a lot of weight means that I don’t have to worry about running out of reading material. This is going to be a big plus on my upcoming Hawaii vacation!

One thing that I haven’t seen mentioned yet that could be important for some people – unlike other e-readers of the past (yes, I was an early adopter of both versions of the Rocketbook), you can authorize more than one device on the same account (up to five, if memory serves me correctly). This means that my partner and I each have our own device, but can share purchased books (including having them on both devices at the same time). This is a win for me, as not having to purchase a book twice means she lets me spend more money on books!

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-24093 Julie Thu, 06 Sep 2007 01:12:44 +0000 #comment-24093 $50! Wow, great deal! :) Let us know what you think of it after you've had time to try it out. $50! Wow, great deal! :) Let us know what you think of it after you’ve had time to try it out.

]]> By: isobutane http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-24092 isobutane Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:25:37 +0000 #comment-24092 I just ordered a Sony Reader for $50...I took out a Sony credit card and that was the offer for getting the card. I expect it in a week or so, and it will work out quite well. I love reading ebooks, but my Treo 700p's battery life (even with the extended battery) is pretty poor. This will enhance my reading experience! I just ordered a Sony Reader for $50…I took out a Sony credit card and that was the offer for getting the card. I expect it in a week or so, and it will work out quite well. I love reading ebooks, but my Treo 700p’s battery life (even with the extended battery) is pretty poor. This will enhance my reading experience!

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-24091 Julie Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:38:36 +0000 #comment-24091 Here's another angle... I actually bought a Sony Reader for both Rob and myself because I wanted us to do a dual review. The thing is that once I started using it, it didn't appeal to me near as much as using my Treo 680 for the same tasks. Seems like an odd thing to say given the measurable difference in screen size doesn't it? Well for me, the Sony fails in two respects. 1. It's another device to carry around. Although it's not extremely bulky, it does take up space in my gear bag. Right now I'm going through a minimalist phase, so less is more. 2. The display is not backlit. For me this is the main clincher. I have to have good light in order for the Sony to be comfortable for me to read. That's why I find the Treo (or any backlit PDA for that matter) to be superior. I can read with the Treo anywhere. I can read at night as a passenger in a car, in a dim room, etc. I can't do that with the Sony Reader. For those reasons I quickly set the Sony aside and went back to whatever PDA I happened to be carrying. Look for it on the next garage sale to be posted soon :) Julie Here’s another angle… I actually bought a Sony Reader for both Rob and myself because I wanted us to do a dual review. The thing is that once I started using it, it didn’t appeal to me near as much as using my Treo 680 for the same tasks. Seems like an odd thing to say given the measurable difference in screen size doesn’t it? Well for me, the Sony fails in two respects.

1. It’s another device to carry around. Although it’s not extremely bulky, it does take up space in my gear bag. Right now I’m going through a minimalist phase, so less is more.

2. The display is not backlit. For me this is the main clincher. I have to have good light in order for the Sony to be comfortable for me to read. That’s why I find the Treo (or any backlit PDA for that matter) to be superior. I can read with the Treo anywhere. I can read at night as a passenger in a car, in a dim room, etc. I can’t do that with the Sony Reader.

For those reasons I quickly set the Sony aside and went back to whatever PDA I happened to be carrying.

Look for it on the next garage sale to be posted soon :)

Julie

]]> By: TekGeek http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-24090 TekGeek Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:01:47 +0000 #comment-24090 I really like my Sony Reader. Has significantly lightened my luggage when traveling! Plus I found several great jackets/cases for the Sony Reader at http:\\<a href="www.buymedge.com">www.buymedge.com</a> (M-edge Accessories). They an Executive jacket that is available in multiple colors and a sleeve jacket for using your reader at the beach/pool/gym. Great stuff! I really like my Sony Reader. Has significantly lightened my luggage when traveling! Plus I found several great jackets/cases for the Sony Reader at http:\\http://www.buymedge.com (M-edge Accessories). They an Executive jacket that is available in multiple colors and a sleeve jacket for using your reader at the beach/pool/gym. Great stuff!

]]> By: bogorad http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-24089 bogorad Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:12:33 +0000 #comment-24089 I'm also a happy user of PRS-500. I'm with you on contrast issue. Battery life of okay, but nowhere near the declared 7500 page turns. I'd estimate it at 2500 turns. My PRS-500 is hacked to support Cyrillic fonts. Also, clock display is fixed - turns out there is an internal clock, and the hack enables time display on the status line (time is updated only when a page is turned). There's a single-click converter form .FB2 (a popular open book format) to Sony's LRF, called fb2lrf. You can set up things like margins and font preferences there. I also use FictionBookDesigner to make FB2-files out of MS .lit and some .pdf files. links: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fb2">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fb2</a> <a href="http://www.bookdesigner.org/">http://www.bookdesigner.org/</a> <a href="http://www.msh-tools.com/ebook/downloads.html">http://www.msh-tools.com/ebook/downloads.html</a> I’m also a happy user of PRS-500. I’m with you on contrast issue. Battery life of okay, but nowhere near the declared 7500 page turns. I’d estimate it at 2500 turns.

My PRS-500 is hacked to support Cyrillic fonts. Also, clock display is fixed – turns out there is an internal clock, and the hack enables time display on the status line (time is updated only when a page is turned).

There’s a single-click converter form .FB2 (a popular open book format) to Sony’s LRF, called fb2lrf. You can set up things like margins and font preferences there.

I also use FictionBookDesigner to make FB2-files out of MS .lit and some .pdf files.

links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fb2
http://www.bookdesigner.org/
http://www.msh-tools.com/ebook/downloads.html

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2007/09/05/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500/comment-page-1/#comment-24088 Julie Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:13:02 +0000 #comment-24088 Post your comments here on the Sony Portable Reader System PRS-500 review. <a href="http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500">http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/sony_portable_reader_system_prs_500</a> Just click the POST REPLY button on this page. Post your comments here on the Sony Portable Reader System PRS-500 review.

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