Sony Digital Reader Touch Edition

In August 2009 Sony introduced the Sony Reader Touch Edition (PRS600BC) to their line of ebook readers. The touch edition is the comparable version to the Amazon Kindle 2 that Amazon.com makes. As far as size and proportions, the Sony Reader and Kindle 2 are similar. Both are about the size of a paperback book and as thin as most magazines and both weigh in at an impressively light 10oz. They both have a 6 inch display screen, measured diagonally and both utilize E Ink technology to create a paper-like display with no backlighting which reduces glare and eye strain. Both have high resolution and contrast for clear, crisp images.

One of the main differences between the two is the touch screen of the Sony Reader. This allows for ease, swiping of the finger to turn pages while reading. Using the stylus with the touch screen allows for freehand note taking, highlighting of text, and zoom features. If preferred, you can also use the full touch screen keyboard to take notes. The Kindle 2 has a full keyboard built in the device that is not touch screen for note taking.

Another difference is that the Sony Reader supports multiple digital media formats including ePub and Adode PDF which gives it a wider range of media it can support. Through Google Books, you can access over 1 million free public domain titles. Also, this technology allows you to borrow eBooks from most libraries if they are set up for that, as well as access multiple eBook stores on the internet. This gives a wider range of where you can purchase books from rather than the Kindle 2 where you can only get ebooks from Amazon.com.

The Sony Reader Touch edition holds up to 350 books (512MB internal memory) which is less than the Kindle 2, which can hold up to 1500 books, but still probably more than adequate for most people’s needs. The Sony Reader also has the ability to add expandable memory up to 16GB, if wanted, which would substantially expand the storage capacity. The battery life of the Sony Reader is an impressive two weeks, about 7,500 page turns, which is longer than the Kindle 2’s at 4 days if the wireless is on. The Sony Reader has 5 levels of text size compared to the Kindle’s 6 levels. Both have audio player for listening to music, built-in dictionaries, and picture viewer capabilities.

The Sony Reader is compatible with Macs and PCs, connecting via a USB port for downloads over the internet. A big selling feature for the Amazon Kindle family is the wireless delivery via the Whispernet and 3G wireless network for downloading on the go. Some other perks of the Kindle that the Sony Reader doesn’t have are the read-to-me feature and access directly from the reader to the internet for basic search and Wikipedia.

Overall, the Sony Reader Touch edition doesn’t have the bells and whistles of the Amazon Kindle 2 in comparison, but does have some nice features that the Kindle doesn’t, mainly the touch screen and formatting that allows for access to books in more locations. If the main use of your ebook reader is reading books and you want access to free books, then the Sony Reader Touch edition is a good choice. If you like getting downloads on the go, having internet access from your reader, want read-to-me function, and don’t mind only being able to get downloads from Amazon.com, then the Amazon Kindle 2 is probably your better choice.

Technorati Tags: e book readers, ebook readers, electronic book reader, portable ebook reader

I plan to buy a ebook reader soon. I am just wondering if tech. books are readable on them. By tech. books I mean ebooks with schematics, diagrams and coding.

Yeah they might be rendered if they are in compatible file format version supported by the reader.

I´m thinking of buying a sony rps 600, but I mostly read PDF documents with scanned text articles.
Will the articles be readable? Or will it be a disaster?

I’ve discussed quite a lot about PDF on ebook readers, in another answer here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100711232022AAZ672D

I notice someone using Google Maps on a Apple ipad but I costs way too much for internet so I wanted to know if the no charge for internet ebook readers could do it.
Maps work so much better with a screen bigger than a cell phone screen.

Yes, they can use Google map. The Nook can use the Google map only when you are in wifi hotspot area (because it can only browse the internet through wifi but not 3G), while the Kindle can use the Google map through 3G.

Among the ebook readers, the Amazon Kindle is the best I’ll say. I recommend this article, it mentioned Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Nobles, and other ebook readers by the end of the review:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Freview%2FR2V54YX2DD18S2%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref%255F%3Dcm%255Fcr%255Frdp%255Fperm&tag=searchresult-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

There are huge selection of free books for the Kindle as well, as you can find here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/b/?node=2245146011&tag=searchresult-20

Finally, Amazon just released a new Kindle DX with 50% better contrast and further price cut. I put the link below for you to check out yourself.

Guess it’ll help you decide.

Sorry you can’t. So you better choose an ebook reader that has best ebook selection. I prefer the Kindle because of this, and I’ve mentioned quite a lot about it in another recent answer here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100706160939AAK0T9S

I notice someone using Google Maps on a Apple ipad but I costs way too much for internet so I wanted to know if the no charge for internet ebook readers could do it.
Maps work so much better with a screen bigger than a cell phone screen.

Yes, they can use the Google maps. Read an actual user comment here about using the Google map on the Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Freview%2FRR2UVRTOI6UKW%3Fie%3DUTF8%26ref_%3Dcm%5Fcr%5Frdp%5Fperm&tag=elec-m-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

And this is the new grey Kindle DX model this user is talking about. It is just released this month:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GYWHSQ?ie=UTF8&tag=ereader-2-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002GYWHSQ

BTW, I’ve given a detailed comparison between the Nook and the Kindle previously, in another answer here. Guess it’ll help you decide which one to choose:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100425013316AAA7BML

And recently, Amazon has announced an upgrade to its Kindle, to secure their market shares. See here for the update details:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fhelp%2Fcustomer%2Fdisplay.html%3Fie%3DUTF8%26nodeId%3D200324680%26ref_%3Dhp%5Fnavbox%5Fkrec%5Fsu&tag=ereader-2-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

I want an ebook reader and one of the main reasons is so I can read at night without disturbing my boyfriend. But at the same time during the day I don’t want a backlight, if I did I would just read on my laptop. Is there an ebook reader that has an optional backlight?

Ebook readers do not have backlight. But you can get an optional light on it. See here to know the reason behind and how to get the optional backlight:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100614180407AAIjikS

And I’ve compared the most popular ebook readers in the market, in another answer here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100618220022AAmYwZ0

Finally, in case you don’t know, Amazon just put a big price slash on the Kindle, and it is now a good time to get it. I put the link below for you to check it out yourself.

Hope it helps

I will be starting my Masters degree next Spring. With this in mind, what eBook reader would be best for a graduate student? I look at both mainstream, and specialist devices, that could possibly be used by a student who is visually impaired, throughout academic courses. I would like input from other students in this regard. Thanks.

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Technorati Tags: Academics, Amazon, Apple, Barnes Noble, Book Port Plus, ebooks, ipad, kindle, nook, School books, Sony

I want to buy an eBook Reader, but I have no idea which type and brand to buy.
I’d prefer the eBook Reader to be "eye-friendly" rather than having many functions. However, it will be great if the eBook Reader have many functions though.
Anyone who is using OR had used eBook Reader, please give me some pieces of advice.
Thanks a lot!

Kindle is definitely an amazing device. Its worth the money.You can put ebooks/notes/audio books on your kindle also Notes and annotations are very easy to make.Very easy to use with the PC and the Mac Kindle is very straight forward there’s no need for additional software required for Kindle. Also supports you can also increase the text size which is again amazing.E-INK screen technology that don’t glare in any light so no strain to eyes and less harmful. There are wide range of books on kindle many are free and other are cheaper at price than the actual books so yes I have saved a lot of money till now.
You dont have to carry now all those heavy actual books, kindle is so light weight which is carrying almost 1500 books within it. Since I travel a lot I really like the 3G Internet you can get the internet wherever you go. Whenever you are tired of reading you can also you Text-To-Speech with auto-page turning feature which is jst so relaxing. If the small size strains your eyes a lot than can also change the text-size. I must say Kindle is a small magic books really I cant live without it.

Amazon Kindle at amazon $189
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015T963C?ie=UTF8&tag=gaminglinks-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0015T963C

I compare a few eBook readers side by side, touch on how they compare to DAISY, and throw out the question of what you think. I may consider buying one, though that’s up in the air at the moment.

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Technorati Tags: Accessibility, Amazon, Apple, Barnes Noble, Book Sense, Bookshare, Borders, DAISY, ebooks, GW Micro, ipad, kindle, kobo, NLS, nook, RFB&D