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The Reader Touch Edition features a 6 inch display with simple, easy-to-use touchscreen navigation. Turn pages with the swipe of a finger and enjoy fast and intuitive navigation of your favorite books. Take freehand notes and highlight sections of text you want to revisit later, just as you would in a real book, using the included stylus. If you prefer, a virtual keyboard is also available for entering quick notes or searching your eBooks. If you want, you can even export your notes to your computer using the eBook Library software. Enjoy access to a wider number of books from a wider number of places. By supporting both industry standard formats, ePub and PDF, you can access books at Sony's eBookstore, check out books from public libraries, access over 500,000 free public domain titles from Google, as well as sharing sites, online aggregators and personal publishers (Internet access is required). Not sure which books to bring on your trip? With the Reader Touch Edition, you will never have to make that choice again. 512MB of onboard memory lets you carry up to 350 of your favorite books at a time. Whether you're venturing across town or across the country, the Reader Touch Edition makes an ideal travelling companion. Measuring just 0.4" thin and weighing less than 9 ounces, the Reader Touch Edition is thinner and more lightweight than almost any book, and even many magazines. The Reader Touch Edition utilizes E-Ink screen technology to deliver an amazing, paper-like display that's more like ink on paper and fully readable in direct sunlight. Enjoy up to two full weeks of reading (7,500 continuous page turns) on a single battery charge. Paper-like display for easy, natural reading 2 full weeks of reading on a single battery charge Built-in Oxford American English eDictionary Intuitive eBook Library software for PC & Mac 5 adjustable font sizes to customize your rea
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 Why Sony? |
| Review Date: August 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Bobbie - "Andromeda's Grandma", United States |
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/ROARCPCFQMND5 I have been following the e-book readers for some time, and I wanted several things for me to "jump on the bandwagon." ***Since I have received many questions, I am now including a video to demonstrate my favorite features***
1) I have a number of PDF reference books, so a Reader needs to handle these well. Since my books are text, these reflow well on the Sony.
2) Because I will use (and now am using) the Reader for reference books, it was important that I be able to access my notes directly from my computer to use in other documents. I actually began using the software on my desktop several months before I purchased the 600, and was pleased with its capabilities.
3) I enjoy the free epub books from my library. The Sony accesses these easily. There are also a number of locations besides Sony selling the epub or Adobe digital books (usable by the Sony Touch) giving me more choice in my decision.
4) The Touch handles my regular documents well - as a public speaker, I love having my speeches available to study on the reader, without having to print them out!
The points I already love (thus the 5 stars)
1) I love having the touch turn capability, just a brush of my thumb!
2) I enjoy the sideways and zoom features for PDFs that you want to keep "standard"
3) After only a couple of minutes, I forgot I was even using a reader and I got involved in the book.
*** I live in an isolated area - so neither Whispernet for the Kindle nor the upcoming 3G connection on the more expensive Daily model would be helpful - I'm just as happy to order my books "in advance" and carry them with me.
I enjoy the feel of the Reader by itself, but since I will be carrying this "library" with me, and I was worried about protection, I purchased the M-edge Executive Jacket for Sony Reader PRS-505 (Genuine Leather--Pebbled Grey w/ Black) - SALE! which fits it perfectly.
I also purchased the Sony AC Charger for PRS505SC and PRS505LC to ensure that I can charge up my reader when my computer isn't around.
Edited after 2 weeks and 10 books -
Some people have mentioned the glare - since my previous reading was on my laptop - this isn't an issue for me. I keep my lighting at my side, and it is not a problem at all. It is more noticeable in a dark room with a single light source.
Another issue I have encountered isn't with the reader - but with the interaction between Windows and the software. It is pretty touchy. I have learned to be careful of some PDF documents which have caused problems.
It is also important that when importing books that aren't loaded through the reader that you "maintain" the link by not moving them once they are imported. Like Powerpoint and other programs, the desktop ebook reader doesn't store the book in the program - it links to it on your computer. Breaking the link means it can't find the book - and it can't upload the book.
*** A special touch for a "Grandma" is the ability to be able to load photos of my granddaughter to carry with me. There is even a feature that permits showing the photos as a slide show. While the photos are in black and white, they are very sharp and it is a nice touch when I travel.
*** Edited after 2 months -
A recent update in the software has removed some of the software connection problems I originally experienced. So, that's a plus!
However, I have recently added some PDF files that did NOT flow the same way as my original "professional" files reflowed. After checking with those more knowledgeable, I have been told that the problem is not with the Sony, but with the way the PDF files have been set up. The PDF is supposed to include "tags" that will help the pages to reflow correctly. My recommendation is that anyone with PDFs they need to carry on the reader download the free computer software and attempt to read them using this software. If it works on your computer, it will reflow correctly on the Sony. If it does not - then it will not do so on the Reader either. |
Have one, Love it!
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| Review Date: November 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Auric, Alton, IL United States |
I did a fair amount of research before I bought this item. I studied the Kindle, and the more I read about it, the less I liked it! (Sorry Amazon!) I don't like the idea that my books reside on Amazon for me to down load again if I lose them (I guess I'm old school and want to be able to access my stuff on MY computer).
I'm also a fan of open architecture and that's what led me to the Sony.
On one review a person complained about the software. I'm not sure what operating system they have, but I have XP, and have had absolutely NO problems what so ever with crashes.
Pros: Open architecture, ton's of stuff out there that you can down load for free, Sony offers new free or low priced books just about every month, can read both ePub and PDF files with no problem. If you lose a book (I accidentally deleted one on my computer!) you can download it again for free.
Cons: The contrast on the touch edition is not as high as I would like it. I would like the background to be a bit whiter (I understand it's quite white on the Kindle), the touch screen is sometimes a bit twitchy especially on hi-liting, but once you get the hang of it's idiosyncrasies, not so bad. The dictionary is a bit limited: I find (at least in the books I read) it does not recognize quite a few words. I would like to see an update to a significantly better & comprehensive dictionary, (even if I have to pay a bit for it) which would operate seamlessly with this reader.
Cons true of all readers not just Sony: I'm not sure if this is a result of the Publishers' policies, but the so called "List Price" of eBooks seem totally arbitrary! So the so-called "discount" from list doesn't work out to be much of a discount! Books that are already out as mass-market paperbacks for $9.99 or less are listed as anywhere from $11.99 to $15! And then discounted 5 or 10%!! When you consider that you can buy a mass-market paperback at Target for 25% off, and an eBook has no additional publishing costs (once the book is made into an eBook (i.e. no shipping, printing, distribution etc.) this discrepancy in pricing makes absolutely no sense other than publisher trying to make more money. I look for the day when Sam's, and Target start selling eBooks on their websites and in Kiosks at their stores. Hopefully this should bring eBooks more into line with paper books. |
Looooooove it!!!!!! Don't know how I got on w/o it!!!
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| Review Date: November 4, 2009 |
| Reviewer: E. Monti, warren oh |
I had a blue Sony prs-505 that was amazing. When the prs-700 came out I wasn't really inclined to switch. Then I saw the prs-600 when it came out. Let me tell you, this thing is by far the easiest, most attractive thing I have ever seen. Well, as far as ereaders go anyway, lol. My boyfriend finally got me one for my birthday after listening to me beg for weeks (what a sweetie, huh?) and I swear, I was so happy I cried. I charged it up, turned it on, and was not disappointed.
The screen is crystal clear even though it is a touchscreen, which is something I was extremely worried about. Super easy to use, I have not had any issues as far as,"omg I don't know how I did it but I'm glad it happened!" Everything is practically spelled out for you. You can turn the page with a .25 of an inch movement of your finger to the right or left, depending on how you have it set up or you can use the page turn button. Double tap a word you don't know and the definition springs up at the bottom of the screen. View the entire dictionary page by tapping another button. When done hit x to close and you're reading again. Hmmmm, what else? Oh yeah, it looks beautiful, lol! Feels very nice in my hands, not too heavy and not too light. Very convienent, this thing will last for years! The price is pretty good for what you're getting. I would buy everyone I know one of these if I had the means to, lol! Definitely recommend this for people who want to read w/o having to sacrifice the quality of their reading.
Pros:
1. Very attractive design, not too heavy
2. Very easy to use, have yet to have a problem trying to figure anything out.
3. Price is very reasonable. Considering I bought my PRS-505 8 months ago and paid the same amount, I feel they did a very good job. Comes with a ton of extra features than my 505 didn't offer.
4. Everything about the device, lol!
Cons:
1. The case it comes in is very flimsy, which doesn't really bother me as they have cases to buy for less than $25
All in all, you would have to pry this thing from my dead, lifeless fingers!!!
UPDATE: So far it has been almost one month and I don't have not one complaint. Simple to use, does not cause any eyestrain (I can read for hours at a time without feeling like my eyes are on fire). My only complaint is that I don't make enough money to buy a back-up one!!!!
UPDATE-2/11/10: I still love my reader. In fact, I saved up my money and.....bought a second one so in case something happens to this one I still have another one. I use the one I bought so the one my bf got me doesn't get messed up. I can't even leave the house without this thing! |
Good deal and good product
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| Review Date: January 10, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Robert D. Torres, Puerto Rico |
Good deal, good product....When installing the Sony reader e-book software on your PC, disable the firewall until after installation. wasted couple of hours trying to figure out the problem. Just disable firewall and you are set to go....My college student daughter very happy with the reader...My other son now wants one for his B-Day....kids,kids...they are always digging deep!!!!
By the way, start shipping to Puerto Rico this item....Kindle does!! |
Much better than any other Reader
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| Review Date: February 5, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Charles Spencer, |
| This Reader is much better for note taking, highlighting, and editing than any other Reader due to the touchscreen. As with most readers screen changing can be a little slow. It would be nice to have wireless connectivity but glad to give it up for the touchscreen. |
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Sony Digital Reader Touch Edition – Silver (PRS600SC)
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