Comments on: The Sony Reader Review http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/ Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:19:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: T39andcountinghttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5846 T39andcounting Fri, 09 Mar 2007 18:20:52 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5846 Don't get me wrong, I agree that the numbers should be on the device, it just seems strange that they didn't have them up the side and loose the numbers. Remove the numbers and have the buttons up the right hand side and then they can double as page forward/back for the right hand when you're not in a menu. I just think having them numbered and in a different place to the menus they line up with adds clutter and confusion. Don’t get me wrong, I agree that the numbers should be on the device, it just seems strange that they didn’t have them up the side and loose the numbers.

Remove the numbers and have the buttons up the right hand side and then they can double as page forward/back for the right hand when you’re not in a menu. I just think having them numbered and in a different place to the menus they line up with adds clutter and confusion.

]]> By: Douglas Moranhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5782 Douglas Moran Thu, 08 Mar 2007 22:59:38 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5782 T39andcounting: With regard to the navigation numbers, if I had to *guess*, I would bet that someone doing early functionality testing said what I said: "Man, navigating on this thing takes *forever*!" And so they put those buttons on there to speed it up. Just a guess, but it wouldn't surprise me. I know it gives the Reader a somewhat awkward look-and-feel, but that was one thing that I actually *liked* about the design; it really sped up the selection of menu items. Also, think of this: if you are holding the device in two hands, those numbered buttons fall right where your thumbs are, so pressing them is very easy. So in short, I disagree with you on the numbered buttons issue. At least on this device. Of course, as you saw, there were plenty of *other* things that bugged me! T39andcounting: With regard to the navigation numbers, if I had to *guess*, I would bet that someone doing early functionality testing said what I said: “Man, navigating on this thing takes *forever*!” And so they put those buttons on there to speed it up. Just a guess, but it wouldn’t surprise me.

I know it gives the Reader a somewhat awkward look-and-feel, but that was one thing that I actually *liked* about the design; it really sped up the selection of menu items. Also, think of this: if you are holding the device in two hands, those numbered buttons fall right where your thumbs are, so pressing them is very easy.

So in short, I disagree with you on the numbered buttons issue. At least on this device. Of course, as you saw, there were plenty of *other* things that bugged me!

]]> By: T39andcountinghttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5700 T39andcounting Thu, 08 Mar 2007 10:10:30 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5700 I think the problem with E-ink is that as it's new it's going to be pitched at quite a high price point, so it's going to be compared to PDAs, media players and laptops. I think the only way these are going to make an impact is by seriously reducing the price... $50 or less so Grandma can afford one, loosing the MP3 player, etc, and loosing the proprietary formats. If I could get one of these, drop into my local library and fill it up with 6 books every week or so, then I'm buying. And so are my parents and grandparents. While I'm here... number buttons along the bottom and on screen numbers up the side? Who thought that was a good idea? Blatant case of hardware guys not talking to software guys! And a proprietary format on a Sony device, who'd of thought?! I think the problem with E-ink is that as it’s new it’s going to be pitched at quite a high price point, so it’s going to be compared to PDAs, media players and laptops. I think the only way these are going to make an impact is by seriously reducing the price… $50 or less so Grandma can afford one, loosing the MP3 player, etc, and loosing the proprietary formats. If I could get one of these, drop into my local library and fill it up with 6 books every week or so, then I’m buying. And so are my parents and grandparents.

While I’m here… number buttons along the bottom and on screen numbers up the side? Who thought that was a good idea? Blatant case of hardware guys not talking to software guys! And a proprietary format on a Sony device, who’d of thought?!

]]> By: reidmehttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5634 reidme Wed, 07 Mar 2007 14:05:54 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5634 As you pointed out, the only advantage e-ink has over LCDs is power consumption. Now that we are accustomed to bright, colorful, responsive LCD screens I don't think e-ink has much of a chance. This device is very thin at 0.5". They could make it 0.75" thick (still thinner than most paperbacks) and use all that extra space for a high capacity battery. Then it could have an LCD display and become a killer media device. As you pointed out, the only advantage e-ink has over LCDs is power consumption. Now that we are accustomed to bright, colorful, responsive LCD screens I don’t think e-ink has much of a chance. This device is very thin at 0.5″. They could make it 0.75″ thick (still thinner than most paperbacks) and use all that extra space for a high capacity battery. Then it could have an LCD display and become a killer media device.

]]> By: Douglas Moranhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5531 Douglas Moran Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:09:34 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5531 Thanks for the kind words, Elo. I honestly felt bad, since Sony was kind enough to loan Gear Diary the device for review, and I really really wanted to like it. [sigh] I have been in regular contact with Dynamism.com regarding the WordsGear, as it looks like a really wonderful product (although again, it appears that their eBooks will be of a proprietary format; augh!)--although like with the Sony Reader it's hard to know until I get one in my hand. My contact informs me that they are currently having some software problems, which is why the WordsGear has been removed from their site (it was available for advanced orders up until February or so). But you better believe that when it becomes available again, I will want to give it a try. I haven't tested--or even held in my hand--the Nokia N800. But given its specs--8 oz (230g), 4" 800x480 screen--I would expect it to be a decent reading device. However, I don't know about whether it has something that can act as a page up/down button, whether it can be rotated into portrait mode (I personally find reading books in landscape mode unsatisfactory), and since it runs Linux, I don't know if you would be able to read eReader books on it. I am keeping my ears open to any and all reading devices, and if folks hear about them, please tell me, and I will be happy to review them here on Gear Diary. Thanks for the kind words, Elo. I honestly felt bad, since Sony was kind enough to loan Gear Diary the device for review, and I really really wanted to like it. [sigh]

I have been in regular contact with Dynamism.com regarding the WordsGear, as it looks like a really wonderful product (although again, it appears that their eBooks will be of a proprietary format; augh!)–although like with the Sony Reader it’s hard to know until I get one in my hand. My contact informs me that they are currently having some software problems, which is why the WordsGear has been removed from their site (it was available for advanced orders up until February or so). But you better believe that when it becomes available again, I will want to give it a try.

I haven’t tested–or even held in my hand–the Nokia N800. But given its specs–8 oz (230g), 4″ 800×480 screen–I would expect it to be a decent reading device. However, I don’t know about whether it has something that can act as a page up/down button, whether it can be rotated into portrait mode (I personally find reading books in landscape mode unsatisfactory), and since it runs Linux, I don’t know if you would be able to read eReader books on it.

I am keeping my ears open to any and all reading devices, and if folks hear about them, please tell me, and I will be happy to review them here on Gear Diary.

]]> By: depot » The Sony Reader Reviewhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5524 depot » The Sony Reader Review Tue, 06 Mar 2007 23:50:42 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5524 [...] Original post by Douglas Moran [...] [...] Original post by Douglas Moran [...]

]]> By: Elohttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5520 Elo Tue, 06 Mar 2007 23:21:23 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/2007/03/06/the-sony-reader-review/#comment-5520 This is truly the best review I have read on this device so far. There were not much reviews to find to begin with. The Sony Reader had been in the back of mind for quite awhile now. I am an avid ebook fan too and I read on my Axim X51 using ereader. I too hate PDFs and much prefer the format used in ereader. I can flip the pages forward and back by touching the screen. I am waiting for the next best device solely for reading. Now I can mourn the Sony reader and move on and not think about it anymore. The shortcomings you mentioned are exactly what I was afraid of. I hope you will review the Wordsgear too. Dynamism have some, couldnt they send you one for review ? Would the Nokia N800 be a good reader too ? This is truly the best review I have read on this device so far. There were not much reviews to find to begin with. The Sony Reader had been in the back of mind for quite awhile now. I am an avid ebook fan too and I read on my Axim X51 using ereader. I too hate PDFs and much prefer the format used in ereader. I can flip the pages forward and back by touching the screen. I am waiting for the next best device solely for reading. Now I can mourn the Sony reader and move on and not think about it anymore.

The shortcomings you mentioned are exactly what I was afraid of. I hope you will review the Wordsgear too. Dynamism have some, couldnt they send you one for review ?

Would the Nokia N800 be a good reader too ?

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