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Fans of Sony eReaders will be happy and disappointed at the same time with the Sony PRS T1BC. Sure, the Sony PRS T1BC is an upgrade over the previous Sony models, but what it has is the same hardware configuration of most of the new crop of touch-based eReaders: 6-inch eInk Pearly display (600 x 800 resolution and 16 level grayscale), infrared sensor, and WiFi-only access. The good news is that it is lighter and comes with more affordable, $149 price than its predecessors. Are these enough to capture market imagination?

Features – Hardware and Software 

The Sony PRS T1BC offers the same core reading experience as the Sony PRS Touch Edition: excellent reading screen, convenient navigation via the ultra-responsive touchscreen, support for multiple book formats, month-long battery life, and multiple page or text customization options.

There are two ways to take down notes or highlight texts: using the virtual keyboard or using one’s own handwriting (the eReader comes with a stylus for this purpose). Support for handwriting remains unique to Sony eReaders.

On the one hand, the Sony PRS T1BC has gotten lighter. It’s down to 5.9 ounces, a change which some users will think as unnecessary since the PRS 650 already had the right heft. The PRS T1BC comes with a support for Dropbox and other cloud-based storages: users can download files from the cloud via WiFi. Users can now download library books directly into the device as well. Like the rest of the PRS T1 models, casing is made of plastic instead of the traditional aluminum.

Where Sony should really have improved on is the screen refresh rate of the PRS T1BC. The eReader refreshes on every page turn — hence the more frequent flashes –  whereas the new Kindles, Kobo, and Nook eReaders refreshes only every 4-6 pages.

Pros

An open platform, the Sony PRS T1BC lets you download books from the Sony eBook store and a host of other eBookstores including Kobo. Hard drive can be surmounted with microSD card for added storage as well as USB from drop-and-dragging files. Integrated library support allows for direct lending from local libraries via Overdrive.

The ability to write on the screen using your own handwriting is a convenient and cool feature. You can write down notes on the margins of books, keep a journal, sketch diagrams, draw, and many more.

Cons

eBooks at the Sony Reader Store are more expensive than rival bookstores (Kindle, Nook, Kobo). Also, choices are fewer. The eReader doesn’t support taps for turning pages. To go up or back a page, you have to swipe the left or right corner of the page. This action can cause finger fatigue after a while. You can’t enhance the eReader with apps; Sony doesn’t have an app store yet.

The Bottom Line

Based on specs alone, Sony has created an able rival for the Kindle in the Sony PRS T1BC. Perhaps what the company needs to do next, if it really wants to advance in the eReader game, is to improve its eBookstore and eReader services.

Sony’s new WiFi-toting PRS-T1 was first sighted at FCC, and rumors had it that the new Sony Reader would arrive in August of this year. True enough, the device popped up unannounced on Bol.com, a Dutch website, complete with image, specs, and price. MobileRead was the first to spot the elusive eReader. (The product has since been taken off the page, with an explanation that reads, “The product is not (any longer) available”.)

Sony PRS T1 Specs and Features

As expected, the PRS-T1 is an improvement on the current models – to be specific, the Sony PRS 650. Let’s take a closer look at the specs and features of the PRS-T1 as was listed on the Dutch retail site.

1. In the looks department, it has the same minimalist approach as the PRS-650. In fact, the two nearly look alike except that the PRS-T1 has a slightly curved edge and is made of plastic.
2. Like the PRS-650, the PRS-T1 features a 6-inch eInk Pearl screen. It supports 16 grayscale level, and it has a screen resolution of 800 x 600 pixels.
3. Dimension is not given, but based on posted images, it looks more compact than its predecessor. It’s about the same length and width as the PRS-650, but thinner.
4. Its weight is down to six ounces or 168 grams (the PRS-650 weighs 7.5 ounces). The reduction in weight is a result of the switch to a plastic body.
5. The screen allows two-finger touch gestures, such pinch-to-zoom. There’s a strong likelihood that it still uses Neonode’s infrared touchscreen technology as the previous Sony readers.
6. Battery life is 1 month per full charge.
7. It has WiFi support as well as web browser.
8. It integrates Wikepedia and Google search.
9. Book covers will serve as screensaver.

10.  Internal memory is 2GB (approximately 1200 eBooks), which can be augmented via an external storage. It seems Sony has ditched the full SD card slot for a smaller, more common micro SD slot.

11.  There are still 12 built-in translation dictionaries.

12.  The usual features – font size, highlights, notations, etc – are included. Stylus is bundled with the device for marking passages, handwritten notes, notations, drawing, sketches, doodles, and more. What’s not known is whether the new device will support margin or font type customization – features that are absent in Sony Readers.

13.  The listed price on the website is €165 euros or roughly $240 USD.

To sum it up, the Sony PRS-T1 is a PRS-650 reincarnate in a slimmer, WiFi-enabled form.

Android Sony Reader?

Some speculate that the PRS-T1 is going to run on Google Android. The giveaway, according to the speculators, is the Android-looking buttons on the PRS-T1. This hasn’t been confirmed yet, so we’ll just wait for the official launch.

Sony launched the modern e-Reader, but it was Amazon that popularized it with its simple yet value-loaded Kindle.  The new Sony eReader may not be the uber-eReader some people envisioned or hoped for, but it’s certainly a great update over earlier Sony models. If marketed the right way, it could even take on the Kindle.

Sony plans to debut a new line of e-Readers as early as next month (August 2011).

“The new Sony Reader will be released in two different models ranging in price from $180 to $300. The two new devices will have hardware and software upgrades and will have built in WIFI. They both plan on being launched this August before the companies S1 and S2 tablets are due out,” said Phil Lubell, vice president of digital reading at Sony Electronics.

The new e-Readers will be introduced to U.S. consumers before Sony’s first tablet-computer models, which are scheduled to go on sale later this year. The Tokyo-based company, whose readers trail behind the Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook, plans to continue its push to sell dedicated digital readers because they are cheaper than tablets, Lubell said.

[Via Bloomberg]

When Sony’s 2^nd generation of eReaders arrived in September of 2010, they seemed poised for market domination. The Sony PRS 350, PRS 650, and PRS 950 offer readability that matches the Kindle 3’s, a very responsive touchscreen, and advanced e-writing features (with hand recognition). So why didn’t the Sony eReaders succeed?

The flaws in Sony strategies were visible right from the beginning. With the exception of the PRS-950, the devices lack one very important feature for accessing and getting books to the device: wireless connection. At best, the Sony PRS 350 and PRS 650 are for people who like the familiarity of copy-pasting files from computer to external device. Another big issue is the price of the Sony eReaders. The 5-inch Sony PRS-350 costs $179; the PRS-650 costs $229; and the PRS-950 costs $299. The Kindle WiFi, on the other hand, is worth $139 only.

Then enter the Nook 2. Apparently, the B&N device has taken a number of technological inspirations from the Sony Readers, particularly the use of optical touchscreen technology. B&N also played it right by packing the Nook with a lot of appealing extra reading-related features and support for wireless downloads over WiFi network – all wrapped in one attractively low price of $129.

Apparently Sony has to reconsider its strategies if it wants to leverage its eReaders’ position in a marketplace that’s now being dominated by the Kindle 3 and the Nook 2. However, it’s still unknown what Sony plans for its next generation of eReaders. What’s sure for now is that Sony is bringing its reading app to two new tablets codenamed S1 and S2. Both tablets were revealed at a Tokyo event in April.

The S1 Android Tablet

The Sony S1 tablet sports a 9.4-inch screen display and a “wrap” design. The “wrap” design mimics a paperback or magazine folded backward so that only a single page is displayed for reading. According to Sony, this shifts the center of gravity to bulky part of the device, making the tablet feel lighter. It offers a more comfortable one-handed reading experience than other tablets of the same size.

The NVIDIA Tegra-powered tablet supports Qriocity, Sony’s new multimedia demand service, and Playstation integration. Integrated infrared sensor lets you use the tablet as control for all your Sony devices.

The Sony S2 Android Tablet

The S2 features a dual-screen, clam form. However, the screen displays are smaller, measuring 5.5-inches only. When folded, the device looks like a closed paperback. The easily fits into your pant pocket or the inside pocket of your suit.  The split display allows for a 2-page layout when reading books and a laptop-like split keyboard and display for email messaging.

Like the S1, the S2 is preloaded with PS games, infrared remote, and Playstation integration.

The S1 and S2 as eReaders

Like other color tablets, the S1 and S2 will be great for reading comics, graphic novels, glossies, or other colored reading materials. If you want as many functions fitted into one device as possible and if you are not bothered by short battery life or the inability to read under direct sunlight, the tablets are going to appear on shelves this fall.

Many rumors have spread across the internet recently claiming Sony will release a new line of touch e-Readers very soon. It makes a lot of sense following the latest buzz around the new Nook Touch and the Kobo Reader. Sony can’t afford to stay behind. B&N also have a great deal on the older Nook 3G

So it’s no wonder Sony are trying to get rid of stock. This time, they offer the Daily Edition Reader (PRS-950) for $189, down $50 from the original price. You can take the price down to $130 by using the code OUTLETREADER110 when you check out.

The other e-reader on sale today is a refurbished original Barnes & Noble Nook 3G. You can find it at IceMonkey for $99. This is the older Nook and it has a 6″ e-ink screen, a smaller LCD screen, Wifi, 3G, a microSD card slot, and 2GB Flash storage.

Depending on the terms of the warranty, this could be a good deal. Some of the recent Nook refurbs have been listed with a 90 day warranty instead of the usual year. That’s not long enough, IMO.

(Thanks the-digital-reader)

Kobo does use Adobe DRM lock for its own books, but it also supports non-proprietary Adobe DRM. Unlike the Kindle, however, Kobo embraces open technology. Open technology gives owners the freedom and flexibility to read Kobo books whenever and wherever they want.

What this means is that you can buy books from different book vendors and read it on your Kobo. In the same manner, books bought from the Kobo Store can also be read on non-Kobo devices.  For instance, even if you are using a Sony Reader, you can still purchase books from the Kobo Store and read it on your Sony device.

Of course, you can’t purchase Kobo books directly from your Sony device; neither can you have the books directly downloaded to your Sony reader. The process of getting books is not as streamlined yet as, say, buying Kindle books from your Kindle. First you have to buy Kobo books from kobobooks.com using your computer, and then transfer the books to your Sony Reader via USB.

How exactly do you unlock the DRM restriction on Kobo books?

Kobo has the steps on how to transfer Kobo books to your Sony Reader at the Kobo Help desk.

There are two sets of instructions provided – one for newer Sony models, and the other for older Sony models.

Transferring Kobo Books to New Sony Reader Models (PRS0-350 and PRS-650)

Before you can transfer books, you need to configure your Sony reader to download Kobo books. First, you need to install the Sony Reader Library software (the latest version can be downloaded here). You then need to create an Adobe ID by filling out the form on this sign up page.

Without the Adobe ID, your Sony device will not be able display ADE-DRM protected books. The final step involves registering the Sony device to ADE right from the Sony Reader Library App.

Once the device is set up with ADE, you’re now ready to transfer Kobo books to your Sony device. Plug in the Sony Reader to your computer, then sign in to your Kobo account. Download purchased books to your computer. When the download is completed, drag and drop the files from your computer to your Sony device.

Transferring Kobo Books to Older Sony Readers

To transfer Kobo books to older Sony models, you will need the following:

1. Kobo desktop application

2. Sony device installed with Sony Library Software

3. PC with Windows

Install the Kobo app to your Sony Reader. Sign in to your Kobo account, then hook the eReader to your PC. Click the Sync button on the Kobo desktop application. The application will then automatically transfer unlocked versions of the Kobo books to your Sony Reader.

Never Lose a Kobo Book

Kobo automatically creates an online backup of all the books you purchase. You may lose, misplace, or damage your Sony Reader, but never your Kobo books. You can always access your virtual library to re-download the books you have purchased, then transfer them to your Sony reader.

Nearly every time a new device comes into the market, the media is quick to label it with descriptions like “Kindle killer” and “the death of the Kindle”. Is there a device that has actually matched – much more, topped – the Kindle’s qualities as a digital reading device?

Let’s consider the Kindle’s closest competition —

The Kindle vs Nook, Sony

The Nook offers a lot of good features: It lets you share personal books, borrow library books, and buy from different ePub-supporting bookstores.

Sony Readers also support library books and ePub and lets you take down notes and write on margins of books. The battery life is 27 days, nearly as good as the Kindle’s.

However, are they as good for reading as the Kindle? How close to the reading experience of physical books do those eReaders give?

The Nook’s secondary screen panel is attractive and offers an attractive way of viewing books in your shelf. The eInk/LCD tandem doesn’t work smoothly. The device suffers from a lot of bugs that you can get disrupted while reading or shopping from the B&N store. Its battery life, page turning speed, and page background/text contrast are not as good as the Kindle’s.

The first generation of Sony Readers are so concerned with approximating tactile experience of books that the quality of screen is compromised in the process; Sony Readers suffer from a lot of glare. The touch response is also not so good that it gets in the way of fully enjoying your book experience.  The latest generation, though improved, still requires a computer for purchasing books.

How about the Kindle? What makes it better than the rest of eReaders on the market?

The Kindle is far from perfect. In fact, it misses out many benefits you may find in the books. It doesn’t offer tactile experience. The books don’t have page numbers. It doesn’t let you write on pages of books, scribble down notes, or underline passages with a pen.  It can’t display images in color. It doesn’t let you share your books, borrow books, or buy books from different bookstores.

Its non-reading technological capabilities are also disappointing. The browser is very slow and can’t display videos and a lot of sites. It lets you check your email (mobile version of sites), but it doesn’t let you send emails. The music player can play background music, but navigating is not intuitive or easy as you only got an on/off and next track button.

But one thing’s clear, no other device comes quite as close to actual book reading experience as the Kindle. It shares a lot of the qualities of actual book: simplicity, compactness, and portability. It is light and you can read it with your one hand. It blows away every competition in terms of screen clarity, contrast, and page turn speed. It has a month-long battery life that you never have to worry losing power just as you would when reading an actual book. There are two built-in dictionaries. It can read some books out loud to you.

It can let you carry up to 3500 books at a time without having to plug in an external storage device. Most important of all, it lacks distractions, allowing you to focus on your reading as you would with a real book.

And since the Kindle is tied to the Amazon Store, we can’t also deny that this makes the Kindle even more appealing. Amazon offers the widest range of books and also the best prices. You can reach it anytime and anywhere. You get books to your device from the store in less than 60 seconds. And Amazon automatically creates a backup copy of your books, so you never lose anything.

The Kindle may not be perfect, but it offers the best reading experience, bar none.

The Sony eReader line now spans 6 models: the Sony PRS 300 (Pocket Edition), PRS 600 (Touch Edition), PRS 900 (Daily Edition), PRS 350 (Pocket Edition 2), PRS 650 (Touch Edition 2) and PRS 950 (Daily Edition 2).

The Daily Edition models are the only Sony Readers that supports wireless downloads of books just like the Nook and the Kindle.

To protect your eBooks in case of disaster, what you can do is to copy the contents of your Reader library to the hard drive of your computer.

1. Plug in your Sony Reader to your computer.

2. Open ‘My Computer’.

3. Locate the drive that says Reader and open it.

4. Create a folder in your computer where you will copy your books.

5. Drag and drop the books you want to back up from your Reader library to your personal library.

6. Safely remove your Reader.

7. Your books are now stored in your computer.

The Sony Pocket and Touch Edition models do not support wireless downloads, which means you’ll need to connect your reader to a PC or Mac using the included USB cable every time you need to purchase and download a book.

1. If you’re buying a book from the Sony Reader Store for the first time, you will be required to download and install the library software to your PC or Mac.

2. Create your Sony Store account.

3. Browse the Sony Reader store.

4. Once you have chosen a book, follow the purchase steps. Any book that you purchase from the Sony Store is automatically downloaded to your PC or Mac and is stored in your computer library. This means you don’t need to create a computer backup of your Sony books.

5. To transfer your eBooks to your Sony Reader, just drag and drop books from your personal library to your Reader library.

How to Backup eBooks on Sony Using Dropbox

If preferred, you can store your collections on the cloud for free using the open source program called Dropbox. With your collections stored on the cloud, you can access your Sony books from any Internet-connected PC, Mac, or iPhone/iTouch.

Dropbox has auto-syncing feature, so any change you make in your harddrive is noted by Dropbox. Here are the steps on how to create online backup using Dropbox:

1. Create a Dropbox account by signing up.

2. Download and install the Dropbox software.

3. Assign a Dropbox folder on your computer as required by the software program. The Dropbox folder is where you will store your eBooks.

4. The Dropbox folder has a ‘public’ folder, which will enable you to access your cloud-stored eBooks from anywhere. Create a folder within this folder.

5. Copy your books to the ‘Public’ folder in your Dropbox. If you are using Calibre to store/backup your eBook library, you can set the Dropbox folder on your PC as the location for your books. This enables your eBook library to have an automatic backup online.

Any additions/deletions in your Calibre collections will be synched up with your Dropbox account.

1. After downloading the Dropbox software, go the ‘Public’ domain of your Dropbox folder.

2. Run the Calibre ‘Welcome Wizard’. (Open Calibre, go to ‘Preferences’, then select ‘Run Welcome Wizard’.

3. On the ‘Welcome Wizard’ page, go to ‘Choose a location for your books’. Set the ‘Public’ folder of your Dropbox folder as the destination for your files.

4. Click ‘Next’.

5. The system copies your eBooks to the Dropbox public folder.

But whether or not you use Calibre to manage your eBook library, Dropbox will backup your books online and allow you to access them from any Internet-connected computer.

Sony announced yesterday they will be releasing 2 new reading applications for the iPhone and Android operating systems. This step comes months after both B&N and Amazon released similar apps.

The Reader apps grant access to the Sony eBook Store for purchasing ebooks and for downloading and reading Sony’s ebooks from iPhones and Android phones (no mention of an app for iPad). Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t look like it will allow for side-loading ebooks from other sources, but there’s not a lot of details at this point.

For features, the apps both have adjustable font sizes, and will be able to add bookmarks, highlights, and notes. The apps use “Reader’s page sync technology” to sync between apps and the Sony’s desktop software.

The iPhone app requires iOS 4 or higher, and the Android requires Android 1.6 or higher.

Both apps will be available in December.

[Via Sony)

Sony are running a cool trade in promotion up until January 1st 2011. Bring your old ereader and get a $75 discount when you buy one of Sony’s new readers.

The promotion is valid to all eReader brands, new and old. You’ll need to fill up a form to determine the value of your old device and get credited accordingly.

Here are some of the important points to consider from the FAQ about the trade-in promotion:

Q. How does the Sony Style Gift Card process work?

A: Once your Trade-In has been accepted and a value determined, a Sony Style Gift Card will be issued to you for the final assessed value amount to be used at any Sony Style retail outlets, or at www.SonyStyle.com. Please allow 14 days for mailing of your Sony Style Gift Card after you receive your final valuation e-mail for your trade-in item.

Q. Will a quoted trade-in value ever change?

A: As long as we are able to receive the product quoted within 30 days, and as long as the item is verified as meeting the specifications and condition you initially stated at time of quote, your quoted value will remain the same. After the 30 day period has expired, the quoted value may change and it will be necessary to obtain a new quote.

Q. What if the condition of the productis different from what I represented?

A: If the product’s condition differs materially from that which you described, Sony Style reserves the right to re-price the transaction quote using the same condition parameters originally available to you. You agree to state product conditions accurately and to the best of your ability based on the guidelines posted on this site. Packing and shipping recommendations should be followed in order to avoid possible damage or loss.You’ll be notified of the final evaluated value via email. All trade-ins are final. Your product will not be returned to you.

Q. Does a damaged product qualify for trade-in value?

A: In order to receive the full trade-in value available, your product should be in current working order. However, some products may contain physical or functional defects and still qualify for some trade-in value. Just answer the simple conditional questions presented as part of your product evaluation to determine your products estimated trade-in value. Of course, if there is no value, Sony Style will still provide a prepaid shipping label for you to send in your product for safe Recycling.

[source: The-ebook-Reader]