PRS-950 PRS-950 available for pre-order from Sony

Sony is probably getting cheap. They included a cover with the 900 but none will come with the 950. They allowed easy access to the battery of the 900 for user replacement, but appear to have not done that with the 950. Their new readers are nice, but build quality has definitely gone down while the prices have not. If they do not include the AC charger, then I would get a cheap after market one rather than the ridiculously high priced Sony one. I use my Blackberry 8900 charger and my Kindle charger adapter with my 350. I have several chargers for other devices that also work.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by jswinden

If they do not include the AC charger, then I would get a cheap after market one rather than the ridiculously high priced Sony one. I use my Blackberry 8900 charger and my Kindle charger adapter with my 350. I have several chargers for other devices that also work.

Thanks for the suggestion. If the charger is not included in the box, I was planning to try my iPhone or Kindle adapters too.

[jboardman]

I made my PreOrder for the PRS 950 last thursday (10/14). It was listed as "back ordered" until yesterday. Not it is listed as "processing." Maybe it will ship before November!?

[dmapr]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Sony is probably getting cheap. They included a cover with the 900 but none will come with the 950. They allowed easy access to the battery of the 900 for user replacement, but appear to have not done that with the 950. Their new readers are nice, but build quality has definitely gone down while the prices have not. If they do not include the AC charger, then I would get a cheap after market one rather than the ridiculously high priced Sony one. I use my Blackberry 8900 charger and my Kindle charger adapter with my 350. I have several chargers for other devices that also work.

Well, with regards to the 900/950 — 900 was introduced at $399, IIRC; while the 950 is coming in at $299. I'm not surprised they're cutting some corners.

[pinnacle]

Based on past experience should we expect Sony to sell the PRS-950 in stores as well as online? I'm wondering if I should hold off preordering from Sony to see if any store will offer a promotion such as Borders offering a free cover.

[Bic]

Sony still needs to update its website on the new Sony 950: here is what it says on the "Specifications" page for the 950:
Dimensions (Approx.) : 6.38 x 2.28 x 9.84 inches (WxDxH)
Weight (Approx.) : Approx. 1.23 oz

Surely it's not that light and that thick!

And is it the new Pearl e-ink or not?

What a way to sell your key product!

[dordale]

I was in the Sony Style Store in Tigard, OR last weekend and they had a fully functioning 950 on display. It was very nice--looked just like a silver 650 but a little bit longer. The guy I talked to said he wasn't sure when they'd actually have them in stock to sell.

Bic--you're right--the dimensions listed on Sony's site are totally incorrect--wonder how long it'll take them to correct that.

I'm sure the screen is Pearl e-ink though. It was very crisp and clear--just like my 650. I've compared the screen on my 650 to my co-worker's K3 and don't see any difference in screen clarity.

dordale

[Mr. Goodbar]

The website shows incorrect dimensions, but you can now download the manual and it has the correct details in it. As noted elsewhere, pearl is just the latest variant of the viziplex display technology. I also just noticed that Sony has updated the details page for the 950 which now shows Pearl as the display type. I'm wondering how long it will be before they start shipping given some of the challenges they had last year.

[Bic]

Originally Posted by Bic

Sony still needs to update its website on the new Sony 950: here is what it says on the "Specifications" page for the 950:
Dimensions (Approx.) : 6.38 x 2.28 x 9.84 inches (WxDxH)
Weight (Approx.) : Approx. 1.23 oz

Surely it's not that light and that thick!

And is it the new Pearl e-ink or not?

What a way to sell your key product!

Well, I found the manual and the dimensions are given on p. 19. But Customer Service has no clue. I called them about the error on the web page, asked them what the accurate dimensions are and what the screen is (pearl or not). The agent had no idea about either and didn't even know the manual was available until we read it together. He claimed it was too new a product for him to have info about!! Don't they want sales?

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by Mr. Goodbar

I'm wondering how long it will be before they start shipping given some of the challenges they had last year.

Well, they are doing better than the 900 release if they have a fully functioning 950 on display now at some Sony Stores as Dordale reports. My local Best Buy still has the 300/600/900 on display, and I haven't been by the Sony Store recently.

[Mr. Goodbar]

Originally Posted by Bic

Well, I found the manual and the dimensions are given on p. 19. But Customer Service has no clue. I called them about the error on the web page, asked them what the accurate dimensions are and what the screen is (pearl or not). The agent had no idea about either and didn't even know the manual was available until we read it together. He claimed it was too new a product for him to have info about!! Don't they want sales?

Unfortunately very typical for Sony and a lot of other manufacturers, especially concerning new products. Most of these call centers pay slightly above minimum wage for entry level positions and then move the more talented folks into higher paying and more difficult jobs over time. It leaves us with perpetual entry level expertise and no real desire to do better. They're paid to answer the phone and how many calls they take, not necessarily the knowledge they have. It's unfortunate, but also the new reality in the vast majority of situations.

[sgtpokey]

Originally Posted by jswinden

Sony is probably getting cheap. They included a cover with the 900 but none will come with the 950. They allowed easy access to the battery of the 900 for user replacement, but appear to have not done that with the 950. Their new readers are nice, but build quality has definitely gone down while the prices have not. If they do not include the AC charger, then I would get a cheap after market one rather than the ridiculously high priced Sony one. I use my Blackberry 8900 charger and my Kindle charger adapter with my 350. I have several chargers for other devices that also work.

Style is certainly subjective, but as an owner of a 900 (and a 505), The built-in cover of the 900 was the definition of cheapness in my opinion and I'm very happy that the 950 model does NOT have a built-in cover.

[Bookworm_Girl]

I didn't like the 900 cover either and if the 950 ones are offered in colors besides black I'll be even happier!

[Mr. Goodbar]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I didn't like the 900 cover either and if the 950 ones are offered in colors besides black I'll be even happier!

I hope they come in different colors as well, but they now have it on the website under accessories and it only lists black as an option. Seems odd they wouldn't offer different colors like they do for the 350 and 650, but Sony makes some really odd decisions at times.

[dmapr]

Got my email from Sony today — not even a full week has passed since it became available